Angels and Demons

General idea

His Holiness Pope Shenouda continues his talk about angels and then moves to the subject of the demons as fallen angels; he explains that angels and demons are non-material spirits and that Scripture calls the angels “spirits” and “ministers of fire.”

The devil’s authority and limits of his action

He emphasizes that the devil is a created being under God’s authority, and he cannot act except with God’s permission as in the story of Job, and that his deeds are limited also by God’s will despite his power and ability to harm.

The nature of the demons and spiritual sins

He explains that the demons sin as spirits in pride, lying, envy, hardness, hostility, and stubbornness, and that these sins do not need a body to occur; the demons fell into pride, lying, envy, hatred, and harshness as spiritual sins.

The devil’s power and talents used for evil

He notes that the devil is intelligent, wise, and strong, and that these qualities were exploited for evil—he can mislead nations and spread idolatry, perform signs and wonders in the time of the Antichrist, and grant artistic or poetic talents used for temptation and misleading.

Deception and discernment

He warns of the devil’s deception who may come in dreams or visions and appear as a king or an angel, therefore urging caution and discernment because some prophets and leaders may have messages driven by the devil’s lies.

The jinn and the demons

He points out that the term “jinn” may be used for a group of demons and that he will later address the origin of this expression, concluding with a transition to a later explanation about the jinn.

The theological and pastoral dimension

The spiritual message calls to recognize that the devil is powerful but limited by God’s providence, and that knowledge, spiritual discernment, reliance on God, and steadfastness in faith are the weapon against his deception.

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