The human story begins with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden where they were living in fellowship with God. But they were not alone. Also living in the Garden was a serpent. In the ancient Mesopotamian world, the image of the Serpent was associated with evil – Satan, or the Devil.
In the days of Jesus most human diseases and afflictions were attributed to the works of the devil. The Apostle Paul wrote that believers are engaged in a spiritual wresting match “against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). In the Gospels and Acts this spiritual warfare is often described as demon-possession. The Greek word daimonizomenous does not describe possession, but rather an action. In other words, the Biblical text does not suggest that a person can be possessed, or owned, by a demon, but that demons act against persons. Such persons are not demon-possessed, they are demonized.
In the ancient prescientific world many physical and mental illnesses were attributed to demonization. In our modern scientific world we know that physical diseases are caused by microscopic viruses, bacteria, and cells. Also, mental diseases are caused by injuries or chemical imbalances in the brain. Even so, we should not discount the existence of demons and their tormenting attacks against human beings.
Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). As followers are Jesus, we are called to resist the devil (Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). Jesus has given the Holy Spirit so that the church may be empowered to exorcise demons (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17). In the Acts of the Apostles the exorcism of demons was a normative act of apostolic ministry (Acts 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12).
Adam and Eve succumbed to the temptation of the devil because they did not discern truth from error. As people of the Spirit, we are called to be discerning people. So how do we determine the works of the devil? One of the spiritual gifts is discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10). The apostles have taught us to “test all things” and “test the spirits” (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1). The Holy Spirit within us can witness to the works of God and warn against the works of the devil. By discerning the spirits we can distinguish between “the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6). Peter discerned evil in the hearts of Ananias and Sapphria (Acts 5:1-11) and Simon of Samaria (Acts 8:20-23). Paul discerned “the spirit of divination” in the slave-girl at Philippi (Acts 16:16-19). Paul exhorted the Corinthians believers to discern false-prophets and false-apostles who are deceitful workers inspired by Satan who has disguised himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). As we study the Scripture and nurture the spiritual gifts we will learn to know in the Spirit.
As people of the Spirit, we are called to resist the devil. The world and the church are filled with tormented people. Some people are tormented by physical infirmities; some are tormented by mental illness; and some are demonized. All tormented people need to be delivered. Every healing prayer is an act of spiritual warfare. God hears the prayers of his people and acts to save. The demons hear the prayers of God’s people and tremble in fear (James 2:19). As disciples of Jesus we should not avoid those who suffer. Instead, we should seek them out. We should offer acts of mercy, encouraging words, and fervent prayers.
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