bible teachings Archives – Page 6 of 34

Je mapepo yanakufa? Na kama hayafi, tunashindanaje vita vya kiroho?

Do Demons Die? And If Not, How Do We Fight Spiritual Battles?

The Question

Do demons die? If not, what kind of battle are we fighting in the spiritual realm?

The Answer

In the Bible, the word “demon” carries two dimensions of meaning:

1. Demons as fallen angels – spiritual beings who rebelled with Satan (Revelation 12:7–9).

2. Demons as the seeds or works of fallen angels – sinful manifestations they plant in human lives (Galatians 5:19–21).

1. Demons as Fallen Angels.

Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV):

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.

These refer to ranks of fallen angels who actively oppose God’s purposes. They cannot be destroyed by human effort. Their destiny is already sealed:

Matthew 25:41 (NKJV):

Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Revelation 20:10 (NKJV):

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Thus, fallen angels do not “die” as humans do. They await eternal judgment.

2. Demons as Seeds of Fallen Angels.

These are the works and manifestations of evil sown into human lives. Scripture calls them “spirits” because of their destructive origin.

Luke 13:11 (NKJV):

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.

This was not a fallen angel dwelling in her, but a seed of weakness planted by them.

Mark 9:25 (NKJV): Jesus rebuked “the deaf and dumb spirit”—a manifestation of demonic influence.

Jesus clarified in Matthew 15:13 (NKJV):

Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

The “plants” represent satanic seeds—bitterness, pride, lust, hatred, addiction, or sickness. These seeds can be destroyed in the name of Jesus.

How Satan Sows Seeds

In Matthew 13:24–30, Jesus explained that while the farmer planted good seed, the enemy sowed tares while men slept. Spiritually, this means the enemy takes advantage of human carelessness and spiritual slumber to plant destructive seeds.

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV):

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

When believers neglect prayer, holiness, or God’s Word, they open doors for the enemy to sow seeds of destruction.

Can Christians Be Affected?

Yes. While a born-again believer cannot be possessed by a fallen angel, they can be influenced or oppressed by demonic seeds if they allow sin, unforgiveness, or rebellion to take root.

Ephesians 4:27 (NKJV):

Nor give place to the devil.

Even Peter, after confessing Jesus as the Christ, became a mouthpiece for Satan’s temptation. Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23, NKJV).

This shows that believers must remain vigilant, resisting demonic seeds through spiritual discipline.

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NKJV):

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

1. The Gospel

Satan’s greatest defeat comes through the preaching of Christ. When the disciples preached, Jesus said: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18, NKJV). The gospel uproots demonic seeds by bringing people from darkness into light (Acts 26:18).

2. Prayer

Prayer activates divine intervention. Jesus taught us to pray, “Deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13, NKJV). A prayerless Christian is vulnerable, but a prayerful Christian is shielded.

3. Love

Where love reigns, Satan cannot plant seeds of hatred, jealousy, or strife. “Above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:8, NKJV).

4. The Word of God

The Word is called “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17, NKJV). Jesus overcame Satan’s temptations by declaring, “It is written.” The Word uproots lies and protects believers from deception.

5. Faith

Faith shields us from Satan’s fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16). Fear empowers the enemy, but faith empowers the believer to walk in victory. “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17, NKJV).

6. Rebuking with Authority

Jesus gave His disciples authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7, NKJV). He rebuked demons with a word, and they obeyed. Likewise, believers must resist the devil with authority (James 4:7).

Conclusion

Demons—the fallen angels—do not die. Their judgment is already fixed. But their works can and must be destroyed. Jesus came not to kill demons but to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8 (NKJV):

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

So, we do not waste energy trying to kill Satan. Instead, we root out his seeds in people’s lives through the gospel, prayer, love, the Word, faith, and the authority of Christ.

And in Christ, the victory is already assured:

Romans 16:20 (NKJV):

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

Therefore: Demons do not die, but their works can be destroyed. And through Christ, every believer has the authority to walk in that victory.

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Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV)

A spring is a source of water—it provides water for drinking and for sustaining plant life. When the spring yields bitter or salty water, it becomes useless. Life cannot thrive around it. Neither people, nor animals, nor crops can survive with such water.

But when a spring produces clean, fresh water, it brings life wherever it flows. People flourish, animals thrive, crops grow, and even the local economy benefits.

A vivid example of bitter water is found in the journey of the Israelites at Marah.

Exodus 15:22–25

“Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.
When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.)
So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What are we to drink?’
Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.” (NIV)

The Bible compares our hearts to springs of water. This means that what flows out of our hearts can either bring life and fruitfulness—or corruption and destruction. Everything around us—our health, our relationships, our work, our education, our favor with people and with God—depends on what is flowing from within.

So what are these “bitter” or “sweet” waters?

Jesus gives us clarity.

Matthew 12:34–35

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (NIV)

Matthew 15:18–20

“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what defile a person…” (NIV)

From this, we understand that things like lies, slander, adultery, theft, and murder come from the heart—and these are the bitter waters. They pollute relationships, ruin lives, destroy ministries, end marriages, and rob people of their divine calling.

Many have lost their purpose or blessings because their hearts have become corrupted springs—producing bitter water instead of life-giving truth and purity. Some have lost favor with God and man because of unfaithfulness, deceit, or sin. Others have seen their once-thriving ministries or marriages fall apart because of impurity flowing from within.

James 3:8–12

“But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (NIV)

If what flows from our hearts is good—things like love, truth, kindness, patience, holiness—then we are like a pure spring. Our words and actions will bring life. Our salvation, ministries, marriages, and work will be fruitful. Our influence will be holy and life-giving.

So, what kind of water is your heart producing? Sweet or bitter?

If it’s bitter—there is hope! The remedy is the Holy Spirit. Believe in Jesus Christ, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, who purifies the heart freely and completely.

Once the Holy Spirit fills your heart, the dead things in your life—your marriage, ministry, calling, or education—can be revived. Because now the water flowing from within is pure and life-giving.

But even if your heart is already producing clean water, there is a command: Guard your heart. Protect it from corruption. Keep it from the influence of this sinful world.

Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV)

How do you guard your heart?
Through prayer, by reading and meditating on the Word of God, by avoiding worldly influences, and by regularly fellowshipping with other believers.

May the Lord bless you.
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