Author Dr. James. A McBean. D.Th., MCC

Copyright © 2003 Library of Congress Washington.D.C.20559

Publisher: Revival Tract Ministries Inc

The purpose of this article: Speaking to men-unborn! I had been writing for ages, and have no special person in mind!

T he day of Pentecost takes Satan like a storm. One hundred and twenty disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost. This would put an end to Satan's kingdom, but Satan quickly learns that he can use that same thing that tend to end his reign, to advance it. Just like what happen in Egypt, every miracle that Moses did except one, the magicians of Egypt was able to fake. Satan quickly learns that he can fill people with demonic spirits and convince the person that it is the Holy Ghost. Satan is doing it, and getting away with it. Demonic spirit is so crafty, that without the gifts of discernment of spirits it is almost impossible to detect them.

1 Cor. 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

In the whole Church sometime is only one person had the gift of discerning of spirits. This could be anybody, sometime poor brothers or sister. If you are not the elite member of the church are somebody who sheds out big money, they might refuse to acknowledge your gift. And therefore, do not benefit from it. So each Christians have to know how to know devils from the Holy Spirit. And that is the purpose of this lesson.

People, who had to see things before they can believe, are sometimes the first ones to fall. Because their unbelief keep them from preparation, and from seeking advanced knowledge on the subject.

Good and evil spirits move their way among us with the speed of lightning. Some are for our hurt and some are for our protection. A child of God must know our spirit friends as well as our spiritual enemies. Christians in our time scared to learn about demons, about the Holy Ghost.

WHAT ARE DEMONS AND WHERE DO THEY CAME FROM?

There are different groups of spirits. Demons are not the spirit of decease men. Demonic spirits are fallen angels, who was cast out heaven with Satan.

WHY DO DEMONS CAME TO THE CHURCH AND IN WHAT FORMS:

Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. [31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

2 Cor. 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

DEMONS ORIGIN.

Revelation 12:3-AV And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Revelation 12:4-AV And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

When Satan was cast out of heaven in prehistoric time, he was not cast out alone. The third parts of the angelic host were cast out with him. You see he led a rebellion against God. Since this book is not about Satan but on the angels that do his bidding I will not spend much time on Satan himself. I had another book call "SATAN'S STRATIFY"

For centuries the Old Testament saints did not know of the existence of demons nor Satan himself, until Ezekiel, Job. Daniel, and Isaiah reveal him. It was after the death and resurrection of Christ that the great demonic host was revealed to humanity on a whole.

Colossians 2:15-AV [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Ephesians 4:8-AV Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

DEMONS HAVE PERSONALITY.

They speak, have emotions, they cried out. Demons have intellect. They can communicate and they also barter. Demons are intelligent. They are very brilliant more than any man. They can deceive.

Matthew 8:28-AV And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. Matthew 8:29-AV And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Matthew 8:30-AV And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. Matthew 8:31-AV So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer (permit us, allow us) us to go away into the herd of swine. Matthew 8:32-AV And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

DEMONS ARE NOT TO BE MESS WITH.

Acts 19:14-AV And there were seven sons of [one] Sceva, a Jew, [and] chief of the priests, which did so. Acts 19:15-AV And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Acts 19:16-AV And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:17-AV And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

1 Timothy 2:1-AV I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1 Timothy 2:2-AV For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:3-AV For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 1 Timothy 2:4-AV Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

DEMONS CANNOT FAKE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

Galatians 5:22-AV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, Peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:23-AV Meekness, temperance: against such there is no Law.

Ephesians 5:9-AV (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] at all Goodness and righteousness and truth;)

1John 4:20-AV If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1John 4:21-AV And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

John 13:35-AV By this shall all [men] know that ye are my Disciples, if ye have love one to another.

