FAQ

Posted by owner on August 2, 2008

1. What are demons and where did they come from?

Demons are spirit beings who were created by God as angels. Angels who chose to follow Lucifer (Satan) when he rebelled against God became demons.

2. What do angels and demons have in common?

Both are spirit beings with individual identities. They sprang from a direct creative act by God. Neither angels nor demons were born, reproduce, or die. Angels and demons are of different ranks, or powers. Both have the ability to affect events in our universe.

3. How do angels and demons differ?

When Lucifer rebelled against God he and the angels who followed him became implacable enemies of the Lord. Angels are oriented toward God and joyfully obey him; demons are oriented against God and remain in constant rebellion. The Bible calls angel’s "ministering spirits sent to serve those who are heirs of salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). In contrast, demons are hostile to human beings and intent on striking out against God by harming humans, whom God loves.

4. What is the agenda of demons?

Like Satan, demons seek to hinder and thwart God’s purposes. Their first priority as far as humans are concerned is to blind humans to God’s offer of salvation. A secondary objective is to cause humans pain, suffering, and harm, doing as much evil as is strategically and tactically effective in view of their first priority.

5. Where do we get our information about demons?

All cultures have stories about hostile supernatural forces. This folklore is one source of information. Another source of information is the personal experiences humans have had with relatives or friends who have been oppressed or possessed by demons. Thee is also the testimony of the demonically oppressed and possessed themselves. Yet another source of information is the experience of those who have confronted and exorcised demons, whether missionaries, pastors, Christian counselors, or others. However, the one reliable source of information is the Bible, which contains stories and information about demons. On this site we will look to the Bible for criteria to evaluate information gathered from the other sources.

6. What is demon or demonic oppression?

Demon oppression is a term used of attempts by demons to attack individuals physically through illness or injury, psychologically through such phenomena as depression or panic attacks, or through the manipulation of circumstances. It is important not to assume that the underlying cause of any such experience is demonic without additional evidence.

7. What is demon or demonic possession?

Demon possession is a term used of the invasion of a human being by demons, who take up residence within the human’s personality and exercise some level of control in one or more aspects of that person’s life. Uncontrollable anger, uncontrollable sexual desire, etc. may be but not necessarily are symptoms of demon possession. For a summary of symptoms of demon possession, see "Symptoms of Demon Possession" [found in member only searchable archives].

8. Can demons be cast out of those who are possessed?

Demons can be exorcised. An exorcism involves confrontation and identification of the demon or demons, and ordering the demon(s) from the possessed person in the name and power of Jesus Christ.

9. How can a person avoid being oppressed or possessed by demons?

It’s important to avoid all contact with occult practices. Deuteronomy 18 makes it clear that any occult practice may be associated with a demonic presence. It is also vital to avoid involvement in witchcraft or Wicca, and it is especially important not to invite any spirit, whether a "spirit guide" or other supposedly beneficial spirit, into one’s life. Several forthcoming articles will examine initial contacts with demons and how to avoid demon possession.

10. What is the ultimate destiny of demons?

Jesus described a "lake of fire" (hell) which he said God prepared for "the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). Satan and his demon followers are destined to spend eternity in this place of punishment.

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