14 One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, 15 but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 16 Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 18 You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? 19 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 20 But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 21 For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— 22 until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.
23 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
24 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”
27 As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!”
28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Luke 11:14-28
Dear God, it is apparent that the idea of demonic possession was more prevalent and top of the mind in Jesus’s time than it is now. Sure, we talk about it now a little, but it was assumed back then that a lot of the mental illness people were experiencing was demon possession. From what Jesus describes in verse 19 about there being other exorcists, it was not uncommon for this issue to be addressed, for demons to be cast out, and for people to be freed from the mental/emotional state they were in.
I am sure I should think of this more when I pray for people. When I pray for people with addiction. Anger issues. Depression. Maybe even as simple as ADD/ADHD (and I say “simple” not because they aren’t real or complicated, but because the others I mentioned can be much more destructive to a person). It makes me think of Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. I wouldn’t consider the “patient” in Screwtape Letters to be demon-possessed, but he is certainly demon-tormented. How much of that am I subject to? I don’t feel demon-possessed, but I can relate to a little demon torment. I can start to feel sorry for myself. Is that a demon whispering in my ear? I can have some really unhealthy eating habits. I can be judgmental. I can get anxious about thing over which I have no control. I can be insecure and needy. How much of all of this is my little demon hanging around and whispering these thoughts to me?
Father, this is why I’m here right now. I’m not trying to get fire insurance. I’m not showing up and typing these prayers each day so that I can check a box for you and make you happy with me. I’m here because I need you. I need your grace and forgiveness. I need your strength to stand against the plans of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11). In fact, I have a friend who told me over lunch yesterday that he is doing a Bible study series on the “armor of God” part of Ephesians 6. And that’s what I’m here for. I’m trying to put on the belt of truth and armor of your righteousness. I want to put on the shoes of peace and taking your gospel to others. The shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. So arm me with all of this as I move through this day. And help me to help others as they struggle against their own demons. Make me mindful of the attacks we are all under. Help me to have mercy and to pray.
I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
