When an evil
spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when
it finds none, it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it
returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the
spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the
person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. Luke 11:24-26
An evil spirit. That is real—though we may
not actually “see” it. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus…addressing all
Christians through all time and that include us today.
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| Helmet of Salvation and the Word of God. |
For we are not fighting against
flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen
world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in
the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will
be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will
still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the
body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from
the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these,
hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on
salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and
be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians
6:12-18.
Evil spirits
may not be tormenting people—like the demon possessed men that Jesus healed in
Luke 4:31-37 and Luke 8:26-39, but sinful, rebellious attitudes and evil
desires today could be attributed to satanic influence in a person’s life.
Today would have been my sister’s birthday—but twenty-seven years ago she was
killed in what I call a domestic violence attack on her life when she was shot
by her ex-husband, Ron. Her two daughters and new husband were also killed. Her
ex-husband at one time had declared himself to be atheist—not believing in God.
Jesus has said that whoever is not for Him is against Him (Luke 11:23), so Ron
was against Christ—thus for Satan. That evil influence in his life ultimately
robbed my family of my sister and her family. Was there more than one demon in
Ron? Who knows? It only took one weak man with a big gun and a few minutes to
kill four people and then himself. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. BANG! It was over.
Was the evil spirit gone then? What happens when there is no body for it to
inhabit? In one of Jesus encounters the demons asked to go into a herd of swine
and then the swine went over a cliff into the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8:26-39.)
For
we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers
and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world,
and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Put on your armor every
day. Stay protected. You wouldn’t go out in the hot sun without a hat or
sunscreen, so don’t go into your day without protection of God’s Word.
Prayer
~ Lord Jesus Christ, You are my rock, my fortress, and my savior. You are my
God and my rock, in whom I find protection. You are my shield, the power that
saves me, and my place of safety. You are my refuge, my savior, the one who
saves me from violence. I call on You LORD, because You are worthy of praise,
and You save me from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4.
Daily
Bible Reading: Isaiah 59-63
©
2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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