How Do Angels and Demons Affect People’s Lives Today? Part 2 of 2

Angels and Demons

This week we continue to examine the influence of angels and demons on human lives, emphasizing the need for awareness and balance in spiritual warfare. We go over the roles of both angelic and demonic forces, highlighting their impact on individuals and broader societal structures, while offering guidance on how to live responsibly and courageously in light of these spiritual realities.

Key Insights:

  • Unseen Spiritual Forces: Angels and demons actively influence the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of human life, with angels serving those who are attaining salvation and demons seeking to thwart God's plans.

  • Demonic Influence: Demons affect individuals by causing physical afflictions, manipulating rulers and nations, tempting believers, blinding unbelievers, disguising themselves as forces of good, and inciting persecution against believers.

  • Role of Angels: Angels act as ministering spirits, supporting and encouraging believers, and are depicted as representatives of churches, indicating their active involvement in spiritual life.

  • Balanced Approach: Believers are encouraged to maintain awareness of spiritual warfare without succumbing to fear, recognizing that He that is within you is greater than any external force.

  • Practical Living: Living in awareness of spiritual realities involves being prayerful, responsible, and courageous, while acknowledging Christ’s ultimate victory over evil as promised in scripture.

  • For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

  • For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

  • Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

  • “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Reflective Questions:

  1. How can you cultivate a heightened awareness of spiritual realities in your daily life without becoming overwhelmed by fear or anxiety?

  2. In what ways can you incorporate prayer and dependence on spiritual strength to counteract the temptations and challenges posed by demonic influences?

  3. How can you balance personal responsibility with the recognition of spiritual warfare in managing your emotions and actions?

Bryan Hurlbutt

After years of preparation and seeking the Lord’s direction, Bryan moved to Utah in 2004 for the sole purpose of founding Lifeline Community. Born and raised in upstate New York, Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in religious education from Davis College in Johnson City, New York, and his master’s degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. His doctorate of ministry from Talbot School of Theology focused on how worldview, philosophy, and culture relate to the local church, which culminated in the release of his first book, Tasty Jesus: Liberating Christ from the Power of our Predilections, published by Wipf and Stock. A true scholar and pastor at heart, Bryan longs to merge the life of the mind with life in the Spirit. His primary passion in ministry is discipleship, as evidenced by the various ministries at Lifeline, with the intended result that Lifeline be the kind of church that no one ever outgrows. Bryan is married to Jennifer and they have three daughters. He is an avid runner, a devout Syracuse Orange fan, and his favorite hobby is discussing world views and theology at ANY time in ANY place.

Next
Next

How Do Angels and Demons Affect People’s Lives Today? Part 1 of 2