Is demon oppression real? Are demons and evil spirits real? Yes, the Bible clearly speaks about demons and evil spirits. It gives many accounts of demon oppression. This is different than demon possession, which cannot happen to a Christian. But, demon oppression is very real and can happen to anyone at any time. Here are several Biblical accounts of satanic demon oppression than can happen to a Christian.
Sometimes bad things happen to us as a result of our bad decisions, sometimes because of our sins, and sometimes for no apparent reason at all.
Adam and Eve oppressed by Satan
Christians can be tricked by satan and his demons. Therefore, Christians are warned to test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
- The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (NLT Study Bible Text,) Genesis 3:1
- The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (NLT Study Bible Text,) Genesis 3:4
- Genesis 3 describes how human moral innocence collapsed through rebellion (3:11, 17). What God declared as “very good” (1:31) was no longer completely so. Man and woman ate the fruit that promised knowledge of good and evil and thus broke God’s command (2:17). Worse, they tried to become like God (3:5) and thus fell from their sinless state. Alienated from God, one another, and creation, they also became subject to death. (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Genesis 3:1
Job oppressed by Satan
In this famous account, Satan oppresses Job to try to prove a point. This still happens today. Anytime you make a godly commitment to serve the Lord, beware, satanic demon oppression is probably on it’s way…
- “Job is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 1:8
- Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 1:9-11
- “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 1:12
And then he tries again…
- “Job is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 2:3
- Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 2:4-5
- “All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 2:6-7
But, it doesn’t work. This account reads like some Greek or Roman mythology about gods interfering in the lives of mortal man, but it’s not mythology, it’s an actual true account that really happened. Throughout this terrible torture, Job refuses to curse God…
- In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 1:22
- His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 2:9-10
And, Job expresses one of the best and clearest promises of eternal life (also read Matt 5:8; 1 Cor 13:12; 1 Jn 3:2)…
- And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!
I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought! (NLT Study Bible Text,) Job 19:26-27
Daniel’s prayers hindered by demon oppression
This mighty man of prayers didn’t always get his answers right away because of satanic demon oppression in the world. This still happens to Christians. Whenever you make supplication to God for wisdom and understanding, satanic demon oppression is going to try to delay the answer as long as possible. Don’t get discouraged by prayers that are not answered. (3 requirements for effectual fervent prayer: ask, seek, and knock). Keep trusting God.
- Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” (NLT Study Bible Text,) Daniel 10:12-14
Apostle Paul hindered by demon oppression
The Apostle Paul was hindered by demons in his life.
- I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
- Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. (NLT Study Bible Text,) 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18
- again and again: Paul made repeated attempts to return to the Thessalonian church. Despite the opposition of Satan (see Rom 16:20; 2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:10-12), both Timothy (3:1, 5) and Paul (Acts 20:1-3) were eventually able to visit the church again. (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Demon oppression will get worse as we approach the end times
The Old Testament warns the result of demon oppression is violence, havoc, devastation, and ruin (H7701 shod). The New Testament warns us that satanic demon oppression is very real. And, Revelation warns us that it is going to get worse…
- “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Revelation 2:9-10
The answer is always Jesus
What can we do against the mighty forces of satanic demon oppression arrayed against us? The answer is always Jesus. If we try to fight the battle in our own strength, we are doomed even before we begin. Only in God is our victory.
- Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power!
The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Psalms 98:1-3 - Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. (John 12:31)
- And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:15)
- His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 3:10)
Jesus Christ has triumphed
When satanic demon oppression reminds you of your past, remind him of his future…
- Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Revelation 20:1-3
- Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (NLT Study Bible Text,) Revelation 20:10
The battle is not ours
As the LORD told Abram, “Do not fear, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great (Genesis 15:1).” As Elisha encouraged his servant, “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them (2 Kings 6)”. As Moses told the children of Israel when they were facing extinction at the hands of the Egyptians, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD (Exodus 14).” As King Jehoshaphat told the men of Judah, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15).” Today is the day of salvation (Hebrews 4).
- The armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17)
- Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
- So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (NLT Study Bible Text,) James 4:7-10
- You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)