DEMONS CAN AND HAS FAKE THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT:

1Corinthians 12:7-AV But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1Corinthians 12:8-AV For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 1Corinthians 12:9-AV To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 1Corinthians 12:10-AV To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 1Corinthians 12:11-AV But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

The gift of tongues, and prophecy is the most faked gifts of demonic spirits. But if you look closely, you will see that the people that they brought a word from the lord for, is always the elite members of the Church. The poorest members of the church who is suffering, you never hear them bring a word for them. Healing is another gift that is easily faked by demons. Demons posse’s preachers can tell you your name, and what you eat this morning, and the marks on your legs. Not because a person reveals this to you is not a guarantee that the person is of God. The way to know these demonic people, is that they are destitute of the fruit of the spirit. They will preach Jesus, and hate a follower of Christ only because you hand out gospel tracts. They will dislike you for nothing. You can see the way how they look at certain people behind their backs. For all that shouting they still have no natural affection. They will cry over a wounded dog, while passing a dying man and pretend not to see him base on color or religion.

DEVILS IN CHAINS.

Some of the evil spirit is so dangerous that God has to leave them in chains. These will be let loose in the great tribulation.

Jude 1:6-AV And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Revelation 9:14-AV Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. Revelation 9:15-AV And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFIED DEMONIC SPIRIT. LETS GO! HERE WE GO

Ephesians 6:12-AV 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]. 1 Corinthians 2:12-AV Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

HOW DO WE IDENTIFY PEOPLE?

The chief way to identified people up until now are by their name. Their names tell you who they are. And their works, attitude, behaviors, tell you what they are on the insides. Satan is one person, who can move with the speed of lightening, but can only be in one place at a time. However, he had these demons that do his works for him. He is pretty organized. Each demon promotes one sin. Lying spirit only tells lies. They do not get involved with fake healing and things of that nature. To overcome a spirit you had to overcome the sin that, that spirit promotes. People come in contact with witches, every day and do not know them, because we are looking for an old woman live in deep woods, with black cats, and are riding upon a broomstick. People come in contact with angels every day and do not know them, because we are looking for a shiny person with wings. Demons do not actually wish to live inside people, they only do this to people who have a great calling, and could be a great person. By taking over the life of such a person Satan had he or she tied down for life or until he or she gets delivered. Demons only want to gain access to the person's mind, where he can influence them. In this case the person will be good ninety nine percent of the time. This act as a cover for the demon that has access to his or her life. We Christians think the person has to be running mad or naked down the road to be demons possessed. Our Church is loaded down with demons possess people, and we do not know that they are posses because the demons uses the person's body like a house. The devils are not home every day.

(1) THE SPIRIT OF ERROR.

1 John 4:6-AV We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

This spirit causes the person to live a life of errs. This will hates every other Christians, yet at the same time manifested spiritual gifts. There will be a hateful attitude about the person. There will be no sweetness, no form of kindness. This hateful attitude will not be to all people but will be demonstrated only to those who love the Lord, like a striving young Christian. Striving young Christian will be seen as boasters. Then resentment will be leveled against the young Christians, this attitude will cast them down, and cause them to be discouraged.

(2) THE SPIRIT OF SLUMBER.

The spirit of slumbers seems to be a sister spirit to the spirit of the spirit of error. This spirit comes upon people when they turn their back on God.

Romans 11:8-AV (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

(3) LYING SPIRIT.

1 Kings 22:22-AV And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 1 Kings 22:23-AV Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

2 Chronicles 18:22-AV Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath puts a Lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

Lying sprits, can put forth a lie and it is accepted as truth. This spirit is very active in the USA. If a job agency sent you on a job at a company. And you have done well on the job, the supervisor fearing that you might catch the attention of those in charge, and get a supervisor's position. These will call up the agency that sends you there and told them that you were the worst person that they have ever seen, and they must just lay you off, don't even bother talking to you about the incident, at the same time there was never an incident accrued. It is after the agency refuse to send you on another job, years later that you might learn the truth. We find the same spirit operating in the Church. Where Christians defaming each other, and digging pits. It is the same spirit. Lying spirits. At the same time the person will get in the spirit and manifest a truckload of spiritual gifts. Lying spirit is the master of suggestions. If a Christian opens a new business in a new Ariah, this spirit will move into place, to fight against the new business. If you are a skillful workman. He will suggest to the people that you are all sure of yourself. Thinking that you are something big. Thinking that you are brilliant. It is after that you given up and is packing up to move, that the people began to come looking for you. Before that they could not come. It is when you move out of town and state that your PO Box filled up with mails. People cannot reply because of the craft of lying spirits. I remember when I was just starting out, handing out gospel tracts in the streets. Every time I gave a tract to a sinner I felt an unseen person hit me on the side of my head. Finally, I say "hit me and kill me because I will not stop" That was when I got the victory over the punches. He will tell a man that you want his wife. And at the same time tell the woman that you scorned her. If you keep yourself to yourself. He will tell the people that you think you are better than them. As you go on the job, he will tell the workers who you are and how you are going to behave. When the predications do not come thought, the people still get enraged. Lying spirits are employed against a Christian or a person when nothing can be found to drown you with. Lying spirit is a master, because they can make anybody believe and acts without proving. I have seen cases where a murder, collect the reward for turning in a another person for committing a murder, that he himself committed. It was years later that he was found out to be the real murder. Lying spirits are masters of suggestions. Anytime you see people began to despise are shunning you. They behave like this because the lying spirit is being used against you.

(4) THE SPIRIT OF DIVINATION A FAKE HOLY SPIRIT.

Acts 16:16-AV And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, Which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: Acts 16:17-AV The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which she unto us the way of salvation. Acts 16:18-AV And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16:19-AV And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto the rulers, Acts 16:20-AV And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, Acts 16:20-AV And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, Acts 16:21-AV And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. Acts 16:22-AV And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].

No other spirit has the success in the church like this spirit. We see it take days for the Apostles Paul to rebuke the spirit, In my opinion he did not rebuke it the first day because he was not sure. I was going to a certain church, any night when I was not at church, the believers would tell me how they had a great night last night. There was a cloud burst of blessing. People were filled and speak in tongues, drop and the floor and foam.

Mark 9:18-AV And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnashed with his teeth, and pined away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

Luke 9:39-AV And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departed from him.

This is one pastor who wants no white sheet in my church. I am not going to cover you up. I will duck you with a bucket pan of water instead. Christians have a service that they call "Tarrying" This doctrine base upon what the Lord Jesus told his apostles. To tarry in Jerusalem. But the word "Tarrying" Mean waits. Right now all Christians are trying for the lord return. It does not actually mean to be praying and rolling on the floor all night. In these tarrying services is the time when many people are actually demons.

(5) FROG SPIRITS.

Revelation 16:13-AV And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Frogs spirit is the spirits that work with false prophets, these are very emotional but have no solidarity behind it. You will see them on TV. Some have all a hundred million dollars in the bank and are still begging. They never give a candy to a Sunday school child.

(6) FOUL SPIRIT.

Mark 9:25-AV When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, [Thou] dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

A foul spirit does two jobs, unlike the other spirits who only do one. A foul spirit can be a deaf and dumb spirit as well as a spirit of infirmities and a lying spirit. A blind spirit as well as a cripple spirit. In plane word this spirit does two things in his victims. When you rebuke the spirit and the person's eyes open and they can now see. They suddenly get deaf, when previously they could hear but could not see. A foul spirit can be a spirit of whoredom, as well as a spirit of infirmities. This is a hard spirit to cast out. He walks you till you are sweating. You will mostly find this spirit in mad people. Demons only possess somebody to keep them from accomplishing some spiritual role in life. Demons prefer to only have access to the person's mind. For example, a wife who is under the control of a provoking spirit, will harass her husband to death, without even knowing why she is treating him like that. Vice-versa.

FOUL SPIRIT CHANGING PERSONALITY.

Some time a person is possessed by several spirits. Therefore, they keep on changing personality. If the person changes five personalities. That means they possessed with four spirits. Because one of theatre personalities came from the person's own human spirit. All the others are from the evil spirits.

(7) THE SPIRIT OF JEALOUSLY.

Numbers 5:30-AV Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.

