Understanding the Leviathan Spirit: My Pastoral Insights

As a pastor, I’ve encountered many questions about the “leviathan spirit,” a term often associated with a particular view of demonic oppression. By examining scriptural references to leviathan and other creatures, some have created a mythology around unique demonic entities attributed to various nefarious deeds. This belief forms the foundation of certain deliverance ministries, which seek to exorcise these spirits. In some Charismatic circles, demons are seen as the root cause of nearly every problem.

Believers in the leviathan spirit often cite references from the book of Job and Isaiah 27:1, giving these descriptions a spiritual rather than a physical interpretation. They emphasize the Hebrew word liw’yā’tān, related to “twisting” or “coiling,” to support the existence of a specific demonic entity—the leviathan spirit. This spirit is believed to twist people’s words, cause division, and instigate unrest.

Some suggest that the leviathan spirit causes stubbornness and rebellion against God. Others blame it for physical ailments, particularly stiffness and back problems, as well as insomnia, lack of spiritual growth, media deception, pride, reading disabilities, and personal conflicts. There’s even a belief in multiple leviathan spirits with varying effects.

The variety of beliefs about the leviathan spirit is vast and inconsistent, largely because the concept is based on minimal biblical information and much speculation. Consequently, teachings on the leviathan spirit often overlap with those of other spirits, such as Python or Kundalini, or are categorized as “water spirits.”

Scripture does not support the existence of a demonic entity named Leviathan or suggest that Christians have the authority to rebuke or exorcise it specifically. Nor does the Bible instruct us to diagnose spiritual problems by identifying specific demons. While demonic entities may be involved in spiritual struggles, the Bible provides no guidelines for rebuking them. Instead, overcoming such struggles requires prayer, discipleship, and obedience to God. Creating a mythology of demons and misinterpreting God’s Word only detracts from the true path to spiritual growth.