Angel vs. Demon: How do they differ?

As a Christian, understanding the difference between Angels and demons is important because they play a significant role in the faith journey of believers; angels direct us to God, while demons distract and pull us away from God. This is why I decided to lead my Bible study group of youths in such a discussion. Before I started the topic, one of them told me that sometimes, it was hard for him to distinguish messages between angels and demons because demons assume the nature of angels. I realized we had to dig deep and understand the difference between Angel vs. Demon.

Join me in this article as I write about the differences and similarities between Angels and Demons. I will also write about their nature and significance according to the Bible. Read on to find out.

Angel vs. Demon: Difference in the definition

Angels are heavenly spirits/ hosts who are God’s messengers and warriors that fight the spiritual battles of believers. According to the Bible, Hebrews 1:14, angels are ministering spirits that God sends to serve people for their salvation. They are called Angelos in Greek, and the word Angelos means messenger. Also, Angels can be defined as heavenly hosts that engage in spiritual warfare on behalf of God’s people. For instance, in the book of Revelation 12:7, Archangel Michael, alongside His angels, fights with the evil dragon, Satan, who also had his angels.

On the other hand, demons are defined as evil counterparts of angels that were thrown away from heaven for rebelling against God—fallen angels. Although demons do not have an exact definition in the Bible, from different passages, demons are evil entities that counter Angels and are always against God and His believers. They are beings that were once holy and lived with other angels in heaven until they started rebelling against God and became evil. Christians define demons as fallen angels based on the war between Archangel Michael and the dragon; the dragon is said to be Satan, who led the angels to rebel against God.

Difference between Angel and Demon

Angels are believed to be good, while Demons are believed to be evil

Angels are considered to be good spirits that intentionally fight for the good of human beings. They help human beings in their journey of salvation, according to Hebrews 1:14. On the other hand, demons are evil spirits that are always out to put down believers and fight against their salvation journey. They are the causes of temptations in believers’ lives. For example, the demon was shameless enough to temp Jesus, the son of God. The demons still do it today; they tempt believers to sway their faith.

Angels appear to humans, while demons possess human beings

Angels often appear to believers as humans with a message from God. For example, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and gave her the message of God. On the other hand, demons possess human beings intending to hurt and manipulate them. For example, Matthew 17:14-18 talks about Jesus casting out a demon that has possessed a boy and made him have epilepsy.

Angels submit to God, while Demons rebel against God

Angels submit to God and do the will of God. As much as they are powerful, they are not omnipresent and omniscient and therefore submit to the creator of all beings, God. On the other hand, demons are rebellious and refuse to submit to God because they want to be like him. They stopped being angels and became demons because they rebelled against God and fought with other angels.

Similarities between Angel and Demon

They were both Created by God

Both Angels and demons were created by God. The book of Psalm 148:5 says that because God created all things, including angels, they should sing and worship Him. Although it is argued that God created angels only for them to become demons at their own will, it is still logical to say that they created demons. In Ephesians 3:9, God created all things, and demons had a beginning. It took God’s hands for them to be created.

They are both nonphysical and nonsexual

Angels do not have a physical body, and they are not sexual; therefore cannot procreate. Similarly, demons cannot procreate because they are evil spirits without bodies and are nonsexual.

Nature and significance of angels and demons according to the Bible

Nature Angels

1. Angels are spirits. They do not have flesh or bones
2. Angels can see, according to Matthew 18:10.
3. Angels can speak according to Luke 2:3-14 which talks about angels singing to God.
4. Angels are submissive and follow the will of God

Significance

1. Angels serve as messengers of God and guardians of individual believers and nations, according to Luke 1:11-38.
2. Angels praise God according to Revelation 5:11-12.
3. Angels protect human beings according to Psalms 91:11.

Nature of Demons

1. Demons can enter into the bodies of human beings, according to Mark 5:8-11.
2. Demons are rebellious according to the story of fallen angels
3. Demons are deceptive, according to Revelation 16:14

Significance of Demons

1. Demons are the causes of temptations and bring false doctrines to sway believers according to 1^st John 4:2-3.
2. Demons spread the attitude of rebellion against God.

How many types of angels are there?

There are nine types of angels, and they include;

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Throne
4. Dominion
5. Virtues
6. Powers
7. Principalities
8. Archangels
9. Angels

Among the mentioned angels, the Bible only gives the names of two; Archangel Michael and Angel Gabriel.

How many types of demons are there?

There is no Biblical classification of the types of demons that are there. The current types being mentioned are works of theology and need solid support from the scripture. So there needs to be more knowledge about the number of types of demons. However, to mention a few, some pastors and church leaders group demons into the following groups;

1. Jezebels
2. Pythons
3. Delilahs
4. Mermaids
5. Absalom.