Does 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 And James 2:19 Apply Today In Reference To Demons?
Yes.
When it comes to rightly dividing God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15), a worker must distinguish between the temporary and the permanent when applicable. In the first century A.D. there were evil spirits called demons who inhabited the physical bodies of human beings. God allowed Satan (and his “angels”, Matthew 25:41) to have this type of power during that temporary period of time. One purpose of demon exorcism was to demonstrate that Jesus, as the Son of God, had power in the spiritual realm as well as the other realms (Matthew 12:25–29). This was not to remain permanent (thus indicates the principal of Mark 16:20; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
According to 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 and James 2:19, demons are real beings who exist (but are no longer allowed to inhabit the bodies of human beings). 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 also indicates that demons “hide behind” the idols that may even influence our lives today (such as covetousness – Colossians 3:5) because they serve as servants of Satan, the great tempter, who goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We do not know exactly how Satan and his demons influence us today, but it is certainly not in a direct manner. They may use the types of avenues such as the system of the world or the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). Even Paul stated in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 that there are false doctrines that originate with the demons because, in an indirect manner, people believe lies instead of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
In James 2:19, the demons still believe even today that God exists, yet do not obey Him.
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