The Work of Demons

Last issue, we left off with questions like, “If Satan isn’t omniscient, how does he know so much about us that he can accuse us before God?” and, “ Who are the demons and where do they come from?” Accordingly, this installment will begin there.

The Background on Demons
In order to better understand how Satan works through those demons who help him, we must first understand angels, because Satan and demons are angels—fallen in sin, but angels nonetheless. Did you ever wonder why God created angels in the first place? This is one of the most remarkable questions and answers I have come across in studying Scripture.

To understand this we must turn to the book of Hebrews, “But to which of the angels has He ever said, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:13-14).

The conclusion we draw here is that the purpose of the angels is to minister to the saints. Therefore, it would be logical to say that the purpose of “fallen” angels is to pervert that very plan. In other words, their plan is to hamper, pester, frustrate, tempt, depress and oppress those who are in Christ. These are two opposing forces in the spiritual realm—one that seeks to minister to you, and one that seeks to damn you. Here, again, is the foundation of the spiritual warfare in which we find ourselves!

It is intriguing to find that Lucifer has perverted many of God’s ways—in fact, that seems to be his modus operandi. For instance, God’s wisdom was perverted to Satan’s wiles. He has turned the minds of men from the miracles of God to the magic of sorcerers. He has persuaded men to seek knowledge, not from the revelation of God, but from mediums, astrologers and witches. He has even perverted a walk of faith in relationship with God into being “religious” (remember how religious Paul was before his Damascus Road experience!).

Those angels that follow Satan are committed to this same subversion. They are best known as “demons” (I know of no personal names for them, as we do of some angels like Michael and Gabriel). But, if this word “demon” is like “satan” and “devil” (as we saw in the last issue), then the word must mean something, and it must be important as a description of who they are or what they do. Curiously, however, few Christians seem to even know what the word “demon” means, yet we speak about them often.

“Demon” is an often-used word that means “intelligence,”, or “to know”. Some actually trace its roots to a Greek term for distribution, daiō. In that sense, the demons are watching us, gathering information about our weaknesses for Satan to exploit. Is it any wonder then, that Satan has the means to know enough about us that he may “accuse” us before God? Is it any mystery that some of what astrologers, mediums, and witches say is true?

Summary
I hope you are convinced at this point that there really is the possibility of a spiritual war going on. After all, the Bible plainly speaks of Lucifer being our opponent and accuser. With him, are many angels (demons) who are committed to his same purposes. And at the same time, God’s plan and purpose for us is that we will be a prepared people for Him, who are assisted and ministered to by created angels.

“Okay,” you say, “so there is a battle, and maybe I am a part of it, but where is the war?” It is taking place in the heavens, around the earth, in every nation, through every state, within every community, church, home, and individual! It is happening in secret and in the open; it is happening in this world and in the unseen world! It is well-planned, well-orchestrated and well-thought out by our enemies.

But some big questions still remain: “Can these things affect me, my world and my life? If so, to what extent? How might it be seen in the everyday circumstances of my life?” We’ll answer these questions and more in the next installment entitled, “The Battleground:  Past, Present and Future.”

Gerald Robison is co-founder of UnveilinGLORY, a seminar and resource ministry dedicated to unveiling the glory of God in all areas of life and taking it to all peoples of the world. UnveilinGLORY is best known for the book and seminar Cat and Dog Theology. Gerald has pastored churches in the US, Australia, and the Netherlands, and he continues to lead national seminars for “Walk Thru the Bible” Ministries.