Devils
devils, lit demons. To the reality and personality of demons the New Testament scriptures bear abundant testimony. As to their origin nothing is clearly revealed, but they are not to be confounded with the angels mentioned in (2 Peter 2:4); (Jude 1:6).
Summary:
Demons are spirits (Matthew 12:43); (Matthew 12:45) are Satan's emissaries; (Matthew 12:26-27); (Matthew 25:41) and so numerous as to make Satan's power practically ubiquitous. (Mark 5:9).
They are capable of entering and controlling both men and beasts (Mark 5:8); (Mark 5:11-13) and earnestly seek embodiment, without which, apparently, they are powerless for evil. (Matthew 12:43-44); (Mark 5:10-12).
Demon influence and demon possession are discriminated in the New Testament instances of the latter are; (Matthew 4:24); (Matthew 8:16); (Matthew 8:28); (Matthew 8:33); (Matthew 9:32); (Matthew 12:22); (Mark 1:32); (Mark 5:15-16); (Mark 5:18); (Luke 8:35); (Acts 8:7); (Acts 16:16).
They are unclean, sullen, violent, and malicious; (Matthew 8:28); (Matthew 9:23); (Matthew 10:1); (Matthew 12:43); (Mark 1:23); (Mark 5:3-5); (Mark 9:17); (Mark 9:20); (Luke 6:18); (Luke 9:39).
They know Jesus Christ as Most High God, and recognize His supreme authority; (Matthew 8:31-32); (Mark 1:24); (Acts 19:15); (James 2:19).
They know their eternal fate to be one of torment; (Matthew 8:29); (Luke 8:31).
They inflict physical maladies; (Matthew 12:22); (Matthew 17:15-18); (Luke 13:16), but mental disease is to be distinguished from the disorder of mind due to demonical control.
Demon influence may manifest itself in religion asceticism and formalism (1 Timothy 4:1-3) degenerating into uncleanness (2 Peter 2:10-12).
The sign of demon influence in religion is departing from the faith, that is, the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures. (1 Timothy 4:1).
The demons maintain especially a conflict with believers who would be spiritual. (Ephesians 6:12); (1 Timothy 4:1-3).
All unbelievers are open to demon possession (Ephesians 2:2). The believer's resources, prayer and bodily control (Matthew 17:21) "the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:13-18).
Exorcism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:18) was practised for demon possession.
One of the awful features of the apocalyptic judgments in which this age will end is an irruption of demons out the abyss. (Revelation 9:1-11).