What Do Demons Do?

Demons; otherwise known as unclean, impure, or evil spirits - sometimes as simply "a spirit" with ungodly motives. Let’s look at how Scripture describes these beings. Here, I’ll give the first instance of each type of description.

 

• Can torment people (1 Samuel 16:14-23)
  
• Can cause a person to prophesy (1 Samuel 18:10)
• Can cause a person to become violent (1 Samuel 18:10-11)
• Can possess people (Matthew 4:24)
• Can be cast out in Jesus’ name (Matthew 7:22), but not by just anyone (Acts 19:13-16)
• Can make people violent (Matthew 8:28)
• Know Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 8:29)
• Will be punished at the appointed time (Matthew 8:29)
• Can possess animals (Matthew 8:32)
• Can make a person unable to speak (Matthew 9:32-33)
• Can make a person blind (Matthew 12:22)
• Are not driven out by Satan but by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:27-28)
• When cast out, goes seeking rest, then comes back to the place it left (Matthew 12:43-45)
• Can be cast out from afar (Matthew 15:21-28)
• Can cause seizures (Matthew 17:14-20)
• Some only come out through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21)
• People can be possessed by many demons at once (Mark 5:15)
• Can drive people into solitude (Luke 8:29)
• Can cripple people (Luke 13:11)
  
• Can predict the future (Acts 16:16)
  
• Were cast out when a handkerchief or apron from Paul was taken to the person (Acts 19:11-12)
• Cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39)
• Accepts the sacrifice of pagans to other gods (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)
• Are messenger of Satan that can afflict people physically (2 Corinthians 12:7)
• Deceive people into believing lies (1 Timothy 4:1)
• Believe there is one God – and shudder (James 2:19)
• Are equated with being earthly and unspiritual (James 3:15)
• Can perform miraculous signs (Revelation 16:14)
• Are who we struggle against (Ephesians 6:12)