Testy Debate Over Demons 

    No. 5 of 8  

     In one of his testy "debates" with authorities, Jesus asked: "Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. He (the devil) is a liar and the father of lies. Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" (John 8:43-46)

     Paul, the Pharisee who detested Christians, was totally won over to Christ by the Lord himself. Later, to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, "The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God" (1 Co. 10:20)

     To the Ephesians, "Put off falsehood...and don't give the devil a foothold." (Eph. 4:27). "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:11). 

     Advising young Timothy, Paul wrote, "An overseer must not become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must...not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap" (1 Tim. 3:6-7). 

     And, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits, things taught by demons" (1 Tim. 4:1).

     To the Romans, "I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor demons... (nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38). 

Next: Jesus' half-brother - to the 12 tribes