This spirit is called the spirit of jealously, this is his name. All the sins that deal with that emotions, including covetousness, grudges envy is control of that spirit. Any time you see a person whose jealous out of control, it is these demons that are at work. The whole world is under the power of Satan because of this sin.

(8) SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY.

Luke 13:11-AV And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself]. This spirit causes the person to be sick and the sickness puzzle medical people. Because nothing physically seems to be wrong with the person.

(9) SPIRIT OF FEAR.

2 Timothy 1:7-AV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This spirit is not hard to discover, because any time the person hear the word demons, or holy spirit they get upset. They will not show the upset. But they became very uneasy. The person tries to change the conversation, are might even joins in and turn it into a quarrel. Demons do not like to hear about demons. Nothing upset a possess person like hearing the word “Demons” They became very scared, because demons do not like to be found out.

2 Tim. 1:7 [For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind] Four things the gift of 2 Tim. 1:6 consists of: 1.Spirit of boldness (Romans 8:15) 2.Spirit of power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 16:10; 1 Tim. 4:14) 3.Spirit of love (1 Cor. 13:4) 4.Spirit of a sound mind, understanding, and judgment (Galatians 5:22-23) b[fear] Greek:, cowardice. Only here. c[power] Greek: inherent power; power to reproduce itself, implying need of constant activity and use for continued reproduction. From this word we get our English dynamo and dynamics-the branch of mechanics dealing with the principles of motion or active operation. Just as a dynamo needs to be in motion to produce power, so one needs to stir up into flame the gift of God in his life (2 Tim. 1:6; 1 Tim. 4:14). [love] Greek: 1 Cor. 13:4. [sound mind] 1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 2:4,6,12.

(10) THE SPIRIT OF BANDAGE.

Romans 8:15-AV For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The spirit of bandages is responsible for all the sins of bandages like racism. Any unnatural behaviors in human beings are demonic related. It is not natural for somebody to hate another person because of religion nor because of race, nor national origin. For another human being to hate there has to be genuine reason.

You have to constantly tease a dog before that dog hate. I saw a person for the first time, they have never even spoken a word good are bad. How can I hate that person? Well! This attitude is all over world.

Any part of the body that the demon. takes up his aboard in, that part malfunctions.( Not in all cases) Kidney, liver heart. When the demons live in a person, he takes away all peace from them. They are constantly in a depressed mode.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15 spirit of bondage again to fear] Spirit and nature of Satan (Ephes. 2:2; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14-15). You have not received a spirit of slavery to relapse again into fear and terror, but you have received the Spirit of freedom and sonship to break every bondage. the Spirit of adoption] Spirit and nature of God (Romans 5:5; Romans 8:2,9,11,15-16; Galatians 4:4-6).

[adoption] Sonship (Romans 8:15,23; Romans 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephes. 1:5). Adopted sons share the same rights and privileges as one born in the family.

[Abba, Father] Slaves were never allowed to say Abba to a master or Imma to a mistress.

DOES A DEMON POSSESS PERSON KNOW THAT THEY ARE POSSESS?

Sometime they know. If they are possessed by a JINN, he speaks with them, and many times tell them things. And cause them to be prosperous, if it is a church person he are she will swear that it is the holy spirit, and will never want to lose that spirit.

OVERCOMING DEMONS.

Even in the spirit world there are laws that govern them. They cannot just come and take possession of a person life. You are someone in your family have to invite them in. Satanic spirits can deceive a person, by getting the person to believe that he or she is going to be fill with the Holy Ghost, but pick up devils instead, because the person was not sincere in their seeking, and live deplorable life style. People who get poses has open up themselves to Satan in some ways, rather than what we saw on the surface. For example, a poses minister, can only impart to others what they got.

2 Cor. 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

What he has is what you are going to get. Zechariah 3:1-AV And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. Zechariah 3:2-AV And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Zechariah 3:3-AV Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. Zechariah 3:4-AV And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Zechariah 3:5-AV And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. Revelation 12:11-AV And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

HOW TO CAST OUT DEMONS.

