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2 - The term "Satan" in connection with people 
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2nd Samuel 19,22

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22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?

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Matthew 16,21-23

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21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of GOD, but those that be of men.

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John 6,70 f.

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70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

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John 13,2

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2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him (...).

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Acts 5,3 f.

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3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? (...) Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto GOD.

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Acts 13,9 f.

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9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

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James 3,13-15

 

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13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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Satan can refer to the direct actions (Job 1 + 2) or the indirect actions (Matthew 16,23) of the devil. As the great adversary of the true GOD, Satan is the indirect cause of the world's problems, manipulating and controlling people from within and without in order to exploit them for his anti-GOD purposes. The Greek word for adversary is satanas. It is borrowed from Aramaic and originally referred to someone lying in wait. In the Bible, satanas is used both for people with evil / hostile intentions and as a proper name for the devil, meaning adversary or enemy. When referring to the devil as a person, it is always the Satan (Old Greek: ha satanas). However, when referring to people, satanas is usually used without an article. Furthermore, the context always makes it clear to which person the word refers. For example, the angel of the LORD (Numbers 22,22-32), David (1st Samuel 29,4), Abishai (2nd Samuel 19,22 f.), David's enemies (1st Kings 5,18), Hadad the Edomite (1st Kings 11,14), Reson the son of Eliada (1st Kings 11,23), or a human enemy (Psalm 109,6). In this respect, the Bible clearly distinguishes between Satan as a personal being and those who act in his name or service. Being an adversary of GOD is the defining characteristic of the devil.

 

In the Bible, the devil represents evil personified. In this sense, Satan is the archetype of all the godless. The phrase brood of vipers, that Jesus repeatedly uses in reference to the Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 3,7 / Matthew 12,34 / Matthew 23,33), is a direct allusion to the devil as a person, who is described in the Bible as a serpent (Genesis 3 / Revelation 12,9); the word serpent has a distinctly negative and by no means neutral meaning. Elsewhere, people are directly referred to as Satan (satanas) or the devil (diabolos). Whoever thinks and acts like Satan proves to be a (spiritual) child of the devil and becomes one with him (John 8,44 / Acts 13,10 / 1st John 3,10-12). Conversely, whoever lives a godly life proves to be a (spiritual) child of GOD. Peter tried – just like Satan – to prevent Jesus from fulfilling GOD's will; although without evil intent (unlike the devil). Nevertheless, Jesus sharply rebuked him to show Peter that his thinking was wrong. Judas revealed himself as a traitor and thus as a servant of Satan, who acts as a slanderer and accuser of the saints (Revelation 12,10). Therefore, Jesus rightly equated him with the devil. Ananias and his wife also acted in the spirit of Satan by deceiving the church of GOD. All these examples demonstrate the different uses of the terms devil and Satan. However, they in no way refute the existence of the true devil, who is the originator of sin.

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Hebrews 2,14

 

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14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (...).

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The fact that the devil possessed power over death shows that he was a real person, but not a human being, since all people (with the exception of Jesus) are under the curse of death through sin. Until the appearance of the Messiah, Satan was able to maintain his dominion. But because Jesus was sinless, he overcame death, while at the same time destroying all of the devil's claims to dominion and taking away his power over death.

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3 - Demons as spiritual beings 
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Deuteronomy 32,17

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17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to GOD; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

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Psalm 106,37

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37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils.

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1st Corinthians 10,19-21

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19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to GOD: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 

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1st Timothy 4,1 f.

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1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron (...). 

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Some deny the existence of demons as supernatural spiritual beings. Instead, they claim that these are merely mental illnesses or disorders. In reality, however, there are numerous statements in both the Old and New Testaments that attest to the existence of evil spiritual beings. The Bible teaches that these demons—just like their leader, Satan—are fallen angels (Matthew 25,41 / Revelation 12,7-9) who have always masqueraded as "gods" and tempted people to sacrifice and worship them. This is why idolatry is so abhorrent in GOD's eyes and is punishable by severe penalties. Paul explains that by offering sacrifices to idols, one enters into fellowship with demons; that is, one places oneself under their influence and grants them rights. This statement only makes sense if demons are living beings (rather than a euphemism for illnesses). Paul adds that demons also spread false teachings by corrupting GOD's word and truth through lies and by having false prophets proclaim it in order to enslave and mislead people.

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Matthew 12,22-28

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22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of GOD, then the kingdom of GOD is come unto you.

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The Pharisees refer to Beelzebul (Old Greek: Beelzeboul) – another name for Satan, the devil – as the chief of the demons. This statement only makes sense if Satan and his demons are real beings capable of exercising power over humans. Furthermore, GOD's kingdom and Satan's kingdom are contrasted. Likewise, GOD and Satan are contrasted as rulers. Only real persons can possess a kingdom and be devided (Old Greek: merizó) with themselves. The term Satan is used here – as in other places in the New Testament – ​​both in a narrow sense for the leader of the demons and in a broader sense for his demonic servants. The term Satan cannot possibly refer to humans here, but only to evil spirits, since, unlike a demon, a human being cannot be cast out of another human being.

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Matthew 12,43-45

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43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

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In several places we read that evil spirits can both enter and leave people. Jesus' words regarding demons are by no means metaphorical, but to be understood literally. For only a living spirit can 1. roam (verse 43), 2. speak (verse 44), 3. make decisions, and 4. dwell in people (verse 45). In contrast, we read nowhere that an illness "dwells" in people, let alone can speak and act.

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Mark 3,14 f.

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14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils (...).

