Demons: Do They Exist Today?

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (Jam. 2:19). We have all heard of demons and may have even seen movies featuring them. They are consistently depicted as terrifying, bloodthirsty, evil beings who are the epitome of pure evil. Of course, they are not only figments of some screenwriter’s imagination. The Bible witnesses their reality, portraying them as very real and very dangerous.

Unfortunately, many myths about demons are not real; however, the film industry has cemented certain stereotypes about them into mainstream consciousness. Examples include their visibility to humans, the ability to defeat good, god-fearing priests, and the capacity to possess any person. In the Church of Christ, we take pride in treating Scriptures seriously and therefore try to avoid any speculation beyond what the Bible teaches.

What we learn from God’s Word is that demons are spiritual beings, fallen angels who rebelled against God before the creation of mankind. Jesus often directly confronted demons during His ministry. In Mar. 1:34, we read, "And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him." Two things are immediately evident: demons are real and, more importantly, Jesus possesses complete authority over them.

There is no denying that they were agents of destruction and misery. In Luk 8:30, we are told, "Jesus then asked him, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Legion,' for many demons had entered him." These demons drove the man in question into complete isolation, torment, and self-destruction. Their goal, like their master’s, was to harm, deceive, and oppose everything good. Many people still wonder: Do demons exist, and if so, what impact do they have on us? As I mentioned earlier, the Bible teaches that demons are real, but it also teaches that they are still present.

Thankfully for us, their activity is different today because of Christ’s victory at the cross. Col. 2:15 says, "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." The Savior’s death and resurrection did not destroy them but certainly defeated them. Unlike in the New Testament period, Christians today are not subject to demonic possession. Moreover, the ability to cast out demons was part of the miraculous gifts given to confirm the Word.

Heb. 2:3-4 reminds us, "It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." These gifts served their purpose in their time and have since ceased. However, do not be deluded into thinking all is well. Satan and his forces are still active in tempting, deceiving, and influencing people toward sin, especially those of the household of God.

Peter warns us in 1Pe. 5:8, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The real danger today is not demonic possession, but rather spiritual deception and moral compromise. We should not ignore the words of Paul in Eph. 6:12, where he reminds us that our struggle is spiritual in nature: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Our battle is not with other people, but with the forces of evil that seek to pull us away from God.

Thankfully, we have the power of God in our corner, and we are never alone in our struggles. He provides all the protection we need. Jam. 4:7 gives this encouragement: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." We, the children of the Almighty, are strengthened by the Spirit of God living within us: "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1Jo. 4:4).

So, as we have learned, demons do exist, but their ability to harm us has been broken by Christ. They may not be able to possess us, but that does not mean they are powerless. Demons work tirelessly to weaken our faith through temptation and false teachings. By staying grounded in Scripture through diligent study, remaining prayerful, and living obedient lives, Christians can resist the devil’s influence and stand firm until the end.