Chapter 87 - Demonization

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Given the fact that Satan owns absolutely nothing, does the Greek word daimonizomai (dahee-mon-id'-zom-ahee) warrant a translation of “demon-possession”? Is it truly indicative of inhabitation, ownership, or domination?

An Unfortunate Term

According to Dr. Timothy Warner, “We obtained our English word demon by transliterating the Greek word daimon. We should have done the same thing with the Greek word daimonizomai - a verb form from the same Greek root. It would come into English as “demonize,” and we could then speak of the degree to which a person could be demonized rather than being limited to the either-or options imposed by the “possessed” – “not possessed” view...”[1]

Dr. Wayne Grudem said, “The term demon possession is an unfortunate term that has found its way into some English translations of the Bible but is not really reflected in the Greek text. The Greek New Testament can speak of people who “have a demon” (Matthew 11:18; Luke 7:33; 8:27; John 7:20; 8:48, 49, 52; 10:20), or it can speak of people who are suffering from demonic influence, but it never uses language that suggests that a demon actually “possesses” someone.”[2]

Reviewing the etymology of the root word daimonizomai and its participle daimonizomenos provides insight. Etymology is the study of the origin and historical development of a word. Among other things, it might examine its earliest known usage; changes in form and meaning through history; changes in usage from one language to another; the word's structure; etc.

According to the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, the verb daimonizomai means “to be possessed by a demon.” Nevertheless, its root and structure do not necessarily support such a translation.

The participle daimonizomenos, used 13 times in the New Testament, is derived from the root word daimonizomai. (Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 28, 33; 9:32; 12:22; 15:22; Mark 1:32; 5:15, 16, 18; Luke 8:36; John 10:21) According to Dr. Fred Dickason, “it is used only in the present tense, indicating the continued state of one inhabited by a demon, or demonized. ‘This participle has components to its structure. First is the root, daimon, which indicates involvement with demons. Second is the causative stem, iz, which shows that there is an active cause in this verb.’ Third is the passive ending omenos. This conveys the passivity of the person described as demonized.” Consequently, Dickason believes both the root daimonizomai and its participle daimonizomenos are indicative of a “demon caused passivity.”

According to Dickason, “This indicates a control other than that of the person who is demonized; he is regarded as the recipient of the demon’s action. In other words, demonization pictures a demon controlling a somewhat passive human.”

Demon-Caused Passivity

“Demonization” is very different from “demon-possession.” Rather than connotative of demon inhabitation, ownership, and domination, it is indicative of “demon-caused passivity.” More specifically, it refers to progressive degrees of passivity toward God potentially manifested through means of satanic influence, intimidation, and control.

Demonic influence and intimidation are designed to lead to the fulfillment of the ultimate goal: demonic control. The purpose of demonic influence is to manipulate change in human behavior. Demonic intimidation gives motive for the change in behavior: fear. Demonic control provides for the domination of human behavior. As a result, the will of Satan is achieved on earth.

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Stages of Demon-Caused Passivity

First stage: passivity toward God is established by the satanic influence of the human behavior.

Passivity toward God is manipulated by the influence of changes in thinking, decision-making, and consequent, action.

Passivity toward God evolves through the influence of progressive degrees of subtle, strategic lies.

Progressive degrees of the influence of strategic lies are designed to lead to the second stage of passivity toward God.

Second stage: passivity toward God evolves through satanic intimidation.

Passivity toward God by demonic intimidation evolves through fear caused by the repetition of strategic lies.

Passivity toward God evolves by fearful intimidation through progressive degrees of repeated strategic lies.

Progressive degrees of intimidation by strategically repeated lies are designed to lead to the third stage of passivity toward God.

Third stage: passivity toward God reaches its apex through the control of human behavior.

Passivity toward God by the control of human behavior evolves through footholds created by repeated lies that become firmly rooted and thus, entrenched thinking.

Passivity toward God by the control of human behavior evolves through progressive degrees of footholds of entrenched thinking.

Footholds of entrenched thinking are the deepest stage of passivity toward God.

Fourth Stage: Many have been falsely led to presume there is an additional stage of passivity toward God called “demon-possession.”

