TOPIC 40 OF 47
Angels, Demons, and the Devil
Christ’s victory gives confidence in the midst of spiritual conflict.
THE MAIN TRUTH
God created an invisible realm inhabited by spiritual beings called angels.
The teaching
From the book · pages 122–124
God created an invisible realm inhabited by spiritual beings called angels. He created angels to serve him in worship as they oversee his creation and protect his people. One angel, now called Satan (“adversary”) and the Devil (“accuser”), rebelled against God and led other angels with him.
As a serpent, the Devil tempted Adam and Eve into rebellion against God and plunged creation into spiritual darkness, evil, and death. The Devil is the ruler of this fallen world. Evil spirits, or demons, seek to distort and destroy all that is good. They can oppress and even possess people. Through lies, Satan blinds unbelievers to the truth of God in Christ. He seeks to deceive, tempt, and destroy the faith of every believer.
Christ Jesus defeated the Devil and all his dark forces by his resurrection and ascension and now reigns as Lord. Satan is restrained during this age, yet we still face a daily spiritual battle against demonic evil. The Gospel of Jesus, our baptismal identity in him, and prayer in his name drive out the enemy and give us the victory, which will be fully revealed when Jesus returns in glory.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
The passages reveal the reality of spiritual beings and evil while centering confidence on Christ’s victory. Their purpose is vigilance and trust, not fascination with darkness.
12 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Colossians 1:16 ↗
“. . . for in [Christ] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
Book page 123
SCRIPTURE 02
Psalm 103:20-21 ↗
“Bless the LORD, you his angels, you strong warriors who obey his word by listening to what he says. Bless the LORD, all his armies, you who minister to him, you who do whatever pleases him.”
Book page 123
SCRIPTURE 03
Hebrews 1:14 ↗
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent out to serve for the benefit of those who are going to inherit salvation?”
Book page 123
SCRIPTURE 04
Revelation 12:9 ↗
“The great dragon was thrown down—the ancient serpent, the one called the Devil and Satan, the one who leads the whole inhabited earth astray—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
Book page 123
SCRIPTURE 05
John 8:44 ↗
“He was a murderer from the beginning and did not remain standing in the truth . . . there is no truth in him . . . he is a liar and the father of lying.”
Book page 123
SCRIPTURE 06
Genesis 3:1,4-6 ↗
“Now the serpent . . . said . . . ‘Has God really said. . .? . . .You will certainly not die. . .the day you eat from it [the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil] . . . you will be like God’ . . . the woman . . . took some of its fruit and ate. She gave some also to her husband . . . and he ate it.”
Book page 123
SCRIPTURE 07
1 John 5:19; John 10:10 ↗
“. . . the whole world lies in the grip of the Evil One.” “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
Book page 124
SCRIPTURE 08
Luke 4:33; 8:29; Acts 10:38 ↗
“. . . there was a man who was possessed by the unclean spirit of a demon.” “. . . the unclean spirit had seized him many times . . . driven by the demon into deserted places.” “. . . oppressed by the Devil. . .”
Book page 124
SCRIPTURE 09
2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8 ↗
“. . . the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from clearly seeing the light of the gospel . . .” “Be alert. Your adversary, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Book page 124
SCRIPTURE 10
1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:15 ↗
“This is why the Son of God appeared: to destroy the works of the Devil.” “After disarming the rulers and authorities, [God] made a public display of them by triumphing over them in Christ.”
Book page 124
SCRIPTURE 11
Ephesians 6:12,17-18 ↗
“For our struggle is . . . against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places . . . take up the full armor of God . . . take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God . . . pray in the Spirit. . .”
Book page 124
SCRIPTURE 12
James 4:7; Romans 16:20 ↗
“Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Book page 124
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
What purposes do God’s angels serve?
How does the Devil seek to undermine trust in God’s Word?
How do the Gospel, your baptismal identity, and prayer equip you for spiritual conflict?
A prayer
Victorious Lord Jesus, guard us from the evil one. Keep us firm in your Word and our baptismal identity, trusting your power rather than fearing the enemy. Amen.