In a swashbuckling, sword swinging, action story, the combatants must be able to experience pain—otherwise, what’s the point of all the fighting? But what if the combatants are angels and demons? Do they actually feel pain? I had to settle this question early in my world building, and I believe I have a defendable answer.

Yes.

Consider this: the lake of fire is the “eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt 25:41, NASB) It is where he will eventually spend eternity. “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Rev 20:10, NASB)

Note that these spirit beings will be tormented by the flames. They experience pain. Being eternal spirits; however, they do not “die” or cease to exist.

In my world of Cross Intents, spiritual bodies have the capacity to feel pain. If wounded by a sword, the wound site expels energy, and the spirit becomes weakened and slower. For an angel, this looks like shafts of light exploding out of the cut. For a demon, yellow sulfurous smoke is expelled. The wound site closes itself quickly, but a scar may remain if the wound is severe. If hit by a ball of energy plasma, it is like absorbing a proportionate amount of momentum. The pain lasts until the body can rejuvenate itself.