The Dark Side

"For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger -- someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house." Matthew 12:22-45

As he lay in the hospital bed, I couldn't see his little "friend", but he sure could. It wasn't until after several minutes of talking, did he reveal that it was even there. He wasn't hallucinating. He was being harassed by a demonic spirit posing as a comforting little friend. After assuring him that this presence wasn't his friend, all three of us went straight to prayer. We prayed until we felt God's peace. Upon opening his eyes, his little friend was gone. 

Matthew recorded countless examples of Jesus confronting demons. Paul told us that our fight isn't against flesh and blood, but with the spiritual forces of darkness. In this passage, several truths are revealed. Jesus is greater than, infinitely greater than, the devil. The devil's goal is to keep people from Jesus by fostering unbelief. The words we speak show who is influencing us. The demand for signs reveals rejection of Jesus. Darkness won't quit.

The Bible is very clear about maintaining a healthy perspective on spiritual battle. Our undivided heart and undivided attention is to be laser focused on Jesus and his word, not the spiritual forces of darkness. We are to know they are real and at work in our world. We are to armor up and resist their efforts when confronted knowing that Jesus' victory over them results in them having to flee. Their primary tools are lies, temptation, and deception. Believer, be encouraged today -- "Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world!

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