I'm currently doing a study on this subject and I'm far from completing the study, so I'm not fully equipped to defend what I believe about this difficult subject. I'm happy to be corrected by scripture, but I don't think that private opinions or views are helpful.
As Christians, we can be sure of the existence of Satan and demons because the Bible plainly depicts them as fallen angels who work in the world to oppose God and his people, to deceive and blind unbelievers to the Truth.
We have a very real adversary who roams around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour 1 Peter 5:8. As Ephesians 6 describes, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Eph 6:12.
The devil is bent on destroying Christians and their testimony, and stopping the progress of the gospel.
The Scriptures indicate that Satan can oppress us, assault us, tempt us, slander us, and accuse us. But a Christian who is indwelled by the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by a demon. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Cor 3:17).
Scripture reveals to us a real but invisible world inhabited by angels and demons. All we can say about this mysterious realm is what is revealed to us in Scripture, which is why speculation beyond the biblical data can be positively dangerous.
Angels are not the only inhabitants of the invisible world, since the Bible speaks of other invisible spiritual beings that possess an evil, malevolent orientation toward us. Scripture identifies them as “demons.” These beings are closely associated with magic and the occult.
They seek the destruction of humanity, yet they are aware of their ultimate doom, for they ask Jesus: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God” (Luke 4:34). They are commonly identified as “fallen angels,” who, under certain conditions, can possess (control) unbelievers.
Christians are at war with the powers of darkness, the war is for the mind and soul. The aim of the enemy is to deceive Gods people, He doesn't need to deceive unbelievers as they are already blind.
There's a lot more to say, but I'll leave it at this for now.
As Christians, we can be sure of the existence of Satan and demons because the Bible plainly depicts them as fallen angels who work in the world to oppose God and his people, to deceive and blind unbelievers to the Truth.
We have a very real adversary who roams around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour 1 Peter 5:8. As Ephesians 6 describes, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Eph 6:12.
The devil is bent on destroying Christians and their testimony, and stopping the progress of the gospel.
The Scriptures indicate that Satan can oppress us, assault us, tempt us, slander us, and accuse us. But a Christian who is indwelled by the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by a demon. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Cor 3:17).
Scripture reveals to us a real but invisible world inhabited by angels and demons. All we can say about this mysterious realm is what is revealed to us in Scripture, which is why speculation beyond the biblical data can be positively dangerous.
Angels are not the only inhabitants of the invisible world, since the Bible speaks of other invisible spiritual beings that possess an evil, malevolent orientation toward us. Scripture identifies them as “demons.” These beings are closely associated with magic and the occult.
They seek the destruction of humanity, yet they are aware of their ultimate doom, for they ask Jesus: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God” (Luke 4:34). They are commonly identified as “fallen angels,” who, under certain conditions, can possess (control) unbelievers.
Christians are at war with the powers of darkness, the war is for the mind and soul. The aim of the enemy is to deceive Gods people, He doesn't need to deceive unbelievers as they are already blind.
There's a lot more to say, but I'll leave it at this for now.