Evil Spirits: Forces Opposed to God

Unclean spirits, also known as demons, are Satan's agents who contaminate and influence humanity, yet remain ultimately under God's supreme authority. These malevolent beings operate as part of a vast spiritual hierarchy of evil, working to deceive, oppress, and destroy human lives. Throughout biblical history, they have manifested through various means—including physical illness, mental torment, and spiritual oppression—yet they are never beyond the sovereign control of the Almighty. Their primary objective is to turn people away from God's truth and lead them into darkness, but their power is limited and ultimately subject to God's purposes and judgment.

Understanding Evil Spirits

The evil, or unclean spirits (also called demons) are Satan's agents who contaminate, influence and oppress or possess people, and among other problems cause sickness. These unseen, non-physical beings also promote wickedness in humans yet are, like Satan ultimately under God's authority (1 Kgs 22:21; Mk 5:1-5; Lk 9:42; Heb 2:8). They are part of Satan's dark forces that are opposed and opposite to God's holiness, goodness, righteousness and love as reflected in His character, nature and will. They are most likely fallen angels who, like Satan, rebelled and were expelled from heaven (Isa 14:12-15; Ezek 28:11-17; Rev 12:7-9).

The Bible records, "Many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word…" (Mt 8:16; Mk 1:26-27; Lk 4:36, 6:18, 7:21). With an illness attributed to demon possession, the demon was commanded to depart and the person was delivered from the condition (Mt 17:14-18). In one account the demons entered into a herd of pigs and they also acted irrationally but the man who was 'delivered' from them was transformed from a naked, wild lunatic to a subdued, self-controlled person, dressed and in his right mind – a normal person (Lk 8:26-36). What a demonstration of the power of God! These evil spirits recognized Jesus as the Son of God, the far more powerful authority, and so He could cast these evil entities out of people whose lives were dramatically different as a result.

While Western cultures generally do not take Satanic involvement in people's lives seriously enough we must also not attribute all undisciplined aggressive and antisocial behaviour to evil spirits as this is denying personal responsibility and self-control. A person who allows some habitual sin to rule their heart provides an invitation to an evil spirit.

As believers we are to be under the control of the Holy Spirit, not evil spirits

Immorality, alcohol or drug abuse that alters a person's consciousness, transcendental meditation, possession of occult materials and the worship of heathen idols besides bitterness, and rebellion all provide opportunity for such an invasion, affording them little power to resist (Lev 17:7; Deut 32:17; Ps 106:37; 1 Cor 10:20; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 2:2). "The devil made me do it" is a person's excuse or admission that their resistance was relentlessly attacked and they gave in to the pressure, resulting in evil actions. The truth is we are the only person who can force us to do anything, it is because of a lack of resistance and self-discipline we give in to the devils temptations. Therefore, we must be disciplined in our thoughts, avoid all occult and New Age involvement, drugs and ungodly activities so they don't become a vulnerable point that Satan can exploit (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Eph 4:22-24; 1 Pet 5:8-9).

When King Saul was not walking uprightly God allowed an evil spirit to buffet him and when we sin Satan has a legal right to our lives whereby, if we continue to reject God's way, Satan's control over us will increase further (1 Sam 16:14-23; Rom 1:18-31).

God's Superior Protection

The power of the Holy Spirit is greater than the power of the devil though even when a person turns to God in salvation Satan's tentacles linger with Christians still having areas of their lives under his control and needing to be dealt with (2 Cor 7:1). Although we are technically "new creatures in Christ" this needs to be outworked in our experience, using the resources available in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).

Seek God's protection from all evil entities – He is the Almighty One

Do not be preoccupied with Satan's realm but rather submit to God, focusing on His liberating Kingdom and the victory that Jesus gained over all the powers of evil. Have a vibrant, obedient relationship with Christ so its too uncomfortable for the enemy forces!

We are in a spiritual battle fighting against unseen spiritual forces, and so right thoughts and decisions, along with the use of our spiritual armour, are required to combat the enemies' tactics to turn us aside from Christ (Eph 6:13-18). Because Jesus had no sin in His life, Satan had no right, power or advantage over Him (Jn 14:30). What an incentive for us to walk in holiness of thought, speech and actions, being fully surrendered to Christ's lordship for then the devil's accusations against us are groundless. Quickly repent after sinning and so restore a spiritually healthy state, not giving the devil any foothold in our lives, because "Greater is the (Holy Spirit) that is in us than the evil spirits in the world" (Eph 4:27; 1 Jn 1:9, 4:4).

Ensure you are protected by the blood of Jesus

Discernment and Spiritual Gifts

One of the spiritual gifts of God is the ability to discern or distinguish spirits because it is necessary to differentiate between true and false influences by gauging if they conform to the character and Word of God – be it speaker, message or activity (1 Cor 12:10; 1Jn 4:1). False teaching misleads and Satan himself tries to deceive by masquerading as an angel of light to turn people away from Jesus the truth (Jn 14:6; 2 Cor 11:3-4,13-14).

Scripture says, "In the latter times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" with these evil spirits also performing miraculous signs (1 Tim 4:1; Rev 16:14). "Even demons believe in God – but shudder in terror" (Jas 2:19). This is not a belief resulting in salvation, so they live in torment of what is awaiting them and all who are opposed to Christ (Mt 25:41).

Reflection and Application:

Examine your life for any areas where you may be giving Satan a legal right through unrepentant sin or occult involvement
Cultivate a vibrant, obedient relationship with Christ that makes it uncomfortable for enemy forces to operate
Quickly repent after sinning to restore spiritual health and deny the devil any foothold in your life
Focus on God's liberating Kingdom and Jesus' victory rather than being preoccupied with Satan's realm