They’re Back: The Daimonia

Written By Adam Dragoon

Sermon Summary

The reality of spiritual warfare is often dismissed or misunderstood, even among those who profess faith in Christ. Yet Scripture is clear: we have a real adversary, the devil, who is not merely a symbol of evil but a personal being with a kingdom of darkness. He is described as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, but his tactics are often subtle, convincing many that he and his minions do not exist. This deception is not just prevalent in the world but has infiltrated the church, where a majority now doubt the literal existence of Satan and the demonic realm.

Throughout history, the devil has worked through his minions—what the Old Testament calls the Shedim and the New Testament calls the daimonia, or demons. These spiritual forces have been repackaged across cultures and generations, appearing as false gods like Baal, Ashtoreth, and Molech. Their influence is not a relic of the past; they have returned in new forms, shaping the moral and spiritual decay of our society. Baal steals worship from God, Ashtoreth blurs the lines of gender and sexuality, and Molech demands the sacrifice of children. These ancient spirits are at work today, manifesting in the breakdown of the family, the confusion of identity, and the destruction of the next generation.

The problems we face—whether personal struggles or societal crises—are fundamentally spiritual. No political solution, technological advance, or social program can address the root issues because they are driven by unseen spiritual forces. The call is to be sober and vigilant, recognizing the true nature of our enemy and refusing to be distracted by surface-level explanations or solutions.

Yet, there is hope and authority for those who are in Christ. Jesus has given His followers power over all the works of the enemy. The demonic realm is subject to the name of Jesus, and every believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, can stand in victory. But this authority is not automatic; it flows from a genuine relationship with Christ. The name of Jesus is not a magic word, but the expression of a living faith. The invitation is to examine our hearts, ensure we are right with God, and walk in the authority and freedom that Christ has secured for us.

“The demonic realm is subject to the name of Jesus, and every believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, can stand in victory.”
— Pastor Dave

Watch/Listen

Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

  • [00:00] - Welcome

  • [01:00] - The Heartbeat of World Evangelism

  • [02:33] - The Story of D.L. Moody and John Farwell

  • [06:03] - The Cost of Advancing the Kingdom

  • [07:35] - Women Who Supported Jesus’ Ministry

  • [09:29] - Gratitude as the Root of Generosity

  • [12:47] - Mary Magdalene’s Transformation

  • [13:55] - The Value of Forgiveness and Giving

  • [14:51] - Zacchaeus: Radical Gratitude in Action

  • [24:15] - Earthly Spending vs. Kingdom Investment

  • [26:22] - From Spectator to Participant

  • [29:07] - Givers Shape Global Impact

  • [33:04] - The Widow’s Offering and Jesus’ Commendation

  • [35:16] - Legacy: The Ripple Effect of Generosity

  • [36:53] - The Call to Respond and Give

  • [39:42] - Invitation to Salvation

  • [42:24] - Giving and the Blessing of God

  • [45:20] - Personal Testimony of Generosity

  • [46:22] - Closing and Final Prayer

Key Takeaways

  1. The greatest deception of the enemy is convincing people—even many Christians—that he does not exist. This spiritual blindness leaves individuals and the church vulnerable to his schemes, as we cannot resist an enemy we refuse to acknowledge. Recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare is the first step toward victory. [03:44]

  2. The demonic realm is not a myth or a relic of ancient superstition; it is active and influential in our world today. The same spirits that masqueraded as false gods in ancient cultures have simply been repackaged for modern times, continuing their work of stealing worship, corrupting identity, and destroying lives. Understanding this continuity helps us discern the true nature of the battles we face. [15:56]

  3. Societal and personal problems are fundamentally spiritual in nature. While politics, technology, and social programs have their place, they cannot address the root issues that stem from spiritual forces. True transformation comes only through spiritual means—prayer, repentance, and the authority of Christ. [20:58]

  4. Believers are not powerless against the enemy. Jesus has given authority to His followers to trample on all the power of the enemy, and the demonic realm is subject to the name of Jesus. This authority is exercised not through ritual or formula, but through a living relationship with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. [24:28]

