Bible Study with Danelle

Today as we read further into the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry, we find Jesus has gone to Capernaum with Simon, Andrew, James and John and is teaching in the synagogue.

A man with an “unclean spirit”, which we would interpret as a demon, begins yelling at Jesus. The demon knows. He knows who Jesus is and he knows that Jesus is here to drive the evil out of this world and save humanity and the demon is not happy about it. And I think they were scared. He knew that this would be the beginning of the end for them.

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God.”

Mark 1:24

The demon says “Have you come to destroy us?” He knows the power that Jesus has. He knows that Jesus has total power over satan and demons. He knew that Jesus had the power to destroy him.

But instead of letting the demon continue to tell people who He is, Jesus silenced the demon. Why? I think it is because Jesus had a plan on how he wanted to reveal himself over the next few years. Remember, God always has an intricate plan. Having the demons reveal Jesus as the Savior too early was not in the plan. So, as it tells us in verse 1:34, as Jesus was casting out demons he would not permit them to speak. Jesus needed to reveal His message in his timing. He had too much to teach before the full reveal could happen.

After healing Simon’s mother-in-law, Jesus people find out and come flocking to the house. He continued to heal the sick and cast out even more demons, forcing them to be silent.

Jesus showed us through these acts His incredible power and authority. He shows us again when He defeated satan through the resurrection which we will celebrate in a few weeks. And He is not finished. I can not wait to see what He does when He comes back and finishes satan’s defeat!

Until then, I know that there are still demons in this world. We are still in constant spiritual warfare (although I think we now we don’t acknowledge it like we should) and we will continue to be until Jesus returns. Demons have taken hold of so many people. They prey on us when we are in weak moments or take hold of people who have been through trauma or hooked on drugs. I honestly feel sometimes I can see them in the eyes of people shown on the news who commit heinous acts of violence on others. When you look at the mugshot of someone like this, look in their eyes. Sometimes I feel like I can just tell that a demon has a stronghold on that person and it pains me. I often wonder what happened in their life that the demon took advantage of and took hold.

We can also experience spiritual warfare in our daily lives. I find I get attacked when I am about to take on something for God’s glory or when I have received a blessing from God. Fortunately, God gave us the power, though the Holy Spirit, to fight against these attacks. There are also other ways we can win the battle while we are here on earth.

I found this article from Focus on the Family that I found helpful with tips on how to win the battle. Let me know in the comments if you incorporate one of these into your life to help you deal with these attacks.

I pray that today you will grow to understand the immense power of Jesus and that if you are going through a spiritual attack that God will cover you and protect you.

I leave you today with Psalm 91:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:1-16