The worship of demons is a practice that is explicitly condemned in the Bible, as it stands in direct opposition to the worship of the one true God. Throughout Scripture, the worship of demons is associated with idolatry, false religions, and the spiritual deception that leads people away from God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the worship of demons is often linked with the idolatrous practices of the nations surrounding Israel. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting these practices. In Deuteronomy 32:17, it is stated, "They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear." This verse highlights the spiritual adultery of Israel when they turned to foreign gods, which were, in essence, demons.

The Psalms also reflect on this theme. Psalm 106:37-38 recounts the tragic consequences of such idolatry: "They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood." Here, the worship of demons is directly associated with the horrific practice of child sacrifice, illustrating the depth of moral and spiritual corruption involved.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of demon worship in the context of idolatry. In 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, Paul warns the Corinthian believers, "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons." Paul makes it clear that participating in pagan rituals is tantamount to communing with demons, and such practices are incompatible with the Christian faith.

The Book of Revelation also speaks to the worship of demons in the end times. Revelation 9:20 describes the persistence of idolatry and demon worship despite divine judgments: "The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk." This passage underscores the stubbornness of humanity in clinging to demon worship even in the face of God's wrath.

Theological Implications

The worship of demons is fundamentally a rejection of God's sovereignty and a turning towards spiritual darkness. It is portrayed in Scripture as a grave sin that leads to spiritual bondage and moral decay. The Bible consistently calls believers to worship God alone and to reject all forms of idolatry and demonic influence. The worship of demons is not merely a matter of religious error but a profound spiritual rebellion against God, with serious consequences for individuals and communities.

Practical Considerations

For Christians, the call to avoid the worship of demons extends to a broader rejection of any practices or beliefs that compromise their allegiance to God. This includes discernment in cultural and religious practices that may have roots in idolatry or occultism. Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and to uphold the truth of the Gospel, recognizing that spiritual warfare is a reality and that allegiance to Christ requires a clear break from all forms of idolatry and demonic influence.Leviticus 17:7
And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations.
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Deuteronomy 32:17
They sacrificed to devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
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2 Chronicles 11:15
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
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Psalm 106:37
Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to devils,
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Matthew 4:9
And said to him, All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.
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Luke 4:7
If you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours.
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1 Corinthians 10:20,21
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils.
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1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
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Revelation 13:4
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power to the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like to the beast? who is able to make war with him?
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The Worship of Demons.
... III."The Worship of Demons. When Almighty God, to beautify the nature
of the world, willed that that earth should be visited by ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/iii the worship of demons.htm

The Demons Allure Men to the Worship of Images.
... Chapter XXVI."The Demons Allure Men to the Worship of Images. They who
draw men to idols, then, are the aforesaid demons, who ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxvi the demons allure men.htm

In a Passage Previously Quoted Celsus Asks us Why we do not ...
... Chapter II. In a passage previously quoted Celsus asks us why we do not
worship demons? In a passage previously quoted Celsus ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter ii in a passage.htm

Of Porphyry's Weakness in Wavering Between the Confession of the ...
... Book X. Chapter 26."Of Porphyry's Weakness in Wavering Between the Confession
of the True God and the Worship of Demons. I know ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of porphyrys weakness in.htm

That we Must, Notwithstanding the Opinion of Apuleius, Reject the ...
... Book VIII. Chapter 22."That We Must, Notwithstanding the Opinion of Apuleius,
Reject the Worship of Demons. None of these four ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 that we must notwithstanding.htm

Of the Patience and Vengeance of God, the Worship of Demons, and ...
... the divine institutes. Book II. Of the Origin of Error. Chap. XVIII."Of the Patience
and Vengeance of God, the Worship of Demons, and False Religions. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii of the patience and.htm

And it is not we Alone who Speak of Wicked Demons...
... Hence we are determined to avoid the worship of demons even as we would avoid death;
and we hold that the worship, which is supposed among the Greeks to be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxix and it is.htm

Whether it is Proper that Men Should Worship those Spirits from ...
... swelling and surging in the souls of demons. Why, therefore, except through foolishness
and miserable error shouldst thou humble thyself to worship a being to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 whether it is proper.htm

Whether the Gods Use the Demons as Messengers and Interpreters ...
... and through whom, when necessary, they may succor men; and it is on account of this
office that the demons themselves have been held as deserving of worship. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 whether the gods use.htm

Whether Divination is a Species of Superstition?
... Reply to Objection 2: This kind of divination pertains to the worship of the demons,
inasmuch as one enters into a compact, tacit or express with the demons. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination is a species.htm

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