Demonology
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
After the rather frequent mention of demonic activity during Jesus’ earthly ministry, it is noteworthy that less than a half dozen of direct encounters with demons are recorded in Acts. Some who were tormented by unclean spirits were brought to the apostles in Jerusalem and were all healed (Acts 5:12–16). Philip, who was not one of the Twelve, exercised authority over unclean spirits in Samaria (Acts 8:5–7). In Philippi, Paul was the instrument of releasing a slave girl from a spirit of divination that was manifested in fortune telling (Acts 16:16–18). Later God worked unusual miracles through Paul in Ephesus, one of which was the expulsion of evil spirits (Acts 19:11–12). What are we to make of the diminished number of recorded encounters with demons after the ascension of Christ? Furthermore, what should be the attitude and actions of believers today in relation to evil spirits?
Of foremost observations is that Jesus did not leave His followers with a ritual or procedure for combating demons. He simply exercised His authority as the divine Son of God in combating demons and on occasion bestowed such authority on some of His followers, such as the Twelve, as well as Paul and Philip. Many of us have heard about direct encounters between missionaries and evil spirits on missions fields, but we hear little about such encounters in our own church ministries.
Are enemy spirits less active or has the strategy changed? Is demonic activity in our times simply focused in settings that are given to superstitions and biblical illiteracy? With the fact that the New Testament contains frequent warnings about false teachers and false doctrines, could it be that satanic strategy has shifted from physical manifestations to theological ones? Hebrews 13:9 warns, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.” Does Satan seek to incapacitate believers for fruitful living and service by promoting false teaching rather than inflicting physical maladies? The prophetic words in 1 Timothy 4:1 is that “the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” Might this warning refer to doctrines suggested or promoted by deceiving spirits as opposed to doctrines about demons?
Is the current manifestation of demonic activity focused on capturing people’s minds more than attacking their bodies? Such would account for the prevalence of admonitions about false teaching and false teachers found throughout the New Testament. We remember that Satan is subtle in the pursuit of his goal of opposing God and God’s people. The capture of the mind can have disastrous effects that may well be more serious than causing physical pain or inabilities. Having rebelled against God, these spiritual beings seek to extend rebellion by influencing people to live in ways that are contrary to God. As Christians we are called on to resist Satan while submitting ourselves wholly to God.
Be cautious
Two cautions are in order in thinking about the doctrine of demons. The first is that we not dismiss the role of demons or take lightly what the Bible says about them. Denial of the existence of a real enemy makes the enemy all the more dangerous. The second is not to overplay demonic activity by finding demons behind every negative event, sickness, disappointment or failure, as if an exorcism is called for in every situation. In the meantime we can rejoice over the eventual outcome when the devil and his angels are finally and eternally vanquished.
Editor’s note — Jerry Batson is a retired Alabama Baptist pastor who also has served as associate dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and professor of several schools of religion during his career.
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