Should Christians Be Afraid of Demons? | Dr. Douglas Groothuis

Summit Ministries

Should Christians be afraid of demons and the devil?

Dr. Douglas Groothuis explains what Scripture teaches about Satan, demons, spiritual warfare, and how followers of Jesus should respond to the reality of spiritual evil.

The Bible doesn’t encourage Christians to obsess over or speculate about the demonic world. Instead, it focuses on God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and Jesus Christ’s victorious work.

Jesus confronted and cast out demons, and his work ultimately defeats the devil’s works. Because of this, Christians don’t need to approach spiritual warfare with fear. They can respond with confidence in Christ.

Groothuis explains why Christians should avoid giving the devil a foothold, walk in the Spirit, know Scripture, pray, put on the full armor of God, and continue faithfully doing God’s will.

  • Possible Discussion Questions
  • Recommended Resources
  • Why do you think Christians can fall into two extremes regarding demons—either ignoring spiritual evil altogether or becoming overly fascinated with it?
  • Groothuis argues that Christians should respond to spiritual evil with confidence, not fear. What biblical truths ground that confidence?
  • What does it practically look like to resist the devil and “put on the full armor of God” in everyday Christian life?

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