Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:33-37
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.
