Are demons real? Yes.
Are they Individual, identifiable and possess a power of their own? Are they able to override and overrun the innocent without their cooperation, as in the film “Rosemary’s Baby”? No, I don’t think so.
William Benefield, who is a friend and psychopharmacologist observes,
“…all of this talk of the Enemy and demons can be uncomfortable for me, living in the current century and after formal study in the scientific method. Most demons and devils I have encountered in patients within my own profession of psychopharmacology I have been able to treat with modern antipsychotics and mood stabilizers…. Now in my own spiritual formation as I delve into my inner self, my own ‘drug resistant demons’ become more real to me in my psyche.”
I share his reservations. I also have a theological problem with some of the language that we use about demons: The only real, identifiable being with power of its own is God. Every other power on earth either depends upon the power of God, or operates in the shadow of God’s absence. So, to talk about demons as if they have a power all their own is the stuff of horror stories, not theology.
But my friend is also right. Some demons are “drug resistant.” Hitler’s Germany, Idi Amin’s Uganda, Cambodia’s Pol Pot come to mind.
That’s also the reason why the language of devils, demons, and evil is so important. When we give ourselves to desires and designs that are aligned against the will of God, the evil we do acquires a consuming force all its own. Although we may be able to account for the ferocity of it to some degree in sociological, psychological, or political categories, the sum is often greater than the parts. In the spiritual world sometimes 2+2 equals 8. The language of demons, devils, and evil then becomes profoundly important in naming the spiritual and moral issues at stake — as well as the very real dangers that they present.
In the end, it is always our choices that provide evil with an opening.
This post appears with others in answer to the question, “Are demons real?”, and can be found at:
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Are-Demons-Real.html
One of the devil’s main tricks is to get us to the point that we don’t think he is real. Next step would certainly be demons not real either. However, Scriptures point to truth about both demons and devil. Yes, the devil has his army (demons) but what is devil/demons compared to the Almighty! Nothing, and less than nothing.
We do have our part which is choice. We make probably thousands of choices everyday not even realizing they have spiritual consequence.
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray part of that prayer is “deliver us from evil”. Jesus took authority over the devil/demons and expects us to do the same in His Name.
And the promise is “nothing shall be any means harm you” along with countless other scripture promises. We have Immanuel (God with us).
At the end of Revelation the devil/demons are cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever yet for all those who love Jesus and keep His commandments we will be safe in heaven forever.
Carol Lawson