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Biblical Reality of Seeing and Harassment by Evil Spirits

The Bible presents a reality where evil spirits, often called demons, actively engage with and harass humanity, a concept evident across both Old and New Testaments [4]. These spiritual beings are depicted as adversaries of God, possessing the capacity to inflict suffering, including physical ailments and spiritual defilement [4].

The term "Satan" itself, derived from the Hebrew satan, means "adversary" [5]. This original meaning is seen in various Old Testament contexts, such as in 1 Samuel 29:4 and Numbers 22:22,33, where it refers to an opponent [5]. In the New Testament, Satan is frequently interchanged with Diabolos, or the devil, and is identified by various titles such as "the dragon," "the old serpent" (Revelation 12:9; 20:2), "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30), and "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) [6]. These titles underscore his distinct personality and his role as an adversary [6].

Evil spirits are understood to be fallen angels who, through their rebellion, brought ruin upon themselves and became instruments of perdition for others [13]. Peter and Jude describe God casting down these angels who sinned into chains of darkness, reserved for judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) [13]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, refutes the idea that devils are merely bad affections, asserting their reality as spiritual beings [14]. He also notes that while God holds Satan bound by His power, Satan executes only what he is permitted to do, thus unwillingly serving God's purposes [8]. God uses these unclean spirits to test believers through spiritual warfare [8].

The harassment by evil spirits manifests in various ways. In the New Testament, individuals suffering from "demoniacal possession" are frequently mentioned [2]. This possession often presented visibly as bodily disease or mental derangement, such as dumbness [2]. While some have suggested that biblical references to demon possession were merely accommodations to common Jewish belief, the New Testament consistently portrays these as genuine afflictions [2]. Demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) and acknowledge the power of His name, even when used in exorcism [4]. They also anticipate their final judgment, which is described as torture [12]. For instance, in Mark 5:6-8, an evil spirit recognized Jesus' identity as the "Son of the Most High God" and obeyed His command, demonstrating Jesus' authority over them [12].

The Bible also describes the wicked as being influenced by evil, with the Psalmist noting that "The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him" (Psalms 37:32) [3]. Ecclesiastes speaks of "an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men" (Ecclesiastes 6:1) [1]. This suggests a pervasive presence of evil that impacts human experience.

Patristic writers also addressed the reality of evil spirits. Tertullian, in ANF Vol 4, discusses how a spirit, by its own free will, chose to deceive King Ahab, leading him to his death, illustrating the agency of evil spirits in human affairs [9]. Similarly, in ANF Vol 8, Peter is quoted acknowledging that even impious individuals who worship idols and commit sins can experience "true visions and dreams," and some even have "apparitions of demons" [15]. This indicates that the presence and influence of evil spirits are not limited to those who are overtly religious or righteous.

The concept of spiritual warfare is central to understanding the interaction between believers and evil spirits. John Calvin emphasizes that Satan wages war against believers, sending thoughts into their minds, and that prayer is essential to resist these assaults [16]. one tradition states that God allows believers to be exercised by these spirits [8]. The Apostle Peter exhorts believers to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8) [11]. This call to vigilance underscores the active and predatory nature of Satan. However, Peter also offers encouragement, reminding believers that Satan's power is limited to the unbelieving, and he cannot harm the faithful [10]. Faith, particularly through prayer, is presented as a crucial instrument against the foe [10].

The Bible also warns against practices associated with evil spiritual influence, such as divination, which is described as an abominable practice [7]. Those who engage in divination, including diviners, enchanters, witches, and sorcerers, are considered abominable [7]. These practices are often effected through enchantments and sorcery [7].

