The Power of Demons

Overestimated or Underestimated?

To continue our study this week of these spiritual beings, we will be moving on from our current study of angels and flip the script to demons. We looked at the power of angels a few days ago and discussed how often we really overestimate or underestimate their power. And today, we will be doing just the same with demons. How powerful are these creatures? Are they simply as powerful as angels since they are described as ‘fallen angels’ or do they have a different set of strengths since they strive to accomplish evil rather than good? As we turn the pages of scripture, we can find the answers to these questions and check ourselves to see if we are over or underestimating these beings. As stated last week, not all good that happens in our lives is instructed, angelic work, and the same is true here. While evil instances can happen because of demonic influence, not all cases that involve evil are because of demonic influence. When discussing the influence and activity of demons in the New Testament, Dr. Wayne Grudem notes, “Although occasionally Jesus or Paul would cast out a demonic spirit that was causing significant hindrance to proclaiming the gospel in a certain area, that is not the usual pattern of ministry presented, where the emphasis is simply on preaching the gospel.” Essentially, what Dr. Grudem is saying here is that while demons are active throughout the New Testament during the spread of the gospel, it wasn’t the focal point of how the spreading of the gospel was stopped. Paul makes it very clear in the epistles that the biggest hindrance to the spreading of the gospel is our own personal sin, not demonic activity. If that is the case then how do we recognize demonic activity so that we know that we are not overestimating its influence? That is what we will be looking at today.

Identifying Demonic Influence

To start, we must first remember what we have already discussed about the goals of these beings. As we can recall from previous weeks, demons’ goal is to oppose our Lord’s good works. And as we can tell from scripture, that is what these evil creatures use their power for. When discussing how these instances should be recognized, Dr. Grudem mentions, “In severe cases of demonic influence, as reported in the gospels, the affected person would exhibit bizarre and often violent actions, especially opposition to the preaching of the gospel.” This is seen clearly in Mark 9:20-22 “20 They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” We can clearly see from this instance that demons have the power of physical harm and often work to destroy the good works of God, especially His very own image-bearers, mankind.

Notice again how in this story, we see the demon bring this child into a convulsion the moment he sees Christ. We see clearly that this demon is attempting to destroy an image-bearer of God by employing attack, and we see just how frantically it attempts to do so when Jesus enters the room and the gospel is about to be made known. Demons don’t just have power over human beings, however. In Mark 5:12-13, we see animals attacked by demons as well. “​​12 The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.”13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.” Again this instance starts with a human being under demonic attack but ends with the demons pleading to at least go into the herd of swine. Demons seem to always favor the image-bearers of God but will settle for any good creation that they can ultimately destroy.

Possession & Authority

So as we see from scripture, we know that demons are spiritual beings that seek to physically harm and attack God’s good creation in an attempt to oppose the gospel. Does this mean that Christians can be possessed by demons? This is an ongoing question that many people have asked, and again, I have to tip my hat to Dr. Grudem’s response to this. He notes how the word ‘possessed’ actually never appears when referring to a demonic attack and breaks down this question into two parts. If the question is referring to someone being totally taken over and their will being absolutely subject to do evil by the control of the said demon, Dr. Grudem notes this is not possible because “Scripture guarantees that sin shall have no dominion over us since we have been raised with Christ (Rom. 6:14).” On the other hand however, Dr. Grudem agrees with most believers that demons can “attack or influence the lives of believers (Luke 4:2).” So while demons cannot fully take over the will of a follower of Christ, they can still attack and attempt to influence their lives in a matter that opposes the good work of our Lord. There is some great news though. Christ has given us power over these very beings if we are followers of Him. Look at what Jesus Himself tells the disciples in Luke 9:1 “1 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.” Jesus has given His followers power and authority over all demons. This is fantastic news! We must realize though, that this authority comes from Christ and Christ alone. We must not think that we in our own power can overcome the strength of demons, lest we become like the Jewish leaders in the book of Acts. Yes, demons have the power to attack and influence God’s good creation with an emphasis on His image-bearers, but Christ has given the authority over these evil creatures to the image-bearers who are saved by His grace. Praise God that while demons may still be active today, those who are found in Christ have no reason to worry.

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Sources

[1] “Access Your Bible from Anywhere.” BibleGateway.Com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages., www.biblegateway.com/. Accessed 2023.

[2] Grudem, W. (1994). Systematic Theology : An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA79455700