Our commentary

Are UFOs demons? A Christian view

Our own look at a common question, by David Dell. The background on this page is ours, not a summary of the book.

Ask Christians about UFOs and you'll get three kinds of answers. Some think the whole subject is misidentified hardware and nothing more. Some are open to life elsewhere in creation. And a growing number wonder whether at least some encounters are spiritual, the work of fallen angels presenting themselves as something else.

Start with the ordinary

Honesty comes first. Most UFO sightings have ordinary explanations: aircraft, satellites (including strings of Starlink satellites), balloons, drones, bright planets, lens flares and camera artifacts. A spiritual explanation isn't needed for a Starlink train, and Christians shouldn't reach for one.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)

Then take the unseen seriously

The Bible does describe an unseen realm, with real beings in it, some faithful and some fallen. It also says those beings aren't always what they appear to be:

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Colossians 1:16 (KJV)

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV)

If a spiritual being can appear as “an angel of light,” it isn't a stretch to ask whether one could appear as a visitor from the stars. Scripture doesn't name UFOs (see what the Bible says about aliens), so this remains an interpretation, and believers hold it with different degrees of confidence.

Test, don't panic

The New Testament's instruction for strange spiritual claims is neither fear nor fascination. It is discernment:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 (KJV)

In practice that means checking the ordinary explanations first. Where something remains unexplained, ask what message comes with it and whether that message points toward or away from Christ, and keep both curiosity and skepticism.

Sources: Colossians 1:16, Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)