  5. The authority of Jesus is not a magic formula to be used apart from relationship. Attempting to invoke His name without truly knowing Him leads to defeat and spiritual danger, as seen in the story of the seven sons of Sceva. The call is to genuine faith, repentance, and a personal walk with Christ, which alone grants access to His victory and power. [29:32]

Bible Reading

  • 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

  • Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

  • Luke 10:19 - "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Observation Questions

  1. According to 1 Peter 5:8, what are believers instructed to do, and why?

  2. In Ephesians 6:12, who or what does Paul say our real struggle is against?

  3. What authority does Jesus say He gives to His followers in Luke 10:19?

  4. The sermon mentions that many Christians today doubt the literal existence of Satan and demons. What statistics or examples did the pastor give to show this trend? [03:44]

Interpretation Questions

  1. Why do you think Peter uses the image of a "roaring lion" to describe the devil? What does this suggest about the enemy’s tactics? [05:04]

  2. The sermon connects ancient false gods like Baal, Ashtoreth, and Molech to modern cultural issues. How does understanding this spiritual continuity help us see current problems differently? [15:56]

  3. If our struggles are not just physical or social but spiritual (Ephesians 6:12), how should that change the way we approach personal or societal problems? [20:58]

  4. The pastor said that the authority of Jesus is not a magic formula, but flows from a real relationship with Him. Why is this distinction important? [29:32]

Application Questions

  1. The sermon says the devil’s greatest trick is convincing people he doesn’t exist. Have you ever found yourself downplaying or ignoring the reality of spiritual warfare? What effect has that had on your life or faith? [03:44]

  2. The pastor described how ancient demonic influences have been “repackaged” in modern culture, especially in areas like family, identity, and the value of children. Where do you see these influences at work in your own environment (work, school, media, etc.)? How do you respond? [15:56]

  3. Ephesians 6:12 says our real battle is not against people, but spiritual forces. Think of a current conflict or problem you’re facing. How might seeing it as a spiritual battle change your response? [20:58]

  4. The sermon calls us to be “sober and vigilant.” What are some practical ways you can stay alert to spiritual dangers in your daily life? [21:47]

  5. Jesus gives authority to His followers over the enemy, but the pastor warned that this authority is only real for those who have a genuine relationship with Christ. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus this week? [29:32]

  6. The story of the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19) was used as a warning against using Jesus’ name without knowing Him. Are there areas in your life where you’ve tried to use “Christian” words or actions without real faith or relationship? What needs to change? [29:32]

  7. The pastor invited everyone to examine their hearts and make sure they are right with God. Is there anything you need to repent of or bring before God today to walk in the authority and freedom Jesus offers? [30:11]

  • Amen. If you have your Bibles, 1 Peter, the book of 1 Peter chapter 5. While I do my gymnastics and get ready over here this morning, 1 Peter chapter 5. Good to see everybody. Great to see you all this morning. Beautiful Sunday morning.

    1 Peter chapter 5, verse 8. We're going to look at one verse of Scripture in just a moment. There's a famous quote that shows up in various forms in our culture every few years, every generation or so. The latest version of this I could find was from the movie The Usual Suspects back in 1995. And the quote goes something like this: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." You heard that before, or some variation of that. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

    I picked up an article in Columbia Magazine. It's written by somebody styling themselves as La Carmina. This is their pen name. They didn't give their actual name. But they did mention that they are an actual Satanist. They actually wrote a book called The Little Book of Satanism. And in this article in Columbia Magazine... The Little Book of appears, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, and they said this: "Most Satanists don't actually believe in Satan and don't worship him as either a god or a force of evil. For the most part, Satanists are non-theists and view Satanism as a personal liberation from traditional theistic beliefs. Satan is a metaphor. We believe in the historical idea of Lucifer as a lightbringer, a principled rebel, a rebellious angel willing to stand up against arbitrary rules of authority."

    The Satanic Temple is dedicated to activism around issues like reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ causes. Now, before you say, "Okay, that's just incredibly stupid. Satanists don't believe in Satan? They don't believe in the very being that they're named after?" Before you say that, Pastor, listen to this. A recent survey by the Cultural Research Center found that Americans are more confident about the existence of Satan than they are of God. Overall, 56% contend that Satan is an influential spiritual being, yet almost half are not fully confident that God truly exists.

    Okay, but that's just—Americans in general. What about the church? In another study by the Barna Group, four out of 10 Christians—that's 40%—strongly agreed that Satan is not a living being, but just a symbol of evil. And about another 20% said they somewhat agree with that. So that means 60% of Christians say the devil isn't real. That is worse, if you're keeping track—that's worse than what the world says.

    Church, if a minority of Christians indicated that Satan isn't real, only 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan. 8% in the church were not sure. If the body of Christ on earth does not think that it has a real enemy, then we're in huge trouble. Can you say amen this morning?

    1 Peter 5:8, one verse of Scripture, says: "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

    I want to pray with you this morning. Why don't we bow our heads quickly and just ask God's help this morning. Father, I'm asking that you would help me this morning. Father, I'm asking for your anointing. God, I have no confidence in my flesh and myself. I'm asking that your Spirit would have right of way to move on every heart and every life in this place. In Jesus' mighty name. We give you praise. Amen.

    This is a sermon I've entitled The Daimonia, and you'll understand why in just a minute. And my brethren from the Kempsville Church, you may have heard me preach something along these lines before. I apologize in advance. I really feel that this is what God would have me to preach today. The Daimonia. I want to look firstly with you at He's real, and so is His kingdom.

    The Bible makes it clear that you and I have a real enemy, not just evil itself as an abstract idea—because evil, quote unquote, especially in our time, can be very loosely defined. If you vote differently than someone else, you might get labeled as evil. Instead, the Bible gives him a name. It is Satan in English, Satan in the ancient Hebrew. It means an opponent, the arch enemy of good. The Word of God actually gives him characteristics. In our text, from 1 Peter, he's called the adversary. He is against you.

    The first time he's mentioned in Scripture by name, we find him opposing Israel. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, "Now Satan stood up against Israel." And you know what? He's still doing that. Jesus said in John 8:44, "He's a murderer and a liar and always has been from the beginning." So even though he's a spiritual being and cannot physically kill us, Jesus says that he's a murderer. He's been killing somebody. This could mean that he's either killed something else—an innocent being, possibly other angels—or that he's inspired people to murder other people, or both.

    Jesus also said he's a thief. John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." He's a deceiver, first appearing in the Garden of Eden as the serpent. He deceives Eve. He causes Adam and Eve to sin and plunges the world into darkness. Revelation 12:9 says, "So that great dragon was cast out, the serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world." We also know that he commands an army. Also from Revelation 12:9, "He was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

    So to think that the devil is not real is to fall for perhaps his greatest deception. As we've already seen, he's already gotten his own followers to fall for it. And he's got the majority of the church to fall for it. Don't you fall for it too.

    In our text, Peter compares the devil to a roaring lion. How many of you know male lions are the king of the jungle? Top of the food chain. The roar of a lion can reach 114 decibels. Now, you may say, "Okay, what does that mean?" Ever hear a gas lawnmower? About 85 decibels. The roar of a lion is 114 decibels—25 times as loud as a gas lawnmower. The roar strikes fear into every other animal. But let's be real—you ever seen a male lion go out and do some hunting? You haven't. They don't do much. It says he walks about like a roaring lion. Male lions don't do a lot of hunting. They leave that for the females, the lionesses, their minions. Once the lionesses have secured the kill, they bring it back to the male lion to feast on. That's why it says he walks about like a roaring lion. He's not chasing you down. He leaves that for his minions.

    You see, Satan has always operated this way. He makes a lot of noise, but he has his minions do his work for him. And who are his minions? In the Old Testament, his minions were referred to as the shedim—false gods, idols, spirits. In the New Testament, the same Greek word is translated daimonia—demons, the demonic realm. It goes without saying—if you don't believe in the devil, why would you believe in demons? But the Bible tells us that Satan has an entire army of these daimonia. He's like a lion, and he sends them out to do his dirty work. They are sent forth, as Jesus said, to steal, to kill, and to destroy. The devil isn't just an idea or a symbol for evil—he's real, and you better come to grips with it sooner rather than later.

