Hell, Satan, & Demons
I have met people who believe in God, Jesus and Heaven but do not believe in Satan or Hell. This is deception from the enemy. What better way to remain hidden than to convince people you don’t exist! I read a quote once that said, "Deceived people don't know they are deceived. That is part of the deception." That is so true!
In the book of Job, Satan is referred to as “the proudest of all the creatures.” (chapter 41) It was his pride that caused him to be cast out of Heaven. In the book of Isaiah, Satan said of himself, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14) Ironically, this is how he tempted Eve to sin in the beginning. By telling her she’d be like God. (Genesis 3)
He was too proud to be a servant of the Lord, even though he was favored. Isaiah also calls Satan ‘shining star’ and ‘son of the morning’. The book of Revelations tells us: “There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.” -Revelation 12:7-9
Now keep in mind that Satan was referred to as ‘shining star’. Because Revelation 12:4 says, “His (Satan’s) tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.” This speaks of the other angels that were thrown out of heaven with Satan. They are the demons that now roam the earth, looking for a host like parasites.
Demons can’t operate on their own. They need a human to work through. Through sin, doors are opened giving them permission to come in and work. Our sin is like a legal contract or giving them the right to use us. They are skilled at remaining hidden so most people don’t even realize demons are working in their life. Demons are behind many mental health disorders. Not all cases though, so please don’t think that’s what I’m saying. Some people do have a chemical imbalance and need medication to correct it. But, in so many cases demons are to blame.
Sadly, many Christians don’t believe in demons and therefore can’t defend themselves from what they think isn’t there. The Bible is clear that demons exist. In fact, nearly a third of Jesus’ ministry was casting out demons. For examples, read Matthew 8:28, Mark 5, Matthew 9:32, Mark 3:15, Luke 11:14, and Matthew 17:18. (These aren’t all the stories of Jesus casting out demons. Just a few.)
Mark 6:7 says, “And he (Jesus) called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.” As believers, we have his authority. He told us in John 14:12 that we will do the things he has done and even greater. We do not have to live in bondage to sin and under the infliction of Satan and demons. Paul said in Ephesians 6 to take up the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. That is our defense against evil. If you read the account of Jesus being tempted by Satan you will see that He battled him with Scripture.
'Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’ ” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. ' -Matthew 4:1-11
The Word is our weapon as well, and our faith is our shield.
“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” -Ephesians 6:16
James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
So believe in God and that He will protect you from the evil one. When things are really rough, call Satan out as Jesus did. Say, “Get behind me Satan!”
God gave us authority over Satan. Though he rules the rest of the world (2 Corinthians 4:4), Christians don't have to live under his dominion.
"Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you." —Luke 10:19
In Mark 16:17 Jesus said, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;"
In the book of Job, Satan is referred to as “the proudest of all the creatures.” (chapter 41) It was his pride that caused him to be cast out of Heaven. In the book of Isaiah, Satan said of himself, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14) Ironically, this is how he tempted Eve to sin in the beginning. By telling her she’d be like God. (Genesis 3)
He was too proud to be a servant of the Lord, even though he was favored. Isaiah also calls Satan ‘shining star’ and ‘son of the morning’. The book of Revelations tells us: “There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.” -Revelation 12:7-9
Now keep in mind that Satan was referred to as ‘shining star’. Because Revelation 12:4 says, “His (Satan’s) tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.” This speaks of the other angels that were thrown out of heaven with Satan. They are the demons that now roam the earth, looking for a host like parasites.
Demons can’t operate on their own. They need a human to work through. Through sin, doors are opened giving them permission to come in and work. Our sin is like a legal contract or giving them the right to use us. They are skilled at remaining hidden so most people don’t even realize demons are working in their life. Demons are behind many mental health disorders. Not all cases though, so please don’t think that’s what I’m saying. Some people do have a chemical imbalance and need medication to correct it. But, in so many cases demons are to blame.
Sadly, many Christians don’t believe in demons and therefore can’t defend themselves from what they think isn’t there. The Bible is clear that demons exist. In fact, nearly a third of Jesus’ ministry was casting out demons. For examples, read Matthew 8:28, Mark 5, Matthew 9:32, Mark 3:15, Luke 11:14, and Matthew 17:18. (These aren’t all the stories of Jesus casting out demons. Just a few.)
Mark 6:7 says, “And he (Jesus) called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.” As believers, we have his authority. He told us in John 14:12 that we will do the things he has done and even greater. We do not have to live in bondage to sin and under the infliction of Satan and demons. Paul said in Ephesians 6 to take up the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. That is our defense against evil. If you read the account of Jesus being tempted by Satan you will see that He battled him with Scripture.
'Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’ ” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. ' -Matthew 4:1-11
The Word is our weapon as well, and our faith is our shield.
“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” -Ephesians 6:16
James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
So believe in God and that He will protect you from the evil one. When things are really rough, call Satan out as Jesus did. Say, “Get behind me Satan!”
God gave us authority over Satan. Though he rules the rest of the world (2 Corinthians 4:4), Christians don't have to live under his dominion.
"Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you." —Luke 10:19
In Mark 16:17 Jesus said, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;"
