DEMONS DEFINED

The Bible Vocabulary of Demon Activity (4:33-36)
The familiar Bible term "demon-possessed" has controlled our thinking about people troubled with demons. But the word "possessed" is one of those final, all-or-nothing expressions. And it prevents us from understanding the mechanisms involved in demon activity within humans. Let's study further:
• "Unclean spirit" (20 references in the NT, including Luke 4:33; 6:18; 8:29; 9:42; 11:24). The Greek word pneuma, the same word used to translate Holy Spirit, is modified by akatharos, "unclean." NIV uniformly translates "unclean spirit" as "evil spirit" with a footnote.
• "Evil spirit" uses pneuma modified by the Greek word poneros (only 4x in the NT: Luke 7:21; 8:2; Acts 19:12-13; 15-16)
• "Demon" (Used 50+ times in the NT, such as Luke 4:41), Greek daimonion, "demon, evil spirit." Always translated by the KJV as "devil" or "devils."
• "Demon-possessed" (Luke 8:36; in Matthew 4:24; 8:16, 28, 33; 9:32; 12:22; Mark 1:32; 5:15f; John 10:21; Acts 19:14). The Greek word is daimonizonai, literally "to demonize" from daimonion, "demon, evil spirit." A blood washed Child of God CANNOT be POSSESSED! BUT! They can be influenced and oppressed by demons.
• "Lunatick" (KJV) or "have seizures" (Greek seleniazomai, Matthew 4:24; 17:15)
• "Bind," Greek deo, used in the context of demons twice (Luke 13:16 and Matthew 12:29=Mark 3:7, cf. Luke 8:22 "assails and overcomes"). It is also used in connection with the power of prayer (Matthew 16:19; 18:18).
• "Healed" (Greek therapeuo or iamai or sozo), occasionally used to describe the state of a person from whom a demon has been driven out. (Luke 8:2, 36; 9:42; Matthew 12:22; Mark 16:9; Acts 10:38).
• "cast out" (Greek ekballo)
• "rebuke" (Greek epitimao, Luke 4:41; 9:42). The Greek word means " 'rebuke, reprove, censure' also 'speak seriously, warn' in order to prevent an action or bring one to an end.
Let's examine the word daimonizonai, often translated "demon-possessed." The word isn't a compound word. It is the word "demon" with an ending -izonai, a class of imitative verbs, where the ending -izo indicates "acts like, imitates." While the lexicons translate it "to be demon-possessed," perhaps from the world view represented in early Judaism, all the word requires is a meaning such as "to be influenced, oppressed, or controlled by a demon, to be like a demon." Some have coined the word "demonization" to describe this demonic activity.

The reason this is important is that when your categories are limited to "demon possessed" or "not demon possessed," then we all agree that it is impossible for a Christian to be demon possessed, since by definition a Christian has the Holy Spirit.


Degrees of Demonization in the New Testament
However, experience and careful theological reflection on the scriptures indicate the need for a more thoughtful terminology. Missionaries and others who work commonly with people afflicted with demonic problems affirm that indeed Christians can be affected. Even though Christians have the Holy Spirit in them, there may be various places in their life where demon oppression is strong. Consider the following passages:
The Apostle Paul instructs us, "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Greek topos)" (Ephesians 4:26-27). The implication is that if you give into anger often and carry a grudge, then the devil will gain a place in your life. The word topos means "place," but can have the special meaning as in the Ephesians passage of "possibility, opportunity, chance".

Though Satan has "filled" Ananias' heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, yet Ananias and his wife Sapphira are held morally responsible for their action, and thus punished for giving into Satan (Acts 5:1-11). Judas, too, had a similar experience: "Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve" (Luke 22:3). "The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted (literally "put into the heart of," Greek ballo) Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus" (John 13:2). "As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into (eiserchomai) him" (John 13:27a). Was Judas morally responsible? Of course. He was tempted by money and probably other motives (Luke 22:3-6). Just because Jesus' betrayal fulfilled prophecy doesn't absolve Judas of responsibility for his actions. "Woe to that man by whom he is betrayed..." (Luke 22:22). Even though Satan's temptations can be strong, especially when he gets a foothold of sin in our heart, we can't pass off responsibility by saying, "The devil made me do it."

Men and Sexual Temptations

“If you don’t address sexual immorality in your church, it will die!”

The children of Israel were lured away from their relationship with the Lord by sexual sin. God constantly warned Israel not to intermarry and fornicate with the heathen nations around them. Sexual intercourse unites the parties involved emotionally; this is called a SOUL TIE. This is why married couples are not truly married until they have sexual intercourse; it is the consummation of the marriage. When sex takes place between unmarried people they are still emotionally tied to one another, this is why Israel backslid and followed the god’s of other nations. The church is modern Israel! The devil uses the SAME tactics today! That is why pornography is a 90 billion dollar a year industry! Too many pastors have 1st ladies and 2nd ladies on the side! Too many choir directors are sweeter than the morning danish! Too many women in church are being used by Satan to help tempt men to sin! I won’t leave out anyone because there is enough blame to go around WE MUST REPENT! Solomon was the worlds wisest man in the world, he was anointed by God to lead the mightiest kingdom on earth, yet he threw it all away because his desire for women. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and the scripture say he LOVED THEM ALL! Satan knows that woman was created for man. God created woman not only to be a companion, but also as a helper and advisor. Satan always perverts what God creates. Remember King Ahab? He was Israel’s most wicked king, guess were he got all of his advice? His wife Jezebel!
(Romans chapter one; Proverbs 7:14-26; I Corinthians 7)


Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, M.Min

Demons and Our Sex Drive

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Gen. Chapter 3)

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matt. Chapter 5) KJV


25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 for by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man takes fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? (Prov. Chapter 6) KJV

Satan uses sex for one simple reason…IT WORKS! In the beginning God created man (Adam) and declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God created a woman FOR the man. Man was built to desire a woman. Satan went after Eve because he knew this fact. Eve gave Adam the fruit, why did Adam take it? Men throughout the ages have forsaken kingdoms, riches, position, and even God for the love of a woman. John the Baptist lost his head because of a promise Herod had to keep. Take a look!

6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 and she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
8 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them, which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. (Matt. Chapter 14) KJV

Herod was so driven by lust over Herodias daughter’s seductive dance, he killed someone he actually admired and liked. Pornography is like gasoline on a fire, the human sex drive doesn’t need a lot to motivate it, pornography sends it over the edge, and this is why Satan uses it so often. Most movies today have full nudity or partial, our music is sexually suggestive, and adultery is so commonplace even our clergymen are notorious for their fallings. Demons work overtime at tempting Christians in the area of sex. Just like our appetite for food, our lust for sex is just as powerful.

Solomon was the world’s wisest man in the world. He was anointed by God to lead the mightiest kingdom on earth, yet he threw it all away because of his desire for women. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and the scripture say he LOVED THEM ALL! Satan knows that woman was created for man. God created woman not only to be a companion, but also as a helper and advisor. Satan always perverts what God creates. Remember King Ahab? He was Israel’s most wicked king, guess where he got all of his advice? His wife Jezebel!

Abraham in a bout with unbelief decided to sleep with his handmaid, because he didn’t trust that God could allow Sarah to become pregnant. Who put the idea in his head to do such a thing? Sarah, his wife! Now before you accuse me of thinking woman are evil, there are many more examples of woman helping advance God’s program in the Bible than not.

This is my point, if Satan can corrupt a woman, he in turn also corrupts a man as well (or men). Joseph was handpicked by God to save his people, Satan chose Potipher’s wife to tempt him to commit adultery, and fortunately Joseph was committed to God. One evil woman can mess up a LOT of weak men!



Pr 6:32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment;
whoever does so destroys himself. NIV


Chaplain Stevens

Jesus Came to Set Us Free

Certainly Jesus came to set us free. This is explicit in Jesus' commission that he read from Isaiah 61:1-2:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
Setting people free from demonic oppression and captivity is Jesus' core ministry. Jesus desires to release the oppressed. He came to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). It was his central purpose. His ministry was characterized this way by his chief Apostle, Peter: "...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him" (Acts 10:38).
That is our role, too, as Jesus' disciples. First, we must seek to break free ourselves. We probably DON'T need exorcism to do this. We need truth and we need repentance. Deep, heart-felt repentance that brings about change. Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). There is NO freedom apart from embracing the truth in Jesus. And as we fearlessly embrace truth, the Deceiver loses his power over us. That's how Satan began with Eve (Genesis 3:4-5), and he's been doing it ever since -- to Jesus in the wilderness and to you and me.

Jesus came teaching. Teaching the truth. And we are to continue this, for teaching is not weak. The truth we share has explosive seeds in it that can break people free. Paul instructed his protégé Timothy:
"And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will" (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

Anger is a great doorway for demons to invade or influence a human being. The reason God instructs the believer to forgive so easily is this, unforgiveness leads to bitterness, and bitterness can lead to hatred! Murder actually starts in the hearts of people! In addition to forgiving our enemies, we must LOVE them! I believe these two things drive the devil insane.

Ask yourself, “am I walking in unforgiveness?” Is there someone I am continuing to hate or refuse to forgive?


A few people will require some kind of direct command of release such as Jesus gave. Occasionally the apostles would do this -- but only occasionally. Truth was usually all that was necessary.
What are the lessons we disciples are to learn from Luke 4?
1. Satan is a powerful opponent that Jesus faced again and again (4:1-13). We his disciples will never get spiritual victory until we stop trivializing Satan and denying his influence.
2. Satan is the agent of oppression that Jesus came to oppose (4:18-19). His mission is to set the oppressed free!
3. Jesus confronted Satan and his demons with spiritual authority whenever they tried to attack him or others (4:33-36, 41).
4. Jesus' focus was on wholeness and freedom, not on Satan and his work. He dealt with Satan when he had to, but he didn't fear him or obsess over the spiritual battle. Jesus' focus was positive, not negative.
5. We must not walk in fear of demons, but be wary and wise to there activities
6. Ask God to give us discernment on every situation. (Proverbs 3:5)
7. If it seems evil, it probably is! Shun the very appearance of evil.
8. Stay submitted to God! (James 4:7)

