UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on August 12, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“About Demons”

Luke 4:31-37

And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! 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.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

I want to talk about demons today. (Well, it’s in today’s text.)

First, there is a fine line between a demonized person and one who is captive to sin.  We often want to avoid using words like “demons” or “evil spirits” even in our typical evangelical churches.  We just want to label everything as “sin” without having to recognize the ever presence of the power of darkness in our culture.  Biblically speaking however, we are in a spiritual warzone.  It is ironic that a demon manifested, out of all the places, in a synagogue—perhaps one of the most respectable places at that time.  “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness” (John 1:5) was not able to handle or overcome Jesus’ presence; that is to say, it was exposed.  Perhaps you need to pray that God’s presence would be strong in your both private and public life. 

Second, why do you think Jesus did not allow the demon to talk about His identity?  After all, the demon correctly stated who Jesus really was (vv. 34-35).  Well, the demonic manifestations around Jesus must have happened before; otherwise, the demons would not have accused Jesus of using his power to destroy them (1 Jn. 3:8).  It is one thing to acknowledge the truth (James 2:19: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”), but it is another to commit oneself to that truth.  Reflect on your commitment to the lordship of Christ. 

Bible Reading for Today: Lamentation 2-3

Prayer: Dear Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit in order that demons may fear the Spirit who resides in me.  May God’s word come to me in power and conviction through faith (1 Thess. 1:5).  Amen.