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In reality, there is no fourth stage of “demonization.” Passivity toward God is fully satisfied by its third stage, the control of human behavior manifested through footholds of entrenched thinking. Any idea to the contrary is merely a strategic lie.

Unbeliever and Believer

Both unbeliever and believer can be “demonized” or afflicted by “demon- caused passivity.” The demonization of the unbeliever, however, is very different from the demonization of the believer:

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Demonization of the Unbeliever	Demonization of the Believer
The unbeliever temporarily exists on the darkened, degenerated earth, the realm of satanic authority.	The believer temporarily exists on the darkened, degenerated earth, the realm of satanic authority.
The unbeliever’s right of ownership was graciously purchased by the blood of the cross, the blood of the Eternal Covenant.	The believer’s right of ownership was graciously purchased by the blood of the cross, the blood of the Eternal Covenant.
The unbeliever has not accepted the offer of redemption and thus has not received the benefit of the Eternal Covenant.	The believer has accepted the offer of redemption and received the benefit of the Eternal Covenant by grace through faith alone.
Unredeemed, the unbeliever is not blessed by the benefit of the Eternal Covenant and remains destined for eternal darkness.	Redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the believer has received the covenantal benefit of divine ownership, new law, new life (zoe), and is destined for eternal glory.
Not redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the unbeliever is separated from God and is a citizen of the “domain of darkness,” the realm of satanic authority.	Redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the believer was rescued from citizenship in the “domain of darkness,” and graciously provided with citizenship in the kingdom of God, the realm of divine authority.
The unbeliever is subject to satanic authority.	The believer is subject to divine authority.
The “domain of darkness” is ruled by the “law of sin,” otherwise referred to in the New Testament as the “law of sin and of death,” the “ministry of death,” and the “ministry of condemnation.” It is a demanding, external rule of law and thus, the law of the dead.	The kingdom of God is governed by the “law of God,” otherwise referred to in the New Testament as the “law of faith,” the “law of Christ,” the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus,” the “perfect law,” and the “law of liberty.” It is a gracious, internal rule of law, the rule of indwelling life (zoe), and thus, the law of the living (zoe).
For the benefit of the unbeliever, the “law of sin” is “holy and righteous and good.” It was designed to: Demonstrate to the unbeliever his failure to obey according to the divine standard of perfection and consequently, reveal the guilt of his sinfulness. Make the unbeliever aware of his accountability to God. Serve as a tutor to lead the unbeliever to faith in Jesus Christ.	For the benefit of the believer, God designed the “law of God” to reveal the life (zoe), grace, and glory of the Savior.
The “law of sin” has a requirement of righteousness. Congruent with the justice of God, its satisfaction demands perfect obedience. Relative to “sin in the flesh,” however, the unbeliever is incapable of satisfying the requirement of the “law of sin.”	The righteous requirement of the “law of sin” was perfectly satisfied by the sinless life of the incarnate Christ.
Not redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the unbeliever is not justified from sin; past, present, and future. Therefore, he has not been forgiven of sin, has not received an imputation of Christ’s righteousness, and has not been declared righteous by God. Thus, the unbeliever remains accountable to God for the penalty and debt of sin.	Redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the believer was justified from sin. Therefore, he was forgiven of all sin; past, present, and future, received an imputation of Christ’s righteousness, and, as a result, was declared righteous with an eternally binding declaration. Thus, the believer does not remain accountable to God for the penalty and debt of sin.
Not redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the unbeliever has not been released from the jurisdiction (authority) of the “law of sin.” He remains accountable to God by the “law of sin” and the fulfillment of its requirement of righteousness.	Redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, Christ’s righteousness was imputed to the believer. Concordant with the imputation, the righteous requirement of the “law of sin” was fulfilled “in” the believer. Therefore, he was released from the jurisdiction (authority) of the “law of sin” to the gracious “law of God,” the law of His kingdom. Thus, the believer is no longer accountable to God for fulfilling the righteous requirement of the “law of sin.”
Not redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the religious unbeliever ignorantly attempts to fulfill the requirement of the “law of sin” by the “obedience” of dead works. It leads only to failure, guilt, and condemnation.	Redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the believer’s cooperation with God is fully satisfied according to the “obedience of faith.”
The demonization (demon-caused passivity) of the unbeliever is possible and legal.	The demonization (demon-caused passivity) of the believer is possible but not legal.
Satan exploits the “law of sin” to demonize the unbeliever. He schemes to convince the unbeliever that his satisfaction of the requirement of the “law of sin” can make him acceptable to God. This logic has two obvious flaws. First, it misunderstands the divine purpose of the “law of sin.” Second, no human being, believer or unbeliever, is capable of satisfying the righteous requirement of the “law of sin.” This is why the Savior fulfilled it.	Satan also exploits the “law of sin” in an attempt to demonize the believer. He schemes to keep him from knowing Jesus Christ fully satisfied the righteous requirement of the “law of sin,” he was released from its authority, and transferred to the kingdom of God where he is governed by the gracious “law of God.” Concordant with the schemes of Satan, however, the ignorant believer is convinced he remains obligated to satisfy the righteous requirement of the “law of sin” through the performance of “dead works.” As a result, he is effectively lifeless (zoe), law-bound, and spiritually fruitless.
The religious unbeliever attempts to please God by obedience to religious law. However, because he is biblically illiterate, he does not understand that his efforts are displeasing to God.	Trying to accomplish the impossible task of satisfying the requirement of the “law of sin” is miserable (wretched). It is characterized by the bondage of the failure and guilt of continual disobedience.
Demonization (“demon-caused passivity”) is possible and legal because the unbeliever has not been redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant and remains subject to the “law of sin.”	Although demonization (“demon-caused passivity”) is possible, it is not legal because the believer has been redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant and released from the (jurisdiction) authority of the “law of sin.”

