Angels and Demons
QUESTION: Angels and demons - How do they relate?ANSWER:Angels and demons are very real, active, and about the work of their masters. But the difference is whom they work for. Angels are created beings - created by God for the purpose of serving Him. Demons used to be God's angels but rebelled against him, were kicked out of heaven with Satan and now work to do evil with him as their master.
Oxford Professor and author C.S. Lewis said "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."
1Jesus says of Satan (and his demons) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Satan is also known as a tempter, oppressor, and deceiver. In John 8:44, he is called the father of all lies. His underlings are sent about to undermine all good, love, and righteousness of God.
Satan and his demons are in a spiritual battle with God's angels for control and over the eternal destiny of human souls. 1 Peter 5:8 says we are to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Psalms 68:17 states there are thousands of God's angels and in Psalm 91:11 we are told that God gives them charge over us to keep us in all ways. We are to discern and test which spirits may come to us.
We are not to fear demons because God offers us the equipment to resist the devil and his demons. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Paul explains in Ephesians 6:11-12 that we can "Put on the full
armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Sin is of the devil, but Jesus came to destroy those works (1 John 3:8).
God's angels serve believers as ministering spirits as they did with Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:11. They are used as messengers of God and mighty warriors through out the Bible. As mighty and comforting as God's angels are, they are His servants and not to be glorified above Him.
