Saturday, October 31, 2015

Cured of Evil Spirits

John's two disciples found Jesus and said to Him, "John the Baptist sent us to ask, 'Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?'" At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then He told John's disciples, "Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, 'God blesses those who do not turn away because of Me.'" Luke 7:20-23 NLT
 
Jesus cured people of evil spirits.  Here are a few examples
 
Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out….Luke 8:1-2.
 
At Gerasenes where He healed a man with a legion of demons…. The demons began to entreat Him, saying, "If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine."  Matthew 8:31 and Luke 8:27-38.
 
Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ. Luke 4:41.
 
At that time some Pharisees said to him, "Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!" Jesus replied, "Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose."  Luke 13:31-32 NLT.
 
Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, "Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus cut him short. "Be quiet! Come out of the man," he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey His orders!" The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. Mark 1:23-28 NLT.
 
That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. Mark 1:32-34 NLT.
 
Evil spirits know Jesus…but they do not worship Him. He destroys them—protecting people from them. Jesus can still do that…but interestingly enough when He sent out seventy disciples and they returned to tell of healing people, Jesus said..."Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." Luke 10:19-20 NLT. The thing we need to focus on is not our power over evil, but that our names are written down in the Book of Life in Heaven. Rejoice that you will be in Heaven one day with Jesus. Don’t rejoice about demons, goblins and evil beings.
 
Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—on this day that people celebrate as all hollowed eve—originally looking towards the day of All Saints—protect our children and grandchildren from the evil forces that would draw them into forces that are not of You…of bewitching being and false teachings. May God be glorified in all that we think, say and do.
 
© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

No comments: