When I started in deliverance ministry, one of the first lessons about evil spirits that I learned was this: Fear is the most common right of entry for demons. In fact, I believe that more people become possessed by fear than anything else. Fear isn’t the most powerful demon. That dubious distinction goes to Lucifer, Leviathan, Mammon, Jezebel, and other such evil spirits. Fear isn’t the most despicable demon. On that list are names like Perversion, Lust, Pedophilia, Murder, and Incest. So, why is the demon of Fear so significant in the kingdom of darkness? To answer that question, let’s turn to two Bible verses.
The first verse to consider is Second Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Here is the explanation of this passage given by one respected Bible commentator: “The Bible encourages us to be courageous and not to succumb to fear. God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control.” That sounds good, but it begs the question as to what the apostle Paul meant by the words “spirit of fear.” Every Bible commentary I’ve consulted treats the word “spirit” as referring to an attitudinal approach to life. But the Greek word here is “pneuma” which means “breathe” or “soul.” The Hebrew equivalent is “ruach” [RU-auck] which means “an invisible force or power.” It has nothing to do with one’s frame of mind or point of view. Fear is more than an outlook on life. It is a spirit, and Paul is telling Timothy that as Christians we have the true pneuma, the Holy Spirit, not the evil spirit of Fear.
The second verse we’ll reference is Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” The meaning here is obvious. The corollary, the proposition that follows, is that if faith pleases the Lord, then fear pleases the devil. The two are antithetical, diametrically opposed polar-opposites. Those justified by trust in Christ live by faith (Hebrews 10:38). By faith we understand that all of existence was created by God (Hebrews 11:13). It is Satan who traffics in fear, irrational phobias, dread of the dark, xenophobia of the unknown, future fright of what might happen, and the most disenabling fear of all—thanatophobia, the fear of death.
Is fear a demon spirit? YES! This demon causes overwhelming apprehension and aggravates any existing feelings of trepidation. In my experience as an exorcist, harboring unresolved fear in one’s life is the open door to many other kinds of demons. It’s not the most powerful demon, but Fear is often the entry point for evil entities far more vicious. So, before you pursue deliverance for demons you suspect are tormenting your life, first get free from fear. Then you will please God and truly walk in power, love, and a sound mind.
