R.C. Sproul on Demons

I think we can take some solace in the thought that it’s unlikely we’ll ever meet with Satan in our lifetimes. He has bigger fish to fry. He’s not going to chase after the little guys. But nevertheless, he has a host of minions, his demons, to do his work for him, and so they may surround us as close as our clothes, and satanic emissaries may besiege us, and we have to be alert to that. But it’s unlikely that you and I will encounter the Prince of Darkness himself. I say that because he is not omnipresent. That is an attribute that belongs only to God. Also, he’s not omniscient. Satan does not know everything. Satan is a creature, and he is defined by the limits of creatureliness.

In the Bible, we see [demons] possessing people and oppressing people, causing bodily harm, property damage, and all kinds of things. The Christian is always faced with this question: Can I be demon-possessed? I don’t believe so. I believe that people can be demon-possessed, but I don’t think that this is possible for a Christian, because God the Holy Spirit resides in the regenerate person, and the Scriptures tell us, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17). So, no demon can hold us hostage to the power of Satan. Demons can oppress us, they can harass us, they can tempt us, attack us and so on, but thanks be to God, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

—R.C. Sproul, excerpts from Unseen Realities: Heaven, Hell, Angels and Demons

Related Resources

Angels and Demons by R.C. Sproul (Teaching Series)
"The Battle of Our Lives" by Stanley Gale (Article)
"Before the Time" by R.C. Sproul (Message)
"Demons: Servants of Satan" by John Blanchard
"The Devil" (Devotional)
"The Devil in the Details" by R.C. Sproul Jr. (Article)
"Our Ancient Foe" by Keith Mathison (Article)
"The Teaching of Demons" (Devotional)
"Victory Over Satan" (Devotional)
"When Angels Sinned" (Devotional)