What Are Angels, Demons and Spirits?

And how should we deal with them?

Angels

First and foremost, angels are God’s representatives. The word derives from a word meaning messenger. The word used in the Old Testament is similar. They are sometimes referred to as sons of God (see Job 1:6 below).

Please note that most of the descriptions of the angels we have today are not Biblical. Most were created by theologians in the middle ages based on either the Apocrypha or based on reasoning and speculation. We actually know very little of angels. There is no evidence, for example that angels have no first-hand, senses-based experience of the world.

Angels are created beings. They were created before the earth.

Psalm 148:5

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they were created.

Colossians 1:16

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created through him and for him.

Job 38:6-7

On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Angels serve God.

Matthew 26:53

Are you not aware that I can call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Matthew 13:49-50

This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Angels glorify God.

Isaiah 6:2-3

Above him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Angels are stronger than we are.

Genesis 3:24

So he drove out the man and stationed cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life.

2 Peter 2:11

yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, do not dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord.

Angels dwell in heaven.

1 Kings 22:19b

I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.

There are a lot of angels.

Angels are His army.

Matthew 26:53

Are you not aware that I can call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Angels kill and destroy people at God’s command.

2 Kings 19:35

That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!

1 Corinthians 10:10

And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

Angels have a hierarchy.

Archangel translates roughly to leader-angel or chief angel.

Jude 1:9

But even the archangel Michael, when disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not himself dare to bring a slanderous judgment against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Angels fight Satan and his minions.

Angels are not to be worshiped.

Colossians 2:18

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels defraud you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a one is puffed up without basis by his un-spiritual mind.

Revelation 19:10

So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Angels have their own language.

1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

Angels are to be respected.

Jude 1:8

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.

Angels do not marry.

From this, theologians have inferred that they are sexless, having no need to reproduce to fill the earth. This is problematic, as some of the fallen angels took human women as wives (see Genesis 6:2).

Mark 12:25

When the dead rise, they neither marry nor are given in marriage; instead they are like the angels in heaven.

Individual angels have names, but don’t always reveal them.

Daniel 12:1

At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.

Luke 1:19

“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to proclaim this good news to you.”

Genesis 32:29

Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

Individual angels are both male and female.

The overwhelming majority described in the Bible are male.

Zechariah 5:9

Then I looked up—and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.

Luke 1:11-12

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

Job 1:6

One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

God sends angels to guard and protect us.

Daniel 6:21

My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.

2 Kings 6:17

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Matthew 18:10

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”

God sometimes sends angels to help us in times of need.

Exodus 14:19

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them

Hebrews 1:14

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Angels are assigned specific countries to oversee.

Deuteronomy 32:8

When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.

Angels tell us things.

Luke 1:28

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Acts 8:26

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

Angels are spiritual in nature.

Hebrews 1:7

Now about the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”

Angels can appear in many forms, and do many things interacting with the material world. They do not seem to need to follow physical rules.

Isaiah 6:2

Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

Revelation 4:6-8

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings.

How are we supposed to deal with them?

We are not supposed to deal with them at all. If they show up, we respect them as God’s ambassadors. Otherwise, we should assume that they are doing their jobs and forget about them. We are not supposed to call them or look for them. We are definitely NOT supposed to pray to them. Many people today are obsessed with angels. They should put that energy into following God instead.

Demons

Demons share all of the characteristics of angels because demons are angels who rebelled and fell.

Revelation 12:7-9

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Demons are our enemies. Like Satan, demons hate us.

Demons are not to be mocked. They are to referenced with solemn sorrow out of respect for the glory which has been lost. This is not to be confused with compassion and pity – they have chosen their road. But don’t mock them or belittle them.

2 Peter 2:11

yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, do not dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord.

Demons are stronger than we are.

Acts 19:16

Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

After the fall, some demons crossed a boundary line and were imprisoned to await judgment.

Genesis 6:2

the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.

Jude 1:6

And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He keeps under darkness, in eternal chains for judgment on that great day.

Demons will be condemned and punished at the last judgment.

2 Peter 2:4

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

Matthew 25:41

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Demons are capable of inhabiting and controlling people and animals.

Matthew 8:28-32

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him on their way from the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the proper time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” “Go!” He commanded them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the water.

Demons are capable of communicating with, tormenting, and occasionally controlling humans.

We can attract their attention by trying to contact the spirit world. There is no reason to do that – we already have God’s attention and we REALLY don’t want the demons to notice us. People try to contact the spirit world through Ouija boards, seances, incantations and meditative processes of various types. This all falls under the category of magic and is forbidden.

How we should deal with them:

If you encounter demons or oppressing spirits, pray for help and leave. At the name of Jesus, demons flee. Remember, though that Jesus’ name is not a talisman. You are not using His name as a shield. Rather, you are asking Him to come and protect you.

That being said, the head of the household can claim his home for Jesus and ask Him to expel the unclean spirits. Ask Him to protect you and your family, including your pets. Demons are evil, very experienced in dealing with people and can be violent. You should also seek help from a spiritual leader. If they are in your home, ask for help from your pastor or priest. Do NOT try and handle them yourself.

Be aware of and vigilant against the unclean spirits in the world, but don’t focus on them. An unhealthy obsession on them tends to lead people away from God rather than helping them rely on Him. Know that they exist, avoid them and focus on the things God has for you to do. In the end, they are His problem, not yours.

Ghosts and Spirits

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Ghosts and spirits are real. The vast majority are unclean spirits masquerading as the dead. Test them. They will be known by what they do. If they frighten or oppress, they are not of God. There also appear to be spiritual echoes left behind when people die particularly brutal or traumatic deaths. It is unclear whether these are human remnants or demons exploiting a tragedy. Stay clear of these places.

There is some anecdotal evidence that people do not always depart the earth immediately after their death. There are also those who report that God occasionally allows people to return briefly shortly after their death, usually to comfort those who remain. God is sovereign – He can do whatever He wants. These experiences should be taken for exceptions to the rule. They should not be sought, but tested for their true nature. If they appear to be of God, then rejoice and thank Him for His gift. If not, seek His help and protection from deceiving spirits.

Luke 24:39

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

How should we deal with them:

Treat them as demons unless there is clear and compelling evidence to the contrary – stay away from them. Be careful, because demons are fallen angels and can look like them.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.