Pornography (Everyone’s Problem)

Pornography is over an eighty billion dollar a year industry in America. Why? Sex is one of Satan’s greatest snares. (maybe the greatest) From Noah to Solomon, great men have fallen into the trap of sexual sin. The sin of adultery has contributed to more divorces than any other one. Adultery breaks the marriage covenant! Satan wants fathers out of the home at any cost. Satan knows the chances of children becoming a problem will increase when dad and mom split up. Satan also knows that if he can get a man to engage in pornography, he can lead him into actually committing the act.
Jesus said “If a man looks at a woman with lust in his heart he has already committed adultery.” There was a time when you had to go to a bad neighborhood at night to find pornography. It is so easy to obtain pornography today it’s scary. It’s on TV, radio, phone sex lines, on the Internet, in magazines, newspapers, and movies.

I realize that women commit adultery also, BUT the porno industry makes over 85% of its money from MEN! There are men that have not actually committed the act of adultery...but they are obsessed with porno. I knew a man in Dover, Delaware whose wife left him because he was having “an affair” with porno. He wasn’t having sex with her. He was however spending his time with Playboy Bunnies and Penthouse Pets in magazines. He lived in a trailer home and used the spare bedroom to store hundreds of porno magazines. Yes there are Christian men secretly viewing porno material! Satan knows the more you scan this filth the greater the chance you will act out the sin. Is it you!

David first lusted in his heart for Bathsheba as he spied her bathing herself. David was supposed to be on the battlefield with his men. Satan knows that if we are out of position or out of fellowship with the LORD we can be easily tempted. “Submit yourself therefore to God; Resist the devil and he will flee.” (James 4:7)

Tips on Staying Free of Pornography
1. Avoid stores that sell porn, especially those that display it behind the cash register so you can see it as you check out
2. Don't surf the internet alone
3. Avoid sexually explicit movies (usually R rated and some PG rated)
4. Avoid looking at people in a sexual manner. If you can't look at a person without having sexual thoughts, then don't look at all!
5. If married, avoid being separated from your spouse, especially in the evening
6. Avoid being alone
7. Pre-plan alternate, non-pornographic activities you will do when you feel the urge to view porn. Examples:
• Ask God for help in prayer
• Pray for others struggling with porn addiction
• Call a friend
• Exercise
• Recite Bible verses audibly
• Sing praise songs to God
8.Install internet filters on your computer and give a friend the password; use a text only browser (like Lynx) if search engine pictures are tempting you
9.When tempted, remind yourself the truth about the lies behind the temptations
10. Take actions to clean out your home from any physical or spiritual stumbling blocks related to porn
11. Take action to build your spiritual walls of resistance through our online courses

Generation Curses and Demonic Influence

Ex 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Ex 34:7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”
Nu 14:18 ‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’
Dt 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Ps 79:8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need. NIV


When I used to be a Correctional Officer in my Local County Jail, I saw the best evidence for Generation Curses first hand and up close. Many time whole families would be arrested for the same offences. I saw 2 brothers (YES BROTHERS!) arrested for prostitution at a truck stop. They were transvestites and they were brothers. Their mother was a lesbian and their father was a drug addict. I had a child molester confess to me that his father molested him through most of his childhood. I also saw a Grandfather, Father, and son all arrested on drug related charges. Do you catch my drift!

The demons caused people to be ensnared to sin they were drawn to, especially sexual sins. They travel through generations and bloodlines! Demons are spirits that don’t die or go on vacation. If Great-Grandpa was an abusive husband, there is a good chance Grandpa will be too, and his son, and his son’s son! Accepting Jesus Christ is the start to reversing the curses. However the curses have to often be identified and confessed as sins and strongholds in order to get the breakthrough one really needs.

Breaking generation curses is something that often requires confronting people that hurt you, molested you, or abused you. In forgiving the people that hurt you, you receive healing in your soul. When I was a child my father denied me, he at times would see me in public and would not speak to me, and the scars were deep because of this! When I got older I forgave my father and sought to reconcile with him. To make a long story short, we did reconcile and my father got saved! I will never forget how my father would grab people in the hospital and proclaim “This is my son, Mark”! Each time he would do that it felt like a healing balm in my soul. People that have been sexually abused however, it is a much more painful process. Sometimes actually deliverance sessions are needed. We see in Jesus' ministry some dramatic examples of exorcism, casting out of demons. But let's not be naïve. People who have lived under a demonic delusion or obsession for a significant period of their lives need a period of recovery, even though the root demonic cause of the problem has been dealt with. Let me explain.

In order for a person to live with the demonic delusion or obsession, he is forced to develop a whole series of coping mechanisms that aren't appropriate to the free and open life of a Christian. These coping mechanisms must be gradually unlearned. They didn't develop overnight and they seldom disappear overnight. I believe that counseling by skilled, trained, and committed Christian counselors, pastors, or laypersons can be extremely helpful to help delivered people experience full recovery. The Body of Christ is not a place where we are to judge our recovering brothers and sisters, but to love and encourage and bear with them.


1Th 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. NIV


Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, M.Min