Men's Study
Demons In Modern Day
Ps Steve Parrish 2025.09.17
From Sunday’s Message: The Antidote To Evil
Luke 9:37-43 (ESV) On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples,”
GOD HAS A GLORIOUS PLAN FOR EVERY LIFE.
This boy throwing himself in the fire is not the glorious plan. This is the glorious plan:
Psalm 139:13–18 (ESV) For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
thoughts: (HEB) rea - plans/aim
His plan is in our DNA:
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:12–14 (ESV) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
The glorious plan of God was interrupted be demons. But WHY does it happen?
THERE IS AN OPPONENT TO GOD’S PLAN
Demonic function happens in a permissive authoritarian structure where they are either invited or allowed to be overrun.
This boy was likely overrun or experienced the invitation via family authoritative structure.
THE OPPONENTS PLAN: STEAL, KILL & DESTROY
WHY throw him in fire?
John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
Genesis 4:7 (ESV) And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Luke 22:31 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,
HOW DID/DOES DEMONIC ACTIVITY MANIFEST TODAY?
The Bible doesn't provide a comprehensive checklist of signs for demonic possession or oppression, but it does describe various instances and characteristics associated with such spiritual influence. Below is a detailed summary of the signs found in Scripture, along with their references, based on accounts of demonic activity in the Old and New Testaments. I’ve included both explicit cases of possession (where a demon controls a person) and potential oppression (where a person is influenced or afflicted by demonic forces without full control), as the Bible sometimes blurs the line between these states. The terms "possession" and "oppression" are not always distinctly defined in Scripture, so I’ll note where interpretations vary.
Physical Afflictions or Supernatural Strength - demonic influence can manifest as physical symptoms, such as seizures, muteness, blindness, or extraordinary strength that defies normal human capability.
A boy with seizures, described as being thrown to the ground, foaming at the mouth, and convulsing, is said to be possessed by an evil spirit (Mark 9:17–20, Matthew 17:14–18, Luke 9:38–42)
A man in the synagogue at Capernaum convulses when confronted by Jesus, indicating demonic control (Mark 1:23–26, Luke 4:33–35).
The Gerasene demoniac displays superhuman strength, breaking chains and living among tombs (Mark 5:1–5, Luke 8:26–29).
A woman is described as "bound by Satan" for 18 years, suffering a physical ailment (bent over, unable to straighten), suggesting oppression rather than full possession (Luke 13:10–16).
Scriptures:
Mark 9:20: "When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth."
Mark 5:3–4: "No one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet."
Luke 13:11, 16: "A woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years… Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free?"
Mental or Emotional Disturbance - demonic activity can cause mental torment, insanity, or erratic behavior, often leading to social isolation or self-harm.
The Gerasene demoniac lives among tombs, crying out and cutting himself, indicating severe mental distress (Mark 5:5, Luke 8:27).
King Saul, in the Old Testament, is tormented by an evil spirit, leading to paranoia and violent outbursts (1 Samuel 16:14–15, 18:10–11).
Scriptures
Mark 5:5: "Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones."
1 Samuel 16:14–15: "Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, ‘See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.’"
Speaking or Acting Under Demonic Influence - demons can speak through individuals or compel them to act in ways contrary to their normal behavior, often with supernatural knowledge or defiance of God.
The demon in the synagogue recognizes Jesus as the "Holy One of God," showing supernatural awareness (Mark 1:24, Luke 4:34).
A slave girl in Philippi, possessed by a "spirit of divination," predicts the future and follows Paul, proclaiming his mission until he casts out the spirit (Acts 16:16–18).
Demons in the Gerasene demoniac identify themselves as "Legion" and speak collectively through the man (Mark 5:9, Luke 8:30).
Scriptures
Mark 1:24: "‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’"
Acts 16:16–17: "She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’"
Mark 5:9: "Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘My name is Legion,’ he replied, ‘for we are many.’"
Opposition to God or Spiritual Truth - Demonic forces often manifest through hostility toward Jesus, His teachings, or His followers, sometimes inciting others to resist God’s work.
The demons in the synagogue and Gerasene accounts react with fear and hostility to Jesus’ presence (Mark 1:24, Mark 5:7).
In a broader sense, false prophets or deceivers influenced by demonic spirits oppose God’s truth (1 Timothy 4:1, 1 John 4:1–3).
Scriptures
Mark 5:7: "He shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!’"
1 Timothy 4:1: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."
1 John 4:3: "But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist."
Moral or Spiritual Corruption - Demonic oppression may lead to sinful behavior, deception, or leading others astray, often tied to idolatry or false worship in the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, idolatry is linked to demonic influence, as people sacrifice to "demons that are not gods" (Deuteronomy 32:17, Psalm 106:36–37).
New Testament warnings about demonic teachings suggest influence over false doctrines or immoral behavior (1 Timothy 4:1).
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 32:17: "They sacrificed to demons, which are not God—gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your ancestors did not fear."
Psalm 106:37: "They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods [demons]."
Physical Harm or Danger to Others - Demonic influence can lead to violent or destructive behavior toward oneself or others.
The boy with an evil spirit is thrown into fire or water, endangering his life (Mark 9:22).
