Today, we have closed out our study on Angels, the Nephilim, and demons. We could have stayed there a couple of more weeks, but we need to get back on the road studying 1 Corinthians. I do want to take a few paragraphs and finish our look at demons. The board has some great scriptures to study out identifying the actions of demons and our own flesh that we constantly war with in our members.
We were studying the accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and the demoniac of the Gadarenes. In Matthew’s account the demons named Legion knew who Jesus was and asked him if he was going to “torment” them “before the time.” In Mark’s account, they begged him not to send them out of the country, but, in Luke’s account they begged him not to send them out into “the deep.” The demons know their torment is going take them to the “abyss” or the “bottomless pit”, and they knew it wasn’t their time to go. This is a huge doctrinal point, because Jesus released them to the herd of swine, because it wasn’t their time. James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils (demons) also believe and tremble.”
The demons could have fled, but they wanted to disrupt the economy of the area, and cause the people to either rejoice that the demoniac was healed, clothed, in his right mind, and worshipping the Lord, or, be upset at the loss of their economy. The people chose the latter, and lost sight of the fact that they were in the presence of the Messiah King of Israel, their redeemer.
How do we protect ourselves from the influence of the seducing spirits of demonic activity? Peter and John both give us insight into living a victorious life in Christ.
1 Peter 5:6-9 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 John 4:1-5 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
Please take time to read Ephesians 6:10-18 and Colossians 3:1-10 to remind you that God has given you everything you need to defeat the wicked ones in your life. 2 Timothy 2:1-4
