Monday, 16 May 2022

WHAT ARE TERRITORIAL SPIRITS?

“Territorial spirits” is a term some Christians use to identify demonic occupation of a specific geographic location. Ironically, it is also a term pagans use to describe an otherworldly presence believed to be residing in a specific geographical location.

The Christian concept of territorial spirits comes from passages such as Daniel 10; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; Mark 5:10; and Ephesians 6:12. All of these passages imply that fallen angels have been given some type of responsibility over a certain area. Thus, they seem to be territorial. However, we need to remember that this teaching is inferred; the Bible never explicitly delineates a hierarchy of demonic authority in the world. What the Bible is clear about is that demons are at work in the world and that believers are very much involved in a battle against them.

In Daniel 10, for example, an angel struggled against a demonic adversary the entire time Daniel was praying and fasting. 

It wasn’t until the end of Daniel’s spiritually focused time that the angel finally broke away and came to Daniel. Ephesians 6 exhorts believers to stand firm against our spiritual adversaries and to remain alert and ready for battle. There is no doubt that our struggle on Earth is mirrored in some way in the spiritual realm.

The problem inherent in the term “territorial spirits” is that some Christians believe it is their duty to engage territorial demons in spiritual warfare. This, however, cannot be justified by Scripture. There is not a single instance in the Bible where someone actively sought out a demon in order to engage it. Demon-possessed individuals were encountered, and some were brought to Jesus and His disciples for healing, but the disciples didn’t go looking for demons to cast out of people. No one in the Bible ever prayed that the “demon princes” of a town be “bound” from working their will against the residents of that town.

Territorial spirits, although not explicitly a scriptural idea, may very well exist, as seen in the previous passages. Whether or not a spirit is “territorial” is really not that important, though. What is important is our response. A believer in Christ has no biblical support to engage in prayer-led spiritual warfare against demons. Rather, a believer needs to be aware that there is a spiritual battle and to take it seriously (1 Peter 5:8). Our lives need to be focused on prayer and on growing in faith. Should we ever encounter a demon, we definitely have the Christ-given authority to deal with it, but we should not go looking for them, territorial or otherwise.

WHAT ARE EVIL SPIRITS?

Evil spirits are referred to in both the Old and New Testaments but are often called by other names such as “unclean spirits” or “impure spirits,” “deceiving spirits” or “lying spirits,” “demonic spirits,” and “demons.” In all cases, evil spirits are malevolent supernatural beings. Evil spirits work against God, but the Bible also informs us that God in His sovereignty can choose to use evil spirits to carry out His plans and purposes, demonstrating that He is Ruler over all the universe.

The Bible does not reveal the origin of evil spirits. They are most likely angels who fell with Satan (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7–9). While evil spirits exist as part of the hierarchy of evil (Ephesians 6:12) with Satan as their leader (Matthew 12:24), they are powerless to withdraw entirely from God’s rule.

Most of the evil spirits mentioned in the Old Testament were sent from God as a punishment on disobedient humans (1 Kings 22:20–23). In Judges 9:23, an evil spirit was used by God to judge Abimelech and avenge the murder of Gideon’s sons. 
God is not the author of evil, but He can allow evil powers, subject to His control, to bring about certain consequences in accordance with His plan.

The Lord sent an evil spirit to show that He had rejected Saul as king. The evil spirit caused Saul to experience fits of temper and despair: “Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Some of Saul’s servants said to him, ‘A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you’” (1 Samuel 16:14–15, NLT).

In the New Testament, the term demon is often used interchangeably with evil spirit. These wicked entities defile and bring evil to human subjects. Their intention may be to inflict physical harm, disability, and sickness rather than moral corruption.

Jesus Christ cast out evil spirits from people possessed by them (Matthew 8:16; Mark 5:1–13; 7:24–30) and gave His disciples power to do the same in His name (Matthew 10:1; Acts 5:12–16; 8:4–8; 16:18). Evil spirits know who Jesus is and that He will judge and condemn them in the future (Matthew 8:29; Mark 1:24; 5:7).

In the end times, many people will be deceived by evil spirits and the false teachings they inspire (1 Timothy 4:1). The book of Revelation speaks of deceptive evil spirits playing a significant role in the last days: “And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty. ‘Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! 

Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.’ And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon” (Revelation 16:13–16, NLT).

In Luke 11:24–26, we come across an example of evil spirits that are associated with moral evil. Jesus tells a parable to illustrate that defeating Satan and casting out evil spirits is not the ultimate goal of the Christian’s life. True disciples must do more than merely sweep away unclean spirits. To keep evil from setting up camp in our spiritual houses, we must fill our lives with the good things of God and His Kingdom.

Evil spirits are never to be regarded neutrally. They are part of Satan’s dark forces, enemies of God and His people. Evil spirits promote corruption, malice, and depravity in the world and in humans. They are opposed to God’s holiness, goodness, righteousness, light, and love. As the antithesis of the Holy Spirit, evil spirits represent the opposite of God’s character, nature, and will. They are hostile to the work of God and Jesus Christ, and believers are always to resist them: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8–9; see also Ephesians 6:13; James 4:7).