Devils, in the language of the King James Bible, refers both to Satan himself and to the demonic spirits that serve him.
The New Testament more commonly speaks of “the devil” (singular) for Satan and “demons” or “unclean spirits” for the rest.
These beings are fallen, personal, and hostile to God and to humanity, yet they remain under the sovereign authority of Christ.
Their end is certain: the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Scripture presents a real spiritual enemy. The devil is the ancient serpent, the accuser, the tempter, and the ruler of this present darkness. He is a created being who rebelled against God and now works to deceive the nations, blind unbelievers, and oppose the people of God. Alongside him are demons—unclean spirits that torment, possess, deceive, and promote false worship. Jesus confronted them throughout His ministry, casting them out with a word and demonstrating that the kingdom of God had come upon those He delivered. The apostles likewise taught that the believer’s struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. At the same time, the New Testament never treats the devil or demons as equals with God. Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities, triumphing over them at the cross. The devil’s time is short, and his final destination is the lake of fire.
- The devil is a personal, fallen being—not a mere symbol of evil.
- Demons are real spiritual entities that can afflict, deceive, and inhabit people apart from Christ.
- Jesus exercised complete authority over every unclean spirit He encountered.
- Believers are called to resist the devil, stand firm in faith, and put on the whole armor of God.
- The devil is a defeated foe whose power has been broken at the cross, though he still prowls.
- Scripture forbids fellowship with demons and warns against occult practices.
- The final destiny of the devil and his angels is the lake of fire.
- The Devil (Satan) – The chief adversary, accuser of the brethren, tempter, and deceiver of the whole world.
- Demons / Unclean Spirits – Fallen spiritual beings that serve Satan’s purposes and oppose the work of God.
- Limited Power – They can only act within the bounds God permits; they are not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent.
- Deception and Possession – They blind minds, promote false teaching, and in some cases inhabit human bodies.
- Defeat at the Cross – Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public spectacle of them.
- Present Resistance – Believers resist the devil by faith, the Word, prayer, and the armor of God.
- Certain Judgment – The devil and his angels will be thrown into the lake of fire forever.
- Matthew 4:1, 10-11 – “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil… Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”’ Then the devil left him…”
- Matthew 8:16, 28-32 – Jesus casts out spirits with a word; the demons in the Gadarene demoniacs recognize Him as the Son of God and beg not to be tormented before the time.
- Matthew 12:24-28 – “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
- Mark 1:23-27 – An unclean spirit in the synagogue cries out; Jesus rebukes it and it comes out.
- Luke 10:17-20 – The seventy return with joy that the demons are subject to them in Jesus’ name; Jesus says He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
- Luke 11:24-26 – The unclean spirit that goes out of a person and later returns with seven other spirits more evil than itself.
- John 8:44 – “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth… When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
- John 12:31 – “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.”
- Acts 10:38 – God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.
- Acts 19:13-16 – The sons of Sceva attempt to use the name of Jesus without knowing Him; the evil spirit overpowers them.
- Ephesians 6:11-12 – “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
- Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
- James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- 1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…”
- 1 John 3:8 – “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
- Revelation 12:7-12 – War in heaven; the great dragon, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, is thrown down; he knows that his time is short.
- Revelation 20:1-3, 10 – Satan is bound for a thousand years, then released, then thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are, to be tormented day and night forever and ever.
- Matthew 25:41 – “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
- Deuteronomy 32:17 – “They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known…”
- 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 – “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons…”
The devil is real, and so are the spirits that serve him. Yet they are not God’s equals. Jesus confronted them, commanded them, and defeated them at the cross. The believer’s calling is not to be fascinated by darkness but to submit to God, resist the devil, and stand firm in the faith. Put on the whole armor of God. Hold fast the testimony of Jesus. The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil, and He will throw the devil and his angels into the lake of fire. Until that day, walk in the light. The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.