The Believer's Defense Against Spiritual Wickedness
Scripture paints a clear picture: Demons are real, intelligent, and organized. They know our weak spots and how to push them, through various temptations.
They are called unclean spirits (Mark 1:27), evil spirits (Luke 7:21), and powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).
They are demonic messengers under the direction of their master, Satan, who is the “ruler of the kingdom of the air.” (Ephesians 2:2)
“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood,” Paul writes, “but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 2:2)
They are demonic, fallen angels. Scripture is careful not to overindulge our curiosity, but Matthew 25:41, mentions eternal fire prepared for "the devil and his angels," and Revelation 12:7-9, describes the dragon (Satan) and his angels being cast out of heaven. Other passages, like Jude 1:6, mention angels who abandoned their dwelling (heaven). However, the Bible’s focus isn’t on how demons are structured, but on how they’re defeated.
So what do these unseen beings want?
In one word: ruin.
Their goal mirrors their master's. They want your soul... you. To turn you against Christ and His saving grace. To steer you away from salvation:
“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10)
They corrupt worship (1 Corinthians 10:20).
They deceive the nations (Revelation 16:14).
They whisper lies that bend truth, stir fear, and fracture faith (John 8:44).
They seek not just to torment the body but to twist the image of God within it (Mark 5:2-5).
And yet, even at their strongest, they are not above Christ.
When demons confronted the apostles, the demons trembled at the name of Christ.
Hell’s legions may be many, but their leash is short.
Jesus never taught His followers to study demons. But he did teach them how to resist them, as fascination and communication with spiritual darkness, dims the spiritual light of Christ in believers.
Demons may organize armies, but they fear one name above all others...Jesus. They tremble at even the mention of His name:
James 2:19 KJV - "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and know Jesus as the God of this universe—and tremble!"
When He rebuked the unclean spirit in Capernaum, it left instantly (Mark 1:25–26).
When His disciples cast out demons in the name of Jesus, even hell itself was shaken. (Luke 10:18)
The cross was the final blow. Every demonic ruler and unseen power was humiliated at Calvary.
“Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)
Demons still move. They still deceive. But their war is lost.
They are outlaws running on borrowed time, waiting for the sentence already written:
“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
Paul doesn’t tell believers to fear demons. He tells us to stand firm against them. Here's how:
“Put on the full armor of God… so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11)
The full armor of God is: Truth. Righteousness. Faith. The Word of God.
We don’t fight darkness with rituals. We fight it with obedience. We fight it with Christ.
Though demonic spirits roam the world, hoping to influence people to turn against Christ, we are not hopeless. Believers have nothing to fear. Demons can not rule Jesus, they cannot take over His throne nor steal our salvation through Christ:
Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." John 10:28 - 29
Jesus reigns supreme over every realm, both physical and spiritual. Every demonic spirit, every power of darkness, every demon that has ever uttered a word against God, will one day bow before Him.
“At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:10)
You don’t need to name the darkness to defeat it. You just need to know the Light of the World...Jesus.
Believers are told to resist (turn away from whatever the temptation) and away from the devil's influence. Doing so, under and by the authority of Jesus Christ, the devil and his demon followers shall flee from you. That is a promise from God, in James 4:7.
Do not intentionally entertain thoughts of sin. That's where it all starts, with just a thought, so catch that thought and turn away from it, before it materializes into sin. Resist the devil and sin, and Satan shall flee from you, but you have to do it by the authority of Jesus Christ. Demons don't fear you, and won't obey you, but they will obey Christ, and that is why we cast out demons in the name of Jesus and by His authority. Only then, will they flee.
They are called unclean spirits (Mark 1:27), evil spirits (Luke 7:21), and powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).
They are demonic messengers under the direction of their master, Satan, who is the “ruler of the kingdom of the air.” (Ephesians 2:2)
“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood,” Paul writes, “but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 2:2)
They are demonic, fallen angels. Scripture is careful not to overindulge our curiosity, but Matthew 25:41, mentions eternal fire prepared for "the devil and his angels," and Revelation 12:7-9, describes the dragon (Satan) and his angels being cast out of heaven. Other passages, like Jude 1:6, mention angels who abandoned their dwelling (heaven). However, the Bible’s focus isn’t on how demons are structured, but on how they’re defeated.
So what do these unseen beings want?
In one word: ruin.
Their goal mirrors their master's. They want your soul... you. To turn you against Christ and His saving grace. To steer you away from salvation:
“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10)
They corrupt worship (1 Corinthians 10:20).
They deceive the nations (Revelation 16:14).
They whisper lies that bend truth, stir fear, and fracture faith (John 8:44).
They seek not just to torment the body but to twist the image of God within it (Mark 5:2-5).
And yet, even at their strongest, they are not above Christ.
When demons confronted the apostles, the demons trembled at the name of Christ.
Hell’s legions may be many, but their leash is short.
Jesus never taught His followers to study demons. But he did teach them how to resist them, as fascination and communication with spiritual darkness, dims the spiritual light of Christ in believers.
Demons may organize armies, but they fear one name above all others...Jesus. They tremble at even the mention of His name:
James 2:19 KJV - "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and know Jesus as the God of this universe—and tremble!"
When He rebuked the unclean spirit in Capernaum, it left instantly (Mark 1:25–26).
When His disciples cast out demons in the name of Jesus, even hell itself was shaken. (Luke 10:18)
The cross was the final blow. Every demonic ruler and unseen power was humiliated at Calvary.
“Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)
Demons still move. They still deceive. But their war is lost.
They are outlaws running on borrowed time, waiting for the sentence already written:
“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
Paul doesn’t tell believers to fear demons. He tells us to stand firm against them. Here's how:
“Put on the full armor of God… so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11)
The full armor of God is: Truth. Righteousness. Faith. The Word of God.
We don’t fight darkness with rituals. We fight it with obedience. We fight it with Christ.
Though demonic spirits roam the world, hoping to influence people to turn against Christ, we are not hopeless. Believers have nothing to fear. Demons can not rule Jesus, they cannot take over His throne nor steal our salvation through Christ:
Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." John 10:28 - 29
Jesus reigns supreme over every realm, both physical and spiritual. Every demonic spirit, every power of darkness, every demon that has ever uttered a word against God, will one day bow before Him.
“At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:10)
You don’t need to name the darkness to defeat it. You just need to know the Light of the World...Jesus.
Believers are told to resist (turn away from whatever the temptation) and away from the devil's influence. Doing so, under and by the authority of Jesus Christ, the devil and his demon followers shall flee from you. That is a promise from God, in James 4:7.
Do not intentionally entertain thoughts of sin. That's where it all starts, with just a thought, so catch that thought and turn away from it, before it materializes into sin. Resist the devil and sin, and Satan shall flee from you, but you have to do it by the authority of Jesus Christ. Demons don't fear you, and won't obey you, but they will obey Christ, and that is why we cast out demons in the name of Jesus and by His authority. Only then, will they flee.