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Despite his utter defeat, Satan still can “demonize” both unbeliever and believer. However, the "demonization" (“demon caused passivity”), characterized by demonic influence, intimidation, control, is merely an attempt to cause human beings to fear him more than God and as a result, become passive toward God.

The “demonization” (“demon-caused passivity”) of human beings is made possible only by the demonic manipulation of the “law of sin.” Although God uses the “law of sin” to lead the dead to life (zoe), Satan uses it to capture the living (zoe) and the dead in a vicious cycle of disobedience, guilt, and condemnation. (Romans 7:14-8:17; Galatians 3:24)

Legal and Illegal

Satan’s “demonization” (“demon caused passivity”) of the unbeliever is legal. He is a sinner or “law-breaker.” The unbeliever is guilty of breaking the divine “law of sin.” Consequently, he is separated from God, a citizen of the “domain of darkness” (realm of satanic authority; realm of sin and death), and subject to satanic authority.

Regarding the sinner, satanic accusations of transgression are accurate and truthful. His sin (law-breaking) provides the legal basis for his “demonization” and thus, affliction by “demon-caused passivity.”

In contrast, the “demonization” (demon-caused passivity) of the believer is also possible. However, it has no legal basis. Therefore, “demonization” is only a problem for the believer who is ignorant of the redemptive work of Christ.

The believer has been justified from sin and consequently, forgiven of all transgression of the “law of sin,” past, present, and future, provided with an imputation of divine righteousness, and declared righteous with an eternally binding declaration. Therefore, the believer was released from the jurisdiction of the “law of sin.” Thus, every satanic accusation of the believer’s transgression of the “law of sin” is simply false.

Despite the redemptive work of Christ, the believer who is ignorant of the redemptive work of Christ can be “demonized.” However, it is illegal and limited. Consequently, the “demonization” of the believer, manipulated through repeated lies, is characterized only by degrees of influence and intimidation. Control is not possible. Nevertheless, it causes much suffering in the Christian life.

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Passivity

The dictionary definition of passivity is “influenced, acted upon, or affected by some external force” and thus, “being the object of action rather than causing action.” [1] It is the antithesis of activity.

The lies of the devil are designed to encourage human beings, both unbelievers and believers, to be passive. Why?

Passive people are often less sensitive regarding the evil influence of a spiritual “external force.” Because they don't discern the influence as evil, they are more likely to see it as acceptable.