Acts 19:14-AV And there were seven sons of [one] Sceva, a Jew, [and] chief of the priests, which did so. Acts 19:15-AV And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Acts 19:16-AV And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:17-AV And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

The demons came out because his cover is blown. Once you identified him, especially if you called him by his name. That make him come out even faster. Demons do not come out because you are screaming the name of Jesus in their ears. The demons have to respect your life.

Luke 10:17-AV And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Luke 10:19-AV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:20-AV Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

DANGEROUS BUSINESS

Demons might not come out if you and the demons are living the same kind of life. You will need to first cover yourself under the blood of Christ. If you did commit any sin you will need to go confess it to God. If you are sleeping with the wife of somebody in the near community, you better leave that demons alone, because he will either bawl out what you have done, are come out of the person and take possession of you. You will need to cover the people who are in the home under the blood of Christ. You must imagine, imagine, imagine, yourself entering the person body, and begin to look around for the demons, and with an imaginary sword command him to come out, in the name of Jesus, and do not possess anybody else.

Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Sometime people cast out demons at the church and when they went home, the demons is home at their house waiting for them. “You cast me out at the church because you have help, cast me out now”

Rev. 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Below is additional study from Dake notes.

Dake notes. Annotated Bible.

Demons or Unclean Spirits

1.Definition and usage of the terms devil and demon: (1)Two Hebrew words are translated "devil": "a spoiler"; "destroyer"; "a malignant, evil spirit" (Deut. 32:17; Psalm 106:37); and (HSN-8163), "shaggy, hairy one"; "kid"; "goat"; "satyr"; "devil" (Leviticus 17:7; 2 Chron. 11:15). Devils are the "familiar spirits" of the O.T. (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6; Deut. 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:3,9; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:24;

Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3), and the supernatural spirits behind witchcraft (see Twelve Forbidden Practices.). (2)The word "demon" is not found in the King James Version of Scripture, but the Greek verb (to be po (to be possessed by an evil spirit; be demonized) and the nouns 1140) refer to evil spirits, demons, or devils. (3)The word "devil" is also used of Satan, the prince of demons (Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24). He is the chief devil and the original source of evil in the

universe. There are many demons, but only one prince of demons. The Greek word for devil used in connection with Satan is, meaning adversary, false accuser, slanderer, devil. It is used of men and translated false accuser and slanderer in 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Titus 2:3. It is translated "devil" once as applying to Judas when he became an adversary of Christ (John 6:70). In 34 other places it is translated "devil" and used of Satan as the chief adversary of God. Satan has an angelic body and cannot physically enter anyone (see note, ?Luke 22:3), but demons are disembodied spirits capable of possessing the bodies of both animals and men. 2.The nature of demons:

(1)They are evil (Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 18:9-10). (2)They are intelligent and wise (1 Kings 22:22-24; Acts 16:16). (3)They are powerful (Mark 5:1-18). (4)They are disembodied spirits (Rev. 16:13-16). (5)They are not angels (Acts 23:8-9). (6)They are not human, for they possess men and can be cast out (Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17).

(7)They are individuals (Mark 16:9). (8)They have knowledge (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41; Acts 19:15). (9)They have faith (James 2:19). (10)They have feelings (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7). (11)They have fellowship (1 Cor. 10:20-21). (12)They have doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1). (13)They have wills (Matthew 12:43-45). (14)They have miraculous powers (Rev. 16:13-16). (15)They have emotions (Acts 8:7). (16)They have desires (Matthew 8:28-31). (17)They have other soul and spirit faculties. 3.The work of demons: (1)They possess people and cause dumbness and deafness (Matthew 9:32-33; Mark

9:25) (2)Blindness (Matthew 12:22) (3)Grievous vexation (Matthew 15:22) (4)Lunacy and mania (Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 5:1-18) (5)Uncleanness (they are called unclean spirits 20 times; Luke 4:36)

(6)Supernatural strength (Mark 5:1-18) (7)Suicide (Matthew 17:16; John 10:10) (8)Convulsions (Mark 9:20) (9)Lusts (John 8:44; Ephes. 2:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17) (10)Counterfeit worship (Leviticus 17:7; Deut. 32:17; 2 Chron. 11:15; Psalm

