7/7/2019Pastor Rusty Milton"Evil Spirits"2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 2: 14-15Throughout history, the Church has taken 2 approaches to demons: to "see" them behind every bad thing that might happen, or to conversely rationalize them away as a relic belief, rooted in the ancients' misunderstanding of mental illness. As believers, how should we understand demons? Neither extreme satisfies the Biblical portrayal of evil spirits, which presents demons as fallen, sinful angels who gave up their position of heavenly authority because they desired more power, and who remain at work in the world until God's judgment in the last days (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Ephesians 6:12). Moreover, according to Revelation 12:7 and 1 Timothy 4:1-3, they have objectives: to stir up people within the church who will promote a false gospel portraying the redemptive work of Christ as insufficient (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 6:12). It is clear, however, that despite the present work of evil spirits to spread deception and dissension, Jesus' work on the cross dealt a death blow to Satan and his demons, whose primary power is found in sin, guilt, fear, and condemnation (Hebrews 2:14-15). If, therefore, you are a believer, don't forget that you are free from the fear of evil spirits. Even death is no longer fearful because we no are no longer under Divine judgment. Christ reigns over all things, and we have a promise that God is faithful to protect us from the power of sin.2 Peter 2:4 English Standard Version (ESV)4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell[a] and committed them to chains[b] of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;Jude 6 English Standard Version (ESV)6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—1 Timothy 4:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.Ephesians 2:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b]Ephesians 6:12 English Standard Version (ESV)12 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.Hebrews 2:14-15 English Standard Version (ESV)14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong sla