No Room For Demons

# 239 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:23,24a Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone!

The word “now” here, means immediately, so the idea is that after Jesus had finished His teaching and the people were still in a state of astonishment, or a holy hush if you will, a man joined to an unclean spirit burst into this sacred time and place and yells out with a loud voice. “Let us alone!”

Can you imagine something like that happening in your church on a Sunday? Do you suppose the congregation might be a bit uncomfortable? Embarrassed for the man? Maybe even a bit fearful to be in the presence of a demon?

Make no mistake about it, this man is not mentally deranged. He is joined to, and controlled by an unholy angelic being who is under the sway of Satan. This was a hair raising moment in the synagogue. Demonic possession is very real and it still occurs in our world today.

It seems odd that most demonic possession seems to take place in third world countries. Did you ever wonder why? Have you ever considered that most third world countries typically do not practice Christian baptism? Something to ponder isn’t it? Even in the ice cold spiritual climate of Europe, most people receive baptism and demon possession is not nearly as prevalent.

On the Day of Pentecost Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” ( Acts 2:38)

In baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit and there is no room in the soul for the Holy Spirit and a demon! 1 Jn 4:4 says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Did you catch the two locations? God, in the baptized, the devil, booted outside into the world.

As a baptized child of God, you may be oppressed by demons, but you cannot be possessed. Take heart then beloved, and remember this truth found in 1 Jn 4:4 in your daily spiritual battles. The One in you NOW is more powerful than the one in the world.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.