In an age of mass deception, we need discernment to see through the fog. Discernment is the ability to distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, and truth from error. Jesus warned that deception is one of the main indicators of the last days (Mt. 24:4-5, 11, 23-24). As we watch the news, we can discern a lot of demonic activity in the world: mass shootings, war, anarchy, rioting, looting, senseless violence, blasphemous rhetoric, drug addiction, human/sex trafficking, terrorism, and perversion. Satan instigates and facilitates all these evils. Remember, God is the author of law, order, and peace (when it is just); Satan thrives on chaos, confusion, and destruction (Jn. 10:10, 1 Cor. 14:33, 1 Pt 5:8).
There are two extremes to avoid on this subject (truth taken to extreme becomes heresy): 1. Some people are so naïve they think nothing is evil or demonic (anything goes). 2. Other people see a demon behind every tree and blame everything on the devil. Some of what we see happening is the fallen, human nature (man without God gravitates toward evil). Some of what we see in the world is absolutely demonic.
Paul called Satan “the god of this world” and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:1-2, 2 Cor. 4:3-4). Jesus called him the “prince of this world” three times (Jn. 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). This means Satan controls the spiritual airwaves and atmosphere to a certain extent. He uses evil people to spread his vile message globally via mass media. Here is the exception: wherever God’s people are yielded to Him, His kingdom reigns in truth and power. Remember, a kingdom is a king’s domain (the boundaries wherein a king rules). There’s a constant clashing of these two kingdoms—God’s good kingdom of light and truth versus Satan’s evil empire of darkness and deception. Satan has no legal right to operate within God’s kingdom. He has no authority or jurisdiction in your life if you belong to the King (Mt. 6:10, Lk. 17:21).
Discerning of spirits is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit Paul listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. This supernatural gift enables Spirit-filled believers to recognize the spiritual source behind the words or actions of other people. If the Holy Spirit dwells in you, He can operate this gift through you as you yield to Him. You know how dogs have a keen sense of when something is not right and they get agitated and go on full alert? That is similar to how the Holy Spirit works—He will alert our spirit when something is off in the spiritual realm or in human, soulish actions and words. The Bible reveals at least eight characteristics of demonic behavior. We need to familiarize ourselves with these manifestations so we can discern them when they happen:
Uncontrollable behavior: Extreme, out-of-control, rebellious, erratic, irrational behavior often indicates demonic activity. Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39 tells the story of Legion—a man so demon-possessed he roamed the tombs, he wouldn’t wear clothes, no one could restrain him even with chains, “neither could anyone tame him” (Mk. 5:4). In contrast, after Jesus delivered him, he sat at His feet “clothed and in his right mind” (Lk. 8:35). A fruit of the Holy Spirit is temperance or self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). God keeps us under control; Satan wants to drive people out of control.
Extreme addictions: Demons piggyback on addictions to produce total bondage. Satan’s lies that a few beers won’t hurt, a little marijuana won’t hurt, or some porn won’t hurt are door-openers. These are gateways to addiction. It starts small with cigarettes, vapes, beer, and pills, then leads to stronger drugs and results in mental and physical slavery that ruins an addict’s entire life. Someone might ask, what’s wrong with having a baby pet alligator? They grow up to become uncontrollable monsters that will devour you. Little, pet sins become big sins if we don’t nip them in the bud. If we give the devil a foothold, he’ll turn a small area of influence into a stronghold that is very hard to break. Satan promises pleasures in the palace, but he delivers slavery in the pig pen (e.g. the Prodigal Son). God can and will give you total victory and freedom from addiction.
Blasphemy: A steady stream of profanity may indicate an unclean spirit manifesting in blasphemy. The beast in Revelation 13, whom many Bible scholars believe will be the antichrist, receives his power from the dragon (Satan—Rev. 12:9). Notice what John wrote about him, “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies . . . Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven” (Rev. 13:5-6). Blasphemy is “the act of cursing or reviling God, or irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred.” People who constantly use profanity are yielding to demonic spirits. This vile influence often manifests in movies, music, and shows which feature vulgar language and taking God’s name in vain. God manifests through people by speaking blessings; Satan manifests through people with cursing.
