Demons

Demons are mentioned in the Bible and other religious literature. They are popularized by Hollywood and are depicted as being more powerful than they really are. Certain paranormal TV shows dwell on demons more than they should and seem to find them everywhere they investigate. These shows foolishly and in my opinion, irresponsibly depict investigators intentionally provoking demons resulting in being attacked by them and in some instances being possessed by them. These same shows often depict paranormal investigators performing rituals to summon demons, which again, I believe to be foolish and irresponsible.  Just who and what are demons anyway? A number of theories as to who and what they are abound, but from a Christian standpoint, there are two primary views: (1). They are fallen angels who rebelled with satan and were expelled from heaven. (2). They are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim who were destroyed in Noah's Flood. I tend to disagree with the first view since the Bible states that the fallen angels are jailed in a region of Sheol/Hades known as Tartarus (2 Peter 2:4). I believe they are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim who perished in Noah's Flood. Just who were the Nephilim? The Nephilim were the offspring of  angels who left their first estate (Jude 1:6) and mated with human women. These offspring came to be known as "men of renown" (Genesis 6:4) and are the source of ancient legends of gods mating with human women and producing half god/half human offspring such the Greek Hercules. The Nephilim were giants and possessed superhuman strength and abilities due to their angelic heritage. The Nephilim were evil. It would seem that after Noah's Flood some angels again mated with human women and produced more Nephilim for we read about them again in Numbers 13:30-33.  That the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim are demons is further attested in the Book of Enoch. Demons, as I mentioned earlier are evil and are mankind's spiritual enemy. Demons are also referred to in the Bible as "familiar spirits" (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; 1 Chronicles 10:13;  2Kings 21:6; Isaiah 8:19; 19:3) because they will sometimes pretend to be a deceased friend or loved one.