If I write about demons, I will be introducing the possibility of debate. That is not my objective in this post. I cannot definitively establish comprehensive Christian protocol when it comes to demons. I’m not going to address rebuking demons or teach about the power Christians have over demons. I’m not qualified to instruct anyone regarding this subject. The only indisputable truths that I’ve studied are these:
1. They exist and work in conjunction with Satan because they are under his rule and according to traditional interpretation, Satan is a fallen angel who was cast out of heaven and took subordinate angels with him.
” And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9
2. I have something in common with them. We both believe in God.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19
3. Jesus gave the 12 disciples the capability to overpower them.
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matthew 10:1
4. It is possible to fellowship with them.
“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” 1Cor 10:20
5. They are teachers.
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1Tim 4:1
6. We’re in a war with them.
“…This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.” Eph 6:12 TM
7. Exorcism isn’t necessarily our job.
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” Acts 19:13-17
I’ve never initiated a study of demons or Satan. It’s never occurred or appealed to me. This biblical research of demons was prompted by a dream that I hope I never have again. I can’t remember the start of the dream, just the spiritual nature of it. I was toggling between a dream state and reality and the presence and the evil of that demon was dominant. It didn’t speak or act in any way. It was a female demon and she conveyed to me her power and intention in a unspoken way, but it was so clear and so alarming that all I did was say the name Jesus. I only did it as a shield and a defensive measure. Then I was fully awake and I felt her presence still. So, I was thinking, “Jesus, Jesus” I really didn’t know what else to do. It seemed like that was the only thing I could do. This dream occurred just last night but I’ve had a others in the past. I could say, it was just a nightmare, but I don’t believe it was. I don’t think any of my nightmares register as high on the terror scale.
It made me wonder why she showed up. My feeling is that it’s due to the decision to repent of certain sins in my life. They’re things that I felt like I couldn’t get a handle on. Since I felt this way, I decided to do it incrementally and watch God assist me as I aimed for one marker at a time, otherwise I’d have a defeatist attitude looking at the overwhelming change required. Maybe she was sent to push me off the path. I can’t spend time attempting to figure it out. I don’t even think it’s that complicated. If I give myself over to God, that’s enough.
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
I don’t need anything other than Jesus. He is the stronger one. He explained it to the Pharisees who accused him of being a demon.
Mark 3:27 “Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.”
And- if I come up against an especially tough one, prayer will get it out.
Mark 9:18 “Some only come out through prayer.”
I’m not equipped or required to fight demons or Satan. I only need to resist,. I hand myself over to God and pray if I need to..This resistance is not out of the realm of my capability. 1 John 4:4. God is fully engaged with me in this. He has to be, I’m invaluable. Jesus death established me. So, God’s not going let me fall under a defeated enemy. That would be senseless. For this reason, resistance is not futile.
Resist Always?