Demons exist. And, demons are not some idiosyncratic emotion about a traumatic experience from a person’s past. I believe the euphemistic phrase is “he or she is struggling with personal demons”. That phrase may sound chic and sophisticated but, it is theologically bankrupt.

A serious student of the Bible can quickly and clearly see that a large portion of Jesus’ ministry was devoted to dealing with and casting out demon spirits. In fact, Jesus would have conversations with demons and they knew who He was. The demons, in fact, addressed Jesus in such a way that clearly showed they knew Him from a previous age and, they knew and understood Jesus’ spiritual authority.

Any pastor, who is serious, cannot escape the issue of demon spirits and demon-possession. It is all very real. To say that one believes in Jesus, but not in demon spirits is evasion of the highest magnitude. We read in I John 3:8 “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil”. So, clearly, by principles of interpretation, if a person says they believe in Jesus, then in fact, they have no choice but to believe in devils.

To say one believes in Jesus, but not in demons is to present a theological oxy-moron. It would be like saying “Yes, of course I believe in the supernatural and the spiritual realm, but just not demons”. On this point, I find it very peculiar that when you listen to a witch being interviewed, she will never say or use the words demon or devil (even though they are the source from which someone who practices witchcraft gets his or her power). This omission, on the part of the interviewee, is not so subtle.

Then there are the smug, pseudo-intellectuals and so-called “intelligentsia” who say that any belief in devils or demons is medievalism or something that only an “uneducated” person would profess. Huh, that’s interesting, Jesus cast out lots of devils, so, I wonder how educated or intelligent one would consider Jesus, the Son of God?

The fundamental and primary reason the world does not want to acknowledge the reality of demon spirits is that, if you acknowledge that demons are real, then in fact, you likewise have to acknowledge the existence of Hell and the judgment to come.

As a Christian, we are to do the works of Jesus. And, part of that duty is to cast out devils. I know many ministers cringe at the thought, but Sir, it is your responsibility. And, the biblical record is clear. You cannot dismiss certain realities just because you may have difficulty with them. To do so is being totally irresponsible. What gives any man the authority to decide that certain portions of the Bible are not true? By what authority can a person say that demons don’t exist? If a person is going to say that demons don’t exist, then that person would also have to say that Jesus doesn’t exist. And, if Jesus doesn’t exist, then where is our hope?

 Publish Date: April 26, 2007

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