IntroductionThere is only one devil but many demons. There is only one devil but many demons.

There are several terms used to describe There are several terms used to describe demons: spirits demons: spirits (Luke 10:17,20); (Luke 10:17,20); evil evil spirits spirits (Acts 19:12-16), (Acts 19:12-16), unclean spirit unclean spirit

(Mark 1:23), (Mark 1:23), unclean demon unclean demon (Luke (Luke 4:33). 4:33).

Jesus cast out many demons Jesus cast out many demons (Mark 1:34) (Mark 1:34) and the enemies of Jesus could not and the enemies of Jesus could not deny that he did this but instead deny that he did this but instead

maliciously said that he did it by the maliciously said that he did it by the ruler of the demons. ruler of the demons.

(Matthew 12:24)(Matthew 12:24)

IntroductionCasting out demons was one of the signs Casting out demons was one of the signs

the apostles did by Christ’s authority to the apostles did by Christ’s authority to confirm the word confirm the word (Matt. 10:1, 8; Mark (Matt. 10:1, 8; Mark

16:17-20).16:17-20).

Spiritual gifts ceased when the word of Spiritual gifts ceased when the word of God was completed God was completed (1 Cor. 13:10). (1 Cor. 13:10).

We now have the power of God’s word to We now have the power of God’s word to overcome the spiritual forces of overcome the spiritual forces of

wickedness. wickedness. (Eph. 6:10ff)(Eph. 6:10ff)

The demons do not have the power to The demons do not have the power to overtake someone against their will overtake someone against their will

today.today.

IntroductionWhy do we care what demons believe Why do we care what demons believe

then? then?

Because God’s word makes an argument Because God’s word makes an argument based on what demons believe and based on what demons believe and

they can deceive which we will they can deceive which we will consider this morning.consider this morning.

““You believe that God is one. You do well; You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” the demons also believe, and shudder.”

(James 2:19) (James 2:19)

Demons Believe in the Deity of Christ

The Bible testifies to this fact many times. The Bible testifies to this fact many times. (Mark 1:23-24, 34; 3:11; 5:7) (Mark 1:23-24, 34; 3:11; 5:7)

““The demons were coming out of many The demons were coming out of many shouting, You are the Son of God” shouting, You are the Son of God” (Lk. (Lk.

4:41)4:41)

Believe- (pisteuo)- “to believe," also "to be Believe- (pisteuo)- “to believe," also "to be persuaded of," and hence, "to place persuaded of," and hence, "to place

confidence in, to trust“. confidence in, to trust“.

This is the same thing that Jesus said that This is the same thing that Jesus said that all people must do or they will die in all people must do or they will die in

their sins. their sins. (John 8:24)(John 8:24)

Demons Believe that Jesus is the Judge

The demons recognize that Jesus had the The demons recognize that Jesus had the authority to judge them. authority to judge them. (Matthew (Matthew

8:26) 8:26)

The Bible teaches that God has given The Bible teaches that God has given Jesus authority to judge all people. Jesus authority to judge all people.

(John 5:22; Matt. 28:18)(John 5:22; Matt. 28:18)

We will all have to give an account for the We will all have to give an account for the deeds done in the body before Jesus. deeds done in the body before Jesus. (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10)(Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Therefore all people everywhere must Therefore all people everywhere must repent. repent. (Acts 17:30-31)(Acts 17:30-31)

Demons Believe in a Place of Punishment

The demons begged Jesus to not torment The demons begged Jesus to not torment them before the time after He them before the time after He

commanded them to come out of the commanded them to come out of the man. man. (Luke 8:26-31) (Luke 8:26-31)

The word for torment is the same Greek The word for torment is the same Greek word used in Revelation 20:10 where word used in Revelation 20:10 where

the devil would be thrown into the lake the devil would be thrown into the lake of fire and be tormented forever and of fire and be tormented forever and

ever. ever.

The consequence of not having your The consequence of not having your name in the Lamb’s book of life is that name in the Lamb’s book of life is that you will be thrown in the same lake of you will be thrown in the same lake of fire. fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)(Revelation 20:11-15)

Demons are Terrified of Judgment

James argues that it is good to believe in James argues that it is good to believe in God but it’s not enough as “the God but it’s not enough as “the

demons also believe, and shudder.” demons also believe, and shudder.” (James 2:19)(James 2:19)

They tremble in fear of the certainty of They tremble in fear of the certainty of their condemnation and so should we. their condemnation and so should we.