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Luke 10,17

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17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

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GOD gave Jesus power over demons and evil spirits. This authority was meant to affirm that Jesus is the promised Savior who would defeat Satan. Therefore, this is not simply about healing a person. The authority to cast out demons serves as a symbolic act of victory over the power of darkness, represented by the devil and his angels (Ephesians 6,12). Jesus passed this authority on to his disciples. The Greek word hypotasso means to obey, submit, be subject to someone. From this, it becomes clear that demons are living beings and not diseases, since only a living being can obey or be subject to another person.

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James 2,19

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19 Thou believest that there is one GOD; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

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Only a living, spiritual being with an intellect is capable of belief; an illness is not. The word believe in this case is not to be understood as a confession of the heart, but merely as an acceptance as true. Demons are fallen angels who once belonged to GOD's court before joining Satan's rebellion. Therefore, they know very well that GOD exists and that He has power over them. This is why demons have reverence for GOD, even though they consider Him their enemy. In the same way, demons also fear Jesus and His followers because they know that GOD has given them power over evil and unclean spirits, power they cannot resist (Luke 10,19). In contrast, nowhere in the Bible are humans referred to as "demons" or "evil spirits."

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Revelation 16,13 f.

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13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of GOD Almighty.

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All of Satan's attempts to bring down the Messiah and maintain his dark rule over the world have failed. Jesus has defeated the devil and sealed his downfall. Now, in a final, desperate attempt, Satan, with the help of the largest army in human history, wants to turn the tide in his favor. This army consists of people who followed the rebellion of the devil and his angels and opposed GOD. But the outcome of the battle is already decided. Satan and his demons will be defeated and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20,10), while his army of the wicked will be destroyed.

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Luke 8,1 f.

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1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of GOD: and the twelve were with him, 2 and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils (...).

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At this point, it says that Jesus healed various people of illnesses and evil spirits. This does not mean that the word demons describes a (spiritual) illness. Other passages make it clear that demons or evil spirits that possess people can cause pathological or abnormal behavior in the affected person (Matthew 17,14-21). When an evil spirit is driven out of a person, the person's pathological behavior also disappears. In this sense, the word heal (Old Greek: tetherapeumenai) in connection with demons can be understood as an expulsion. Conversely, however, we nowhere read that illnesses not caused by evil spirits went out (Old Greek: exerxetai) of a person, as is the case with demons (verse 2).

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Luke 8,26-33

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26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of GOD Most High? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

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Acts 19,13-16

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13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

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Both Jesus and his apostles communicated verbally with demons. It is obvious that only living beings are capable of hearing and responding, as these two examples demonstrate. Speaking with an illness, on the other hand, is pointless. Similarly, only a living being can recognize a person. Furthermore, spiritual illnesses cannot be transmitted from humans to animals in an instant. If the case of the possessed man from Gasar, whom Jesus encountered in the desert, were merely an illness, it would have sufficed to heal him. Instead, we read that the demons came out of the man and entered (Old Greek: eiselthein) the herd of pigs, causing them to fall into the lake and drown.

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1st Samuel 16,14 f.

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14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from GOD troubleth thee.

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Here, a distinction is made between GOD's Spirit and an evil spirit (meaning a demon). This evil spirit came from the LORD insofar as GOD allowed it to torment Saul. This was the immediate punishment for Saul's disobedience, as he twice defied the LORD's explicit command. As a consequence, GOD sent the prophet Samuel to announce to Saul that GOD had decided to take his kingship from him and give it to another—namely, David (1st Samuel 13,1-14 / 1st Samuel 15,1-35). As a first step, GOD removed His Spirit from Saul, leaving him defenseless against evil spirits, which were apparently already waiting to attack and torment him. At the same time, in this way, GOD enabled His chosen one, David, to come to Saul and serve him. David's harp playing brought relief to the king by causing the demon to temporarily depart from Saul. This marked the beginning of David's meteoric rise from shepherd to Saul's armor-bearer, later to commander of the army, and ultimately to king over all Israel. This event reveals that GOD uses evil spirits for His purposes, to punish people as in Saul's case or to purify them as in the case of the Apostle Paul (2nd Corinthians 12,7). This does not mean that GOD collaborates with demons, as some mistakenly believe. Those who are under GOD's blessing and protection have nothing to fear from evil spirits.

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2nd Chronicles 18,18-22

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18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left. 19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. 20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? 21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. 22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

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The spirit mentioned here is clearly an evil spirit under the dominion of Satan. It's important to remember that the devil and his angels initially had access to GOD in heaven (Job 1 + 2 / Zechariah 3,1 f.). Only with Jesus' crucifixion were they banished from GOD's presence (Luke 10,18 / Revelation 12,12). Ahab was a godless king who worshipped false gods and, through a conspiracy orchestrated by his wife Jezebel, treacherously murdered an innocent man named Naboth in order to seize his vineyard. GOD then sent the prophet Elijah to announce judgment on the king. Although Ahab briefly humbled himself, he did not repent of his wicked ways, so GOD decided to destroy him. Micah describes in his sermon the events that took place in heaven in this context. GOD knew that the evil angels were just waiting to bring the king down. Therefore, GOD allowed the evil spirit to bewitch Ahab, to lure him into battle and his death. Similar to the Book of Job, GOD uses evil here to carry out His plan; in this case, to execute judgment on the king. The New Testament also explicitly warns that GOD exposes those who close their hearts to the truth (the Gospel) to evil powers, so that they are seduced by these powers and ultimately judged by GOD. However, those who have love for GOD and for the truth can be protected by GOD from false paths that lead to destruction (2nd Thessalonians 2,9-12).

 

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