By Faith and By Prayer

When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn't speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. "Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!" they exclaimed. But the Pharisees said, "He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons." Matthew 9:32-34 

Meditate. Consider God’s truth. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

 

Pharisees come up with the most illogical ideas. They thought Jesus got His power from demons. Were they seeing that in some other situations—a person using demonic power to heal? That doesn’t seem to be an issue that is considered in the Bible, except that the Pharisees accused Jesus of that a couple of times. Even the crowd noted that nothing like that had ever happened in Israel. A similar account of a demon-possessed man in the book of Luke. Here Jesus addresses the Pharisee and used the analogy of a civil war.

One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn't speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, but some of them said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons." Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He knew their thoughts, so he said, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. Luke 11:14-20

Jesus sent His disciples out to minister, and some came back saying that they couldn’t cast out demons. They lacked faith. In another instance, Jesus told His disciples that prayer was necessary.

When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?" Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer." - Mark 9:25-29

After Jesus, Paul is known to heal demon-possessed people. Exorcisms still happen today—though not in mainstream Christian churches. Demons are alive and well, spreading their evil.

Be on guard. Things may seem good and true, but we each need to be into God’s word and test everything against God’s word to be sure what we are hearing is true to God and His way.

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

What did you learn about Jesus from today’s scripture passage?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, please give us skill and grace—as well as the faith necessary, to cast out demons, if that is what You want us to do. Personally, I’m a bit intimidated by the process—so please give me courage and gumption to get the job done if it comes my way. Thank you for Your teachings on this sensitive subject.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged. For the LORD hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people. Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land. The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land, and those who love him will live there in safety. - Psalm 69:32-36

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

We are almost to the longest day of the year—the Summer Solstice. If we were in some parts of Alaska, we’d experience 24 hours of daylight. I prefer to sleep, not watch the sun circling the horizon. What are you doing to recognize this special day? A family BBQ is good—especially since this day is also Father’s Day—a time when we all recall the wonderful fathers in our lives. Make some potato salad, corn on the cob, and throw some hamburgers on the grill. For dessert, S’mores or brownies with some homemade ice cream? Sounds like a wonderful meal to honor some great guys! Blessings on you all.

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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