The Bible is full of characters like demons and fallen angels who seem to struggle with good and evil, virtue and sin in spiritual warfare. But why are so many of its characters troubled? The answer has everything to do with the duality of humans: we were made up of a spirit and a body that were created by God in the best but also the worst possible way.
Because of this, demons—the lowest form of evil and fallen angels—were able to possess people as well as animals. These beings filled every corner of the world with their scheming and ambitions, hoping one day to destroy God’s creation.
Their actions don’t add up…but they do make sense when you know how these creatures work.
What is a demon?
Ask a Christian, if they really know what a demon is?
You might be surprised to learn that demons aren’t just “bad” angels or evil spirits—they are evil spirits. You see, demons are actually fallen angels who were kicked out of Heaven for rebelling against God. Sound familiar?
It’s the same story told in the Garden of Eden, where the serpent tempted Eve to eat forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This evil act—and the disobedient choice to eat from the forbidden tree—turned humans from innocent creatures into self-aware beings. It also made them aware of their own sinful nature.
And just as God warned Eve, one day those sins would be punished. That’s why demons have plagued humans ever since. Demons and fallen angels are the same. They’re evil angels who fell from Heaven and now exist to do evil on Earth through their spiritual warfare.
Types of demons in the bible
There are many types of demons in the Bible, but some of the most common demons are Beelzebub, Belial, and Azazel. Beelzebub: Many scholars believe this name refers to the ancient Philistine god Baal. Baal was a fertility deity and a storm god who was worshiped by the Philistines.
That would explain why some demons are associated with the Philistines. Belial: Belial is a term used for the wicked and those who are profane. It is often associated with the wickedness of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Azazel: This demon is associated with desert areas in the Middle East, like the Sinai Peninsula, where the Israelites were enslaved. He was a goat-like desert god who’s spiritual warfare was associated with sin.
The Strongman: Beezlebub
Beezlebub is a demon who is associated with despotism, tyranny, and pride.
He is sometimes called the “prince of demons”, who is responsible for illnesses, disease, and all the miseries that afflict the human body. Beezlebub is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark 3:22-30, where he is cast out of a man who is possessed by demons.
Judas Iscariot is often mistakingly thought of as Beezlebub for being the one who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, which is the reason for his fame and infamy. This is incorrect and there is no such mention in the New Testament.
The Old Man: Satan/Lucifer
Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and tried to claim control of Heaven, only to be banished to Earth and forced to take a human form. He is described as an evil, deceptive being in the Bible.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he was offered the kingdoms of the world and all their glory if he would just worship him. That is the heart of Satan: he’s a deceiver who wants to control everything and everyone. Jesus resisted those temptations, however.
The name Lucifer comes from the Latin word for “light-bringing.” It is associated with “morning star” or “day star.” The word is also used to refer to Venus, which is the brightest planet in the sky. Lucifer is often and incorrectly confused to be the same entity as Satan.
The Serpent: Azazel and Satan's Other Demons
Azazel: This demon is associated with desert areas in the Middle East, like the Sinai Peninsula, where the Israelites were enslaved. He was a goat-like desert god who was associated with sin. Azazel is described in the book of Leviticus as a scapegoat onto whom the Israelites would put their sins.
This was to symbolically rid them of their sins as this goat was then driven out into the desert as an offering to God. Azazel is believed to have possessed King Saul in the Bible. He is described as being a spirit “more wicked than any other” who tormented Saul with “terrors.”
Azazel is also believed to have possessed King Solomon and led the Israelites into spiritual warfare with idolatry.
Mystical Finale
Demons and fallen angels are evil spirits who fell from Heaven when they rebelled against God.
They’re now on Earth to do evil and tempt humans into sin. The Bible is full of these creatures, and they are some of its most baffling characters.
It’s important to know what these demons are, how they work, and why they exist so that we can be better prepared to resist their temptations and defeat them once and for all.
