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“Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” – Mark 1:23-25
I was listening to “The Screwtape Letters” a few weeks back. If you haven’t listened, or read this book from C.S. Lewis, I highly recommend it. Without giving away the story, it’s about the demonic spirits of this world that prey on human souls to win them over to Satan, and away from God. It’s cleverly written from the perspective of Uncle Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood, both of whom are demons of the evil one. The book touches on many of the ploys, the schemes, the methods of demonic influence in our life in an attempt to make you aware of what is good and righteous and what is not. The point is that there is a spiritual world around you. Your likely oblivious of the work that is going on in this realm, but rest assured the spirit of this world is working diligently to convince you that you aren’t worthy of God’s Kingdom.
Yes, the spirit of this world. Satan lurks in this world, banned from heaven; he looks to devour the souls of this world and drag each of us to Hell with him. His demons live in the spiritual realm, and are constantly tempting, suggesting and attempting to lead us down a path of unrighteousness. Some examples of areas where demons are at work: Divorce, Abortions, Homosexuality, Pride, Selfishness, Materialism, Lust, Adultery, Pornography, Murder, Rape, Cursing and Impure thoughts. Do not believe just because you claim to be a Christian, signed a card and came forward in church to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that they will all retreat. They stop battling for your soul the moment you die, for at that point you are no longer able to choose your fate.
But, we are reassured in 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The Holy Spirit, living within each of us is fighting this battle on our behalf every single day, unbeknownst to most of us. Jesus commanded that this demon be gone from this man in the Synagogue with authority only granted to Him from heaven above. As the Son of God, He alone has the authority to cast out demons and they must listen to His word, for He is above all things, even those of the evil one. Jesus walked amongst the unclean spiritual world here on earth and frequently battled Satan and his minions. There was a brief moment when Satan believed he had won against the Son of God, and that is when Christ breathed His last breath upon the cross. Satan and his demons celebrated their victory for 3 days, until our Savior rose from the grave and demonstrated His dominion over Satan once again.
Jesus assured us that we would not fight this battle alone after His departure. In John 14:15-17, Jesus tells us, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” The Holy Spirit is within you and is fully God, just as Jesus was fully God when He walked upon the earth. We often times underestimate just what a blessing it is to be walking with God every single day, and having His authority abide in us through His Holy Spirit. Though the evil one will continue to tempt and distract and convince you that the ways of this world are the right ways; your strength comes from One that is above all and is Holy, righteous and pure. This is why it is critically important that you are in prayer, quiet time and in the Word as much as possible. The more you know God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, the stronger you become to defend His righteousness in battle. Call upon the Holy Spirit when you are weakened by this world, and be assured He will stand in your defense and rid the demons from your path.
Yes, the spirit of this world. Satan lurks in this world, banned from heaven; he looks to devour the souls of this world and drag each of us to Hell with him. His demons live in the spiritual realm, and are constantly tempting, suggesting and attempting to lead us down a path of unrighteousness. Some examples of areas where demons are at work: Divorce, Abortions, Homosexuality, Pride, Selfishness, Materialism, Lust, Adultery, Pornography, Murder, Rape, Cursing and Impure thoughts. Do not believe just because you claim to be a Christian, signed a card and came forward in church to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that they will all retreat. They stop battling for your soul the moment you die, for at that point you are no longer able to choose your fate.
But, we are reassured in 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The Holy Spirit, living within each of us is fighting this battle on our behalf every single day, unbeknownst to most of us. Jesus commanded that this demon be gone from this man in the Synagogue with authority only granted to Him from heaven above. As the Son of God, He alone has the authority to cast out demons and they must listen to His word, for He is above all things, even those of the evil one. Jesus walked amongst the unclean spiritual world here on earth and frequently battled Satan and his minions. There was a brief moment when Satan believed he had won against the Son of God, and that is when Christ breathed His last breath upon the cross. Satan and his demons celebrated their victory for 3 days, until our Savior rose from the grave and demonstrated His dominion over Satan once again.
Jesus assured us that we would not fight this battle alone after His departure. In John 14:15-17, Jesus tells us, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” The Holy Spirit is within you and is fully God, just as Jesus was fully God when He walked upon the earth. We often times underestimate just what a blessing it is to be walking with God every single day, and having His authority abide in us through His Holy Spirit. Though the evil one will continue to tempt and distract and convince you that the ways of this world are the right ways; your strength comes from One that is above all and is Holy, righteous and pure. This is why it is critically important that you are in prayer, quiet time and in the Word as much as possible. The more you know God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, the stronger you become to defend His righteousness in battle. Call upon the Holy Spirit when you are weakened by this world, and be assured He will stand in your defense and rid the demons from your path.
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