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Satan is in charge of the demons. The demons report to him. Satan still wants to be worshipped as God. Satan's goal in all of this is to lead people away from the ONLY way to heaven- thus the people will end up in hell. Again, God the Father chose the only way to heaven-through His Son Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus stated that broad is the road to hell and many will go there (remember reading this that Jesus IS the narrow gate):
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many."
Matthew 7:13 (ESV)
Satan blinds people so that they will follow the wrong path. There are so many ways that Satan uses to lead people away from Jesus: false religions, occult, ghosts, apparitions, aliens, psychics, astrology, drugs, etc. The list really goes on and on. Satan keeps the waters muddy by even putting layers of lies upon previous lies. In a nutshell, Satan will use whatever tool is right for the job. Meaning, whatever a person is susceptible to, Satan will use it.
"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God."
2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)
Those who are currently without Jesus as their savior-have no power whatsoever over these demonic beings. I happen to recall an "alien abduction" story that I watched when I used to be a UFO believer. The so-called "aliens" abducted a woman. When this encounter was happening, she said something along the lines of, "You have no right to do this to me!" What do you think the so-called "aliens" replied? They responded and said, "Shut up. Yes we do." Again, that was many years ago but that's pretty close to how she described the encounter. If a person is not a true believer in Jesus Christ, these demonic beings do have power over that individual.
Furthermore, it is also possible for these demonic beings to have some control over a true believer in Jesus Christ IF that believer does not know their authority that they truly have in Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that these evil beings can get a true believer after they die or anything like that- I'm simply saying that in this lifetime, a saved true believer, can be harassed unnecessarily to a degree (which God may allow) because they don't know their authority In Jesus that they could use.
"And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons."
Mark 3:13-15 (ESV)
A quick review, a non-believer has no authority whatsoever over demonic beings. Not to mention, if they never choose Jesus in their lifetime, when they die, their final destination will be hell and everlasting torment (the second death). Those who are IN JESUS CHRIST, because of their faith, have Jesus' authority over these beings-BUT they must know that they have Jesus' authority. Again, because a true believer may not know their authority in this life-does not mean they have to worry about hell. A true believer is eternally secure In Christ. What it does mean is that they may be putting up with demonic attacks that-if they only knew their full authority In Christ-they wouldn't have to take it!
Three Possible Reasons Why Demons May Attack
The reasons for demonic attack is not limited to these three possible reasons, but based on my experiences-these are worth mentioning:
1. True Believer In Jesus Christ- Before a person accepted Jesus Christ as their savior-Satan thought he had them in his pocket. Contrary to how the angels and Saints in heaven celebrate when a lost sinner comes to Christ, Satan is furious! Satan thinks that he owns everybody. For example, if the entire population of the world were lost and going to hell, Satan would be absolutely furious if only one of the lost chose Jesus by faith and thus were saved from hell. Now if a true believer becomes stagnant, Satan for the most part will leave them alone. But if a true believer is trying to serve the Lord Jesus Christ (i.e. leading the lost to Christ)-Watch Out! I'm smiling as I write this: Be joyful that you are being attacked because it truly means that you are making a difference! Again, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ who is being attacked by the demonic because you are serving Jesus-REJOICE! It means that you're doing something right!
2. Sin- Again, this would mostly pertain to believers in Christ. Every true Christian sins. We should be able to look back to the time when we were saved and see some improvement-but again, there is not one true Christian alive who doesn't sin (We should still try to turn from known sin-but the believer is still saved). Furthermore, saved true believers sin on a daily basis. Again, this is NOT approval of sin- but rather the reality that unfortunately saved believers still sin. As for myself, I am saved by the Lord Jesus Christ based on faith in Him alone. I'm a terrible sinner deserving of hell, but thanks to what Jesus has done- I'm saved by God's grace. A free gift. I'm not at all proud when I sin-whether intentional or unintentional-but even though we have power over sin, we are still dealing with the old sinful nature until we die. When a believer knows they've sinned, we should confess it to God so that our fellowship with God will be restored - Again, not to be saved- the believer was already Justified (saved) when they accepted Jesus as their Savior and trust in Him alone. God is faithful to forgive and we move on to continue to fight the good fight. Sin does open doors to the demonic. A believer can create a hole in their hedge of protection. For example, a believer who looks at pornography. A believer that watches paranormal shows on television, i.e. ghosts, UFOs etc. A believer who is involved in astrology, i.e. horoscopes. A believer who watches certain horror movies with demonic influence. A believer who listens to demonic music. I could go on and on but you should have an idea what I'm talking about.
3. The occult-unbelievers can be attacked as well. What it comes down to is opening up any of these doors. For example, I recall watching a video with testimony from a former satanist about a witch who sent demons to attack a person. Apparently the demons came back and attacked her because she sent them against Christians. I can't say for certain if that particular story is true but I wouldn't be surprised if things like that happen. Even unbelievers not involved in the occult can be attacked. Below, the Apostle Paul describes unbelievers (without Jesus' authority)using Jesus' name and being attacked:
"13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered."
Acts 19:13-16 (NLT)
Here are some things that Satan uses to lead and try to keep people away from Jesus Christ: Satanism, any Witchcraft (there is NO good witchcraft), sorcery, Voodoo, UFOs, aliens, anything New Age (including some meditation), ghosts (demons), Ouija boards, psychics (demons giving them info), Remote Viewing (again, demons give info), Numerology, Astrology (i.e. horoscopes as well), sexual immorality, false religions (Buddhists etc.), cults, Reincarnation (a person only has this life to accept Jesus), shadow people (demons), some Near Death Experiences (NDEs)/false testimony/false witness, false teachers (wolves in sheep's clothing-many out there), dark music, dark movies, dark video games, drugs, idol worship etc. Of course, this is discussing unbelievers. It's possible that even believers (probably new believers) can make mistakes and do some of this, but the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer would be convicting them of their sin.
Now, unbelievers who are not involved with any of this stuff for the most part will not be attacked. The reason that they will not be attacked is that Satan knows these unbelievers are already lost (condemned) without Jesus-so therefore Satan wouldn't interfere with those who are already on the path to destruction and eternal damnation. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, they have already been blinded to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm not at all saying that these people can't be saved. Of course they could if they only knew that Jesus Christ is the TRUTH. What I'm saying is that Satan does not want to "stir the waters" so that they may start to "wake-up" from the deception and thus be saved by turning to Jesus in faith.
Again, I think that if Satan was attacking these uninvolved unbelievers-their spiritual eyes may be opened and they'd realize that this is in fact all real (and it is all real!)-therefore aiding them to call upon Jesus. Of course, this is the opposite of Satan's goal, so that is why I believe he leaves these people alone. Satan will leave them in their temporary earthly peace (i.e., Buddhists, atheists etc.) knowing full well the ever-lasting torment that awaits these people once they die without Christ as their savior. Finally, these people die in their own sins and therefore must pay the consequences for their own sins-for eternity. The final article (Part 3) in this series, Spiritual Warfare, will focus less on the problems and more on the solutions of how to fight the good fight!
May God bless you all. All the glory to Jesus!
In Christ,
glenn.