Spiritual Beings (Satan and Demons)

When it comes to spiritual beings, none might be more intriguing and full of mystery than the accuser, Satan himself. Satan is a being that is powerful and mysterious and the Bible is trying to warn us about him and his followers. So let’s see what the Bible has to say. 

We are first introduced to Satan in the beginning pages of the Bible in Genesis 3. There we meet a character who is a “crafty snake”. This serpent creature tricks Eve to sin and he is cursed by God. 

Then in Genesis 6, we get a story of spiritual beings rebelling and doing things they should not be doing to human women. There are also beings called the “Rephaim” and these are spirits of evil kings or warriors. Isaiah mentions these in Isaiah 14 as a taunt for Babylon’s king and his ultimate destruction. 

So we see a three-tiered hierarchy of evil spiritual beings. We have Satan as the leader, and those who follow his rebellion. As well as other human spirits that rebelled against God.

Jesus is also aware of all the spiritual beings. Jesus casted out many demons and made sure everyone knew that he had power over them. He makes sure we know who the enemy is, even though he has many names such as Beelzebul (Matthew 12:24) or the ruler of demons (Luke 11:15). 

So what are demons? Simply put, they are impure spirits and they are considered impure because they are associated with the world of the dead (Mark 5:2).  

Paul mentions several times in his letters about the “powers of darkness” and “rulers and authorities”. Ephesians 6:12 declares, “​​For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Paul follows the teachings of Jesus in that we fight not against other humans but against spiritual powers. The rebel spiritual powers. 

Jesus has victory over these powers and only in him can we defend and fight against the rebel spiritual powers.