Disarming the Demonic

Going to take a break from our series, “What Does a Good Church Look Like” and turn our attention more specifically to the supernatural. The title of this series is, “Disarming the Demonic.” That comes from Colossians 2:15 where Paul said that Jesus, through His death and resurrection disarmed the rulers and authorities. What does that mean? Who are these rulers and authorities? We’ll save that for later, just know that’s our theme passage for the next several weeks.

It is my opinion that Christians should be the most supernaturally minded people on the planet. Our faith is a supernatural faith.

Our God is supernatural – the Creator of the physical and spiritual realms. He’s the Creator of supernatural or spiritual beings, which we’ll talk about later. The Bible is a supernatural book. The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus is a supernatural event. Our salvation, receiving Christ by faith and being filled with the Holy Spirit is supernatural. I think you get the point - our faith is a supernatural faith, and we should be supernaturally minded.

To clarify, when I use the word supernatural, I’m talking about spiritual activities and beings outside the natural or physical realm. Again, Christians should be the most supernatural or spiritually minded people on the planet. But are we?

Why do I ask? There’s an interesting trend that’s been taking place for decades predominantly in Western culture.

As the Christian Church becomes less spiritual, the culture ironically becomes more spiritual.

What does that mean? Studies reveal that within Western Christianity there is a decrease in belief in spiritual truth. Belief in a real devil, demons, Holy Spirit, a virgin birth, the sinlessness of Christ, etc., are decreasing.

A decrease in spiritual truth within the Church creates a supernatural void in the culture.

We are wired for the supernatural – we are wired for Eden (eternal a relationship with God) and when

If the Church doesn’t provide spiritual truth, people will find spirituality elsewhere.

– and they’re finding it. Paganism (the practice of ancient religions), Wicca, Witchcraft, New Age – religions or practices that directly connect people to the supernatural are increasing. For example, in 1990, estimated 8,000 Witches in the U.S. In 2018 – 1.5 million. In 2001, estimated 134,000 who practiced Wicca or Paganism. Over 2 million in 2021. New Age has surpassed many of the Christian denominations. There is a massive and growing interest in the supernatural and paranormal (UFOs, aliens, cryptids …). There is a correlation – as the Church believes less in the supernatural, the culture believes more.

Chad, where are you going with this? We have children in here. I get that.

1) Christianity is a supernatural faith – we believe in a supernatural God. We believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in prayer and the Holy Spirit being active in our lives, we believe in spiritual gifts. We believe in tithing …. That’s all supernatural! 2) Our children are already exposed to the supernatural or they will be. Halloween (stores – witches, ghosts, zombies, etc.). Yoga in schools. Harry Potter. Disney and Marvel. Social media. TV. Not saying all those things are bad, but the supernatural and paranormal are all over the place.

This is not a matter of hiding and sheltering as Christians. It’s matter of engaging, navigating, and learning what God says about all this. If Christians act like all the religions and supernatural preoccupation is just make-believe, it’s not real, or if we simply say it’s the devil – guess what - we lose credibility, we look like fools, and lose opportunities to have conversations with supernaturally minded people who are spiritually deceived and need Jesus Christ.

Curious. How many here have had a supernatural or paranormal experience that has no explanation?

What do we do with these experiences that don’t fit neatly into Christianity? What do we do with the rise of pagan spirituality and paranormal interest? Might the Bible actually have something to say about this supernatural realm? Yes, it does, but many of us have a very limited spiritual or biblical worldview.

Let’s look at Colossians 2:13. Paul writes,

Colossians 2:13–15 ESV

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses [spiritually dead - relationally separated from God – to be with God through Jesus is life; apart from God is death] and the uncircumcision of your flesh [prideful sinful hard heart severs the relationship], God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands [when we break divine law = wages of sin is death. But God canceled. How?]. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross [book with all your sin / can’t get into Heaven / Jesus nailed it to the cross and left it there …. But wait. There’s more!]. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. So, keep this in mind over the next several weeks – Jesus made us alive, Jesus forgave our sins, and Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities (i.e. Jesus disarmed the demonic). He has not destroyed, but He has disarmed.

We need to do a little theology before we move on. Let’s talk about this word demonic. We tend to think that a demon is this little minion who works for the devil. Not accurate.

The English word demon comes from the Greek word daimonion.

The English word demon is a transliteration, not a translation. A transliteration means there is no English equivalent.

In other words, we do not have a word that accurately fits daimonion. So, we’ll throw this word demon on there and hope it works.

We need to know this because the word daimonion covers a lot of ground in the spiritual realm. It’s expensive and goes way beyond just a demon. As a matter of fact, it has 7 different nuances. It might refer to a demon, it might refer to other evil spiritual entities, it might refer to the rebellious sons of God, or other powers, and so on.

My point?

The word demon may refer to other spiritual beings depending on the context.

Furthermore, the word demonic refers to all evil spiritual beings who oppose Yahweh, the Most High God and who intend harm toward humanity. So, when Col. 2:15 tells us that Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities, we’re talking about more than just demons – we’re talking about all the evil rebellious spiritual beings. Your head spinning?

Wait. You’re telling me there’s more than demons? Yes. To ease us into this, consider

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Demons are part of the forces of evil, but they are not the spiritual rulers, authorities or cosmic powers Paul wrote about. Who are they? We’ll get to that later – because there’s more. Let me give you a list of spiritual entities mentioned in Scripture (not exhaustive and some or synonymous). Hang with me. Scripture mentions Rephaim – inhabitants of the realm of the dead, giants or Nephilim, unclean spirits or demons, gods, ghosts, shades, morning stars (angelic beings), sons of God, a divine council, satan, serpent, devils, knowing ones, hidden ones, Watchers, cherubim, seraphim, angels, shedim (territorial spirits), goat demons, howling creatures (not animals), sirens … I could go on. What’s my point? The residents of the spiritual realm are almost incomprehensible.

This was just an introduction to give us a little insight into the vastness of the spiritual realm and to help us navigate the resurgence of pagan religions. There’s a lot more to the spiritual forces of darkness than just a devil and demons – but

The Christian need not live in fear!

Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities through the cross! He said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations and I am with you always.

Jesus has given His disciples authority to trample on snakes and scorpions.

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Next week we’ll talk more about these rulers and authorities Jesus disarmed.

Admit. Believe. Commit