Like angels, demons play a huge role in modern pop culture, playing both the role of hero and villain in many popular shows, books, and movies. And like angels, we have a tendency to misunderstand them as a result. 

So rather than letting culture tell us what we should believe about them, let’s see what Scripture has to say about these supernatural beings. 

Demons, like angels, are among us and active in this world. In fact, they are of the same nature as angels. But at some point in history, they rebelled against God. Chief among them is Satan, who lead the rebellion and tempted the first humans to sin. Like all demons, his desire is to “steal and kill and destroy” as he works in opposition to God’s plans and purposes in this world. And were he able, he would surely do it.

But he can’t. Because, despite what we might have picked up from books and movies, Satan is not God’s opposite. He is not God’s equal. He and his demons are limited by their nature as a created being and by God’s authority over them.  

And when we read that Satan is a roaring lion in Scripture, we should remember that he is, ultimately, a caged one. 

He is dangerous and deadly, and he and his followers have great influence and power in the world, but they have been and will be defeated. So while we should respect and avoid them, Christians do not need to fear them because their fate is sealed. We, and they likewise, know what awaits them: the lake of fire, which was first created for them, where will be judged for their rebellion for eternity.