Devil's Power Over Spoken Words and Prophecy

The concept of the devil's power over spoken words and prophecy is rooted in biblical texts that describe Satan's influence on human affairs and the role of prophecy in divine revelation. In Revelation 11:6, the two witnesses are given the power to prophesy and control natural elements, while in Revelation 13:5, the beast is given a mouth to speak great things and blasphemies, indicating a counterfeit or false prophetic power ^{[1, 2]}.

The biblical understanding of demonic influence is further elaborated in the Gospels and other New Testament writings, where demons are described as spiritual beings at enmity with God, capable of afflicting humans with disease and spiritual pollution ^[3]. The demons are said to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and acknowledge the power of His name in exorcisms.

According to Aquinas, the prophets of the demons may sometimes foretell the truth, as it is impossible for any knowledge to be wholly false without some mixture of truth ^[4]. This view is supported by patristic writers such as Augustine, who notes that the devil was able to send fire from heaven to burn up the cattle of a holy man, Job, as recorded in Scripture ^[10].

The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the importance of discerning the source of prophetic utterances, warning against the dangers of false prophecy and the influence of Satan on human affairs ^{[5, 7]}. Calvin's commentary on Isaiah highlights the need for believers to be prepared to endure conflicts and troubles, as the devil seeks to gain an advantage over them.

In the view of the early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian, the devil's power to deceive is evident in his ability to inspire false prophets and lead people astray ^[6]. The devil's influence is seen as a manifestation of his opposition to God and his desire to counterfeit divine revelation.

one commentary tradition tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, interprets the "lying wonders" of 2 Thessalonians 2:9 as a reference to the satanic power behind the Antichrist, who will perform false miracles to deceive people ^[8]. Similarly, the commentary on Revelation 9:19 understands the horsemen with fire, smoke, and brimstone issuing from their mouths as a symbol of the destructive power of evil, potentially referencing the introduction of gunpowder and artillery in warfare ^[11].

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, John of Damascus notes that while demons can make predictions based on their observations or guesses, their words should not be trusted, as much of what they say is false ^[12]. The Orthodox understanding emphasizes the importance of discerning the source of prophetic utterances and being cautious of demonic influence.

The various traditions represented in the sources agree that the devil has some power over spoken words and prophecy, but they differ in their understanding of the extent and nature of this power. While some traditions emphasize the devil's ability to deceive and counterfeit divine revelation, others stress the importance of discerning the source of prophetic utterances and being cautious of demonic influence.

The biblical and patristic understanding of the devil's power over spoken words and prophecy remains a significant aspect of Christian theology, highlighting the ongoing struggle between good and evil and the need for believers to be vigilant in their discernment of spiritual influences. The devil's influence is seen as a reality that must be acknowledged and countered through a deepening understanding of Scripture and the power of God's revelation ^[9].

Sources

Revelation “These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. -- Revelation 11:6”
Revelation “A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. -- Revelation 13:5”
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”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Cause of Prophecy, Art. 6: Article: Whether the prophets of the demons ever foretell the truth? I answer that, As the good is in relation to things, so is the true in relation to knowledge. Now in things it is impossible to find one that is wholly devoid of good. Wherefore it is also impossible for any knowledge to be wholly false, without some mixture of truth. Hence Bede says [*Comment. in Luc. xvii, 12; Cf. Augustine, Questions. Evang. ii, 40] that "no teaching is so false that it never mingles truth with f”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 4.13: placed before our eyes, in order that, when we shall think float we have discharged our duty, we may nevertheless be prepared to endure conflicts and troubles of every kind, and may not be disturbed if enemies gain an advantage at the first onset, as if all at once they would swallow us up. Those proud and haughty minds will quickly fall, when the first ardor has boiled over and spent its foam, and their eagerness and pride will speedily disappear Rabshakeh boasted of the greatness and power of his king, in order to terrify Hezekiah. Such is ”
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 ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.10: it as a fit instrument for his use, he uttered words also by its tongue, which God himself permitted. Nor do I doubt that Eve perceived it to be extraordinary, and on that account received with the greater avidity what she admired. Now, if men decide that whatever is unwonted must be fabulous, God could work no miracle. Here God, by accomplishing a work above the ordinary course of nature, constrains us to admire his power. If then, under this very pretext, we ridicule the power of God, because it is not familiar to us, are we not”
2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:9: whose coming--The same Greek as was used for the Lord's coming (Th2 2:8) or personal "presence." is--in its essential character. after--according to the working ("energy") of Satan, as opposed to the energy or working of the Holy Spirit in the Church (see on Eph 1:19). As Christ is related to God, so is Antichrist to Satan, his visible embodiment and manifestation: Satan works through him. Rev 13:2, "The dragon gave him (the beast) his power . . . seat . . . great authority." lying wonders--literally, "wonders" or "prodigies of falsehood.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: ). 31. Hence again we infer, as has already been explained, that faith has no less need of the word than the fruit of a tree has of a living root; because, as David testifies, none can hope in God but those who know his name ( Ps. 9:10 ). This knowledge, however, is not left to every man’s imagination, but depends on the testimony which God himself gives to his goodness. This the same Psalmist confirms in another passage, “Thy salvation according to thy word,” ( Ps. 119:41 ). Again, “Save me,” “I hoped in thy word,” ( Ps. 119:146, ”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LXXVIII. (2) (part 25): even in these cases are we able to do all that we will. But in a book the most unerring we read that the devil was able even to send fire from Heaven, to burn up with wonderful and awful fierceness so great a number of the cattle of a holy man:(3) which thing no one of the faithful would dare perchance to ascribe to the devil, except it were read on the authority of Holy Scripture. But that man, being by the gift of God just and firm, and of godly knowledge, saith not, The Lord hath given, the devil hath taken away: ”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 9:19: their--A, B, C and Aleph read, "the power of the horses." in their mouth--whence issued the fire, smoke, and brimstone (Rev 9:17). Many interpreters understand the horsemen to refer to the myriads of Turkish cavalry arrayed in scarlet, blue, and yellow (fire, hyacinth, and brimstone), the lion-headed horses denoting their invincible courage, and the fire and brimstone out of their mouths, the gunpowder and artillery introduced into Europe about this time, and employed by the Turks; the tails, like serpents, having a venomous sting, the false reli”
CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 19: God reveals the future to the angels and commands them to prophesy, and so what they say comes to pass. But the demons also make predictions, sometimes because they see what is happening at a distance, and sometimes merely making guesses: hence much that they say is false and they should not be believed, even although they do often, in the way we have said, tell what is true. Besides they know the Scriptures. All wickedness, then, and all impure passions are the work of their mind. But while the liberty to attack man has ”

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