Mary Magdalene had seven demons in her prior to her deliverance. Luke 8:30 mentions a "legion" of demons. A legion in the Roman army which ruled at the time of Jesus referred to 6,100 foot soldiers and 726 horsemen.
These organized forces of demons according to the Bible:
1. Are united:
In the case of the demon possessed man recorded in Luke 8:30 the demons were united in their purpose, which in this example was possession of the man. The same is true in Matthew 12:45 and in the case of Mary Magdalene who had seven demons according to Luke 16:9. Jesus spoke of the unity of demon powers when He said:
Matthew 12:26 "And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?"
2. Have different degrees of wickedness:
This is illustrated by the demon who said he would return with other evil spirits:
Matthew 12:43-45 "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter in and dwell there: And the last state of that man is worse than the first."
3. Can change their functions:
The demon in 1 Kings 22:21-23 declared he would be a lying spirit. This indicates he was not one previously for he said "I will be...".
4. Are of different kinds:
The Bible teaches that man has a body, soul, and spirit. There are three major kinds of demons that attack the body, soul, and spirit of man:
a. Evil or unclean spirits-They are responsible for immoral acts, unclean thoughts,oppression, possession, depression, and other strategies of Satan. They afflict the mind and the soulish nature of man-Matthew 10:1; 12:43; Mark 1:23-26
b. Spirits of infirmity-These spirits afflict the physical body-Luke 13:11
c. Seducing spirits-Seducing spirits afflict the mind, soul, and spirit of man, influencing him to believe false doctrines as indicated in 1 Timothy 4:1. These spirits seduce people to believe a lie and be damned to eternal punishment. They are spirits of false doctrine, cults, false Christs, and false teachers.
Demons follow orders given by their prince, Satan. We can summarize the activities of demons by noting that they are always directed against God, His plan, and His people. Demons are used by Satan to attack the Word of God, your worship of God, your walk with God, and your work for God.
Satan uses his demons to accomplish this strategy throughout the world. Demons extend Satan's power by
promoting deception and wickedness. They affect individuals, governments, nations, and the world system. They promote rebellion and slander both God and men. They promote idolatry, false doctrines, and blind men and women to the truth of the Gospel.
These demons attack unbelievers driving them to commit terrible evil acts, to murder, injure,commit suicide, etc. They affect the mind with emotional problems and the body with physical infirmities. Demons attack believers by temptation, deception, depression, and oppression. They try to keep you in bondage to habits and fear. They accuse and slander you and create division among the people of God. They target your spiritual walk with God and fight against the Word of God, the worship of God, and your work for God. They also attack your physical body.
Unbelievers are defenseless against the attacks of demonic powers, but believers have powerful spiritual weapons and strategies for dealing with this mighty spiritual force of evil. You can learn about these weapons and strategies as you study God's Word and keep them hidden in your heart that you might not sin against God.
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