Question:

Is Satan responsible for every bad thing we do? I was recently told there are demons of divination, sleep, procrastination, fear, and basically anything considered bad. I know there are definitely demons/evil spirits of divination and the like but my issue with this theory is that sleep isn’t inherently bad, only when it is misused to avoid issues or in excess. Isn’t that more a lack of discipline than anything else? Same thing with procrastination – can we really blame a demon for that? Is Satan truly responsible for all our bad habits? I understand that he is always acting on us, determined to make us succumb to our true nature (which is sinful) but can we chalk up insecurity, procrastination, laziness, etc to needing to be delivered from a demon? Is the Holy Spirit being at work in us enough to free us from these things? Or do they need to be cast out?

Answer:

Satan is not responsible for the bad things that you or I do.  I am responsible for the bad things that I do.  You are responsible for the bad things you do, and Satan is responsible for the bad things he does.  It is as simple as that.  When we come before God, we will be held accountable to him for the way we have lived our lives.  It is not complicated.  In 2 Corinthians 5:10 we are told “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”  This passage is not hard to understand.  In Ezekiel 18:4, God tells us that “the soul who sins is the one who will die.”  Fortunately, we have the grace of God to take care of our lostness, but this is still a basic truth.  If you read the rest of Ezekiel 18, you will learn that the father does not bear the consequences of his son’s sins and the son does not bear the consequences of the father’s sins.  There is no mention here (or anywhere else in the Bible) that Satan is responsible for the bad, sinful things that we do.

I believe in demons because Jesus believed in demons and even interacted with them.  Can demons influence us?  Absolutely!  But demons can only influence for evil those who are already inclined toward that evil.

No, there is no “demon of sleep, of procrastination or of fear.”  This is human opinion and it is not supported by scripture.  Could there be a demon who influences you toward fear or procrastination?  I suppose it may be true.  However, if you are saved by Jesus and if you have been forgiven of your sins and have the Holy Spirit living in you (Acts 2:38-39), then you do not need to fear being possessed by a demon.  

It is definitely counterproductive to blame our sins on Satan or one of his demons.  This will not work on judgment day and it will not be helpful in this life either.  Much better is to take personal responsibility for our sins!!!  Yes, the Holy Spirit living in use definitely helps is to overcome sin, and you should rely on the Holy Spirit for help, but when you sin, you should blame only yourself.  James 1:13-15 states clearly that we are completely responsible for our own sins.  That is the end of the story.  Satan can only influence people who already have their own evil desires.

I hope this helps.

John Oakes