Don Stewart :: What Do Evil Angels Do?

According to Scripture, the angels who have rebelled against God have nothing but evil intentions. These personages ceaselessly oppose God in every way in which they are able.

1. Do The Work Of Satan

The evil angels do the work of their master, Satan. As the righteous angels do the work of the Lord, these evil angels follow the orders of the Devil. Scripture makes it clear that these angels belong to the Devil.

Then He will say to those at His left, 'You that are accursed, depart from Me into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

2. Oppose God's People

Evil angels work in opposition to God's purposes and God's people. They attempt to hinder the spiritual life of believers. We find an example of their hindering work in the Book of Daniel.

But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees. He said to me, "Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you." So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling. He said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days (Daniel 10:10-14).

This angel hindered the answer to Daniel's prayer for twenty-one days.

3. Fight Against Good Angels

Evil angels are in a struggle against good angels.

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back (Revelation 12:7).

4. Afflict God's People

As much as they are able, they attempt to afflict God's servants.

even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Evil angels are opposed to both the temporal and eternal welfare of humanity.

5. Deceive God's People

They are involved, with their master Satan, in a ministry of deception. They will send their false prophets to deceive the people of God.

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24).

They will even produce false signs in their deception.

6. Can Bring False Teaching

Scripture warns us about angels delivering false teaching to humanity in the form of "another gospel."

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! (Galatians 1:6-9).

Consequently we have been warned that an angelic appearance does not mean that God sent that angel. Evil angels can deceive humanity by bringing false teaching and another gospel. The Bible makes it clear what message humanity should receive.

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).

The person, and work, of Jesus Christ is the central message of Scripture.

Summary

The evil angels do the work of their master - Satan. They follow his orders and are subjects of his kingdom. They tempt humanity to sin and to turn away from the things of God. We are also warned that angels can appear to humans and teach false doctrine. Consequently, believers must always look to the real Jesus to discover God's straight and narrow way.