Strongs defines it this way Strongs defines it this way “a spirit, a being “a spirit, a being inferior to God, superior to men. Evil spirits inferior to God, superior to men. Evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the or the messengers and ministers of the devil” devil”

Origin of demonsOrigin of demons

1. Some believe demons are fallen angels 1. Some believe demons are fallen angels

2 Peter 2:42 Peter 2:4 For if God di d not spare the For if God di d not spare the angels angels who sinned, but cast who sinned, but cast them them down to down to hell and delivered hell and delivered them them into chains of into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;darkness, to be reserved for judgment;Jude 1:6Jude 1:6 And the And the angelsangels who did not keep who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;the great day;

4 reasons why the angel theory is possible4 reasons why the angel theory is possible

1. Both are described as spirits 1. Both are described as spirits

Hebrews 1:14Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering Are they not all ministering spiritsspirits sent forth to minister for those who sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?will inherit salvation?

2. They could be good or bad2. They could be good or bad

3. The devil had angels 3. The devil had angels

Revelation 12:9Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and world; he was cast to the earth, and his his angelsangels were cast out with him. were cast out with him. (Also Mat. (Also Mat. 25:41)25:41)

4. Angels would know who Jesus was. 4. Angels would know who Jesus was.

2. Demons are the departed soul of a 2. Demons are the departed soul of a sinner. sinner.

1. Both the Greek and the Jews thought this.1. Both the Greek and the Jews thought this.

2. The word “demon” during their time was 2. The word “demon” during their time was always used in reference to the departed always used in reference to the departed spirit of a wicked person. spirit of a wicked person.

Demon CharacteristicsDemon Characteristics

Matthew 8:16Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were brought to Him many who were demon-demon-possessedpossessed. And He cast out the . And He cast out the spiritsspirits with with a word, and healed all who were sick,a word, and healed all who were sick,

Luke 24:39Luke 24:39 "Behold My hands and My feet, "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a a spirit does not have flesh and bonesspirit does not have flesh and bones as you as you see I have.“see I have.“

Luke 8:2Luke 8:2 and certain women who had been and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities -- Mary healed of evil spirits and infirmities -- Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,seven demons,

Mark 5:1Mark 5:1 Then they came to the other side Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 22 And when He had come out of the boat, And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an tombs a man with an unclean spirit,unclean spirit, 33 who who had had his his dwelling among the tombs; and dwelling among the tombs; and no no one could bind him, not even with chains, one could bind him, not even with chains,

44 because he had often been bound with because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And shackles and chains. And the chains had the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.him. 5 5 And always, night and day, he was in And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and and cutting himself with stones. 6cutting himself with stones. 6 When he When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. Him. 77 And he cried out with a loud voice And he cried out with a loud voice and said, and said, "What have I to do with You, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." 8You by God that You do not torment me." 8 For He said to him, "Come out of the man, For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"unclean spirit!"

99 Then He asked him, "What Then He asked him, "What is is your name?" your name?" And he answered, saying, And he answered, saying, "My name "My name is is Legion; for we are many." 10 Also he Legion; for we are many." 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11send them out of the country. 11 Now a Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. the mountains. 1212 So all the So all the demons demons beggedbegged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." 13 And at once that we may enter them." 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. into the sea, and drowned in the sea. See See also Mat. 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-39.also Mat. 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-39.

1. Jesus had power of the demons1. Jesus had power of the demons

2. The demons showed the emotion of fear2. The demons showed the emotion of fear

James 2:19James 2:19 You believe that there is one You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and -- and tremble!tremble!

Matthew 12:43Matthew 12:43 " When an unclean spirit " When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. places, seeking rest, and finds none. 4444 "Then he says, 'I will return to my house "Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds finds it it empty, swept, and put in order. empty, swept, and put in order. 45 45 "Then he goes and takes with him seven "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last they enter and dwell there; and the last state state of that man is worse than the first. So of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."shall it also be with this wicked generation."

Acts 19:15Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" who are you?" 16 16 Then the man in whom Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.naked and wounded.

What was their purpose?What was their purpose?

1 Samuel 16:141 Samuel 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a departed from Saul, and a distressing spiritdistressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. from the LORD troubled him. 1515 And Saul's And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. spirit from God is troubling you. 16 16 "Let our "Let our master now command your servants, master now command your servants, who who are are before you, to seek out a man before you, to seek out a man who is who is a a skillful player on the harp; and it shall be skillful player on the harp; and it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well." you shall be well."

