Difference Between Devil and Demon
Even though some say that both evil and demon are mischievous that always wanting to destroy, the truth is between the two is that there is a difference. Demon is always meant to be spirit of evil with the intent of destroying anything while devil is the high-ranking evil spirit, within Abrahamic, monotheistic religions including Christianity. That’s the basic difference pertaining the two. But, the words demon and devil may be used in whatever manner when using it in a wider topic. Take an in-depth look here and see the difference.
What is Devil?
Christians commonly believe that the devil is actually Satan. According to the Holy Scripture Satan or the devil was originally a rebellious angel who revolted against the Lord God with an army of demons. The consequence will be a condemnation by God. The devil hates all humans and God’s creation itself, and also loves to oppose the Almighty God and the devil has the work of lie-spreading and destroying mankind.
What is Demon?
An evil spirit that can be referred as a supernatural evil monster. The term itself is definitely not associated with any specific belief system. The use of the word demon depends on the religion and culture because of differences in their beliefs. An example of that will be, the Hindu demon which is called rakshas and the Hebrew word shedim. Demans are usually considered to be lower in rank and they are subordinate to the Devil.
Differences Between Devil and Demon
Name of Devil and Demon
In Scripture, Satan or Lucifer is the name of the devil. While “demon” is a word that came from the word daimon, which in Greek means “knowing”. The idea is they are more intellectual than humans. Ancient Greece has a word which means a powerful spirit, that is daimon. The word “demon” itself appeared on 63 instances in the New Testament. A Demon has many titles while the devil only has few, for example in Hebew it is called Asmodeus, in Avestan culture a demon is called Aesma-daeva, and in Islam it is called a Jinn. In the Christian Bible a demon is also called Azazel and Beelzebub. In other religions and belief systems, those names are demons separated from the devil while others state that these names are a semblance of devil.
Even when thought of as individual demons, some are often thought of being under the Devil’s direct control. This identifies only those thought of as the devil.
The devil is sometimes called Lucifer, particularly when describing him as an angel before his fall, although the reference inIsaiah14:12 to Lucifer, or the Son of the Morning, is a reference to a Babylonian king.
Beelzebubis originally the name of a Philistine god (more specifically a certain type of Baal, but is also used in the New Testament as a synonym for Satan.
Usage of both Devil and Demon
The word Devil is used in reference to the Satan, who belongs to a group of angels called cherubim.(Ezekiel 28:14). But when referring to a high-ranking, stronger demon, the word devil can be used also. The Devil can also be used when referring to a demon that leads a specific group. The Devil has greater evil than demons.
It must be remembered that the word daimon together with the word daimonion are both used as singular and plural in the Scripture specifically the New Testament, that’s demons and demon. But never they have been used in a manner that is interchanged with diabolos, the Devil because the fact is, there is only one Devil.
Work of Devil and Demon
In broadest sense Demons act as Satan’s ambassador in order to do his plan to oppose the will of the Lord God Almighty. Satan has limited experiences as a creature because just like humans he is not the Creator, that is why demons extend the power of Satan. The truth is, sometimes it seems like Satan thinks he is omniscient and omnipresent, but actually he is not. The truth is, demons are the one who stretch the power and activity of Satan. Sometimes we are deceived on thinking that Satan does it all (Ephesians 6:11-12).
Religion invloved in Devil and Demon
The religious identity of Devil is specific only in some religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam, on the other hand, demons are broadly being associated with different belief-system. That means only Christianity, Judaism, and Islam has the Devil on their religion.
Evilness of Devil and Demon
Demons are less mischievous and evil than their superior devil, the reason for that will be the rank of the demons which is lower than devil.
Origin of Devil and Demon
Both the Devil and demons are creations of the Sovereign God, created for His purpose on showing His glory in the generations to come after He send His Son Jesus Christ to defeat the Devil once and for all at the Cross. The devil, is identified by the Holy Scripture as the creature personified as a serpent who made convincing effort to tempt Eve on disobeying the Almighty God and eat the fruit which God forbid to eat.
While demons are the heavenly hosts created by God originally as angels, then God purposed that those angels rebel and become condemned evil creatures known as demons. Christians regard demons as angels who was fallen because of their rebellion. Sometimes gods and goddesses of other belief systems and cultures are said to be “demons”.
Identification of Devil and Demon
The devil is identified as “the old serpent” and “the dragon” in The Revelation of Jesus Christ 12:9, 20:2 and also is identified as Satan. The devil is the person who is the enemy of the elect of God and the Lord God Himself. A high-ranking fallen, reprobate angel who was damned to become an evil creature. He is the superior of the angels who are condemned because of their rebellion. On the other hand, Demon was referred in the New Testament as the devil servant.
Nature of Devil and Demon
Devil is the supreme spirit of evil while demons are an evil supernatural being. While the term demon is used broadly in religion, literature, mythology, occultism, fiction and folklore.
When going back to the original Greek word of demons, we can get the meaning as “knowing” and we can see that it shows that demons are creatures with a higher intellect that mere humans. But this is only a conjecture.
