How many of us enjoy a good horror film? I don’t, but many people do. Even Christians. Many films seem to glorify evil, such as The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, It, and The Joker. What’s the fascination with such evil? It’s only a movie, right? Just entertainment. The problem is, demons are real.
These movies, as well as television and video games, make them seem as if they’re imaginary things that are unreal. Many of the Hollywood crowd serve Satan and have an agenda to make demons seem entertaining. Most people simply shrug off any idea that demons might actually be real and give them no more thought than smiling at the little ghouls and goblins who come begging for candy on Halloween.
Yes, our little ones begin at a very early age to make friends with demons. A little devil costume is so cute on Billy, and Susie is adorable in her witch hat and black robe. Is this just harmless fun? Another trend today is wearing hideous skulls on t-shirts and tattooed on bodies. Ugly skulls that personify evil. Many Christians see no problem with this.
“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
As Christians grow increasingly desensitized to Satan’s evil, we deny our power to stand against him. We become weak in our Christian walk and see the powers of evil just as the world does…nothing more than a myth. The fact is, demons are real and are very active in the world today. Only the deceived say “There’s no such a thing as demons.”
Demons aren’t myths or fairytales. We don’t like to think about demons, but Christians need to be aware of them. Jesus is the ultimate authority, so since He says demons are real, then they are real. He taught those who followed Him to spread the Gospel, heal the sick, and also to cast out demons. In addition to the twelve disciples, there were many others who followed Him. Jesus sent seventy of these men out to put what they had been taught into practice.
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke10:17).
Jesus didn’t tell them there were no such things as devils, but told them He had given them power over the enemy. The name of Jesus is powerful.
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Even demons bow to Jesus. Christians have authority in the name of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many Christians deny His power because they think the enemy isn’t at work today, or that the Holy Spirit stopped His work after the Apostles died. That’s what the enemy would like you to believe. That’s like being in a war (which we are) and believing the enemy when he says that guns don’t need bullets to be effective. Believe God and don’t be deceived.
What are demons? There are many opinions about their origin, but the bottom line is that they are disembodied spirits. What do you suppose they want most? You guessed it, living bodies. They enter when they’re invited. One way is through necromancy, which is defined as the conjuring of the spirits of the dead, and always involves demons. Their intention is not to communicate truth or wisdom, but pure lies. Trying to contact the dead is forbidden by God.
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD…” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12a).
The Israelites were heading to the Promised Land, which was filled with demon-worshipping people who practiced child sacrifice (…maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire…) to their demon god. Children are still sacrificed to a demon god today, but we call it abortion. This demonic practice opens portals for demons.
Brothers and sisters, be careful. Don’t embrace the world, but embrace Jesus Christ. Christians have the protection of the Holy Spirit, but non-believers are unprotected. It’s not difficult to attract demons; people do it all the time by drug use and other common practices. Once they’ve taken up residence in a human body, it’s not easy to evict them.
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26).
Casting out demons is a serious matter. Once the demon is gone, the space once occupied by the demon needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit. If the space is left empty, the demon will return and bring others with him. The only way to be protected is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That only happens when you truly accept Christ for salvation.
In fear of giving too much power to Satan and his minions, Christians refuse to study about demons. In doing so, many deny the existence of evil. We need to be aware of the enemy in order to know how to fight against him. Denying his existence has made it easy for Satan to work his evil.
The spiritual battle rages today just as it did when Jesus walked among men. Scripture contains many examples of demons being cast out. One time a man had brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples for them to cast out the demon, but they were unsuccessful. They watched as the young man foamed at the mouth and rolled on the ground. The man explained to Jesus that his son had been possessed since childhood. It wasn’t a psychological problem nor was it a health issue. It was a demon. Jesus told him that all things are possible to those who believe.
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
Jesus told the demon to come out and to stay out; the demon had to obey. Later the disciples asked why they were unable to cast the demon out.
“And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).
Not only are demons real, but there are different kinds of demons. Why do Christians fail? We don’t believe. Jesus will help our unbelief if we ask.
Born again believers in Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, and He doesn’t share space with evil. We live in this fallen world and are in a battle against demonic forces.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
This war will continue until Satan is ultimately defeated. The war is made up of many battles, but many Christians side with the enemy. We join forces with Satan when we compromise our walk with Jesus by embracing the worldly ways. God knows this spiritual battle is real, and has told us how to fight. God has not left us without weapons, but it’s up to us to take up those weapons and use them.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
The armour of God consists of the supernatural weapons required to fight the supernatural battle and are described beginning in Ephesians 6:14. Study them and learn to use them before you find yourself in the midst of battle. Only a foolish soldier neglects his weapons until the day of battle.
Demons are present everywhere and poised to pounce like a lion hidden and waiting for its prey, but Christians have protection. We have the Holy Spirit and Scripture to guide and teach us.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:7-8).
Even a Christian can be oppressed by demons if you embrace sin instead of submitting to God. Using drugs, participating in any kind of witchcraft, horoscopes, tarot cards, Ouija boards, yoga, meditation, contemplative prayer, embracing any sin, yoking yourself with those who aren’t of God, are some of the ways demons are given an invitation. Anything that encourages you to “empty your mind” is satanic. Many “Christian” groups accept these practices and therefore invite demonic forces to enter the congregation. Yes, Satan is bold enough to enter a Christian gathering.
There’s no such thing as Christian yoga, and no Eastern mystic activity has any place in a Christian’s life. Stick to Scripture and draw near to God. If you’ve been keeping company with the enemy, you’re in danger of coming under his control.
Here’s the good news – and listen very carefully to this: Jesus Christ is all powerful and all loving. He gave His life for you. There is no sin you can possibly commit that He will not forgive. Ask Him to come into your life and to forgive your sins. He will. Then, turn away from that sin.
If you’ve dabbled in yoga, necromancy, or have been a part of Satanism or witchcraft, you may need a strong Christian to help you get free of demons. Today is the day to come out from under the control of Satan and place your life in the loving hands of God Almighty. This is true for Christians as well as non-Christians. If you’re a Christian and have been participating in occult activities or keeping company with those who do, you may well have invited demonic oppression in your life. You may need the help of a fellow Christian who is stronger in their walk with Jesus to help you. Whatever your situation, only Jesus can free you from demons.
As we see Halloween approaching, stores are filled with demonic costumes. Parents buy their children costumes that will identify them with demons. Adults also dress up in costumes that glorify Satan. It’s all in good fun, right? As a Christian, why would you dress up in a satanic costume and identify yourself with the enemy? When we resist Satan, he loses his power.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
When Christians refuse to believe Satan and his minions of evil are real, they’ve fallen for his lies. Demons aren’t just costumed pranksters wearing masks; they are pure evil poised to destroy humanity. They are relentless and know their days are numbered.
Christ triumphed over the minions of evil at the cross. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15).
One day they will be thrown into the lake of fire along with all who follow them. Walk close to Jesus for His protection.
Demons are real. Don’t invite them into your life, and don’t fight the spiritual battle unarmed. Take your stand with Christ.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
www.straitandnarrowministry.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com
Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html
All original scripture is “theopneustos” – God breathed.
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