[simple_tooltip content=’21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.’]Mark 1:21-28[/simple_tooltip]; [simple_tooltip content=’33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice,
34 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.
36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”
37 And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.’]Luke 4:33-37[/simple_tooltip]
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out. (Mark 1:23)
Many people don’t associate demon-possessed people with places of worship. Yet, most of the demons Jesus cast out were encountered in the synagogue. Why would demon-possessed people be there? In some cases, the people were there because they were seeking help. A church, like a hospital, should offer people the cure for oppression and possession of demons; therefore, it attracts those who are sick.
In other cases, the devil sows these types of people in the church to spread spiritual disease. A church that is teaching the true Word of God should either try to evangelize these people or make them so convicted that they will move on. Sad to say, demon-possessed people can thrive in many religious settings today.
We always need to show love for the sinner as Jesus did, but we should cut the devil no slack. If a person wants to keep an evil spirit on the inside of them, they should not feel at home in church! Like in Jesus’ day, they ought to be agitated and bothered by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their midst.
Today, let the Spirit of God live through you as He did through Jesus. If there is a demon present in anyone, you will either make people mad or glad. God will either use you to send them packing or set them free. If you are truly walking in the Spirit, you will never be indifferent to the enemy. You will expose him and defeat him, just like Jesus did.
