JP14: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: HOW JESUS FREES US FROM DEMONS IN DISGUISE

I met a group of college students in a Colorado town three summers ago, and we talked about spiritual things.  A bright, confident man said he planned to go to hell because all of his friends would be there.  Reflecting on his troubling perspective, I later wondered how hell became a place one would want to go for eternity.

A news outlet recently reported that an elementary-age boy “nailed” his audition of rock band AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” on Spain’s kid version of The Voice.  Watching the video, I marveled at how it came to be that a gifted boy could so passionately apply his vocal talent to lyrics that nod favorably to Satan’s hell.

Whether it be a college student fulfilling his potential or a young boy just beginning, one wonders what’s behind the steady cultural drift away from heavenly things toward hell.

The Nature of Evil

Paul’s explanation of the nature of evil to first-century believers provides a helpful perspective.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).

“...for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

Paul is saying that people aren’t the real problem. Instead, humanity’s source of trouble is a disguised, determined, and organized enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy our innocence and potential.  

Jesus Overcame Evil

Thankfully, King Jesus fights for us against Satan’s deceptive ways, just like he did in the early days of his earthly ministry.

“Then he (Jesus) went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.” (Lk 4:31–37)

A demon-possessed man was part of the local synagogue (gathering of the Jewish faithful) and likely a member of Jewish mainstream society.  Upon hearing Jesus’ authoritative teachings, the evil spirit is stirred to rage at the top of its voice to openly oppose Christ by revealing his true identity as the Messiah before God’s appointed time.

Perhaps the man appeared faithful, maybe even gave and served alongside the people somehow.  Yet, he was providing this demon unseen access to the local gathering of God’s people.  With such close access, it appears that this impure spirit was just laying low until King Jesus challenged his evil grip.

This demon feared Jesus, and for a good reason.  When Jesus speaks, he must listen.  What Jesus says, he must do.  Jesus was a threat to the demon's plan to control and destroy this man and a threat to the devil’s plan to disrupt God’s people.  Ultimately, the evil spirit knew that Jesus threatened Satan’s end game to destroy all of humanity.

Demons prefer to remain hidden, existing undercover to quietly chain us to sinful patterns and to subtly ruin lives.  They dull our sense of truth until we’re off track and of little use to God’s kingdom. But, for this man, the demon’s days of control were about to end.  

Jesus Powerful Rule Extends Over Demonic Forces

Jesus made no magic, he simply commanded the noisy demon to be quiet and come out, and that’s what happened.  The people all saw the man freed from Satan’s grip, and you know what stood out to them?  They recognized the authority of Jesus.  Jesus made it clear that his powerful rule extends over demonic forces.

The same power and authority that Jesus exercised over this man’s demon are available to us.  When Jesus speaks, the demons must listen.  When he commands them to leave, they must go. Thus, Jesus can deliver us from besetting sins and the enemy’s plan to quietly and subtly destroy us. But, more than releasing us from the chains of the devil, Jesus wants us to live the fruitful life that he planned for us from the beginning of time.

Finding Release From the Chains of Evil

In what ways do we find Jesus exercising authority over our lives?  What chains of sinful brokenness remain hidden today that need to come into the light.  Jesus wants to release those chains and their harmful effects on the people we love and us. So let us confess our sins today and ask Jesus to command the demons to flee.  Allow the presence of Jesus to fill us daily through the Godward rhythms of sincere prayer, meditating on scripture, fasting, and obeying Jesus in community with others.  

May the people around us glorify God at the life-changing work of Jesus in our lives.  And, may this news of Jesus’ transforming work spread into every nook and cranny of our city so that the demons will flee to the fame of King Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for leaving no stones unturned in our lives.  You search out even the hidden places where Satan has a stronghold, and you make his demons flee.  I need your grace to move forward into rhythms that bring about an intimate walk with you and consistent victory over sin.  I need the courage to move ahead with some new ways of living so that your fame can spread through me.  May it be all for you, Jesus.  Amen.