Three centuries ago humans regularly died from mysterious illnesses, the causes unknown. Infections were not understood. How certain diseases spread from person to person remained a puzzle until the discovery of germs! In the late 18th century, physicians figured out that tiny, nearly invisible pathogens called bacteria could rage through the body and often be transmitted to others by unwashed hands, shared eating utensils, even coughs and sneezes.
|Then, just 150 years ago, an even smaller source of illness was discovered, the virus! Living inside of healthy cells, these microscopic bits of DNA replicate themselves rapidly, bringing on misery like the common cold!
There is another invisible world that causes a different kind of suffering in our lives and in the world in which we live. It is the realm of spirit, the demons that move unseen to destroy all that is of God and good. Some of you are shaking your head, confounded that a modern educated man would subscribe to such ‘superstition!’ To be sure, there are many enduring myths that surround the idea of angels and demons, but of their reality, I have no doubt.
The Gospels, which tell us the stories of Jesus, are filled with His encounters with those suffering under the power of demons. The letters to the Churches reference the reality of demons and the Devil with Peter urging us to “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5)
Demons are the agents of evil, the fallen angels that followed Satan (Lucifer) in his rebellion against God. Cast down, they remain a potent force in this world. They are not gods, nor are they all-knowing or all-powerful, yet we must not trivialize them nor ignore them. Having said that I quickly add that Spirit-filled Christians need have no fear of them, either! James tells us to “humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4)
When we come to Christ Jesus in faith, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, becoming holy temples where He lives. The work of evil, the power of the devil, and the influence of demons is broken by the Presence of God in us. That is why we need not live in fear of being somehow ‘possessed’ by demons. Jesus’ death and Resurrection broke the power of the Devil. However … I must ask …
Do you take the spirit realm seriously?
Do you unwittingly extend hospitality to the Devil, inviting his demons into
your life?
How so?
The Bible says that our actions can ‘grieve the Spirit of God.’ (Eph. 4:30) The Word goes on to explain that we make choices that extend hospitality to the Spirit or that makes Him feel unwelcome! "Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. … Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:30-32, NLT) Another passage warns of giving ourselves over to violent anger which, if held onto, provides ‘the Devil with a foothold in your life.’
Just as a light displaces the darkness in a room, so God’s Spirit displaces evil in us when He is given a place of priority in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
Jesus told a story that makes me shudder when I think of the implications. Read it thoughtfully, prayerfully. He said “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.” (Matthew 12)
Then, if necessary, do some house cleaning. Make your heart a home to Christ and you’ll never be at risk for what Jesus describes in this teaching.
Are you troubled by habitual failing of sin?
Do you feel oppressed by evil, soul sick?
Turn to Jesus, honestly, openly, inviting the Spirit to enter your life in a
new way, bringing refreshing renewal.
You can, by His authority, speak to the unseen demons, directing them to leave,
refusing to give them the ability to influence or harass you. Speak in faith, dismissing
evil in the powerful Name of Jesus, and live!
The word from the Word comes from the amazing 8th chapter of Romans. Meditate on the promise and live in the freedom of the Spirit.
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to
Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the
life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death….
God sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And
in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as
a sacrifice for our sins. … Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think
about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think
about things that please the Spirit.
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But
letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace…But you are not
controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have
the Spirit of God living in you.”
Amen!
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(Video of this blog at this link)
