Demonology
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
In previous weeks we have gleaned from the Bible that demons are spirit beings or angels that God created. They were originally good, as was all God made. However, they sinned and became evil. We have noted a variety of ways demons are referred to, such as “unclean,” “deceiving” and “evil.” The time of their rebellion, while not specified, must have been between the time God completed creation and the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve.
Taking seriously the Bible’s revelation about demons is not an action reserved for only those who might be superstitious or prone to fancy. Demonology is a subject for serious Christians who wish to be more than conquerors in this present evil world. After all, living godly in an ungodly world is not an easy or simple accomplishment. Jesus often encountered persons whose lives were bound or being destroyed by demons. It is often noted that there is more recorded activity of Satan and demons during Jesus’ earthly life and ministry than any other recorded time in human history. God’s carefully timed invasion into a fallen world to give final shape to His eternal plan of redemption through Christ seems to have stirred strong and widespread opposition in the spirit world.
Dealing with demons
For example, Jesus was confronted by the devil, being tempted over the span of 40 days in the wilderness (Mark 1:13). Subsequently, during His ministry Jesus dealt with demonic activity in a mute man (Matt. 9:32–33), a Canaanite woman’s daughter (Matt. 15:21–28), a man in the synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1:23–26), two men living in the Gergesene cemetery (Matt. 8:28–33) and a mute lad suffering with seizure-like symptoms (Mark 9:17–26). Among early followers of Jesus was Mary Magdalene out of whom seven demons had been expelled (Luke 8:1–2). Then there was a woman who had been bound by a “spirit of infirmity” for 18 years before Jesus set her free (Luke 13:10–16). Such are some of the recorded encounters of Jesus with the devil and his angels. In each of these instances, as well as many others, Jesus set individuals free from demonic influence. It has been said that a third of Jesus’ healing miracles mention the confronting and overcoming of evil spirits.
Having authority
Not only did Jesus possess authority over demons, He also on occasion delegated such authority to His disciples. Upon the appointment of the Twelve the witness is that “He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out” (Matt. 10:1). Apparently, He did not delegate to them absolute or unconditional authority inasmuch as on one notable occasion the disciples were unable to deal with a demon-possessed boy. Jesus explained their inability on that occasion to be because of the lack of prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21). This incident served to suggest that some demons possess greater resistance to divine power than others.
Also, there appears to be variations in the wickedness of demons, since Jesus referred to an evil spirit who “goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself” (Matt. 12:45).
The gospel is indeed good news. One aspect of the good news is final victory over demons. Thanks to Jesus we know the end of the story about Satan and demons. In His analogy about sheep and goats Jesus referred to a consignment “into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).
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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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