Setting the Record Straight On Demons And The Devil

Text: Matthew 4:1-11

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

It is safe to say that many people today understand demons and the devil from culture and Hollywood more than from the Bible.  For example, in the 1997 movie, “The Devil’s Advocate,” the devil is portrayed as a smooth-talking trickster.  Or who can forget the 1973 movie, “The Exorcist,” where demons are portrayed as grotesque, terrifying creatures that possess humans.  More recently, we have seen previews for movies such as “The Nun,” where the demon is portrayed as powerful and wicked.  And a recent book called, “The Third Realm,” portrays demons as blurry manifestations between the psychological realm and the supernatural realm. Needless to say, many people learn a variety of things about these dark forces mainly through entertainment venues – not the Bible.     

And so, today, since our Gospel reading focuses on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness by Satan Himself, we have a great opportunity to set the record straight with the devil and his evil demons.  

First, we need to be clear that the devil and his demons exist.  Now, at one point, they were good angels with wisdom and righteousness; however, they turned away from God by their own free will. They became enemies of God and you. And so, anyone denying their existence is a fool being deceived. We should pity the humanists with their earthly wisdom, for they are neither wise nor discerning but naïve children with clouded minds.  

Secondly, there is no such thing as good demons.  Please make no mistake, they are evil.  They can never be restored to holiness, happiness, wisdom, or righteousness.  They know this about their condition.  So, we should never have compassion for them. We should never harbor them or give them an inch.  They want to kill, steal, and destroy your faith – they want to drag every single one of you to the everlasting torment of hell with them. 

Thirdly, it is true that demons will inhabit some human bodies.  That is to say, they will take over a human so that the human will not have any intellect, emotion, or bodily functions.  We not only have countless real examples of this happening throughout history, but scripture itself shows that Jesus encountered people possessed by demons.  Yes, demonic possession is very real.  It is not something make-believe from Hollywood.  

Fourthly, the devil and his demons constantly seek to destroy the Church.  And so, practically speaking, there are demons right here in Minot, North Dakota that are constantly working to bring this church down.  I do not say that to scare you or hype you into a spiritual frenzy.  But instead, I say this because it is 100% true.  Sure, the church will struggle against human enemies, political forces, and worldly opposition; however, mark this, we – as the church – have demonic and spiritual forces against us. You see, the devil and his demons work constantly against you and me by trying to prevent us from hearing and accepting the Word of God.  These filthy demons work to spread false doctrine throughout the church.  The pathetic demons work hard to incite persecution that would lead us away from Christ and His good gifts.  And so, make no mistake, our battle is not just against flesh and blood but against the cosmic powers over this present darkness – against the spiritual forces of evil. (See Ephesians 6:12).  

Fifth, the devil and his demons not only work against the church directly but they attack the State.  And so, practically speaking, there are demons in Washington D.C. that are working hard to wreak havoc on politics, so that the State would become a menace to the family and a threat to the church.  That is to say; the devil and his demons are quite comfortable working in the hearts and minds of politicians, to corrupt and destroy as many people as possible.  

Sixth, the devil and his demons work against families.  Keep in mind that the devil and his demons cannot create anything good, true, or beautiful.  And so, like a disease, the devil and his demons can only corrupt, destroy, and pervert.  They will always fan the flames of sin and work to destroy the wonderful gifts given and received in the Estate of the Family.  They will seek to take sex outside of marriage. They will cheer on the destruction of life and applaud the abuse of parental authority – to name a few.  Mark this; the pornography and abortion industry are littered with demons.  

Now, at this point, I sure hope that you are taking these enemies seriously.  We do not stand a chance if we are left to our own devices, for the Bible is clear that demons are exceedingly cunning. They disguise themselves as light, they deceive, they twist God’s Word, they strategize against Christians, and they prey on human weaknesses.  And so, again, we must be alert to the power of demons.  

However, at the same time, I need everyone to listen up!  While the scriptures teach that the devil and his demons are cunning (see 2 Cor. 11:3, Gen. 3:1-ff, Eph. 6:11), the Bible also describes them as incredibly stupid and weak.  Yes, you heard that correctly, they are incredibly stupid and weak. 

For the sake of having some fun today, let me share some great things spoken by Martin Luther regarding the devil and his demons.  Luther once said, 

“The devil is a chronic grumbler . . . he is a proud spirit that cannot endure to be mocked . . . He should not be considered so holy that we dare not laugh at him . . . [Instead,] the devil is an old miserable snack, nothing more than a garden worm.  He is a liar . . . therefore, all his lies may be overcome by divine truth.” 

And so, while the devil and the demons are cunning, they are also blind due to their wickedness. In a way, they are like little children going through a perpetual temper tantrum.

But what does this exactly mean though?  

This means, Baptized Saints, that the Lord God is supreme.  We can see this not only in our Gospel reading from today, when Jesus was victorious over the devil, but we can see this in all the exorcisms of the New Testament – where Jesus spoke a simple word, and the demons went right out of people like scared cockroaches running from bright light.  And so, to the point – we fear God, not man, and certainly not the devil and his demons.  Here in this church today, you Baptized Saints fear God more than evil, which means that you can openly mock the devil and his demons as you abide in Christ. 

Now, hear me out!  

Through baptism, you belong to the One who defeated sin, death, and the devil. And so, you can mock and laugh at the devil because of the certainty of your Baptism.  This mocking is not an arrogance on your behalf but a confidence of who you belong to – and a confession of Christ’s supremacy! 

Remember what you sing in that great hymn, “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It!”?  You sing in verse 3, 

"Satan hears this proclamation, I am baptized into Christ.  Take your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed!"

Indeed, you can mock and laugh at the devil this day because you belong to Christ through baptism.  

You can also throw Christ into the face of the Devil!  To quote those famous words of Martin Luther, 

“When the devil throws your sins in your face… say, ‘I admit I deserve death and hell.  What of it?  For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf – Christ Jesus.”

In other words, when the Devil scorns you, accuses you, and condemns you… well, you can arise and make the sign of the cross, remembering your baptisms, and telling the evil foe to take it up with your Master – Jesus Christ.  

There is more that you get to do! When the devil raises his evil head, and his pathetic demons cackle, you can boldly pray and then sing in the face of your enemy.  Baptized Saints, music is a great gift of God, and singing cheerfully about Christ and His gift drives out the devil.  Singing acts like nails on a chalkboard to the demonic foes.  And so, you laugh, mock, pray, and sing in the face of evil, for Christ is yours, and you belong to Christ.  

Perhaps the most important thing to combat the devil is that we preach the Gospel and listen to the Gospel while holding fast to divine truth.  And so, listen to this: to rebel in the face of evil is to abide in the Word of Christ: speaking, hearing, and receiving the Word and Sacraments for the forgiveness of sins.  

Baptized Saints, today we acknowledge that the devil and his demons are cunning; however, you and I do not give them an inch.  Instead, you and I mock and laugh at them, while we abide in Christ who is the stronger man.  Indeed, hear this: Christ has defeated sin, death, and the devil – for you and for me – and so we dine this day in the presence of our enemies with confidence in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  

In the name of Jesus. Amen.