Week 3 – Neither angels nor demons

Sacred Insight: Application
How can you apply this scripture to your own life in accordance with God’s will?

Once, there lived a wild man. He terrorized the people in his town with his furious, malevolent rage day and night. Living in the cemetery and roaming the hills at all hours, he sliced his skin open with sharp rocks and roared angry, guttural screams and cries for all to hear. Finally, the terrified townspeople managed to catch this wild man, they bound him with chains and irons tethering his feet, like the animal he had become. But even iron chains could not withstand the force of his fury and anguish. He smashed through them, freeing himself to continue wandering, terrorizing everyone in his path.

Then one day, the wild man saw Jesus and his disciples coming from a ways off. The man ran to Jesus, recognizing His Holiness and, desperate, fell prostrate at his feet. Jesus immediately recognized the presence of demons in the man and, out of great love for this man, commanded the demons to leave him. The demons, knowing they had no chance against the Son of God, begged him to at least let them stay in the town. Jesus relented and sent the demons out of the man and into a nearby herd of pigs. At this, the now demon-possessed pigs rushed headlong off a cliff, drowning in the water below.
 

This unnerving story from the Word of God (Luke 8:26-37) is a stark reminder that demonic forces are not just the stuff of horror films. They were a very real threat in Jesus’ time and they continue to be a very real threat today. Today’s western world of Christianity too often treats the spiritual warfare going on all around us as a side note, though – perhaps something a little too ‘supernatural’ to discuss at length. But the fact is, the spirit world is happening all around us, all the time, and the Bible talks of angels and demons on many of its pages.

The Word of God celebrates the pivotal roles angels like Gabriel and Michael played in Christ’s kingdom – the announcers of Christ’s birth and resurrection. Likewise, demons and their master, Satan are discussed as very real and present dangers. Not only does the Bible give accounts of people possessed and overtaken by demons, but Jesus himself was tempted in the wilderness by Satan and emerged victorious.

Matthew 4 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 

Spiritual forces like angels and demons may be unseen, but they are real and they are powerful. We are not to take these spiritual entities lightly. However, our scripture reminds us that neither angels nor demons can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. As powerful and scary as Satan’s kingdom of darkness is, God is infinitely more powerful. They do not and will not have the power to separate us from God as long as we are walking with Him.

Romans 8
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers… can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus will always remain the victor as long as we choose Him. And choosing Him is a choice we make daily. Remember – God gave us free will. He allows us to choose the sort of people we associate with, the principalities in which we engage, and environments in which we choose to live. If we willingly choose things that are not of God, and we dabble in things that lead us away from Him, we willingly forfeit living in the light of God’s protection. 

1 Corinthians 10
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

We must be diligent in keeping the door to the Deceiver and his evil minions closed to ensure God’s powerful protection. And if you find yourself becoming tempted or going down a wrong path, remember that it’s never too late to cry out to your Father and turn to Him. He is always waiting for our invitation.
 
If there is evidence of demonic presence in your life or the life of someone you know, remember that nobody is ever beyond God’s saving power. We only need to call upon the name of the Lord, trust in him to dwell and work within us, and the Lord will always emerge the victor.

1 Corinthians 10
13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

 

What tools did Jesus use when resisting temptation from Satan?

Have you experienced evidence of angels or demons in your life, or the life of someone you know?  How do we know that God is more powerful than Satan or the angels?

What are some examples of the ways in which Satan is building his kingdom of darkness on earth?

What are some things we, as believers, can do to resist and counteract Satan’s efforts?

Live It Out: 

  • Find a quiet spot and spend some time meditating on our scripture this week using the meditation track.
  • Honest Check-In: Is there an area of your life that is more susceptible to Satan’s temptations? Share it in prayer with God and ask for His protection. If you feel comfortable, invite trusted friends to check in and pray for you in that area this week.