ACTIVITIES OF DEMONS

1. They tempt people to sin, by putting various kinds of imaginations in the minds of men and women and speaking words of deceit (Genesis 3:1-6). Satan even tempted Jesus, and Jesus revealed to us the way to overcome temptation by using the Word of God (see Matthew 4:1-10).

2. They deceive (2 Corinthians 11:14). They especially lie about God, blaming all the evil on God. Many religious leaders are deceived by Satan. As long as we remain deceived on some important point, Satan’s demons have something they can work with. They can return to it, like rats return to rubbish.

3. They hurt and torment through sickness (Acts 10:38), death, breakdown of human relationships leading to strife, war and violence.

4. They threaten (producing fear) (2 Timothy 1.7). They suggest all kinds of negative scenarios in order to create anxiety and fear. Many fears of people today are unreasonable and are the direct result of demonic suggestion.

5. They dominate, or enslave (2 Timoythy 2:26). Satan seeks to recruit slaves through the power of witchcraft and other forms of false religion. He gives power or money or sexual pleasures in exchange for various forms of worship and obedience. But Satan always double-crosses his servants, so they too become victims of his hate. Jesus said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

6. They accuse God’s people so that they have reduced effectiveness in their prayers and their relationship with God.

7. They harrass – through repeated attacks on mind, emotions, body, finances or through inspiring persecutors to make life hard for Christians.

8. They glorify themselves through witchcraft, false religion and other tools like the occult and much of today’s popular rock-and-roll, rap and metal music.

Fear, hate and pride are the major motivations in Satan’s kingdom. When you see these characteristics in a person, you are looking at someone who has yielded to evil spirits, whether they know it or not.

Jesus said that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. If you make friends with spirits committed to your destruction, you are a fool. (John 10:10). God loves us, and doesn’t want us to have fellowship with demons (see 1 Corinthians 10:20). For that reason, we must worship God and not give that place in our hearts to the various idols in our culture.

We are called to war against Satan and evil spirits (Ephesians 6:12). Only in Christ’s power and authority can we drive them out of their positions of influence. If we are in right relationship with God we have nothing to fear. If not we should cry out to God for deliverance.

Satan’s works include sickness, inspiring false religion, strife and wars, creating poverty and oppression, leading people to torment and eternal hell. He tries to rob Christians of their inheritance in Christ.

But praise God! We can overcome demons through faith in the name and blood of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. Life is better for overcomers.