12 Facts About Demons
Introduction
A Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, and fall asleep. Some time later, Holmes wakes Watson-“Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.” Watson replied, “I see millions of stars.”
“What does this tell you?” asks Holmes. Watson replied, “Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and perhaps billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, it appears to be approximately quarter past three. Theologically, it is evident that the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.”
After a pause, Watson asks, “Well, Holmes, what does it tell you?” Holmes is silent for a moment, then replies, “Watson, can’t you see that someone has stolen our tent?”
There can be a danger in looking for the complicated rather than the obvious.
B There are at least 9 times in Scripture that Jesus confronts demons.
1 Part of His ministry was the confrontation of demons (1/3 of heaven’s angels)
a The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted ; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners;2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn...Isaiah 61:1-2 (NASB)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor . He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives , and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed...Luke 4:18 (NASB)
b We can gather a treasure trove of information about the enemy.
aa Demons have unique personalities, use speed
bb Express the emotion of fear, promote uncleanliness,
cc Torment, create mental disorders
dd They must obey the commands of Christ.
2 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me."29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.30 And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him.31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission.33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well.37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned.38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying,39 "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:26-39 (NASB) We can find some interesting tidbits about demonic operation from the man in Gerasenes.
C “Daimonizomai” is translated, “possessed by devils” in the KJV (present-tense word with an active voice with a passive ending).
1 This word describes a condition of someone affected by demons.
a Possession never occurs in the New Testament.
b “Damonizomai” describes how a person is controlled to the point of passivity by a demon.
2 In the Luke passage we see demons have:
a Incredible physical strength
b Clairvoyance (they know Jesus)
c Occult transference (swine)
d Multiple personalities
e Rage
3 German pastor Kurt Kock and German psychiatrist Alfred Lechler researched demon influence in Germany.
a Found demonized individuals...
aa Had a resistence to the Bible and were opposed to prayer.
bb Fell into a trance-like state and had a negative reaction to Christ’s name.
b What about us, Preach?
aa Unbelievers can be owned, controlled, possessed by demons.
bb Believers cannot be fully controlled, cannot be fully owned! Can be demonized, harassed, manipulated.
cc To what degree? Limited
D The devil has somehow convinced Christians they are immune to demonic influence.
1 A Spirit-filled believer walking in obedience is absolutely protected from the enemy.
a Key is walking in obedience.
b While a disobedient Christian’s spirit is protected, his mind and body are subject to attack.
2 ...and do not give the devil an opportunity. Eph 4:27 (NASB)
Neither give place to the devil. Eph 4:27 (KJV) A Christian can “give place” to the devil.
a If a Christian gives unconfessed, habitual sin room-the enemy moves in.
aa The enemy constructs a thought pattern around that sin or attitude.
bb (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ...2 Cor 10:4-5 (KJV) Stronghold
b Demons can build fortifications in the mind/ imagination/thoughts/attitudes.
3 In college, I lived with two friends in the most awful trailer in the most awful trailer park.
a Roaches (they were there before we got there)
aa Remember the nastiness, filth, droppings, mess
bb They didn’t own the place, but they caused trouble, made life uncomfortable.
b Christian, demons can harass you, oppress, depress, and suppress you...they can’t destroy you, but they can distract you.
E The enemy’s kingdom operates in direct conflict with the Kingdom of God.
1 Although he’s defeated, he still has a controlling influence on this world.
a Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Matt 4:8-9 (NASB)
b Satan offers the world, power, glory to Jesus.
aa We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 (NASB)
bb The enemy has innumerable demonic forces at his disposal.
cc Seldom do we pass up temptation 3 times in a row.
c How many would it have taken me?
2 Demons operate in a certain way. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Luke 11:24-26 (KJV)
a 12 disturbing facts
b Cover as many as time permits
F 12 Facts
1 Demons can exist both inside and outside human beings.
2 Demons can travel at will.
a “...walketh through dry places, seeking rest...” They prefer traveling over land, and not wet places.
b In Mark 5, Jesus casts demons into swine, who run into the Sea of Galilee (punishment).
c Travel in the atmosphere of this planet.
