Evil Angelic Spirits
The Bible teaches that there are evil angelic spirits on earth. When Satan and his angels first rebelled against God in heaven, the wicked angel “was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9). But praise God, Christ defeated these evil spirits by His death on the cross (Galatians 1:4; 1 John 3:8; Colossians 1:13…etc.).
The Bible tells us that Satan tempted Adam and Eve and they fell (Genesis 3). Consequently, Satan became the prince of this world. The Lord warned His people not to contact evils spirits through mediums, witches and sorcerers (Isaiah 8:19-20; Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:11). And He instructed that in order to protect His children from direct contact with demons, mediums and witches who dealt with evil spirits, were to be killed (Leviticus 20:27).
The New Testament mentions many examples of the activity of evil spirits both during the time of Jesus’ ministry and that of the apostles (Matthew 8:28-33; 12:22; Mark 1:23-28, 39; 3:11; 5:1-20; 12:28; Luke 4:41; 7:21; 8:2, 30; 16:9; Acts 19:13-16).
Jesus warns that those who are delivered from demon possession must not yield again to evil spirits or else those demons will return (Luke 8:1-56) and bring “seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first” (Luke 11:26)
Evil spirits are present among people today. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
God Delivers People From Evil Spirits
Jesus gives His disciples power over all evil spirits. He “called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7,13 also Matthew 10:1; Luke 10:17; Acts 19:15). He says, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” (Luke 10:19). And He gives a promise for all of His followers, “…And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons…” (Mark 16:15-18).
The Lord warns us today, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And “the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). For “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Test the Spirits
How can a Christian today discern the difference between good and evil spirits because some of them disguise as God’s servants? The apostle Paul gives the answer: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already” (1 John 4:1-3). Therefore, the teachings of people led by evil spirits must always alien with the teachings of Christ.
Overcoming Evil Spirits
The Lord teaches Christians how to overcome evil spirits saying: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). And He assures them, “for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Therefore, Paul proclaims, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4: 3 also 1 Corinthians 15:57). And he triumphantly adds, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
At the end of the world, God will finally sentence the evil angelic spirits to hell fire and they will be utterly consumed (Matthew 25:41; John 16:8-11). “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Then, the Universe will be cleansed forever from all sin.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
