Demons: Demonology PDF

7 DEMONS: DEMONOLOGY We have just seen that Satan is a created being. This means that he exists under the permission of God. It also means that, unlike God, he is not all-powerful, he does not know everything, and he cannot be all places at once. You may be thinking, "But it seems that Satan is...

7 DEMONS: DEMONOLOGY We have just seen that Satan is a created being. This means that he exists under the permission of God. It also means that, unlike God, he is not all-powerful, he does not know everything, and he cannot be all places at once. You may be thinking, "But it seems that Satan is in every city and country in the world. If he can't be everywhere at once, who causes all this evil?" Turn to Revelation 12:7-9. This passage refers to Satan's fall fromn heaven. Note the last part of verse 9. What does this tell us about his fall? These angels--how many we do not know-became what the Bible calls demons, or devils (James 2:19; Rev. 9:20). What are demons like? Read Matthew 8:16 and Revelation 16:14. Here these fallen angels are called What does Luke 24:39 tell us about spirits? We also know that even though demons are spirits, they are personalities who possess feelings and have wills of their own. Describe the action of the demons in Acts 19:13-16. Remember: Since demons are spirits, they cannot be seen by humans, but they are still just as real as if they were visible. Read Ephesians 6:11-12. According to this passage we see that Christians face more than just a single deceiver. We are in a warfareagainst 48  What kind of beings do you believe this verse is talking about? These are real beings who have personalities, feelings, power, mobility, and intelligence. Have you ever tried to fight SOmeone you could not see? How could you possibly win that fight? We must be able to see what demons do and how they act in order torecognize them! THE WORK OF DEMONS Read 1Timothy 4:l-2. Here demons are characterized as being deceivers, or seducers. What does this mean? So in the last days, according to these verses, demons willdo what to mankind? Read 2 Corinthians 11:12-15. According to verse 13, what do some human teachers do? This behavior mimics their true master, Satan. What does he disguise himself as? According to these verses,some will hear and believe false teach ing that is promoted by demonsand people somehow under the influence of Satan. Not every person who talks about the Bible and about Jesus Christ is a true teacher. 49  But how can I tell a true minister of God from a minister of Salan? " 'lurn to IJolhn 4:1-3. Are we to believe every spirit that is, every preacher? Why? What is the test of a true minister and a false one? Aword of explanation: 1John 4:2-3 is talking about more than just the fact that true ministers believe that Jesus came to the earth. Even Satan's ministers will admit that Jesus was a human being who was on this earth 2,000 years ago. What they will not teach, however, is that this same Jesus is God Himself. They may say Hewas like God or He camefrom God, but they do not want others to acknowledge His deity. We must therefore be wary of those who emphasize Christ's humanity to the point of denying His deity. He was both fully God and fully human. He did hunger, tire, and weep, but He did SO willingly for our sake. Note 1John 2:22. What does God call a man who denies that Jesus (the person) is the Christ (God in the tlesh)? What else can demons do? Read 1John 4:13-15. Do you think a Christian can be indwelled by a demon? Why? But whilewe are protected from direct influence, we should not fall prey to false philosophies and teaching that can corrupt our thinking. Read 1Thessalonians 5:22. What are we told to do in this passage? In your own words, what does that verse mean? Demons can involve themselves in many things which Christians should avoid. Note Deuteronomy 18:9-11 and list those things which God considers abominations. Match the following present day practices to the related abomination listed above. Astrology. Ouija Boards, Tarot Cards Palm Reader Talking to the Dead Should Christians be involved in such things? Dowe need to consult these for guidance? Where can Christians go for guidance and enlighten ment to make decisions and plans? 51  If demons have so much power, how can we ever defeat them? Turnback to Ephesians 6:12. Now read verses 13-17 and especially note verses l6-17. What does Paul say we're to use to defeat Satan and his forces? 1. 2. 3. Are you really using God's weapons in this battle against your spiritualenemies, or are you trying to win the battle your own way? Maybe you've decided by now that you just cant win-you've already quit! Maybe right now you're fooling around with those things you listed earlier. Remember, you are kept by the power of God. Isn't He able to keep you from these things, if you will onlyask Him? Stay close to the Lord. Only Hecan keep us true and faithful. Aredrugs agateway for demonic influence? Read Revelation 9:21; 18:23;21:8; and 22:15.What one sin is mentioned in all four of these passages? This phrase is translated from the Greek word pharmak eia, from which we get pharmacy and pharmaceuticals. In biblical times, sorcery and drug use were closely related. People would seek otherworldly experiences through the use of crude hallucinogens. Note Isaiah 47:9 and Acts 8:9. According to Acts 8:9, what was Simon doing with drugs? Shoulda Christian therefore get involved in the misuse of drugs? 52  Why? Complete This Section Wilhout Looking Back at the Lesson 1. What were demons originally? 2. How did they become demons? 3. Describethe appearance of demons. 4. Name at least two things that demons do to obscure the truth. 5. How can you tell a true minister from a false one? 6. Name some of the activities in which demons can be involved today. 7. What three things does Paul say we are to use to defeat Satan and his forces? Verses to Mernorize Ephesians 6:10-12 53