People don’t like to talk about evil spirits. The very subject of demons conjures up images from Hollywood exorcism movies or thoughts of possessed young girls with projectile vomiting and spinning heads or primitive native tribes dancing around a fire summoning their “gods”. Many people, even some Christians, have relegated demonic spirits to the realm of fantasy, superstition and fiction.
But the Bible is very clear regarding the subject of evil spirits, even if we don’t want to receive the teaching. The New Testament teaches that
Two types: sensual and doctrinal. The first type will tempt you to sin. The second will draw you into doctrinal error.
Doctrinal
1 Tim. 4:1
1 ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2 John 1:9
19 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Sensual
1 Tim. 5:11-15
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
The Cure:
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1Pe 5:8-9
8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Romans 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
1 Thes. 5:21
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Acts 17:10-12
10 ¶ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.