Are We Overusing the Word Demonic?

One of the more troubling trends I’ve noticed in Christian conversations is the habit of calling every viewpoint we dislike “demonic.” I’ve seen it applied to abortion, to “transgender ideology,” and to other cultural issues. While it’s true that evil spiritual beings influence the structures and patterns of this world, labeling everything we oppose as “demonic” is neither helpful nor accurate.

Why? Because the moment we throw out the word “demonic,” we effectively shut down dialogue. That label doesn’t invite conversation—it ends it. If I believe your position is demonic, then why would you listen to me? Why would you try to understand my point of view? Your only option is to resist me, rather than reason with me. 

As followers of Jesus, aren’t we called to do more than shout down our opponents? Aren’t we called to persuade, to love, and to embody the truth in ways that draw others in rather than drive them away?

There’s another danger, too. It’s easy to reserve the label “demonic” for ideas we already dislike while overlooking how evil spiritual forces influence things we personally support. For example, some Christians are quick to call abortion demonic, but slow to acknowledge the demonic influence behind war, nationalism, patriotism, racism, or unjust economic systems. If Satan truly masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), then his influence may be most dangerous where we least expect it—among the things we feel most comfortable with.

I’ll be honest: I struggle with this myself. Recently I shared a post on Facebook that said, “A person being murdered is only rationalized by the depraved and only celebrated by the demonic.” I could rationalize my sharing of that statement, and in one sense I do believe it captures truth. But it also reminded me how easy it is to use the word “demonic” to make a point. It feels strong and clarifying, but if I’m not careful, it can oversimplify complex realities or shut down conversation. I also fear that using the word “demonic” can dehumanize people on the other side. That tension between being helpful and creating barriers is exactly why I need to be cautious with my language.

This is where Paul’s example in Acts 17 is so helpful. When he stood in Athens surrounded by idols, he didn’t start by condemning their worship as demonic—even though idolatry is clearly opposed to God. Instead, he looked for common ground. “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious” (Acts 17:22). Rather than shutting the conversation down with a harsh label, he opened it up with respect and curiosity. He even quoted their own poets to build a bridge. Only after establishing that connection did he clearly point them to the true God and call them to repentance.

Paul shows us a better way. He didn’t deny the reality of spiritual darkness, but he also didn’t weaponize that truth to silence his listeners. Instead, he used it as a foundation for dialogue and an opportunity for witness. That’s the model we need today.

The Apostle Paul also reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle “is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Yes, there are spiritual powers at work behind the brokenness of this world. But recognizing that should make us humble, not careless with our words. It should drive us to prayer, discernment, and faithful living—not to weaponizing the word “demonic” as a way of dismissing those who disagree with us.

When Christians casually call opposing views “demonic,” we misrepresent the gospel. We risk treating people as enemies rather than fellow humans made in God’s image. We give ourselves an excuse not to love, not to listen, not to engage. Instead, we are called to see people as captives in need of liberation, not as enemies to be destroyed.

So the next time we’re tempted to use “demonic” as a quick label, let’s pause. Let’s remember that spiritual forces are at work everywhere—not just in the causes we oppose, but in the ones we embrace. And let’s choose the harder, better way: to engage with compassion, to reason with gentleness, and to bear witness to the kingdom of God without relying on shortcuts that shut the conversation down.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Clarity: How do I Engage in Spiritual Warfare?

In a world that’s rapidly changing, where the United States has o entered what some call the “Post-Christian Era,” we’re faced with a sobering reality: most people no longer attend weekly worship services or affiliate with any religion. 

During the Great Depression, church attendance surged as people sought hope and meaning amid the financial hardship they experienced. Since the turn of the century we see the opposite happening: the rise of the “Nones”—those who claim no religious affiliation. This change in reality isn’t just a statistic; it’s our lived experience. We live alongside, work with, and are friends with, and have family whose worldview—the lens through which they interpret reality—differs drastically from our own.

This difference in worldview matters. It’s not that those with a different way of looking at the world are inherently “bad” or “evil”; it does mean they operate from a distinct moral framework, pursue a different purpose in life, and draw authority from sources other than the Bible. Understanding this is crucial if we’re to build meaningful relationships and share the Gospel effectively. 

I think it also forces us to confront a deeper question: What do I believe? If we’re to withstand constant challenges to our faith and communicate the Gospel clearly, we must know what we believe and why we hold those beliefs.

That is the purpose behind this blog series, Clarity: Thinking Clearly about Life’s Tough Topics. My goal isn’t to hand you a list of “correct” Christian answers to common questions, but to show how the Bible equips us to wrestle with some of today’s toughest issues. We should not see the Bible as an instruction manual with step-by-step fixes for life’s problems. Instead, it’s a guidebook, that helps us construct a worldview that makes sense of the world. And to kick off this journey, we’re diving into a topic that’s often overlooked or misunderstood: spiritual warfare.