    Now, secondly, let's look at all the problems in our world. Do you ever wonder what happened to the ancient gods? Every culture going back to the beginning has had gods they worshipped. Where are Zeus and Poseidon, the Greek pantheon? Where are Jupiter, Mars, Apollo—the Roman gods? Where are Odin and Thor? I know you say he's in Marvel movies now, but where are they? Were they just myths that died out, or did something happen to them? Jesus said in Matthew 12:43, "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first." So shall it be with this wicked generation, Jesus says.

    This isn't just something for individuals—this is happening with entire generations. When Jesus comes in, the false gods get kicked out, can you say amen? In generations past, we've had incredible revivals—people repenting of sins, idols being broken. That's what we see in the greatest revivals in history: people bringing things they were bound by to the altar and breaking them—alcohol, drugs, ungodly books, movies, music, maybe even video games. Can anybody say amen? But too often, they bring them to the altar, they break the idol, and that's where it ends. People don't realize—those spirits come back. And when they do, they're coming back harder.

    Remember what happened when Moses confronted Pharaoh and said, "Let my people go." Each of the ten plagues directly confronted a different Egyptian god. So what happened to the old gods? They were cast out, but then they regrouped and came back stronger.

    How do Satan's minions mess with our lives? The Bible identifies four major demons. The first is Baal. Baal is the supreme male god of the Canaanites and Phoenicians. He's always associated with being the Lord of the Earth, worshipped in high places—mountains, hills. Baal's symbol was the thunderbolt. Baal gets repackaged with every new culture that comes along—showing up as Zeus, Jupiter, Thor. What does Baal do? He takes away worship from God. He turns the hearts of men, steals their hearts.

    The Bible also identifies Ashtoreth—the queen of heaven. This is where we get the word star. She is the goddess of sexual pleasure, fertility, and war. She appears repeatedly as Ishtar, Venus, Aphrodite. She's worshipped in prostitute temples. Her symbol is a lioness; sometimes she appears as a horse. She blurs the lines between male and female. Does this sound familiar? She had male priests who dressed as women and danced for children. Some even transitioned themselves. She demanded a special month of worship—her month. The early Christian writer St. Jerome called it Unium, which we now call June.

    Then there's Molech, the destroyer—masquerading as a pagan fertility god, also known as Saturn or Kronos. He has the body of a man and the head of a bull, with fire in his belly and outstretched arms. What did he demand? Child sacrifice. Mostly, innocent children. And what did he do? He steals, kills, and destroys—just as Jesus said. Baal steals hearts away from God, kills through sexualization, pornography, divorce, redefining marriage, male and female. Ashtoreth destroys the next generation through idolatry and sexual perversion. Moloch destroys children through abortion.

    And church, they're back. Just as Jesus said, they've returned with vengeance. They've come back and found our house spiritually empty. As a society, we've been living on the spiritual victories of our ancestors without much for ourselves. Our house was unguarded. So they gathered more, bigger, and worse demons, and they permeated our culture.

    Remember what that Satanist author said—the Satanic Temple is dedicated to activism around reproductive rights (abortion) and LGBTQ+ causes (destroying the family). No longer do you find teachers in schools teaching the Lord's Prayer or our Christian history, flaws and all—including slavery. Instead, there's a focus on anti-Christian, anti-God, pro-demonic propaganda. It began back in the early '60s when the Bible and prayer were taken out of schools. Then came the sexual revolution, birth control, Roe v. Wade, and our culture has been on a demonic death spiral ever since.

    When ancient Israel turned from God, they followed the same path—worshipping Baal and Ashtoreth, sacrificing children to Molech. But in our generation, we've slain many more children than Israel ever did. In the 2019 case Box v. Planned Parenthood, Justice Clarence Thomas noted that in some parts of New York City, black children are more likely to be aborted than born alive—up to eight times more likely than white children in the same area. Is that okay with you? Is that okay with me? It's not okay.