1. Demons don’t come from God1. Demons don’t come from God

2. It only took a harp to make him feel 2. It only took a harp to make him feel betterbetter

The evil spirit which afflicted Saul was not a The evil spirit which afflicted Saul was not a living demon sent by God, but rather a living demon sent by God, but rather a sinister attitude brought on by his rejection sinister attitude brought on by his rejection of God. of God.

1 John 3:81 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this this purposepurpose the Son of God was the Son of God was manifested, that He might manifested, that He might destroy the destroy the works of the devil.works of the devil.

Hebrews 2:14Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devilhad the power of death, that is, the devil, , 15 and release those who through fear of 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to death were all their lifetime subject to bondage bondage

John 5:36John 5:36 "But I have a greater witness "But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish -- has given Me to finish -- the very works that the very works that I do -- bear witness of Me, that the Father I do -- bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.has sent Me.

1. He showed that he could heal diseases 1. He showed that he could heal diseases and physical deformities and physical deformities (Mat. 9:20-22, John (Mat. 9:20-22, John 4:46-54)4:46-54) 2. He showed that he could control nature 2. He showed that he could control nature by calming a storm by calming a storm (Mat. 8:23-37).(Mat. 8:23-37). 3. He showed that he power to multiply food 3. He showed that he power to multiply food (Mat. 14: 15-21)(Mat. 14: 15-21)4. He had power over gravity as he walked 4. He had power over gravity as he walked across the water across the water (Mat. 14:22-23)(Mat. 14:22-23)5. He showed he power over death as he 5. He showed he power over death as he raised some from the dead raised some from the dead (Mat. 9:18-26, (Mat. 9:18-26, John 11)John 11)

Jesus also showed his power over the Jesus also showed his power over the spiritual world by casting out demons.spiritual world by casting out demons.

Mark 16:17Mark 16:17 "And these signs will follow "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will those who believe: In My name they will cast out demonscast out demons; they will speak with new ; they will speak with new tongues; tongues; 18 18 "they will take up serpents; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." the sick, and they will recover." 19 19 So then, So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. the right hand of God. 2020 And they went And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with working with them them and and confirming the word confirming the word through the accompanying signs. through the accompanying signs.

1Cor 13: 8-101Cor 13: 8-10 Since miracles would cease at Since miracles would cease at the completed revelation of God’s Word. It the completed revelation of God’s Word. It makes logical sense that demon possession makes logical sense that demon possession would cease as well. would cease as well.

Is demon possession here today?Is demon possession here today?

1. God would not allow demon possession to 1. God would not allow demon possession to continue and take away our only way to get continue and take away our only way to get rid of them.rid of them.

2. No modern day cases of supposed demon 2. No modern day cases of supposed demon possession compare to the characteristics possession compare to the characteristics of demons in the 1of demons in the 1stst century. century.

3. God would not allow our free will to 3. God would not allow our free will to violated.violated.

1 Corinthians 10:131 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has No temptation has overtaken you except such as is overtaken you except such as is common to common to manman; but God ; but God is is faithful, who will not faithful, who will not allow allow you to be tempted beyond what you are you to be tempted beyond what you are ableable, but with the temptation will also make , but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to the way of escape, that you may be able to bear bear it.it.

Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:1 "In that day a fountain shall be "In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. uncleanness. 2 2 " It shall be in that day," says the " It shall be in that day," says the LORD of hosts, "LORD of hosts, "that that I will cut off the names of I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. be remembered. I will also cause the prophets I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. 3and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. 3 "It shall come to pass "It shall come to pass that that if anyone still if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, 'You shall not live, begot him will say to him, 'You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.' And his father and mother who begot him LORD.' And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies. shall thrust him through when he prophesies. 44 " " And it shall be in that day And it shall be in that day that that every prophet will every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear a robe of coarse hair to they will not wear a robe of coarse hair to deceive. deceive. 5 5 "But he will say, 'I "But he will say, 'I am am no prophet, I no prophet, I am am a farmer; for a man taught me to keep cattle a farmer; for a man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.'from my youth.'