106:37; 1 Cor. 10:20; Rev. 9:20) (11)Error (1 John 4:1-6; 1 Tim. 4:1) (12)Sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 4:23-24; Acts 10:38) (13)Torments (Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 15:22) (14)Deceptions (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 1 John 4:1-6) (15)Lying (1 Kings 22:21-24) (16)Enchantments and witchcraft (2 Chron. 33:6) (17)Heresies (1 Tim. 4:1) (18)Wickedness (Luke 11:26)

(19)Fear (2 Tim. 1:7) (20)Love of the world (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Cor. 2:12) (21)Bondage (Romans 8:15) (22)Discord (1 Kings 22:21-24; Matthew 13:36-43) (23)Violence (Matthew 17:15) (24)Betrayals (John 13:2; 1 Kings 22:21-23) (25)Oppression (Acts 10:38) (26)Sin (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8) (27)Persecution (1 Peter 5:8; Rev. 2:10) (28)Jealousy (1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 18:8-10) (29)False prophecy (1 Samuel 18:8-10; 1 Kings 22:21-24) (30)Every other evil they possibly can, to work against man and God.

4.The abilities of demons: (1)They can teach (1 Tim. 4:1). (2)They can steal (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12). (3)They can fight (Ephes. 4:27; Ephes. 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8). (4)The can become fierce and wrathful (Matthew 8:28; Rev. 12:12).

(5)They can tell fortunes (Leviticus 20:27; Acts 16:16). (6)They can be friendly (they are called familiar spirits 16 times; Leviticus

20:6,27). (7)They go out and come back into people as they will, unless cast out and rejected (Matthew 12:43-45). (8)They travel (1 Kings 22:21-24; Mark 5:7,12). (9)They speak (Mark 1:34; Mark 5:12; Acts 8:7). (10)They imitate the departed dead (2 Samuel 28:3-9; 1 Chron. 10:13; Isaiah 8:19; Deut. 18:11).

(11)They can do many other things when in possession of bodies. 5.They are called: (1)Devils (Mark 16:17) (2)Familiar spirits (Leviticus 20:6) (3)Unclean spirits (Mark 1:27) (4)Evil spirits (Luke 7:21) (5)Seducing spirits (1 Tim. 4:1).

6.General facts about demons: (1)They are subject to Christ and made subject to believers by the atonement, the name of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 12:28; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 19:15). (2)Thousands of them can enter into and take possession of one man at the same

time (Mark 5:9). (3)They must be discerned, tested, resisted, and rejected by believers (1 John 4:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:10; Ephes. 4:27; Ephes. 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9). (4)They have more than ordinary intelligence (Matthew 8:29). (5)Their rightful place is in the abyss (Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:1-21).

(6)They have personality (Luke 8:26-33). (7)They are disembodied (Matthew 12:43-45). (8)They are Satan's emissaries (Matthew 12:26-29). (9)They are numerous (Mark 5:9). (10)They can enter into and control both men and animals (Mark 5:1-18), and they seek embodiment (Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 8:32). (11)Demon possession and demon influence are different (cp. Matthew 4:23-24 with Matthew 16:21-23).

(12)Demons know their fate (Matthew 8:31-32) and recognize those who have power over them (Acts 19:13-17). (13)They fear God (James 2:19). (14)They inflict physical maladies (Matthew 12:22; Matthew 17:15-18).

(15)They wage war on saints (Ephes. 6:10-18). (16)They influence men (1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:10-12). (17)All unbelievers are more or less in league with them (Ephes. 2:1-3). (18)The only resources against them are prayer and the whole armor of God (Matthew 17:21; Ephes. 6:10-18). (19)There are demon spirits for every sickness, unholy trait, and doctrinal error known among people. (20)They must be cast out or resisted in order to experience relief from them. 7.Traffic with demon spirits is forbidden in both testaments (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6; Deut. 18:10; 1 Chron. 10:13-14; Isaiah 8:19; Luke 4:41; Acts 16:16; 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-6).