Demons are mentioned frequently throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament through the New Testament. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible passages that deal with demons and spiritual warfare against demonic forces:
Old Testament References to Demons
In the Old Testament, references to demons or evil spirits are somewhat vague compared to the New Testament. Here are some of the main Old Testament passages:
- Leviticus 17:7 – References sacrifices to goat demons or “goat idols.” Indicates that sacrificing to false gods is associated with demonic forces.
- Deuteronomy 32:17 – References sacrifices made to demons, false gods, new gods that had not been worshipped by their ancestors.
- Psalms 106:37 – References child sacrifices made to demons, shedding innocent blood.
- Isaiah 13:21, 34:14 – References satyrs or creatures associated with demons inhabiting desolate places.
- The Fall of Satan: Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-19 describe the rebellion and fall of Satan, who was once a beautiful angel but was cast out of heaven for wanting to become like God.
So in the Old Testament, sacrificing to false gods, worshipping other deities is tied to worshipping demons, and Satan is represented as a rebellious fallen angel who was once beautiful but cast out of heaven.
Demons in the Gospels
In the New Testament Gospels, Jesus has frequent encounters with demons and battles against the kingdom of Satan:
- Matthew 4:24 – Jesus was brought many people possessed with demons, and was able to cast out the spirits with a word.
- Matthew 7:22 – Jesus said that many who call him “Lord” on judgment day will be those he casts out for working lawlessness.
- Matthew 8:16 – Jesus was able to drive out evil spirits with a word.
- Matthew 8:28-34 – Jesus sends a legion of demons out of two men into a herd of pigs who then rush into the sea to drown.
- Matthew 9:32-34 – Jesus drives out a demon from a man who was mute, healing him. The Pharisees said he did this by the prince of demons.
- Matthew 10:1-8 – Jesus gives his disciples authority over unclean spirits to drive them out.
- Matthew 12:22-32 – Jesus heals a demon-oppressed blind and mute man. He explains that Satan’s kingdom cannot stand if it is divided against itself.
- Mark 5:1-20 – Jesus casts out a legion of demons from a man into a herd of pigs, healing the man.
- Luke 4:33-37 – Jesus rebukes an evil spirit that cries out loudly, commanding it to come out of a man. The people marvel at his authority over demons.
- Luke 8:26-39 – Jesus drives a legion of demons out of a man into a herd of pigs who rush into the lake to drown.
- Luke 9:37-43 – Jesus frees a boy from an unclean spirit that causes him to have seizures.
- Luke 10:17-20 – The seventy-two disciples return to Jesus telling him they were able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name.
- Luke 11:14-28 – Jesus drives out a demon from a mute man so he can speak, explaining this demonstrates the kingdom of God has come.
From these passages in the Gospels, we see Jesus frequently encountering and casting out demons from people with his divine authority and power. His ability to liberate people from demonic oppression is a sign that the kingdom of God has come and is defeating the kingdom of Satan.
Epistles References to Spiritual Warfare Against Demons
The New Testament epistles contain instructions for believers on how to combat the spiritual forces of evil:
- Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing can separate us from the love of God, including angels, demons, or spiritual forces.
- 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 – You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too. We cannot partake in the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
- 2 Corinthians 2:11 – We are not unaware of Satan’s schemes against believers.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 – Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, so his servants can disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
- Ephesians 6:10-18 – Put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but spiritual forces of evil.
- Colossians 2:15 – Jesus disarmed and triumphed over the demonic rulers and authorities by the cross.
- James 4:7 – Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.
- 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in your faith.
- 1 John 3:8 – The reason Jesus appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
- Jude 1:9 – Michael the archangel did not pronounce judgment on the devil but said “The Lord rebuke you.”
- Revelation 12:7-9 – There was war in heaven. The dragon and his angels fought against Michael’s angels, but they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan.
- Revelation 20:2 – The angel seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
From these passages, we are given insight into the nature of our spiritual enemy, the schemes of Satan and demons, and the spiritual weapons and armor God provides believers to combat forces of spiritual darkness.
Bible Verses on the Nature and Works of Demons
Additional Bible verses give details on what demons are like and what theyattempt to accomplish:
- Genesis 3 – The serpent tempts Eve in the Garden, leading to sin. Revelation 20:2 identifies the serpent as the devil or Satan.
- Leviticus 16:8-10 – On the Day of Atonement, one goat is sacrificed to the Lord and one released into the wilderness for the scapegoat demon Azazel.
- Deuteronomy 18:9-14 – Child sacrifice, divination, witchcraft, casting spells, mediums, spiritists and consulting the dead are all forbidden as they are detestable to the Lord.
- 1 Samuel 15:23 – Rebellion is like the sin of divination. Arrogance is like wickedness and idolatry.
- 1 Samuel 16:14-15 – An evil spirit from the Lord began to torment King Saul after God’s spirit departed from him.
- 1 Kings 22:21-23 – A spirit volunteers to entice wicked King Ahab into battle so he will die in battle.
- 2 Chronicles 18:18-22 – The Lord sends a lying spirit into the mouths of false prophets to bring disaster on Ahab.
- Matthew 12:43-45 – When an unclean spirit leaves a person, it returns with 7 other spirits more evil than itself if the house is empty.
- Luke 4:31-36 – Jesus rebukes an unclean demonic spirit that cries out “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?”
- Luke 8:27-33 – A man was possessed by demons for a long time, living naked and alone among the tombs. Jesus allowed the demons to enter a herd of pigs who rushed into the lake to drown.
- Luke 9:1 – Jesus gives the disciples authority over all demons.
- Luke 10:17-20 – The disciples report that even the demons submit to them in Jesus’ name.
- 1 Timothy 4:1 – The Spirit expressly says in later times some will depart from the faith and follow deceitful spirits.
- James 2:19 – Even the demons believe and shudder before God.
- Revelation 9:20 – People did not repent of worshipping demons.
- Revelation 18:2 – Babylon has become a dwelling place for demons.
We learn that demons promote idolatry, false teaching, divination, witchcraft, deceit, and various kinds of immorality. They oppose the Lord’s work and seek to tempt people into sin and false belief systems. But believers have power over them in Jesus’ name.
Bible Verses on Defenses Against Demons
The Bible provides spiritual defenses and ammunition believers can use to protect themselves from demonic influence and temptation:
- Proverbs 3:5-8 – Trust in the Lord rather than your own understanding. He will make your paths straight if you fear Him.
- Matthew 6:13 – Jesus teaches us to pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
- Matthew 18:18-20 – Where two or three gather in Jesus’ name, he is with them. Binding and loosing related to church discipline.
- John 8:31-32 – If you continue in Jesus’ word, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
- Acts 19:13-20 – Seven sons of a Jewish high priest try to cast out demons by Jesus’ name without knowing him. The demon says “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit attacked them.
- Ephesians 6:10-18 – Put on the full armor of God. Praying at all times with supplication in the Spirit.
- Philippians 4:8 – Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable – think about such things.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord.
- James 4:7 – Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Resist the devil, firm in your faith.
- 1 John 4:1-6 – Test the spirits to see if they are from God. Every spirit that confesses Jesus has come in the flesh is from God.
- Jude 20-21 – Build yourselves up in the most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Through prayer, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and resisting temptation, we can stand firm against the attacks of the enemy. Spiritual disciplines like Bible study, worship, fasting, and Christian fellowship equip us for spiritual warfare.
Bible Verses on the Origins and Fate of the Devil and Demons
The Bible explains where Satan and the demons came from and what their ultimate destiny will be:
- Isaiah 14:12-15 – Lucifer was an anointed guardian cherub in Eden but was filled with pride and said he would make himself like the Most High God. He was brought down to Sheol.
- Ezekiel 28:12-19 – The king of Tyre was in the garden of Eden, adorned with precious stones. But he was filled with pride over his beauty and splendor. He was cast to the ground.
- John 8:44 – Satan was a murderer and liar from the beginning who rejected truth.
- John 12:31 – Now is the judgment of this world. The ruler of this world will be cast out.
- John 16:11 – The ruler of this world is judged.
- 2 Peter 2:4 – God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until judgment.
- Jude 1:6 – Angels who did not stay within their position of authority were kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment.
- Revelation 12:7-9 – Satan and his angels were defeated and cast out of heaven by Michael’s angels.
- Revelation 20:10 – The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur to be tormented forever.
According to Scripture, Satan and demons are fallen angels who rebelled against God. They are destined for eternal judgment and separation from God’s goodness. The lake of fire was prepared for Satan and his angels.
Conclusion
This overview covers some of the major Bible passages that relate to demons and spiritual warfare. The Bible teaches that demons are evil, unclean spirits associated with idolatry, false gods, deception, and immorality. Satan leads the demonic forces as a roaring lion seeking to devour believers. However, Christ came to destroy the devil’s works and believers have spiritual defenses and weapons to resist demonic powers. One day Satan and the demons will face their final defeat and judgment when Christ returns.