What Does the Bible Say About Demons?

Demons and evil spirits are the angels who sinned against God. Some of these fallen angels sit chained in custody awaiting judgment while others are on earth making life miserable for people, including by hurting, tempting and theologically misleading. When Jesus came into the world, he showed that he had power over demons by casting them out of possessed people and by triumphing over the devil on the cross. All who believe in Jesus share in Jesus’ authority over demons. In the future, God will hold judgment over these fallen angels and cast the Devil and his demons into the “eternal fire.”

Bible Verses

“⁴For if 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 the judgment;” (2 Pe 2:4)

“⁴¹“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Mt 25:41)

“³¹Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” (Jn 12:31)

“²⁴“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. ²⁶Then it goes and brings 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.”” (Lk 11:24–26)

“³³And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” ³⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. ³⁶And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” ³⁷And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.” (Lk 4:33–37)

“²¹From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ²²And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” ²³But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” ²⁴Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mt 16:21–24)

“¹⁵He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Col 2:15)

“¹⁷And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons;” (Mk 16:17a)

“¹⁸And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” (Lk 10:18–19)

“¹³Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” ¹⁴Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. ¹⁵But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” ¹⁶And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.” (Ac 19:13–17)

“³But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Co 11:3–4)

“²⁰No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.” (1 Co 10:20)

“¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For 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.” (Eph 6:10–12)

“²⁰The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Ro 16:20)

“¹⁰and 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.” (Re 20:10)

Study Questions

1. How does one become possessed by a demon?
2. How do you know if someone is possessed by a demon?
3. Have you ever encountered a demon?
4. Why do demons remain even though Jesus defeated the Devil on the cross?
5. What is the difference between being “possessed” by a demon and being “influenced” by a demon?
6. Can a Christian be possessed or influenced by a demon?

Additional Bible Verses

Jude 6, Gen 3:14-15, Ezek 28:12-19, Dan 10, Isa 14:12-20, Jas 4:7, 1 Cor 6:3, Rom 8:38-39, Rev 9:11, 2 Cor 11:14, Rev 12:7-12, Rev 12:4, Mark 5:1-20, 1 Sam 16:14-15, 1 Tim 4:1-5, 1 John 4:1-3, Matt 16:23, Deut 32:17.