by tumaini lutenta | 23 June 2025 08:46 am06
Do demons die? And if they don’t, what exactly are we fighting in spiritual warfare?
In biblical theology, “demons” are generally understood in two main ways:
Demons as Personal Spiritual Beings (Fallen Angels):
These are the angels who rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven with Satan (Revelation 12:7–9). They are eternal beings, and they do not die — at least not in the way humans think of death. Their final destiny is eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
Demons as Manifestations or “Seeds” of Their Influence:
These are not the demons themselves, but the effects of demonic influence in a person’s life — such as diseases, addictions, mental torment, pride, hatred, etc. These are sometimes referred to as “spirits” or “unclean spirits” in Scripture, and they reflect the works of the demonic realm, which can be broken and removed by the power of God.
Demons are spiritual beings that cannot be killed by humans, whether through prayer, spiritual warfare, or other means. Their judgment is sealed. According to Jesus:
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
— Matthew 25:41, NKJV
This shows that Satan and his fallen angels (demons) have an appointed eternal punishment. We are not tasked with destroying them now — only resisting them.
Also, Paul reminds us:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
— Ephesians 6:12, NKJV
These “principalities and powers” refer to the hierarchy of demonic forces led by Satan. They are real, intelligent beings, not mere ideas or evil energies.
In the Gospels, Jesus often delivered people not only from demons themselves but also from the effects of their presence.
Take for example Luke 13:11:
“And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.”
— Luke 13:11, NKJV
This woman was afflicted by a spirit of infirmity — not simply a physical condition. When Jesus cast it out, she was immediately healed. This shows us that demonic influence can manifest in people’s bodies, minds, and emotions, even without full demonic possession.
Jesus further explains this concept in His parable of the wheat and the tares:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.”
— Matthew 13:24–25, NKJV
The enemy (Satan) plants seeds of destruction, sin, confusion, or sickness — especially when people are spiritually asleep or unaware. These “tares” (weeds) grow up alongside the wheat until the time of harvest. The implication is clear: spiritual passivity invites demonic planting.
While a genuinely born-again believer cannot be possessed, they can still be oppressed, influenced, or afflicted by demonic “seeds.”
Example: A believer who begins gossiping or harboring bitterness can open a door to a spirit of offense or division. This can fester and produce more sin, even disrupting churches or families.
This mirrors the experience Paul had with the Corinthians:
“…lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
— 2 Corinthians 2:11, NKJV
Satan takes advantage of unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, and sin to plant his works in the lives of even believers. That’s why Paul calls us to “put on the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11).
We don’t kill demons — but we destroy their works (1 John 3:8).
Let’s look at the spiritual weapons the Bible gives us:
“And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’”
— Luke 10:18, NKJV
Jesus spoke this after His disciples returned from preaching and casting out demons. The spread of the gospel is the greatest blow to Satan’s kingdom. When people believe and turn to Christ, Satan loses ground.
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
— Matthew 26:41, NKJV
Prayer is how we engage heaven, align ourselves with God, and resist the enemy. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
— 1 John 4:8, NKJV
Love drives out fear (1 John 4:18), and it disarms many demonic tools such as hate, jealousy, bitterness, and division. Walking in love is a powerful form of spiritual warfare.
“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
— Ephesians 6:17, NKJV
Jesus overcame Satan in the wilderness by saying, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4). When the Word of God is deeply rooted in you, Satan cannot deceive or defeat you. It is your offensive weapon.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
— Ephesians 6:16, NKJV
Faith protects your mind, heart, and will from the lies and attacks of the enemy. When we believe God’s truth over Satan’s lies, we walk in victory.
“Behold, I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
— Luke 10:19, NKJV
Jesus gave us authority to cast out demons and resist the devil. We don’t beg the devil — we command him in the name of Jesus.
Also consider:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7, NKJV
Resisting the devil includes rebuking him, rejecting temptation, and speaking the truth of God’s Word with authority.
No, demons do not die — they are eternal spiritual beings whose final judgment is in God’s hands.
But the works of demons — their influence, their strongholds, their plantings — can be destroyed in Jesus’ name.
As 1 John 3:8 (NKJV) declares:
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
That is our calling too — to destroy Satan’s works by preaching the gospel, walking in truth, staying in prayer, living in love, and using the Word of God as our weapon.
Don’t waste your time “attacking” Satan directly. Instead, focus your energy on tearing down his works in your life and in the lives of others — through the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus.
Victory is yours.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
— Romans 8:37, NKJV
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2025/06/23/54348/
Copyright ©2025 Wingu la Mashahidi unless otherwise noted.