Daemon

"The Greek form, rendered "devil" in the Authorized Version of" the New Testament. Daemons are spoken of as spiritual beings "(Matt. 8:16; 10:1; 12:43-45) at enmity with God, and as having a" certain power over man (James 2:19; Rev. 16:14). They recognize our Lord as the Son of God (Matt. 8:20; Luke 4:41). They belong "to the number of those angels that "kept not their first" "estate," "unclean spirits," "fallen angels," the angels of the" "devil (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:7-9). They are the "principalities" "and powers" against which we must "wrestle" (Eph. 6:12)."

"One "possessed with a devil." In the days of our Lord and his" "apostles, evil spirits, "daemons," were mysteriously permitted" by God to exercise an influence both over the souls and bodies "of men, inflicting dumbness (Matt. 9:32), blindness (12:22)," "epilepsy (Mark 9:17-27), insanity (Matt. 8:28; Mark 5:1-5)." Daemoniacs are frequently distinguished from those who are "afflicted with ordinary bodily maladies (Mark 1:32; 16:17, 18;" "Luke 6:17, 18). The daemons speak in their own persons (Matt." "8:29; Mark 1:23, 24; 5:7). This influence is clearly" distinguished from the ordinary power of corruption and of temptation over men. In the daemoniac his personality seems to "be destroyed, and his actions, words, and even thoughts to be" "overborne by the evil spirit (Mark, l.c.; Acts 19:15)."