I’ve listed some good and evil spirits here, from the New Testament with scripture references for each. This is not exhaustive… (can you find more ? let me know please…)
NEW TESTAMENT
Good / Godly Spirits
1. The Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God, given to believers.Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:4; John 14:26
2. Spirit of Truth – another name for the Holy Spirit, guiding into truth.John 14:17; John 16:13
3. Spirit of Adoption (Sonship) – enabling believers to cry “Abba, Father.”Romans 8:15
4. Spirit of Life – the Spirit bringing freedom from sin and death.Romans 8:2
5. Spirit of Christ – the Spirit belonging to and revealing Christ.Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11
6. Spirit of His Son – sent into our hearts, crying “Abba, Father.”Galatians 4:6
7. Spirit of Grace – God’s favor and help through His Spirit.Hebrews 10:29
8. Spirit of Glory – resting upon believers who suffer for Christ.1 Peter 4:14
9. Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation – given to know God better.Ephesians 1:17
10. Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind – opposed to fear.2 Timothy 1:7
11. Seven Spirits of God – symbolic fullness of the Holy Spirit.Revelation 1:4; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 5:6—
Evil / Demonic / Bad Spirits
1. Unclean Spirits – demons that defile and torment.Mark 1:23, Mark 5:2; Luke 11:24
2. Evil Spirits – general description of demons.Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12–16
3. Deaf and Dumb Spirit – preventing speech and hearing.Mark 9:25
4. Spirit of Infirmity – causing physical weakness or sickness.Luke 13:11
5. Spirit of Divination – fortune-telling spirit in a slave girl.Acts 16:16
6. Spirit of Fear – not from God, producing bondage.Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7
7. Spirit of the World – opposed to the Spirit of God.1 Corinthians 2:12
8. Spirit of Error – false teaching and deception.1 John 4:6
9. Spirit of Antichrist – denying Jesus, opposing Christ.1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7
10. Lying Spirits / Deceiving Spirits – leading astray with lies.1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1
OLD TESTAMENT
Next… lets look at the Old Testament… and see what Good and Evil spirits are named and identified there. Again this list is not exhaustive..(can you find more ?? let me know please…)
Good / Godly Spirits
1. The Spirit of God – God’s Spirit moving, empowering, creating.Genesis 1:2; Judges 3:10; 1 Samuel 10:10
2. The Spirit of the LORD (Yahweh) – resting on prophets and leaders.Judges 6:34; Isaiah 11:2; Ezekiel 11:5
3. Holy Spirit – mentioned directly as holy.Psalm 51:11; Isaiah 63:10–11
4. Spirit of Wisdom – given to craftsmen and leaders.Exodus 28:3; Deuteronomy 34:9; Isaiah 11:2
5. Spirit of Understanding – part of God’s Spirit upon the Messiah.Isaiah 11:2
6. Spirit of Counsel – divine guidance and strategy.Isaiah 11:2
7. Spirit of Might – strength for battle and leadership.Isaiah 11:2
8. Spirit of Knowledge – deep knowing of God’s ways.Isaiah 11:2
9. Spirit of the Fear of the LORD – reverence for God.Isaiah 11:2
10. Spirit of Grace and Supplication – poured out to bring repentance.Zechariah 12:10
11. Excellent Spirit – describing Daniel’s God-given wisdom.Daniel 5:12; Daniel 6:3
Evil / Demonic / Bad Spirits
1. Evil Spirit from the LORD – troubling Saul (allowed/used by God for judgment).1 Samuel 16:14–15; 1 Samuel 18:10
2. Lying Spirit – sent to deceive King Ahab through false prophets.1 Kings 22:22–23; 2 Chronicles 18:21
3. Perverse Spirit – causing distortion and confusion.Isaiah 19:14
4. Spirit of Deep Sleep – dulling spiritual perception.Isaiah 29:10
5. Spirit of Whoredoms (Prostitution) – leading Israel into idolatry.Hosea 4:12; Hosea 5:4
6. Destroying Spirit – connected with judgment.Isaiah 19:14 (alternate rendering); possibly Psalm 78:49
7. Jealous Spirit – provoking zeal and envy (Numbers’ ritual of jealousy).Numbers 5:14
8. Spirit of Judgment and Burning – purging and refining.Isaiah 4:4
9. Spirit of Heaviness – causing despair, contrasted with the garment of praise.Isaiah 61:3
Compared with the New Testament:OT godly spirits are mostly about empowerment, wisdom, and fear of the LORD.OT evil spirits often appear as instruments of God’s judgment (e.g. lying spirit, evil spirit troubling Saul).NT evil spirits are more directly identified as demonic forces opposed to God and Christ.
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