Chapter 5

Angels, Satan and Demons

Sections

To live the Christian life we must be aware of our allies and chief opponents in the spiritual world. The following teaching about them includes reasons to always be wary, but also reasons to be greatly encouraged.

Angels

There are millions of angels, surrounding God

[John, describing a vision of a scene in heaven:] Again I looked, and I heard angels, thousands and millions of them! They stood round the throne [of God] …   Revelation 5:11 GNT

Angels are powerful beings who serve God

Praise the Lord, you angels of his, you powerful warriors who carry out his decrees and obey his orders! 21Praise the Lord, all you warriors of his, you servants of his who carry out his desires!   Psalms 103:20-21 NET

Angels help and care for God’s people

All the angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation.   Hebrews 1:14 NCV™

The Lord’s angel camps around the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.   Psalms 34:7 NET

Satan

Satan is evil and is opposed to God’s kingdom

[Jesus, explaining the meaning of a story:] The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message about the kingdom, but don’t understand it. Then the evil one [Satan] comes and snatches the message from their hearts.   Matthew 13:19 CEV

Satan is deceitful

[Jesus, speaking about Satan:] Whenever he tells a lie, he’s doing what comes naturally to him. He’s a liar and the father of lies.   John 8:44b GW

Satan has great power and authority in the world

[John, to believers:] We are certain that we come from God and that the rest of the world is under the power of the devil [Satan].   1 John 5:19 CEV

But Satan is not as powerful as God

[John, to believers:] The God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet.   Romans 16:20a NET

Satan has been condemned

God has already judged the ruler of this world.   John 16:11b CEV

Demons

Demons are evil and powerful spiritual beings

[Paul, to believers:] For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.   Ephesians 6:12 GNT

The terms “rulers”, “authorities” and “powers” are indicative of the great – but limited – power of demons.

Demons can possess people and cause them great harm

A Canaanite woman from that area came to Jesus and cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter has a demon, and she is suffering very much.”   Matthew 15:22 NCV™

Demons fear God

[James, exhorting his readers:] You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too, and they tremble with fear.   James 2:19 NCV™

Pray for persecuted Christians