Self-destructive behavior: Cutting, self-mutilation, suicidal tendencies, and extreme piercings are often indicators of demonic activity. If we are saved, our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20). Only Satan wants to harm God’s temple. Remember, Legion cut himself with stones (Mk. 5:5). A man brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus in Mark 9:17-27. It manifested in violent seizures, he foamed at the mouth, gnashed his teeth, and it often threw him down into the water and fire to harm him. Remember what happened when Jesus delivered Legion? The demons drove the pigs to commit mass suicide in the sea (Mk. 5:13). Suicidal thoughts may also result from severe physical pain, emotional distress, or deep depression, but you need to know where those thoughts originate and learn to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jam. 4:7). God will never lead you to hate or harm yourself.
Murder and violence: Serial killers, terrorists, and mass murderers are demonically controlled. (Not all killing is murder. Some is justifiable in cases of self-defense or war for just causes against evil.) The secular media will never say it but most mass murderers are demon-possessed. They are quick to say they have mental illness and try to psychoanalyze them. The truth is murderers open the door to demonic influences by substance abuse, music, movies, and more. Jesus explained the origin of evil behavior, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44). In contrast, Christ came to restore people’s lives not destroy them (Lk. 9:52-55). “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).
Torment: People who can’t be at peace or are continually restless may be tormented by an evil spirit (I’m not talking about ADHD or PTSD). Some people just can’t be happy themselves and can’t stand for anyone else to be happy. King Saul experienced this kind of torment—“But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him” (1 Sam. 16:14). When David played anointed music for him on the harp, it temporarily soothed King Saul’s spirit. Otherwise, he lashed out in fits of rage and insanity (1 Sam. 16:23). Jesus explained that when an evil spirit departs from a person, “He goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none” (Mt. 12:43). Some people are tormenting to be around because they are tormented themselves. The anointing in you holds the key of deliverance from their prison.
Sexual perversion: We live in a sex saturated society. There is normal sexual desire and activity that is healthy within marriage (Heb. 13:4). But Satan perverts sex it into something ugly, lustful, abusive, deviant, and destructive. He tries to get us to fulfill a God-given desire in ungodly ways. God is not against sex; He invented it! He also established boundaries for sexual behavior to protect us. Sex is a gift God designed for married couples to share, enjoy, and express their mutual love. The Bible encourages healthy sexual relations between married couples (1 Cor. 7:2-9). Homosexuality and transgenderism are perversions of God’s purpose for sexuality. How can something God called an “abomination” (detestable or disgusting) be considered love? God clearly defined love and acceptable sexuality in Scripture. The Bible forbids fornication (1 Cor. 6:18, Eph. 5:3), adultery (Lk. 18:20), incest (Lev. 18:6-18), prostitution (Lev. 19:29-30), rape (Dt. 22:25), bestiality (Lev. 18:23), pornography (Job 31:1, Mt. 5:28), and homosexuality (Lev. 18:22; 20:13, Gen. 18:20; 19:1-29, 1 Cor. 6:9-11). Paul warned us how persistent perversion leads a person to a reprobate mind where they lose control and have no conscience of right or wrong (Rom. 1:24-32).
Obsession with death: There’s an infatuation with death that is demonic. People who are fixated on skulls, skeletons, and the whole gothic world open the door to darkness. Divination (attempting to contact the spirits of the dead) is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Dt. 18:9-14). Paul wrote, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light . . . And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:8, 11). Jesus said, “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living” (Mk. 12:27). We should focus light and life instead of darkness and death.
Here’s some good news: with all the demonic activity occurring, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4). Yes, Satan’s power is real, but God’s power is greater! There is power in the name and blood of Jesus to defeat any demonic force. God still saves and delivers people who are oppressed and even possessed by the devil. Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ most devoted disciples, was delivered from seven demons (Lk. 8:2). Remember, in Revelation 20:1-3, it will only take ONE angel to bind Satan in the abyss for 1,000 years. Plus, we have a myriad of angels on our side—there are more for us than there are against us (2 Kgs. 6:16-17). May God grant us keen discernment to see through the fog of spiritual deception in these last days.