The spirits used to dance on his roof at night clapping their hands and shouting, keeping him awake and stirring up many concerns in his head.
While we are busy denying demons, offering intellectually satisfying alternative explanations, and snickering at those who talk about demons, the Bible speaks extensively to their reality. The problem is that even though we are Christian, those of us in the enlightened world have believed almost equally in the “gospel” certainty of naturalism—a most foolish combination.
This is Life for Most People
One of my good Christian friends in south Asia told me his story of salvation and how the spirits, or demons, would make his life miserable. The most memorable example was that of the dancing upon his roof many nights each week. How awful!
At one level, demons can be simply annoying, like they were to the Apostle Paul in Acts 16:18 ESV, “Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.”
However, most often they affect lives at a much more serious level, bringing all sorts of evil, inciting fear, enticing to immorality, giving false teachings, and basically working all sorts of havoc.
These evil powers might curse your business enterprise, bring sickness to your family, empower and embolden your enemies, and do any number of other nasty things, unless you appease their wishes, whether worshipping idols (objects of nature) or carrying out their designs upon others. So, of course you would do what they tell you, and by the way . . . so would your neighbor.
This is life for most people in the world today, and has been throughout history. It is real and it makes total sense. We should not ignore their sufferings and mock them in their plight, but sympathize and also demonstrate the power of the Gospel of Christ.
There is a Gospel of Greater Power
When my friend became a follower of Jesus Christ, who is the Lord, the demons stopped tormenting him. Whenever he encounters them and their workings now, he simply rebukes them in the name of Jesus. There is no need for special words or rituals, any Christian conjuring of any type. He tells others of freedom and forgiveness in Christ.
The reality is that people are in bondage to evil and evil powers. But, the Son of God became man “to destroy the works of the devil” and his minions, and proclaim liberty, light, life and bring blessings that cannot be taken away.
The One True Living God has all power over human and demonic curses, especially to bless. He is more powerful than those demons that distress the lives of billions. And of course, the Lord Christ is exalted and ruling from heaven now, and will return to establish His Kingdom in its fullness forevermore.
I’ll be heading back to my friend’s place soon. May we be fearless to proclaim, in the face of the spiritual realities of life, the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord!
While we are busy denying demons, offering intellectually satisfying alternative explanations, and snickering at those who talk about demons, the Bible speaks extensively to their reality. The problem is that even though we are Christian, those of us in the enlightened world have believed almost equally in the “gospel” certainty of naturalism—a most foolish combination.
This is Life for Most People
One of my good Christian friends in south Asia told me his story of salvation and how the spirits, or demons, would make his life miserable. The most memorable example was that of the dancing upon his roof many nights each week. How awful!
At one level, demons can be simply annoying, like they were to the Apostle Paul in Acts 16:18 ESV, “Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.”
However, most often they affect lives at a much more serious level, bringing all sorts of evil, inciting fear, enticing to immorality, giving false teachings, and basically working all sorts of havoc.
These evil powers might curse your business enterprise, bring sickness to your family, empower and embolden your enemies, and do any number of other nasty things, unless you appease their wishes, whether worshipping idols (objects of nature) or carrying out their designs upon others. So, of course you would do what they tell you, and by the way . . . so would your neighbor.
This is life for most people in the world today, and has been throughout history. It is real and it makes total sense. We should not ignore their sufferings and mock them in their plight, but sympathize and also demonstrate the power of the Gospel of Christ.
There is a Gospel of Greater Power
When my friend became a follower of Jesus Christ, who is the Lord, the demons stopped tormenting him. Whenever he encounters them and their workings now, he simply rebukes them in the name of Jesus. There is no need for special words or rituals, any Christian conjuring of any type. He tells others of freedom and forgiveness in Christ.
The reality is that people are in bondage to evil and evil powers. But, the Son of God became man “to destroy the works of the devil” and his minions, and proclaim liberty, light, life and bring blessings that cannot be taken away.
Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”
Colossians 2:13–15 ESV “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”Here is hope! Here is freedom! Here is forgiveness, reconciliation, and power against all evil!
The One True Living God has all power over human and demonic curses, especially to bless. He is more powerful than those demons that distress the lives of billions. And of course, the Lord Christ is exalted and ruling from heaven now, and will return to establish His Kingdom in its fullness forevermore.
I’ll be heading back to my friend’s place soon. May we be fearless to proclaim, in the face of the spiritual realities of life, the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment