The Faith of Demons

There are a myriad of movies focusing on demon possession, such as, Rosemary’s Baby (1968) The Exorcist (1973); A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984); Harry Potter movies; Scooby-Doo (2002); Casper; Supernatural; as well as the more recent show called Evil. A great deal of what is portrayed about demons in these movies and shows is incongruent with the facts found in the Bible.

What are Demons?

The word translated “demon” comes for the Greek word daimon. This is a form the word daco which means “divider, distributor.” Etymologically it meant, “hairy-ones” or “he-goats”. Demons are also called “unclean spirits” (Mt. 10:1; Mk. 6;7;5:13) and “evil spirits” (Lk. 7:1). Josephus, a Jewish historian used the word to refer always to evil spirits. He said, “demons are no other than the spirits of the wicked, that enter into men and kill them, unless they can obtain some help against them” (Tobit 8:2,3).

Demons are not the same as the Devil. Since the Devil is the “prince of demons” (Mt. 12:24), it is clear that they are subordinate agents of Satan. The King James Translation has added to confusion concerning demonology as it translates both “devil” and “demons” as “devil”. There are many demons but only one Devil. Like the devil, their origin is not revealed.

Demons Are Real

Some view the occurrences of demon possession in the Bible to be simply misdiagnosed mental or emotional disorders. Thus, they attempt to explain them in psychological and emotional disorders. The end result of this view is a passing them off as a figment of primitive superstition and ignorance of ancient societies.

Notice in the Bible that not all mental and emotional illnesses are attributed to demons. Such passages as Mt. 4:24 and 8:16 show clearly that there is a distinction between diseases resulting from demon possession and those resulting from natural causes. “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick” (Mt. 8:16). Consider the demon-possessed man who was both blind and mute (Mt. 12:22-29). In the Bible, physical illness is one thing, demon-possession is something else.

Demons are characterized as having consciousness and abilities that are not comparable to human behavior or sickness. Demons are recorded as speaking; being afraid; recognizing Christ; and trembling (Lk. 4:33-37; 8:31, 4:41; Js. 2:19). The demons have intelligence (Lk. 4:34), emotions (Js. 1:19), and power (Mark 9:17). Attributes demonstrating a separate personality from that of the individual they possess.

Contemporaries of Christ never cast doubt over the validity of demon possession. The very enemies of Christ did not deny the existence of them. Jesus, Himself, never denied the existence of demons. Nowhere did He confuse the fact demons were real. Jesus addressed the demon as distinct from the man. “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” (Mark 1:25). The personal pronoun “him”; one of whom is commanded to come out of the other man.

What Do Demons Believe?

In James’ discussion of the role of faith and works in salvation, he argues that faith alone without works is no greater than that of demons who believe. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:19,20).

Just what do demons believe? They obviously believe there is one God. When Paul and Silas were at Philippi a demon possessed girl followed them proclaiming, “These men are the servants of the Most High God” (Acts 16:17). Demons believe Jesus to Be the Son of God. The Gospel of Mark tells us “the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God” (Mark 3:11). Another demon said to Jesus, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24).

When Jesus approached the demon possessed man called “Legion” He was recognized as one worthy of worship. “When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him” (Mark 1:6). Demons believed Jesus had authority. Jesus in rebuking a demon commanded, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” (Mark 1:25). Those who witnessed the event proclaimed, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Luke 4:36).

In fact, demons believed Jesus should be obeyed. In dealing with the Lunatic Son (Mt. 17:14-23; Mk. 9:14-29; Lk. 9:37-43) Jesus rebuked him saying, “‘Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!’ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him” (Mark 9:25-36). Again, when demons reacted to Jesus’ commands the people “were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority, He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him’” (Mark 1:27).

Not only did demons recognize the authority of Jesus but believed His Apostles also had such authority over them. Concerning the demon possessed girl at Philippi, Luke informs us, “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and Silas, and cried out, saying, ‘These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.’ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour” (Acts. 16:16-18).

Bogus Jewish exorcists known as the sons of Sceva found out the painful way that demons only recognize those with divine authority. “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ Also, there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts. 19:13-16).

Demons realized they had a limited time of “freedom” to possess mankind. While traveling in the country of the Gergesenes, Jesus was approached by two demon possessed men who lived among the tombs. “Suddenly they cried out, saying, ‘What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?’” (Matthew 8:29). Permitted by God to come out and to possess men, they did not want Jesus to command them to go back before their time was up.

They demonstrate the ability to comprehend prophecy and their inevitable doom (Mt. 8:29). Demons even believed that Jesus had the power to judge them some time in the future. Demons believed they would be punished in Hell. Legion begged Jesus not to torment him “before the time” and not to “command them to go out into the abyss” (Luke 8:28, 31; Matt. 8:29). On Judgment Day, Jesus “will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matt. 25:41). These same demons believed Jesus could show them mercy. “Now, the demons who had unmercifully tormented this man beg Jesus to show them mercy: ‘Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country . . . all the demons begged Him, saying, ‘Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.’ And at once Jesus gave them permission’” (Mark 5:10-13). Finally, demons believed in salvation. Again, the demon possessed girl at Philippi said of Paul and Silas “ …who proclaim to us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17).

How does your faith compare to that of demons? Do you believe in God? Do you believe Jesus to be the Son of God? Do you believe Jesus worthy of worship? Do you believe Jesus had authority? Do you believe Jesus should be obeyed? Do you believe Jesus’ apostles had his authority? Do you realize they had a limited time of freedom? Do you believe Jesus has the power to judge them? Do you believe they would be punished in hell? Do you believe Jesus could show mercy? Do you believe in salvation?

If not, how is it that you do not even have the faith of demons? Perhaps, you need to look into the evidence found in the Word of God. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

– Daniel R. Vess