Where did they Go?

Mark 1:23-24

Jesus was in the synagogue teaching when a man with an unclean spirit cried out, “What do You have to do with us, Jesus of Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!”  Now anyone with the ability to use his or her thinker must have asked, where did all those unclean spirits go, in that we never hear about people having unclean spirits or evil spirits?  We see evil in all aspects of our world, and we know the results of evil spirits or unclean spirits in our churches, in the homes, and families of so many that have the title of Christian.  Why have we never heard anyone including this writer, address the unclean spirits as Jesus has?

It was not the man that knew who Jesus was but the demon living inside of him, and the Scriptures are very clear about this; looking ahead at Mark 3:11. “And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”  You will also find the same account in Luke 4:41, and Matthew 8:29.

Why do they come to a place of worship, because they have one goal, to kill, steal and destroy your life, your kids, and your family?  Satan knows he has no power to remove you from God’s hand, but his goal is to destroy your testimony of Christ who lives in you. 

If we who follow Christ were aware of these five Scriptures and applied them to our lives, we would stand against Satan and his demons by the power of Christ who lives in us.

1.    “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

2.    “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  (Ephesians 6:11)

3.    “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

4.    “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  (1Peter 5:8)

5.    “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1Peter 5:9)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice