Demonology (The Doctrine of Demons)

I.       The Origin Of Devil

A.     The Devil Was Originally An Angel

1.        The devil once dwelt in the garden of Eden (Ezek 28:13).

2.        The devil was an anointed guardian cherub (Ezek 28:14).

3.        The devil was called “Lucifer [Day Star], son of the morning [Dawn]” (Isa 14:12, NKJV).

B.     The Devil Was Expelled From Heaven Because of His Iniquities

1.        “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezek 28:15).

2.        “Your heart was proud because of your beauty” (Ezek 28:17).

3.        “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high ... I will make myself like the Most High” (Isa 14:13–14; Jude 6).

4.        Lucifer was cast out of the mountain of God because he sinned (Isa 14:14–15; Ezek 28:16; Lk 10:18; 2 Pet 2:4).

C.     Lucifer Formed His Own Kingdom

1.        The Lord said, “And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?” (Mt 12:26). Thus we know Lucifer has his own kingdom.

2.        The demons have a ruler and the devil has his own angels (Mt 12:24, 25:41).

3.        Their number is innumerable (cf. Mk 5:6–9; Lk 8:30).

D.     Names and Titles of the Devil/Satan

1.        Devil means “slanderer,” “accuser,” or “deceiver” (Mt 4:1). He defames God before humanity (Gen 3:1, 4–5), and defames humanity before God (Job 1:9, 11, 2:4–5). He accuses humanity before God (Rev 12:10).

2.        Satan means “one who resists,” “opposes,” or “adversary” (Lk10:18). His thoughts and actions obstruct God’s will, and Satan disapproves of righteousness (cf. Mt 16:22–23).

3.        The ancient serpent refers to the “glittering” and “alluring” quality of Satan (Rev 12:9). He is sly and deceiving (cf. 2 Cor 11:3; 1 Thess 3:5).

4.        The great dragon means “devouring” or “cruel” (Rev 12:9). He desires to devour the children of God (1 Pet 5:8; Rev 12:4–5).

5.        The god of this world (2 Cor 4:4; 1 Jn 5:19), and the ruler of this world (Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11).

6.        The evil one (1 Jn 2:14, 5:18).

7.        The enemy (Mt 13:39).

8.        The prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2).

9.        The father of lies (Jn 8:44)

10.     A murderer (Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:12–15).

11.     The devil is like a roaring lion (1 Pet 5:8).

12.     Ruler of darkness (Eph 6:12).

II.    The Nature Of Satan

A.     Pride

1.        Satan is proud in his heart because of his beauty (Ezek 28:17).

2.        Satan wants to exalt himself to the likeness of God (Isa 14:13–14).

3.        Proud people will be ensnared by the devil, and will be retributed (1 Tim 3:6; 1 Jn 2:16).

B.     Deceit

1.        There is no truth in the devil’s heart, and he is the father of lies (Gen 3:4–5, 9; Jn 8:44).

2.        Satan is a deceitful worker (2 Cor 11:3, 13–15).

3.        All dishonest actions come from the devil (Mt 5:37; Acts 5:1–3).

C.     Uncleanness

1.        He is called the unclean spirit (Lk 4:33; Rev 16:13).

2.        The demoniacs do not like cleanliness (Mk 5:2).

3.        Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness and many evil acts come from the devil (Gal 5:19–21; Eph 2:2–3).

D.     Cruelty

1.        Satan was a murderer from the beginning (Gen 2:17, 3:19, 4:8; Jn 8:44).

2.        Satan instigates battles (Rev 16:13–16).

3.        Satan devours the children of God (1 Pet 5:8; Rev 12:4–5).

E.     Fountainhead of All Sins and Crimes

1.        Satan is the enemy of all righteousness (Act 13:9–10).

2.        All evil comes from Satan (Jas 3:14–16).

3.        All who commit sins are of the devil (1 Jn 3:8).

III. The Work Of Satan And His Legion

A.     Satan Thwarts God

1.        Satan tried to upset God’s creation (Gen 3:1–6).

2.        Satan desires to impede God’s redemptive plan (Mt 2:13, 16:22–23).

3.        Satan is eager to confuse God’s true word (Acts 13:10; Gal 1:6–9).

4.        Satan resists God’s church (Acts 8:1, 12:1–4).

B.     Satan Tortures Human Beings

1.        Satan obstructs the happiness of humankind (Gen 2:8–16, 3:16–24).

2.        Satan inflicts physical infirmities and mental maladies (Mt 17:14–15, 18; Mk 5:5; Lk 13:11–16).

3.        Satan hinders people from believing in the Lord (Act 13:10–13; Mt 23:13–14).

4.        Satan seduces believers to stray from the faith (Jer 10:14–15; Mt 4:5–7, 24:11, 23–24).

IV.  The Power Of Satan

A.     Satan Rules Over Humanity

1.        The world is under Satan’s control because of sin (Jn 8:34; 1 Jn 3:8).

2.        The whole world is in the power of the evil one (Acts 26:18; 1 Jn 5:19).

3.        People cannot deliver themselves from the reign of Satan by their own means (Mk 5:2–4; Rom 7:15–24).

4.        Though Satan is the ruler of this world, he cannot arbitrarily harm the children of God, i.e., Satan has some limitations placed upon him (Num 23:23; 1 Jn 5:18).

B.     Satan Can Perform Wonders and Signs

1.        Satan can perform wonders through witchcraft/occult activity (Ex 7:10–12, 20–22).

2.        Through false prophets and false christs, wonders and marvelous deeds can be, and indeed are now, accomplished (Mt 24:23–24).

3.        By the power of the lawless ones all powers, signs, and lying wonders are performed (2 Thess 2:9–11).

4.        Satan can make fire descend from heaven (Rev 13:12–13).

5.        The power of Satan is far inferior to that of God (Ex 8:16–19).

C.     Satan Is Confined by God

1.        God restricted Satan not to inflict physical infirmities on Job (Job 1:12).

2.        God restrained Satan from killing Job (Job 2:6).

3.        All power is in the hand of God (Mt 6:13; Lk 4:6).

V.     The End Of Satan

A.     The Lord Jesus Has Overcome Satan

1.        The Lord said, “I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).

2.        Through the Lord’s death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus defeated Satan (Col 2:15; Heb 2:14).

B.     Satan and His Followers Are Bound to be Judged

1.        The Lord will judge them (2 Pet 2:4).

2.        They will be cast into the lake of fire (Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10).

3.        The devil himself knows that he has but a short time left (Rev 12:12; cf. Mt 8:29).

VI.  How To Overcome Satan

A.     By the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ

1.        By the blood of the Lord (Gal 3:27; Col 1:13–14; Rev 12:11).

2.        By the Spirit of the Lord (Mt 12:28; Rom 8:13).

3.        Submit ourselves to the word of God (Mt 4:7–11; Jas 4:7).

B.     Humble Ourselves

1.        Do not be desirous of self glorification (Gal 5:26).

2.        Let us esteem others to be better than ourselves (Phil 2:3).

3.        Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Pet 5:5–6).

C.     Be Truthful and Faithful

1.        Allow no guile or crookedness room in your heart (Jn 1:47).

2.        Speak the truth (Zech 8:16; Eph 4:15).

3.        Be faithful and blameless (Dan 6:4, 22; Phil 2:15).

D.     Be Perfect and Sanctified

1.        Do not nourish seeds of lust in your heart (Gen 39:7–10; Mt 5:27–28).

2.        Do not love the world (Lk 4:5–8; 1 Jn 2:15–16).

3.        Refrain from unrighteousness (1 Cor 6:9, 10; 2 Tim 2:19).

E.     Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

1.        Do not envy others (1 Cor 13:4; 1 Jn 3:12).

2.        Do not wrong your neighbors (Rom 13:10; 1 Cor 13:5).

3.        Be willing to sacrifice yourselves for your brothers and sisters (Rom 15:1–2; 1 Jn 3:16).

F.      Be Loyal and Faithful to the Lord till the End

1.        Remain faithful to the Lord Jesus all your life (1 Cor 11:2–4; Rev 2:10).

2.        Be in fellowship with the Lord at all times (Jn 6:68; Rom 8:35–39)

3.        Don’t be afraid to die for the Lord’s sake. Do not love your fleshly life to no end (Acts 20:22–24; Rev 12:11).