Why Care?

There is a danger in the over-emphasis on demons and their activities. So why consider them at all? I have maintained that many of the things to be used against demons are the same things that Christians should use in general to deal with difficulties (for instance prayer and the Scriptures). Why are we even told about demons? We are told that we need to on the alert and trust in God's resources to meet the challenge (Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 Peter 5:6-9; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). If we are not on the alert, we are more likely to be blindsided. We are more likely to be complacent and not watch ourselves carefully (1 Corinthians 10:12-14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22) and less likely to be aware of possible traps (2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:14,15; 1 Timothy 3:6,7). If we are not on the alert, we will we be more likely to be surprised when people oppose us (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; John 15:18-21; 16:1-4). There are also particular cases where dealing directly with the demon involved may be the best way to handle it. Now Christ has defeated Satan and his minions on the cross (Colossians 2:13-15; 1 John 4:4; Luke 10:19). It is important not to make the demons so powerful that we go about in continual fear of them. But neither should we let our guard down and forget that we have an enemy.