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Does Negative Speech Give Power to the Devil

The Bible and various theological traditions address the concept of negative speech, often linking it to spiritual consequences, though not always directly ascribing power to the devil through it. Malicious speech, evil-speaking, and blasphemy are consistently condemned in Scripture [3, 6, 7].

The Hebrew term "satan" itself means "adversary" [5]. While Satan is depicted as a spiritual being at enmity with God, capable of afflicting humanity with disease and spiritual pollution [1], the extent to which human negative speech directly empowers him is a nuanced theological question.

Scripture explicitly forbids "evil-speaking" (Titus 3:2; James 4:11) and warns of severe punishments for it (1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10) [3]. The Psalms speak of abhorrence for those who slander (Psalm 15:3) and note that an "evil speaker won’t be established in the earth" (Psalm 140:11) [3, 7]. Job 15:13 questions those who "turn your spirit against God and pour such words from your mouth" [4]. Blasphemy, specifically "speaking evil of God," is a grave offense, punishable by stoning in the Old Testament (Leviticus 24:11) and was the charge on which Jesus and Stephen were condemned [8]. The "blasphemy against the Holy Ghost" is described as attributing the power of Satan to divine works (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:28) [8].

Rabbinic tradition emphasizes the "great the power of malicious speech" (lashon hara), drawing lessons from the severe punishment of the spies who defamed the land of Israel. This tradition argues that if defaming inanimate objects brings such punishment, defaming a person is even more severely judged [13, 14, 15]. This highlights a strong belief in the inherent negative impact and spiritual consequences of harmful words.

Christian theology generally holds that the devil's power is ultimately subordinate to God's. Augustine, for instance, states that "the power even of those that are hurtful is from God alone," citing scriptures like "Through me kings reign and tyrants hold the land through me" (Proverbs 8:15) and "For there is no power but of God" (Romans 13:1) [9]. This perspective suggests that even the devil's capacity to cause harm is permitted and constrained by divine will. John Calvin similarly argues that God holds the devil "bound and fettered by the curb of his power," allowing him to execute only what he is permitted, thus forcing him to "obey his Creator" [12]. Calvin also notes that God uses "unclean spirits" to test believers [12].

While the devil can instigate evil speech, as seen in the beast being "moved and stirred up by the dragon, the devil, to open it, not only in a cruel and voracious way, but in a haughty, lying, and blasphemous manner" (Revelation 13:5) [10], this is understood as occurring by divine permission rather than human speech granting the devil independent power. Aquinas notes that demons lack "enlightenment properly speaking" and their "perversity does not lead one to order another to God, but rather to lead away" [11]. This suggests their influence is primarily corrupting rather than directly empowered by human words in a causal sense.

The New Testament frequently depicts demons recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and trembling before His power (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41; James 2:19) [1]. This indicates that their power is limited and they are subject to divine authority, not augmented by human negativity. The question "Is it possible for an evil spirit to make blind people see?" (John 10:21) further underscores the distinction between divine and demonic capabilities, with the latter being associated with affliction rather than healing [2].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. John “John 10:21 (BBE) — Others said, These are not the words of one who has an evil spirit. Is it possible for an evil spirit to make blind people see?”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Evil-speaking — Is expressly forbidden (Titus 3:2; James 4:11), and severe punishments are denounced against it (1 Cor. 5:11; 6:10). It is spoken of also with abhorrence (Ps. 15:3; Prov. 18:6, 7), and is foreign to the whole Christian character and the example of Christ.”
  4. Job “Job 15:13 (BSB) — as you turn your spirit against God and pour such words from your mouth?”
  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. Psalms ““You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit. -- Psalms 50:19”
  7. Psalms “An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him. -- Psalms 140:11”
  8. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Blasphemy — in its technical English sense, signifies the speaking evil of God and in this sense it is found (Psalms 74:18; Isaiah 52:5; Romans 2:24) etc. But according to its derivation it may mean any species of calumny and abuse: see (1 Kings 21:10; Acts 18:6; Jude 1:9) etc. Blasphemy was punished by stoning, which was inflicted on the son of Shelomith. (Leviticus 24:11) On this charge both our Lord and St. Stephen were condemned to death by the Jews. The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:28) consisted in attributing to the power of Satan tho”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — CHAP. 32.--FROM GOD ALSO IS THE VERY POWER: TO BE HURTFUL. Likewise because the power even of those that are hurtful is from God alone, thus it stands written, Wisdom speaking: "Through me kings reign and tyrants hold the land through me."(4) The apostle also says: "For there is no power but of God."(5) But that it is worthily done is written in the book of Job: "Who maketh to reign a man that is a hypocrite. on account of the perversity of the people."(6) And concerning the people of Israel God says: "I gave them a king in my wrath."(7”
  10. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 13:5: And there was given unto him a mouth,.... The beast is said to have a mouth before, like the mouth of a lion, Rev 13:2; but now he was moved and stirred up by the dragon, the devil, to open it, not only in a cruel and voracious way, but in a haughty, lying, and blasphemous manner: and this was given him, it was at the instigation of Satan, and by divine permission; his coming, speaking, and acting, were after the working of Satan, but not without the will of God; who, as he gave up many to a judicial blindness, to believe his lies and blasphemies, gave up him to s”
  11. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part (Prima Pars), The Ordering of the Bad Angels, Art. 3: Article: Whether there is enlightenment in the demons? I answer that, There can be no enlightenment properly speaking among the demons. For, as above explained (Question [107], Article [2]), enlightenment properly speaking is the manifestation of the truth in reference to God, Who enlightens every intellect. Another kind of manifestation of the truth is speech, as when one angel manifests his concept to another. Now the demon's perversity does not lead one to order another to God, but rather to lead awa”
  12. 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”
  13. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68b.29:11: It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Elazar ben Perata says: Come and see how great the power of malicious speech is. From where do we derive this? From the punishment received by the spies. And if one who defames the wood and rocks of Eretz Yisrael received such a severe punishment, then with regard to one who defames another person, all the more so will he be punished severely.”
  14. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68a.29:11: It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Elazar ben Perata says: Come and see how great the power of malicious speech is. From where do we derive this? From the punishment received by the spies. And if one who defames the wood and rocks of Eretz Yisrael received such a severe punishment, then with regard to one who defames another person, all the more so will he be punished severely.”
  15. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 15a.11: It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Elazar ben Perata says: Come and see how great the power of malicious speech is. From where do we derive this? From the punishment received by the spies. And if one who defames the wood and rocks of Eretz Yisrael received such a severe punishment, then with regard to one who defames another person, all the more so will he be punished severely.”
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