What does the Bible say about demonic spirits?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Matthew 12:43-45

  [43] But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn't find it. [44] Then he says, 'I will return into my house from which I came out,' and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. [45] Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation."

• 1 Peter 5:8

  Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

• 1 John 4:4

  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

• Ephesians 6:10-18

  [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

• Revelation 16:14

  for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day of God, the Almighty.

• John 8:44

  You are of your Father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.

• 2 Corinthians 11:14

  And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.

• Deuteronomy 18:9-12

  [9] When you are come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. [10] There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, [11] or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. [12] For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:9

  even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

• Acts 19:19

  Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

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