3 Demons need a human host in order to rest. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
4 Demons can communicate using the vocal apparatus of their host.
a When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. Clear they speak!
b ...and shouting with a loud voice, he said* , "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!" Mark 5:7 (NASB) Demon speaks to Jesus via the voice of the host, “Do not torment me.”
5 Demons have individual identities and unique personalities.
a Do angels have names? Yes! Copycat Satan
b When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. “I will...”
aa Not impersonal forces, faceless imps
bb Just like angels have names and personalities
6 Demons consider the body they live in to be their home! When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
a “...my house...”
aa They are possessive and seek ownership of the human life they invade.
bb Neither give place to the devil. Eph 4:27 (KJV) That’s why Paul warns us!
cc Don’t give the devil a place, foothold.
dd He’ll put out a mailbox and declare your body his address.
b Pacific Heights: an older movie where a young couple can’t make their mortgage payments, so they rent part of their house to a man.
aa He refuses to pay rent, harasses the couple, sues them, makes their life a living hell.
bb The house was possessed by a madman who took over their lives.
c The story graphically illustrated the strategy of a demon.
aa He’ll quietly come in the little area of your life that you refuse to surrender to Jesus.
bb From that stronghold, he’ll try to rule and reign your life.
7 Demons can plant thoughts and influence mental health.
a Verse 25 is a reference to the human mind: And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
aa Demon returns to the one who has been set free.
bb The mind is clean and put in order-no spiritual fullness.
b Two key causes:
aa The Holy Spirit is either not present in this life (not saved) or
bb He’s in the spirit of the person but not filling the mind/controlling the body.
cc Went back to the same old sin.
c Maybe God gave victory over anger to a believer... instead of filling that clean area with Scripture, praise- fell into the same pattern as before.
d The enemy sees the emptiness in the individual and attacks the mind void of the Holy Spirit.
8 Demons can remember, think, and plan.
a In all these verses, you can see that demons are not stupid.
b Don’t take them lightly, flippantly.
9 Demons can communicate with each other.
a Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. The demon communicates with 7 other demons.
b When one gives place to a demonic entity, he’ll bring company with him.
aa Where you see one roach, there’s always more!
bb If they aren’t exterminated, they increase in number.
c For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (KJV)
aa And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matt 18:34-35 (KJV)
bb He, Jesus, speaks of “tormentors” in regard to those who will not forgive his brother’s trespass.
cc Could refusing to forgive a brother’s trespass be a demonic tactic? YES!
10 There are levels of evil that exist within the demonic hierarchy.
a Verse 26: “...demons more wicked than himself...”
b If a person tolerates a little evil, then more evil comes!
11 Demons are a problem to Christians today.
a For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12 (KJV) Hand-to-hand combat!
b These spirits can’t possess our spirit, can afflict our body and oppress our minds.
c Must enforce the victory of the cross on these evil forces.
12 Demons are involved in deceiving believers by teaching false doctrines.
a For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude...1 Tim 4:4 (NASB)
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving...1 Tim 4:4 (KJV)
Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. 1 Tim 4:4 (MSG)
b Just because a person waves a Bible and acts spiritual does not mean their ministry is anointed by God.
aa In the last days, demons seduce/deceive many Christians through false teaching.
bb Religious deception is the worst of all demonic control.
c Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 1 John 4:1-3 (NKJV)
Conclusion
A Preacher, I don’t want to deal with this stuff.
1 Ignoring the truth does not make demons work any less hard.
a Leaves our churches/Christians unprepared for battle.
b How many casualties to we need?
2 Marriages fail, addicts, depressed, wracked with pain. How much do we have to see before we wake up to the reality of spiritual warfare?
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