This is a topic many don't touch, or atleast think about daily. What excatly are angels and demons to you? Is an angel a small baby with wings that watches over the world bringing happiness? Is a demon a little red man with a pitchfork that sits on your shoulder telling you to do bad things or to lie? There is so much more to this spiritual realm that many don't realize, actually that is hard to even fathom. I really enjoy this subject, because of the variety of discussions, opinions, and of the unknown.
I'll begin with demons and fallen angels. There is a great difference in these two, because they come from two different inhabitants. Demons are believed to be of a decendent of humans and fallen angels. God gave angels the knowledge and faith to not sin, but some began to rebel alongside lucifer (satan) and gave into sexual immorality on earth. When the fallen angels reproduced with women of the earth their offsprings were called nephilim. From the old testament, there was a time with many nephilims and sinners on earth, but God soon destroyed all in the flood. After the flood the bible states that those the nephilim and humans were dead, the nephilims spirits remained. Perhaps this was because they were half human (which die), and half angelic (of fallen decents though). There is many talk in a book on Enoch (not in the bible, so still could be unreliable) that talks more on nephilim and their presence. Demons are the disembodied spirits of nephilim and their spirits have been left to wonder the world tormenting, tempting, bullying, and being tyrants upon people. They do not have bodies, and always search for a body to live in. They strive to get in the minds of people; tempting them with lustful and sinful thoughts. Actually since demons were once nephilims, made out of sexual sin, that is what they chase the most. The more sexual immoral a person is, the more doors they open for demons to get inside of them. Once a person starts believing certain things are okay or puts themself in situations where a 'demon' would inhabit people there are more doors open. They even can cause a person question whether they should go to church or not, or try to get them not to want to praise God. Demons are still very knowledgable, and they know if the presence of God is around. They know God is real, powerful, and He can overthrow evil. Demons also usually go in a group, perhaps you've heard of 'legion' from biblical reference. They also cannot fly, but walk the earth always in search of a body in inhabit or to torment.
Fallen angels were once angels of God, but chose to sin. God pretty much kicked them out of heaven, because they chose to please their own selves instead of following His word. Fallen angels still have the knowledge they were made with, but are never more powerful than God. Lucifer wanted more power, infact, he wants to be God. He corrupted his own wisdom and though he is still wise, God punished him by bringing him a terrible fate. Even when Michael the archangel was dealing with lucifer he said 'the Lord rebuke you' instead of rebuking him himself [jude 9]. A person can cast out demons, but must pray for the Lord to rebuke a fallen angel. I believe this is because of the power they still posses from being of an angelic being from the beginning. Fallen angels have the ability to fly, and can see much more since they can get around easier. They also, like lucifcer, can predict the future in a sense. They have been around for many many years, and know historys patterns of trends as well as the personalities and emotions of human beings. Satan came to seek, kill, and destroy; [john 10:10] and that is what sin does to people.
The reason I bring up this passage is because it IS in the bible. We shouldn't ignore or put aside the fact that there is much evil out there in the world. Lust, pride, envy, jealousy, sexual immorality, theft, murder; all works of satan! There is a constant spiritual battle between good and evil happening in a realm we can't see with our eyes, but sometimes I believe we can feel. Have you ever felt that overwhelming temptation to do something bad, to not want to praise God, that you are worthless, or anything of that sort? Think beyond what the rest of the world believes. Maybe it's not just a phase your going though, and maybe you should pay closer attention to the situaion. Don't just be aware of what you see with your eyes, because there is a whole other world out there. Go to God and don't let satan destroy who God has made you to be. God overcomes satan always, and especially in the end. Make sure your on the right side of the battle!
Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Galatians 5:19-21 [19] The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
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