What are unclean spirits?

Answer

An unclean spirit is essentially a New Testament term that is more descriptive in Jewish culture, used interchangeably with the term demon. The terms unclean spirit and demon appear to have the same meaning in the Bible, with no clear distinction between them. Some translations even refer to them as “impure spirits.”

In the New Testament, the term unclean spirits (akathartos in Greek) is mentioned more than twenty times. These passages describe how unclean spirits can possess individuals, causing them sickness and harm (Matthew 10:1;Matthew 12:43;Mark 1:26;Luke 4:36;Luke 6:18;Acts 5:16;Acts 8:7). They are depicted as seeking new hosts if they are not currently possessing someone «When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. », (Matthew 12:43). Some are portrayed as more malevolent or impure than others «Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. », (Luke 11:26). Additionally, it is shown that unclean spirits can interact with each other (Mark 5:1-20;Matthew 12:45), and that they are subject to God’s authority and must obey Him (Mark 1:27;Mark 3:11;Mark 5:8,13).

An unclean spirit or demon is considered “unclean” because of its wicked nature. These evil spirits not only embody wickedness themselves but also take pleasure in it and encourage others to do evil.In humans, they are spiritually polluted and impure, seeking to contaminate all of God’s creation with their filth. Their foul, putrid nature is in direct contrast to the purity and incorruption of the Holy Spirit’s nature. When a person is defiled by an unclean spirit, they take pleasure in corrupt thoughts and actions; when a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, their thoughts and actions are heavenly.

Some people hold the idea that unclean spirits or demons are deceased humans who may or may not have been evil while alive. However, we know the unclean spirits mentioned in the Bible do not refer to the dead, for several reasons. Firstly, humans are never called “spirits” when the word spirit is used as a stand-alone term, without a possessive. In Scripture, men are said to have a spirit/soul, saying “his spirit” in Proverbs 25:28 and 1 Corinthians 5:5, but men are not called “spirits.” Another reason is that once a person dies, they immediately go either to eternal life with the Lord or to eternal darkness in hell (Hebrews 9:27;2 Corinthians 5:6-8;Matthew 25:46). Human spirits, therefore, do not and cannot wander on earth in their spirit bodies. Any unclean spirit that wanders around, taking up residence in places or people or interacting with people in any way, is a fallen angel—a demon «Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. », (Matthew 12:44). All unclean spirits mentioned in Scripture are demons, and all demons are definitely unclean, unholy, impure, evil spirits doomed to an eternity in hell «Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: », King James Version of Matthew 25:41.