In the religions of Ancient Near Eastern region and also in the traditions that originated from Abraham of the Bible, and that includes the Christian study of demons in the medieval or ancient times, they stated that demons are portrayed as the harmful creature, here in earth which causes humans to be possessed, and calls for exorcism. Demons are under the control of the Devil
Role of Devil and Demon
In the Bible, the role of the Devil is more broad than the demons. The role of the demons can be seen specifically in writings of the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus in the Gospel, the Gospel of Mark in particular, Jesus is seen casting out a number of demons from those people with different kinds of illnesses. While the Devil’s work is found particularly in the Books of Ezekiel and Revelation, with some quotations of Apostle Paul in some of his Epistles.
Scripture states the existence of demons. There are many demons but there is only one Devil. Diabolos, meaning “slanderer” is the equivalent of the term “devil” in Greek language. Used as singular always, this word is associated with devil.
While demons are seen as plural when referred in the New Testament when Jesus condemned them.
Table of Summary of Devil and Demon
Summary of Devil Vs. Demon
Now, because other English language translation equates the Greek word for “demons” as “devils” the difference may not be implied at first and it makes confuses people. Demons are many but the Devil is only one.
In the Holy Scripture, An example of God’s sovereignty even in demons and devil is seen in 1 Samuel 16 and 18 when God sends evil creatures to possess Saul to mete punishment to him because he is not following the instructions of God. It shows God in his sovereignty, commanding and using demons for His purpose to happen.
Therefore demons and even the Devil are under the great Authority of the Living God. That is why the people of God is redeemed from the power of these evil creatures and secured in the Hands of the Living God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done and is doing right now.
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[0]“Difference Between Demon and Devil.” Blue Letter Bible. 2018. Web.
[1]“Difference Between Devil and Demon.” Theopedia. 2018. Web.
[2]Image credit: https://pixabay.com/en/demon-devil-halloween-hell-horror-1879012/
“ALL TRUTH, CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN MESSIAH.” IN MESSIAH dwells his GOD and FATHERS word.
Psalms 33:6 By the word of YAHWEH were the heavens made; and all the host of them (SUN, MOON AND STARS) by the breath of His mouth (spirit).
Your article “ Difference Between Devil and Demon” Is NOT based on TRUTH but ERROR stemming from the traditions of men, especially Judeo-Christianity and Your misunderstanding of what the scriptures teach about the subject: Please consider the two PDF Links below titled “Angels & Demons” ALSO “Incarnation”… See for yourself what YAHWEH HIMSELF teaches about angels/demons/spirits/ghosts/Idols and Incarnation…
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In Messiah’s Love
RELIGIOUS MYTH: THE EXISTENCE OF “DEMONS” AND “DEVILS”
Brian Hyde January 23, 2020
Good cannot create Evil, because Good is intrinsically Good. Good, by the fact of itself, can only create good.
But, we know “Evil” exists!
Sure it does, but the question is: “How, does it exist?”
Does Evil co-exist with Good, where Evil and Good are equal and opposite polarities occupying the same space? That’s impossible. (See Note) For that to happen there must needs be two intrinsic realities existing simultaneously, one Good and one Evil. But that is an oxymoron for, logically, they would negate each other.
As a theist I submit there can be one intrinsic reality, not two. I do so by virtue of the fact that ultimate intrinsic reality is de facto “God”. In my definition “God” means “all that is, is God” or put another way, “God is all there is; nothing more, nothing less”. Ultimately, God and God alone, exists absolutely. God is the First Source and the Sustainer of all. Thus, ultimate and intrinsic reality is Irrevocable Goodness; is Inescapable Unconditional Love.
As there cannot be more than one intrinsic reality, Evil is the absence of Good. Evil is a construct of dualism. Evil is not intrinsic reality notwithstanding it feels very real; it’s an illusion.
“Evil” is a state of mind that exists contra to that of the innate Goodness that is the Mind of God.
Now, all beings are created by God, for as I said, God is all there is. This means all minds exist within God. That is not, however, the same thing as saying that the thoughts of all minds are created by God. The idea God could create beings that have minds that are intrinsically Evil, when He has a mind that is intrinsically Good, is irrational as it is absurd.
The mind is the faculty of consciousness and of self-awareness. The mind is the arena of thinking and feeling. The nature of thoughts and feelings, their input and output, their ebb and flow, moment by moment, are solely under the direction and control of their owner, an independent living evolving intelligent mind. They are not the product of pre-programing and remote control.
And “evil mind” is a metaphor for mind in a state of dysfunction where thoughts and feelings are distorted. It’s one that gives rise to a range of dark thoughts including those that are pernicious, malignant, malicious, vicious, cruel, sadistic, antagonistic.
Now please read all the above through a second time, only this time with demons in mind. Hopefully, you will quickly see why the idea that Demons exist as beings, is an irrational absurdity, and you will see why even the idea that God could create them, is a logical fallacy. For demons to exist there must needs be two intrinsic realities existing simultaneously, one of God and one of demons. But, again, that is an oxymoron for logically, they would negate each other.
These and similar claims—
like God created an entity called ‘the Devil’, or ‘Satan’—are all absurdities.
God, as pure Unconditional Love would never allow for the existence of spirit entities such as demons, as that would be a direct interference with our free will and subsequently, our learning process.
My own research (and it has been extensive) has persuaded me beyond all possible doubt that demons have no basis in truth. Rather they are the stuff of fiction, of superstition and religious fear.
————————————-
Note: It is impossible for God to create a being that is equal yet opposite to Himself, whether inside or outside of Himself. Nothing can exist as “God” apart from God for God would cease to be Ultimate and Intrinsic Reality. And that’s simply impossible.