The Spiritual Reality We Can’t Ignore

Let’s be honest—there’s some wild stuff in the Bible. A talking serpent in Genesis 3? A cherubim wielding a flaming sword to guard Eden? The “sons of God” marrying the “daughters of man” and producing heroic offspring? That’s just the opening act! 

Flip to Job 1:6, where Satan walks into God’s presence, or 2 Kings 6, where invisible armies surround Elisha, or Daniel 10, where angelic beings battle behind the scenes. Then there’s Jesus, confronting demons throughout the Gospels. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the unseen—it insists there’s more to reality than what meets the eye.

This brings us to Ephesians, a letter from the Apostle Paul to churches in Asia Minor. This letter were intended to be shared among the different churches. One of the recurring themes in the letter is the spiritual realm. Paul mentions it repeatedly—six times, by my count (e.g., Ephesians 1:21, 3:10)—urging believers to recognize the cosmic conflict unfolding around them. He wraps up the letter with a rousing pep talk in Ephesians 6:10-20, outlining our role in this spiritual battle.  What wisdom does the Apostle have for us?

What Ephesians Teaches Us About Spiritual Warfare

Paul begins, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Our strength doesn’t come from within—it flows from our relationship with God. We’re powerless to withstand this spiritual warfare our own, but God equips us with His armor. Who is the enemy? Satan and his forces, scheming to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). They wield influence in this world, that is why Paul clarifies: our real fight isn’t against flesh-and-blood people but against these spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12).

So, what part do we play in this spiritual battle? We stand firm. The image we should have in our minds is that of the Roman army, famed for its unyielding formations. Soldiers locked shields, planted their feet, and thrust spears forward—armor only on the front because retreat wasn’t an option. United, they were invincible. Likewise, we stand together, relying on God’s power, not our own.

Paul details the armor we’re given: the belt of truth (living with integrity), the breastplate of righteousness (right relationships with God and others), shoes of the Gospel of peace (sharing the good news of King Jesus), the shield of faith (loyalty to God), the helmet of salvation (assurance of our security in Christ), and the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word, our only offensive tool). This isn’t just poetic imagery— it comes from Isaiah 59:17 where God puts on His armor to save His people, and now He shares this armor with us.

At the end we see that prayer ties it all together. Prayer is how we lean on God, aligning our hearts with His. Paul’s point isn’t to sensationalize spiritual warfare—naming demons or picking fights with cosmic powers—but to ground us in a simple, steady response: resist by standing firm.

Our Part in the Battle

So, what’s our role in this unseen conflict? 

First, we stand united. Ephesians 3:10-11 reveals God’s grand plan: the Church, diverse yet unified, showcases His wisdom to the spiritual realm, advancing His mission to restore creation. Our job isn’t to chase down demons but to live faithfully—loving, serving, preaching the Gospel, seeking reconciliation, and offering forgiveness. This is how we push back darkness.

Second, we pray. Yes, pray for physical needs and healing, but also for Kingdom priorities—wisdom, courage, and the expansion of God’s reign. Let Scripture shape your prayers; ask for boldness to carry His love into the world.

Third, we don’t overstep. Jude 1:8-10 warns against those who arrogantly challenge spiritual powers they don’t understand. Our only offensive weapon is God’s Word, not because we’re weak, but because victory isn’t ours to win—Jesus already secured it. We’re not meant to start cosmic showdowns. Even when confronting evil (like the demon-possessed in Acts 19:13-16), we rely on prayer and Jesus’ authority, not our own authority.

Standing Strong in a Cosmic War

The Bible offers a glimpse into a reality far bigger than human sin. It’s a cosmic rebellion against God, spilling into our physical reality. Our mission? Stay faithful. Clothed in God’s armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word—we resist evil’s advance. United and prayerful, we don’t just hold ground; we reclaim it for God’s Kingdom.

The big idea is simple yet profound: engaging in spiritual warfare means relying on God and standing strong in faith. Jesus won the victory; we spread the victory by making disciples. Every act done in His name—every kindness, every witness—pushes back the tide of evil. Our call is to remain faithful.

A Daily Challenge

Here’s your challenge: pray Ephesians 6:13-17 daily. Ask God to clothe you in His armor—not just for yourself, but for your whole church family. We all need it to stand firm. This isn’t a battle against people (though they may be pawns in the war), but against rebellious spiritual forces. Our response? Put on God’s armor every day and stand.

Closing Prayer

This week in our prayers let’s: (1) Thank God for new life in Christ. (2) Ask Him to clothe us in His armor. (3) Commit to stand firm. This is how we engage in the battle—not with fear or frenzy, but with faith, unity, and reliance on God’s strength.