4 Biblical Marks of a Friend with Demonic Influence Sent to Attack You

The most dangerous enemy is the one camouflaged by friendship. Satan knows this. To get behind the castle walls, he will always look for a traitor who’s already inside. Even with Jesus, Satan used Judas (John 13:27), one of Jesus’ own disciples.

Likewise, the devil will look for a friend in your life who has demonic influence and he will use this person to try to destroy you. Therefore, so you can properly take your stand against the devil’s ploys, here are 4 biblical marks you need to watch out for so you are not taken out by a friend who is being used by Satan.

1. If Your Character Has Been Moving in the Wrong Direction Since You’ve Been Hanging Out with this Friend, This Is a Sign Satan Is Using Them to Attack You

As much as we would like to think that we are individually strong and uninfluenced by others, this is untrue for all of us. All humans are influenced by other humans. This truth can be used for good or bad. As Proverbs 13:20 teaches us, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Thus, you can be sure that a friend is being used by the devil by looking at what affect they are having on you. 1 Corinthians 15:33 states, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”

We are told “Do not be deceived” here because we so often want to think we can spend time with unhealthy people but remain healthy ourselves. Satan loves this. He’s always marked by deception (Revelation 12:9) and schemes (Ephesians 6:11). An attack using a friend is right up Satan’s alley because it’s deceptive and effective.

Proverbs 12:26, “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

2. If You Feel Discouraged and Torn Down After You Spend Time with This Friend, This Is a Sign Satan Is Using This Person to Attack You

God loves encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Thus, the devil loves discouragement. 1 Peter 5:8-11 states:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

The devil will try to tear you down, but God wants to “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Therefore, if a friend is always negative towards everything you say, if they verbally beat you down and make you feel bad about yourself, it is highly likely demonic influence is involved and Satan is using this person to harm you.

Separate from a friend who will not repent of their discouragement. Look for friends who desire to fulfill Hebrews 10:24-25 with you, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

3. If a Friend Is Causing You to Lose Your Connection with Healthier Friends, This Is a Sign Satan Is Using This Person to Attack You

Like a predator who will target the prey that is isolated and away from the protection of the herd, Satan knows we are vulnerable when we are isolated from other healthy Christians. Thus, he will use friends with demonic influence to separate us from other Christian friends who are healthy to be around.

If a friend keeps talking behind everyone’s back and causing drama (Proverbs 16:28), if a friend has anger issues that are influencing you to be angry at others (Proverbs 22:24-25), if a friend keeps bringing up old issues and just can’t let an offense go (Proverbs 17:9) – these are the types of signs that mean a friend is being used by Satan to attack you.

When your bad friendships are increasing and your good friendships are decreasing, you can be sure Satan is pleased.

4. If You Feel More Distant from God the Closer You Get to This Friend, Satan Is Using This Person to Attack You

Ultimately Satan knows that Jesus alone brings life; thus, he will use any means necessary to hurt your relationship with your Savior. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Therefore, if a friendship is hurting your relationship with the Lord, this is a sign Satan is using this person to attack you. James 4:4, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

God wants blessings for us. Satan wants curses for us. To receive what God wants for us and to reject what Satan wants for us, we must follow what Psalm 1:1-2 instructs, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Related Article: 5 Warning Signs from God that Mean a Judas Will Betray You Soon