    But this problem isn't just societal. I'm not talking about politics or who you voted for. That's a distraction. The real issues are spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Money problems, relationship issues, anger, addiction—they're all rooted in spiritual forces. We won't solve them by bowing to the new "gods" of science, technology, or money. We can't depend on medication, social media, or government to save us. These are spiritual problems, coming from demonic forces, and they require a spiritual solution.

    Finally, I want to affirm that the devil and daimonia can be defeated. Our main text tells us to be sober and vigilant. That doesn't just mean avoiding drunkenness; it means being calm and alert in spirit. It means watching carefully and paying close attention. Most people today are either anxious—taking medication—or apathetic—they just don't care. But we must be alert, because our enemy has his minions surrounding us, ready to ambush.

    At just the right moment, he'll make a lot of noise, scare us, and try to cause us to run into his trap. But if we stay calm and on guard, this won't happen. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Think of a lion attacking a giraffe. The lion runs at it, trying to latch onto its legs or neck. But if the giraffe remembers it's a giraffe and uses its powerful neck and legs to shake off the lion, it can send the lion running or even kill it. Use the power you already have.

    Jesus said in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Don't rejoice in that authority pridefully—rejoice because your names are written in heaven. The spirits are subject to us because Jesus already gave us that power.

    Acts 1:8 says, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me." Every demonic spirit, no matter how powerful, is subject to the Holy Spirit, which God gives us freely. Baal, Ashtoreth, Molech, Satan—they recognize Jesus Christ as the supreme authority of the universe.

    I remember Pastor Oscar Gaffor, a missionary in India, told a story about a devout Hindu who came into his church. Hindus have over 330 million gods, constantly making new ones. This man said he had a vision while praying to his gods. He saw all these gods in front of him and asked, "Are you the one and only? Are you the most powerful?" Each god said, "No, I am just a spirit." Finally, he saw a bright light, and Jesus stepped forward. All the other gods fled. The man said, "Who are you?" Jesus replied, "I am Jesus." The man believed.

    Philippians 2:9 says, "God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." We don't have to walk around defeated. We are victorious in Jesus' name. If you have money problems, be obedient in tithes and offerings, and pray for God's protection. If you have relationship issues, illnesses, or addictions, remember Matthew 16:18—"I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." You have authority to bind the devil and his minions.

    The question is: what about you? The earlier study also showed that many in the church are confused about the Holy Spirit. Over half—52%—say the Holy Spirit is not a living entity but merely a symbol of God's power, presence, or purity. Will you be sober, vigilant, and submissive to God? Will you receive the Holy Spirit and exercise the authority given to you in Jesus' name?

    This morning, it's your choice. I ask you to bow your heads with me across this place. The daimonia—the spirits we've discussed—is real, including the authority Jesus gives us to trample on the enemy. But none of this is possible unless you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It would be foolish to think that just calling on His name in trouble will automatically make all your problems disappear, like a magic word. The men in Acts 19 tried that—seven sons of Sceva—they said, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, come out." The demon replied, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?" The demon overpowered them, and they fled battered and naked.

    You can't just use Jesus' name as a magic talisman. You need a relationship with Him. John 3:3 says, "Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

    What about you? Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? Do you have a relationship with Him? That's what He went to the cross for—paying for our sins so we can be in God's presence again. Do you have that relationship today? If not, would you lift your hand? If you've never confessed Jesus as the Son of God or asked Him to forgive your sins, would you lift your hand this morning? All across this place.

    Jesus is not your Savior if you were to die right now—God forbid. But if you died today, would you wake up in eternity standing before God? Would you make heaven your home? If you cannot honestly say yes, you should lift your hand.

    Are you backslidden? Were you serving God once, but you've walked away? Maybe something happened. If you're not right with God right now, would you lift your hand? We want to pray with you. Not to join a church or sign a membership card—nothing crazy like that. Just to get right with God.

    If you're unsaved or backslidden, lift your hand now. Praise God.

    Church, I want to open the altar this morning. Maybe you have something on your heart you want to bring before God. We always want to end our services with a time of prayer, where you can come to the altar and lay things before Him. Maybe it's something I didn't even mention but is on your mind. The altars are open. I encourage you—come down and pray. Let's all pray together. Let's open the altar now.

Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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Adam Dragoon
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