Sources

  1. Ecclesiastes “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men: -- Ecclesiastes 6:1”
  2. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demoniacs — This word is frequently used in the New Testament, and applied to persons suffering under the possession of a demon or evil spirit, such possession generally showing itself visibly in bodily disease or mental derangement. It has been maintained by many persons that our Lord and the evangelists, in referring to demonical possession, spoke only in accommodation to the general belief of the Jews, without any assertion as to its truth or its falsity. It is concluded that, since the symptoms of the affliction were frequently those of bodily disease (as dumbness”
  3. Psalms “The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him. -- Psalms 37:32”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demon — In the Gospels generally, in (James 2:19) and in Reve 16:14 The demons are spoken of as spiritual beings, at enmity with God, and having power to afflict man not only with disease, but, as is marked by the frequent epithet "un-clean," with spiritual pollution also. They "believe" the power of God "and tremble," (James 2:19) they recognized the Lord as the Son of God, (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) and acknowledged the power of his name, used in exorcism. In the place of the name of Jehovah, by his appointed messengers, (Acts 19:15) and looked forward in terror to t”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Satan — Adversary; accuser. When used as a proper name, the Hebrew word so rendered has the article "the adversary" (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). In the New Testament it is used as interchangeable with Diabolos, or the devil, and is so used more than thirty times. He is also called "the dragon," "the old serpent" (Rev. 12:9; 20:2); "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30); "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2); "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4); "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2). The distinct personality of Satan and h”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Divination — An abominable practice -- 1Sa 15:23. All who practised it, abominable -- De 18:12. Practised by Diviners. -- De 18:14. Enchanters. -- De 18:10; Jer 27:9. Witches. -- Ex 22:18; De 18:10. Charmers. -- De 18:11. Wizards. -- De 18:11; 1Sa 28:3. Consulters of familiar spirits. -- De 18:11. Magicians. -- Ge 41:8; Da 4:7. Astrologers. -- Isa 47:13; Da 4:7. Sorcerers. -- Jer 27:9; Ac 13:6,8. Necromancers. -- De 18:11. Soothsayers. -- Isa 2:6; Da 2:27. False prophets. -- Jer 14:14; Eze 13:3,6. Effected through Enchantments. -- Ex 7:11; Nu 24:1. Sorcery. -- Isa 47”
  8. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: therefore, he has of himself, and his own iniquity, that he eagerly, and of set purpose, opposes God, aiming at those things which he deems most contrary to the will of God. But as God holds him bound and fettered by the curb of his power, he executes those things only for which permission has been given him, and thus, however unwilling, obeys his Creator, being forced, whenever he is required, to do Him service. 18. God thus turning the unclean spirits hither and thither at his pleasure, employs them in exercising believers by war”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. II.--ON' THE OPPOSING POWERS. (part 2): his prophets. And He said, Thou shalt deceive him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so quickly. And now therefore the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all thy prophets: the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee."[5] Now by this last quotation it is clearly shown that a certain spirit, from his own (free) will and choice, elected to deceive (Achab), and to work a lie, in order that the Lord might mislead the king to his death, for he deserved to suffer. In the first book of ”
  10. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 5:9: (Luk 4:13; Eph 6:11-17; Jam 4:7.) steadfast--Compare established in the truth," Pe2 1:12. Satan's power exists only in respect to the unbelieving; the faithful he cannot hurt (Jo1 5:18). Faith gives strength to prayer, the great instrument against the foe (Jam 1:6, &c.). knowing, &c.--"encouragement not to faint in afflictions": your brethren suffer the same; nothing beyond the common lot of Christians befalls you (Co1 10:13). It is a sign of God's favor rather than displeasure, that Satan is allowed to harass you, as he did Job. Your fellow Christ”
  11. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 5:8: Peter has in mind Christ's warning to himself to watch against Satan, from forgetting which he fell. Be sober . . . vigilant--"Care," that is, anxiety, will intoxicate the soul; therefore be sober, that is, self-restrained. Yet, lest this freedom from care should lead any to false security, he adds, "Be vigilant" against "your adversary." Let this be your "care." God provides, therefore do not be anxious. The devil seeks, therefore watch [BENGEL]. because--omitted in the oldest manuscripts The broken and disjointed sentences are more fervid and for”
  12. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 5:6: 5:6-8 Despite the man’s horrible condition, Jesus’ coming provided him a glimmer of hope; he ran and knelt before Jesus, seeking help. • Son of the Most High God: Evil spirits know Jesus’ true identity (1:24, 34; 3:11). • There was no struggle; Jesus was in charge and the evil spirit obeyed the Master. Torture is the final judgment awaiting evil spirits (Matt 8:29; Luke 8:31).”
  13. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: were the angels of God, but by revolting they both ruined themselves, and became the instruments of perdition to others. As it was useful to know this much, it is clearly taught by Peter and Jude; “God,” they say, “spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to 153 hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto Judgment,” ( 2 Pet. 2:4 ; Jude ver. 6). And Paul, by speaking of the elect angels, obviously draws a tacit contrast between them and reprobate angels. 17. With regard to the strife and war whi”
  14. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: the devil. 117 117 2 Cor. 4:4 ; Eph. 2:2 ; Rom. 9:22 ; John 8:44 ; 1 John 3:8 . For as believers are recognised to be the sons of God by bearing his image, so the wicked are properly regarded as the children of Satan, from having degenerated into his image. 19. Having above refuted that nugatory philosophy concerning the holy angels, which teaches that they are nothing but good motions or inspirations which God excites in the minds of men, we must here likewise refute those who foolishly allege that devils are nothing but bad affec”
  15. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — CHAP. XVI.--NONE BUT EVIL DEMONS APPEAR TO THE IMPIOUS.: And Peter said: "I remember that I promised to prove this point, and to give my proofs in regard to it from Scripture and apart from Scripture. sand now listen to what I say. We know that there are many (if you will pardon me the statement; and if you don't, I can appeal to those who are present as judges) who worship idols, commit adultery, and sin in every way, and yet they see true visions and dreams, and some of them have also apparitions of demons. For I mainta”
  16. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: concupiscence) or presented by the craft of Satan’s war against us, we pray God the Father not to allow us to be overcome, but rather to raise and support us by his hand, that strengthened by his mighty power we may stand firm against all the assaults of our malignant enemy, whatever be the thoughts which he sends into our minds; next we pray that whatever of either description is allotted us, we may turn to good, that is, may neither be inflated with prosperity, nor cast down by adversity. Here, however, we do not ask to be altoge”
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