SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS DAILY AND REAL
SCRIPTURE:
“Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor that which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. 23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” 27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” 28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:14—28)
OBSERVATION:
It is sad that when Jesus did something good for a mute person by driving out the mute demon, the crowd was amazed, and others attributed his work to Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Others ask for a sign from heaven. Spiritual warfare is real. The crowd knew something about spiritual warfare. They knew about Beelzebul, the prince of demons. The crowd believes that Beelzebul has the power to cast out demons.
Jesus counters their arguments by saying, If Satan is divided against itself, how can his kingdom stand? The people knew how to cast out demons. People knew how to deal with demonic power, but because of their indifference toward Jesus, they discounted his work. Jesus continues, but if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
How important it is for me to know that spiritual warfare is always happening. I must also acknowledge that Jesus has the power to deal effectively against Satan. Satan is a real enemy and a real being. Jesus is stronger and is the only one that can disarm and overpower Satan. Jesus will remove the armor Satan trusted and divide up his plunder. I must be on Jesus’ side of the warfare. Satan’s kingdom will scatter and be broken up by the power of Christ.
The people refused to acknowledge the power of Jesus against Satan. But Jesus said, the ones who see that it is the finger of God that drove the demons away, the kingdom of God has come on that person. Jesus has the ultimate power to defeat Satan and his demons. Spiritual warfare is real, and so is the FINGER OF GOD, through Jesus, who will drive out demonic forces from our lives. We must not attribute the work of the finger of God to Satan. This is an unpardonable sin. When the finger of God moves in our lives, we must be quick to acknowledge and trust God, for his power is greater to demolish the works of the devil.
APPLICATION:
I am often reminded of the reality of spiritual warfare in life. The devil never takes vacations. He always waits for opportune times to trip me up. I know there are seasons when he works hard to influence my mind and heart. Today, I am reminded that the finger of God is available and is the only force that can be demolished and destroy the works of Satan against me. I am grateful to have Christ’s power over me and remove the devil’s works against me daily.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I honor and glorify your name. I thank you, for you are stronger and mightier against the powers of demons and Satan. Thank you for reminding me that you are powerful against the enemy’s works. Thank you for your deliverance and ability to render Satan and his demons powerless against me. I put on the whole armor of God upon my life daily, so I may be able to stand against the day of evil. Lead and guide me by your Holy Spirit daily. Amen!
