SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:31-37
Do you believe in spirit beings (other than God)?
Angels or demons or ghosts or spirits?
I remember ‘playing’ with the Ouija board while in high school; we also tried a seance.
At the time I thought it was a joke, though in hindsight I realize how stupid this was.
I cannot prove their existence (though many people say they can), but I think they are real.
Good spirits and evil spirits; some that seek to help us and others that seek to harm us.
I do not believe that we should focus on them, nor should we ignore them.
I like C.S.Lewis’ advice:
There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight. (C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters)
We should be aware of them, open to those that point us to God, and wary of those that mislead us.
This demon was trying to distract Jesus; Jesus did not focus on it, but neither did He ignore it.
If we shouldn’t focus on or ignore them, what should we do?
Focus on God, it’s what the angels want, and the demons don’t… and I want what the angels want.
Remember, “Not even angels or demons… can ever separate us from God’s love because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.” (Romans 8:38-39)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, though there are spirits all around me, good and bad, my confidence comes from knowing You, the supreme Spirit Being. With Your help (and the angels), like Jesus I choose to resist Satan and his demons, so that they will flee.
Observation/Application
His word had authority because ‘in the beginning was the Word and the Word was God.’ That Word still needs to amaze me this day as I read it and try to live it each day. God’s Way.
Knowing the Word, one must also live the Word. Yet at times Satan and his forces take hold of us and try to redirect our way. In this life the battle continues with the Way. Although Satan has been defeated he still has time to do his work with his servants. The Word of God conquers all. His presence and His charges direct a man’s Way. The victory is won and I must walk in the Way that was made known to me. He stills leads and guides me this day by His authority and power and servants serving Him always.
Prayer
Knowing the Truth Lord, help me to walk in that Truth each day. Keep me in the Way. Continue Your work in me and through me by Your Spirit and Your protective hand through Your angels. Put Your protective ‘ring’ around me always.
1. Spirit of God, dwell thou within my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,
And make me love thee as I ought to love.
2. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.
3. Didst thou not bid us love thee, God and king?
All, all thine own: soul, heart, and strength, and mind.
I see the cross–there teach my heart to cling;
O let me seek thee and O let me find!
4. Teach me to feel that thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear;
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
5. Teach me to love thee as thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame–
The baptism of the heaven-descended dove;
My heart an altar, and thy love the flame.