EVIL SPIRITS, DEMONS, UNCLEAN SPIRITS
Whatever one calls them, there is all sorts of nonsense written on the subject of evil spirits, demons, unclean spirits.
The Bible is quite clear of where these enemies of mankind originate, though most men choose not to believe the Bible. Some prefer the tall tales of other men; others, the deceitful tales of the evil spirits themselves.
Still others have constructed their own man-based view of the Bible and anything in God’s Word which contradicts their tidy little scenario naturally gets tossed to the wayside.
Currently, the popular story circulating among apostates is that demons are “fallen angels.”
This is a lie; a fable from men. This does not come from the Bible.
We can know this is not correct because the Bible tells us that those fallen angels are kept in chains until judgment (2 Peter and Jude 1:6) while demons/evil spirits are very much out in the world tormenting men.
“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
—Jude 1:6
“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”
—2 Peter 2:4
(Some specific fallen angels are released a little earlier for very specific purposes according to Revelation 9:14-15.)
Of course, the apostates are not about to let God’s Word stand in the way of them making a few bucks–and there’s no end to the number of people who buy non-biblical CDs, books and DVDs about “fallen angels are demons.”
What does the Bible say?
PART ONE: Where do evil spirits come from?
PART TWO: Weapons of Our Warfare: END TIMES SURVIVAL
PART THREE: END TIMES SURVIVAL: We Fight Spiritual Battles, Not Physical Ones
PART FOUR: EXORCISM: 10 Observations on Casting Out Demons
PART FIVE: Spiritual Warfare: 10 Observations on Demons and Spiritual Warfare
PART SIX: SPIRITUAL WARFARE: The Explosive Power of the Prayers of the Believer
EVIL SPIRITS
The Old Testament records several accounts of men being tormented by evil spirits. IN EVERY CASE (and this also pertains to a “lying spirit” which caused a king’s death because he paid heed to it), those evil spirits were said to come from God Himself.
An evil spirit which afflicted King Saul is mentioned no fewer than six separate times in 1 Samuel. In EVERY instance, this spirit is referred to as an “evil spirit from God” (or an “evil spirit from the LORD“).
“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.”
—1 Samuel 16:14
“And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.”
—1 Samuel 16:15
“Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.”
—1 Samuel 16:16
“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
—1 Samuel 16:23
“And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.”
—1 Samuel 18:10
“And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.”
—1 Samuel 19:9
Lest any reader believe that evil spirits from God only afflicted Saul, we have two other instances. One earlier reference is from Judges and is VERY specific about not only where the evil spirit came from but why God sent it.
“When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.”
—Judges 9:22-24
One further account is recorded in both 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18. It involves Ahab and his lying prophets, as well as God’s prophet, Micaiah.
“And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.”
—1 Kings 22:19-23
So in every case, God sent evil spirits as a judgment on men committed to rebellion against God.
DEMONS
Lest any reader be saying to himself, “Well, now, this is evil spirits. Demons, on the other hand, that’s a different story!”
The Bible is quite clear that “evil spirits” are the same entities sometimes referred to as “devils” (demons) in the New Testament. How can we know that evil spirits and demons are the same?
Luke 9:37-43 refers to the same entity as an “unclean spirit” (obviously evil from its actions) and also as a “devil” (demon).
“And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.”
—Luke 9:37-43
THE LORD CREATED EVERYTHING
Who else created evil spirits (demons), if not God Almighty?
And who, among fallible men, is there to question Him and His motives?
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen”
—Romans 11:36
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
—Isaiah 45:7
FAMILIAR SPIRITS: JUDGMENT
Some men consult with particular evil spirits which God’s Word calls “familiar spirits.” They are in no way to do this.
“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 18:10-12
Men who ignore God’s Word believe that they have control of these familiar spirits. However, evil spirits, no matter the type or their name, are judgments from God. They allow evil men to believe they are in control. Such men are deceived, so there’s little trouble getting them to believe they are the ones in control.
Hence, men who consult familiar spirits are partaking in their own judgment from God, even while they cling to such spirits for the relatively trivial benefits (money, power, knowledge, pleasure, etc.) they may provide.
So: such men who rebel against God are actually clinging to the judgment which God sends as a punishment for their rebellion.
AND, these men believe they are “beating the system” and would never think to break away from their doom.
God oftentimes punishes men by allowing them to have what they think they desire.
Even though it is sinful and contrary to God’s Word.
How’s that for a punishment? The punished believe their judgment is a benefit and are loath to let go of it!
Truly, God Almighty is amazing.
It’s not too late to change direction.
It’s not too late to exchange judgment for mercy.
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR/foto76, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-15. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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