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In the New Testament we find three separate terms that are used as complete synonyms: demons, evil
spirits and unclean spirits.
Some obvious examples of how these three words are related can be seen in the following
passages in the Gospels, starting with Matthew.
Matt. 10.1 And calling His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits 5 (so
as to cast them out), and to healing every sickness, and every weakness.
Matt. 10.8 “Infirm – heal, dead – raise, lepers – cleanse, demons 6 – cast out; freely you did
receive, freely give.”
In most translations of the Bible Jesus refers to unclean spirits in verse one, but calls them
demons in verse eight. So we can see that Jesus uses the words demons and unclean spirits
interchangeably, as synonyms. It is important to note that in verse one, before He mentions healing the
sick and every disease, Jesus instructs His disciples to cast out demons. This is because we
frequently see in the New Testament that deliverance from demons was a prerequisite to healing.
Mark 6.7 And He calls the twelve. And He began to send them out two by two. And He gave
them authority over the spirits, the unclean.7
Mark 6.13 And many demons 8 they cast out. And they anointed with oil many infirm, and they
healed them.
Chapter 6 of the Gospel of Mark contains the same story that is found in Matthew chapter 10.
Although in Mark 6.7 Jesus gives His disciples authority over the spirits that are unclean, in verse 13
Mark records that they cast out demons. So you can see that Mark uses the words interchangeably,
exactly the same way that Matthew does. Jesus gives His disciples authority over unclean spirits and
then they cast out demons. Therefore, both Matthew and Mark see the terms unclean spirits and
demons as synonyms.
When we examine the story of Mary Magdalene in Luke 8, we see that Luke alternates between
the terms demons and evil spirits.
Luke 8.2 And certain women, who were healed of evil spirits 9 and infirmities, Mary who is
called Magdalene, from whom seven demons 10 had gone forth…
First Luke says that these women were healed of evil spirits, but then Luke says that Mary
Magdalene was delivered of seven demons. So Luke agrees with Matthew and Mark that the terms
evil spirits and demons are synonyms.
In fact when you read through all the parallel accounts in the Gospels concerning evil spirits,
demons and unclean spirits, you will see that throughout the Gospels these words are used completely
interchangeably.
Varnel Watson
this is a VERY good study Isara Mo Joe Absher
Isara Mo
Troy Day
Blessed are you for keeping the topic alive
Joe Absher
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.
They have no fear of God at all.”
– psalm 36:1b NLT
Thank you. Is there anything else on “unclean” spirit. This is a tin cooker full of heroin and the open sores of addiction. May God have mercy on us and help us in Jesus name
Joe Absher
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.
They have no fear of God at all.”
– psalm 36:1b NLT
Thank you. Is there anything else on “unclean” spirit.
Varnel Watson
Isara Mo what do you think about God sending evil spirit to punish someone?
Isara Mo
Troy Day
I will.answer with Isaiah 45:7
Isara Mo
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord , do all these things.
Isaiah 45:7 NIV
https://isaiah.
Isara Mo
//And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ “ ‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. “ ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. “ ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord . ‘Go and do it.’
1 Kings 22:20-22 NIV//
What do you make of this conversation?
Isara Mo
Troy Day
.Do evil spirit co exist with God …
……?
Isara Mo
Troy Day
// Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
1 Samuel 16:14 //
Charles Page
It is an excellent way to force people into authority of church leadership!
Isara Mo
I Kings 22:20-22 is a very interesting incident in the Bible.
Can God be a source or cause of disaster or death or calamity?
We all know that one major characteristic of demons or evil spirits or unclean spirits(call them whatever you want) is to ENTICE…
When I look up this word “entice” in the dictionary I get this”
entice is to
attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage.//
Can God tempt man?…
The preceeding verse shows that God thru a SPIRIT( doesn’t say an angel but a SPIRIT…) entices Ahab to go to war and meet his death..
Strange as it may sound that is what happened..
.Ahab went to war and died according to a secret council held in heaven between God and “spirits”
This scenario brings to mind the one on one between God and Satan whose outcome was Job’s extreme torment…or should I say extreme ” oppression”?
Immediately Jesus was baptized the Bible says He was TAKEN by the Holy Spirit to a location(desert) to BE TEMPTED by the devil..
God knew the devils location at the time and sent His Son THERE (in the wilderness) where the devil was, to tempt Him.
The devil didn’t come to Jordan where the Son was being revealed so as to temp Him but on the contrary the Father himself sent the Son to be tempted in the wilderness by Satan…
Was the temptation of Jesus by Satan Gods foreplan just as the enticement of Ahab and the terrors of Job?
If the answer is YES, then Troy Day it is no issue at for God to use a spirit to punish someone..BUT, the question of SENDING an evil spirit to punish someone that one needs greater understanding to answer..
In Hebrews 1:14…the Bible says God ” makes His angels SPIRITS”
Perhaps from this context of MAKING HIS ANGELS SPIRITS we get ” an evil spirit from God…” as the one that came on Saul…???
An evil spirit is an unclean spirit so God SENDING AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT to punish someone sounds awkward to say the least..
But God can use ANY being in creation and anything to fulfil His purpose(s). He is God…
Troy Day does GOD LOVE SATAN?
Isara Mo
Charles Page
Is this part of grace?
By the way Charles you were in the army was grace a feature of the military??
Charles Page
no
Charles Page
the Army is the extension of the demonic formation that existed before AD 70. The national angels over each empire utilized the demonic military formations to subdue and conquer. In my experience with military I sensed the demon-like spiritual presence of uniformed combatants.
It is highly disciplined and trained to kill the enemy.
Varnel Watson
mcminn co again is right?