Saul, tormented by an evil spirit, attempts to kill David by throwing a spear (1 Samuel 18:10–11).
Scriptures
Mark 9:22: "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him."
1 Samuel 18:10–11: "The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul… Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, ‘I’ll pin David to the wall.’"
Unnatural Behavior or Loss of Control - Individuals under demonic influence may act in ways that seem unnatural, erratic, or beyond their control, often losing their sense of self.
The Gerasene demoniac lives naked and isolated, behaving in ways that shock his community (Luke 8:27).
The boy in Mark 9 becomes rigid and convulses, unable to control his body (Mark 9:18).
Scriptures
Luke 8:27: "When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs."
Mark 9:18: "Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid."
Possession vs. Oppression - The Bible doesn’t explicitly distinguish between possession (full control by a demon) and oppression (external influence or affliction). For example, the woman in Luke 13:11 is "bound by Satan" but not described as speaking or acting under demonic control, suggesting oppression. In contrast, the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5) shows clear signs of possession, with demons speaking through him.
Old Testament vs. New Testament - Demonic activity is less detailed in the Old Testament, often tied to idolatry (Deuteronomy 32:17) or torment (1 Samuel 16:14). The New Testament, especially the Gospels, provides more vivid accounts of possession, likely due to Jesus’ ministry confronting spiritual forces directly.
Discernment of Spirits - The New Testament urges believers to test spirits to distinguish between divine, human, or demonic influence (1 John 4:1–3, 1 Corinthians 12:10), suggesting that not all unusual behavior is demonic.
HOW DO DEMONS ACCESS OUR LIVES
Invitation or Overrunning Authority
According to biblical teachings and interpretations from Christian sources, demons can gain access or a “foothold” in a person’s life through various spiritual openings, often referred to as “legal rights” or “open doors.” These are typically linked to sin, disobedience, or exposure to ungodly influences that give the enemy ground, as warned in Scripture (e.g., Ephesians 4:27). Below is a compiled list of common ways, drawn from biblical principles, with supporting verses where applicable. Note that while the Bible describes demonic influence and oppression, it emphasizes that believers have authority over demons through Christ (Luke 10:19; James 4:7).
Ongoing or unrepented sin: Persistent sin, such as greed, theft, or willful rebellion, can invite demonic influence by giving the devil a place in one’s life, as seen in Judas where ongoing greed allowed Satan to enter him (John 13:27; Luke 22:3). 4 11 12 Supporting verses: Ephesians 4:26-27 (“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold”); 1 John 1:9 (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”).
Unforgiveness or bitterness: Holding onto resentment or refusing to forgive others can lead to torment by evil spirits, as it prevents God’s forgiveness and opens a spiritual prison. 11 12 Supporting verse: Matthew 18:23-35 (the parable of the unmerciful servant, where unforgiveness leads to being handed over to “tormentors,” interpreted as demons).
Involvement in the occult: Practices like witchcraft, divination, sorcery, astrology, Ouija boards, or communicating with the dead are forbidden and directly open doors to demonic spirits. 11 10 12 Supporting verses: Deuteronomy 18:9-12 (“Let no one be found among you who… practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft… Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord”).
Idolatry or involvement in false religions/cults: Worshiping idols or false gods, or embracing false teachings, aligns with demons, as sacrifices to idols are offered to demons. 1 11 10 Supporting verses: 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 (“The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons”); 1 Timothy 4:1 (“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons”).
Sexual immorality or illicit encounters: Engaging in sex outside of marriage creates soul ties that can transfer demons, as the two become one flesh spiritually. 10 12 Supporting verse: 1 Corinthians 6:16 (“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh’”).
Generational curses or ancestral sins: Sins of ancestors, such as occult involvement or idolatry, can affect descendants, passing down iniquity unless broken through repentance. 10 11 12 Supporting verses: Exodus 20:5 (“I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me”); Leviticus 26:40-42 (confessing ancestral sins leads to God’s remembrance and healing).
Curses or spoken words: Word curses (e.g., harmful words from parents or self-curses like “I wish I were dead”) or generational curses can invite demonic torment, as the tongue holds power. 11 12 Supporting verses: Proverbs 18:21 (“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”); James 3:8-10 (the tongue is full of deadly poison and can curse people made in God’s image).
Trauma, abuse, or points of weakness: Experiences like physical/sexual abuse, rejection, or moments of vulnerability (e.g., during fear, drugs, or emotional shock) can lower spiritual defenses, allowing demons to enter and exploit wounds. 2 10 11 12 Supporting verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 (“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”—implying fear can be a demonic spirit entering through weakness).
Exposure to unholy things or cursed objects: Consuming ungodly media (e.g., horror movies, pornography) or bringing demonic objects (e.g., idols, occult items) into one’s life or home defiles it and invites spirits. 10 11 12 Supporting verses: Leviticus 18:27 (“For all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled”); Isaiah 2:18 (“He will utterly abolish the idols”).
Believing the enemy’s lies: Accepting Satan’s deceptions about God, oneself, or sin aligns with him and can allow lying spirits to reinforce bondage. 11 Supporting verse: John 8:44 (“You belong to your father, the devil… When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies”).