Believing the external influence to be acceptable, passive people are typically less active in pursuing the will of God. They are more likely to settle for the path of least resistance than a life of servanthood.

Passive people are less responsive to God. More easily satisfied than active people, they are easier to manipulate.

Passive people are less cognizant of the doctrine of God. Therefore, they are more likely to self-subject to the “law of sin” from which they have been released. Thus, their walk with God is effectively law-bound and lifeless (zoe).

Passive people are less interested in the eternal. They are more concerned with the temporal and thus, the present.

Passive people are less attentive to God than self. Consequently, they are typically satisfied with shallower truths and as a result, less likely to explore the deeper truths of God.

Passive people are less available to God. By default, then, they are more available to sin, the world, and satanic deception.

In this present age, “demon-caused passivity” is designed to prevent the church from an active, life-based (zoe) pursuit of God. As a result, the modern church is typically law-based and thus divided between active “clergy” and inactive “laity.” The inactive “laity” or “congregation” does nothing more than sit passively and listen to a lecture about God. Relative to the inconspicuous nature of the deception, the modern church fails to recognize that its organizational strategy has produced nothing more than generations of passive believers.

Activity

The New Testament clearly reveals of the function, form, purpose, mission, manifestation, law, and life (zoe) of the New Testament church. Nevertheless, from the third century AD to the present day, human beings have largely established a passive, organizational church based on little more than common religious interest and Old Testament law. This differs vastly different from the church revealed in the New Testament.

The New Testament church was created in eternity to be a spiritual habitation for the eternal God on earth. It was made a “dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)

The heavenly Father appointed Jesus Christ to the role of New Testament church headship. Foreknown and predestined before the foundation of the world, its spiritual body was comprised of redeemed human beings united together by shared life (zoe). Individually and collectively joined to the living (zoe) God, the spiritual body of the New Testament church was made to be legally representative and organically representational of God on earth.

Nearly 1700 years ago, however, the New Testament church was radically transformed. It transitioned from organic to inorganic, life-based (zoe) to law-based. The predominant influence was the intermarriage of the life-based (zoe) New Testament church with a law-based, organizational strategy. Many centuries later, the strategy of the lifeless (zoe), law-bound church remains contrary to the life-based (zoe) teaching of the New Testament.

The lifeless (zoe), law-bound simulation of the New Testament church is typically characterized by an intermarried, mixed congregation. It is comprised of a marriage between believers and unbelievers who attend a religious service once weekly to hear religious, law-based teaching about God.

The only truly active person in the congregation is the “pastor,” who performs law-based teaching about God. As indicated, the rest of the congregation is entirely passive.

Evidential of its lifeless (zoe), law-bound strategy and resultant passivity, the modern, religious church struggles to produce even a single conversion annually. “… only 3–5% of all U.S. churches are growing primarily through conversion.”[2]

The New Testament church was not designed to sit passively and listen to a lecture about God. Instead, it was predestined before the foundation of the world to actively enjoy God through means of intimate, shared life fellowship.

The lifeless (zoe), law-bound, passive church cannot produce eternal life (zoe). Only life (zoe) can reproduce life (zoe). Therefore, reformation from lifelessness (zoe), lawlessness, passivity, and fruitlessness necessitates the living (zoe) body of Christ to stop going to church and start learning to be the church.

Conclusion

“Demon-possession” is an example of a satanic lie. Although derived from Satan, it was often supported throughout the ages by human presupposition and the resultant misinterpretation of the Greek word daimonizomai.

Instead of “demon-possession,” daimonizomai is more properly interpreted as “demonization.” Rather than connotative of ownership, it refers to “demon-caused passivity” and thus, progressive degrees of passivity toward God.

“Demon-caused passivity” is produced by demonic influence, intimidation, and control manufactured by a campaign of strategic lies. When human beings are passive about God, they are by default active regarding Satan. Consequently, they are easily manipulated for the purpose of accomplishing his unrighteous will on earth.

Contrary to the idea of “demon-possession,” “demonization” does not provide Satan with an internal vantage point. It merely allows him to practice degrees of external influence, intimidation, and ultimately, control.

© 2026 James Hiatt

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