This is what Felix felt when Paul preached This is what Felix felt when Paul preached about righteousness, self-control, and about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. the judgment to come. (Acts 24:24-25)(Acts 24:24-25)

Knowing the terror of the Lord we should Knowing the terror of the Lord we should persuade men persuade men (2 Cor. 5:11).(2 Cor. 5:11).

What Do Demons Believe?

They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. God.

They believe that Jesus is the Judge. They believe that Jesus is the Judge.

They believe in a place of punishment. They believe in a place of punishment.

They are terrified of judgment.They are terrified of judgment.

Yet many people believe they will be saved Yet many people believe they will be saved with even less knowledge than the with even less knowledge than the

demons.demons.

How could this happen? How could this happen?

People Refuse to Heed the Warnings of Scripture

Demons do not take over people’s will Demons do not take over people’s will today but gets people to submit to their today but gets people to submit to their

doctrines. doctrines.

We are warned that some would depart We are warned that some would depart from the faith by giving heed to from the faith by giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of seducing spirits and doctrines of

demons. demons. (1 Timothy 4:1)(1 Timothy 4:1)

We are to test the spirits to see whether We are to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. they are from God. (1 John 4:1)(1 John 4:1)

By God’s word we know the spirit of truth By God’s word we know the spirit of truth from error. from error. (1 John 4:6)(1 John 4:6)

People Submit to Doctrines of Demons (Faith Only)

While men teach, While men teach, “That we are saved by “That we are saved by faith alone is a most wholesome faith alone is a most wholesome

doctrine and full of comfort” doctrine and full of comfort” (Methodist (Methodist Discipline) the Bible teaches that “we Discipline) the Bible teaches that “we are justified by works and are justified by works and not by faith not by faith

alonealone” ” (James 2:24)(James 2:24)

Even though the demons believe and Even though the demons believe and tremble they work on the devil’s team tremble they work on the devil’s team

to seduce people into believing that lie. to seduce people into believing that lie.

But faith without works is dead being by But faith without works is dead being by itself. itself. (James 2:17, 20, 26)(James 2:17, 20, 26)

People Submit to Doctrines of Demons (Emotions)

Many are stirred up to believe that their Many are stirred up to believe that their religious feelings, emotions, or religious feelings, emotions, or

experiences saved them.experiences saved them.

The Bible warns against feelings that we The Bible warns against feelings that we think are right without the facts. think are right without the facts.

(Proverbs 14:12; 3:5-7)(Proverbs 14:12; 3:5-7)

Satan and his allies deceive those who do Satan and his allies deceive those who do not love the truth but take pleasure in not love the truth but take pleasure in wickedness wickedness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Conclusion The demons are not too concerned if The demons are not too concerned if

people believe in the Deity of Christ, people believe in the Deity of Christ, realize there is a place of punishment, realize there is a place of punishment,

Jesus is the Judge, or the terrifying Jesus is the Judge, or the terrifying thought of the Judgment Day. thought of the Judgment Day.

The demons don’t care if you have an The demons don’t care if you have an intellectual faith or strong feelings that intellectual faith or strong feelings that

you are saved. you are saved.

The demons are on Satan’s team and The demons are on Satan’s team and don’t want you to obey the gospel so don’t want you to obey the gospel so that you will change your state from that you will change your state from the domain of darkness to the Son’s the domain of darkness to the Son’s

kingdom. kingdom. (Col. 1:13)(Col. 1:13)

Conclusion The devil and his allies deceive people into The devil and his allies deceive people into

believing that baptism will not save you believing that baptism will not save you when the Bible teaches it will save you. when the Bible teaches it will save you.

(Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21)(Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21)

But even if you do obey, they don’t want But even if you do obey, they don’t want you to abide in the doctrine of Christ you to abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 (2 John 9) John 9) and can use false teachers in and can use false teachers in the church to deceive the church to deceive (2 Cor. 11:14; 2 (2 Cor. 11:14; 2

Peter 2:1ff). Peter 2:1ff).

But Jesus Christ overcame the spiritual But Jesus Christ overcame the spiritual forces of wickedness and so can you by forces of wickedness and so can you by

putting on all of God’s armor! Stand putting on all of God’s armor! Stand firm! firm! (Eph. 6:10ff)(Eph. 6:10ff)