Luke 11:15
But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”
INSIGHT
-Demon in Hebrew is written as shedim which means an unclean/evil spirit or spirit of darkness. Several scriptures can be sighted talking about demons; though no significant attention has been given to describe their structure but rather the sovereignty of God over all His creation and His eternal love for human kind, that we may all come to faith in Him. Satan was created to glorify God but he exulted himself and proudly rebelled against God. Archangel Michael then drove him out of heaven with a host of other evil angels called demons (Rev 12:7-8). Throughout scripture we find that; some demons are more wicked than others (Lk 11:26), many who were demon possessed were brought to Jesus and He drove out the spirits through a command/word and healed the sick (Mat 8:14-17), many demons together are called Legion (Lk 8:30), Mary Magdalene was delivered from seven demons (Mk 16:9), demons can cause disability or sickness to a person; as one became mute and blind but Jesus healed him (Mat 12:22), neither angels nor demons can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:38-39), one cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons (1 Cor 10:21), Babylon is mentioned as the kingdom of demons where all uncleanness originates and evil influences on the earth (Rev 18:1-3), the blood of Jesus has power over satan and all demons (Rev 12:11) etc.
-According to Luke, satan is also referred to as Beelzebul the prince of demons. The name Beelzebul could probably have a root from the word Baal; the lord of the temple. We also see king Ahaziah when he was injured went to inquire from Baalzebub; the god of Ekron (2 kin 1:2). A number of Jewish exorcists cast out demons by special portions, incantations or magical procedures. Sometimes they seemingly succeeded but often failed. Jesus cast out demons by simply commanding them out and they obeyed Him; which shows His sovereignty and power over them. Skeptics did not understand Him and thought He used demonic forces. Jesus demonstrated that He has power over all, saying that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him” (Mat 28:18). Jesus has demonstrated great love for us all by dying on the cross for all our sins so that we may have everlasting life in Him. Though His works of redemption on the cross, Jesus has delivered us from all kinds of demonic influences causing heavy burdens, depression, oppression, bitterness, sicknesses and slavery through His precious blood that we may hold fast our faith in Him and rest secure in Him.
PRAYER
We thank You Jesus for Your everlasting love and mercy upon us and for granting us the gift of salvation. Forgive us all our sins merciful Father and deliver us from all evil. Cover us Jesus with Your precious blood and destroy all forms of bondage and evil influences in our lives, families, friends, leaders and nation; that we may prosper in all things according to Your divine purposes. We cast all our burdens unto You Lord for You care for us. Have mercy on us all Lord and on the whole world. There is nothing too hard for You Lord, fight for us all our battles and grant us peace. Amen
Luke 8:30
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.
INSIGHT
-Before His encounter with legion, Jesus had calmed the storm; a display of His power over nature. He then rebuked the demons from a possessed man; showing His power over the supernatural. In the former; Christ tamed the wild winds and in the later He tamed a wild man. Christ also provided a peaceful environment despite the storm and in the later He granted peace to the soul of the man. After calming the storm the disciples were amused by His authority and most of them increased their faith in Him, and in the later the onlookers discovered that Jesus is the Son of the Most High after an introduction by legion, both scenarios brought back glory to Jesus. It is interesting that these demons knew Jesus and went on to request Him to let them get into the pigs. Jesus granted their request and the pigs drowned, which opens up a debate whether the demons died with the pigs or they went on to trouble someone else. That not withstanding, we know that the final judgement of satan and his demons is yet to come, when they will be cast into the lake of fire. After demons have left a person, we read that they look for other opportunities to come back stronger than they previously were (Lk 11:24-26). The demon-possessed man was violent, dirty, injured and insane like some of the people we find in our streets today. Most of them are lost and without Christ and need our prayers. Better still, the people of Gerasenes were afraid after the exorcism and told Jesus to leave their town. Both groups needed Jesus more like all of us today, for only in Him do we find sanity, peace, joy, grace and an assurance of hope for a better future and eternal life with Him.
PRAYER
In Your presence there is fullness of joy Jesus, at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore, You will show us the path of life. Have mercy Jesus on all those who are lost and demon-possessed in our communities, that You may deliver them from all forms of bondage by Your saving arm. Lord You have promised never to leave us nor forsake us, we will forever dwell in Your presence. We need You Lord in our lives every time, remain in our hearts we humbly ask You. Calm every storm in our lives, families, businesses, work, studies, relationships, marriages, projects, nation and prosper us in all things Jesus. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the love of God; and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Ephesians 6:12-18
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
INSIGHT
-We find that our struggles are more spiritual than physical. For we war against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Satan being a master counterfeiter, poses as the angel of light and somehow mimics the hierarchy of Gods’ realm, giving demons the aforesaid positions. Apostle Paul uses imagery to explain how we ought to win the ever present spiritual warfare. He discloses both offensive and defensive weapons which are essential for this course using an image of a soldier’s outfit and armory. Offensive weapons are displayed as prayer and the word of God, while defensive are truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation. We are called to put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the snares of demonic forces. These weapons are designed to destroy the darts of the enemy, which is a proactive warfare rather than reactive. Key to such warfare is to recon ourselves as dead to sin and alive in Christ Jesus. We are called to stand firm in truth. We know that the belt is vital for soldiers to secure their weapons. This belt defends us against lies propagated through the world systems which seduce us to exchange our lives with those things which are fleeting. The word of God provides the ultimate truth for our spiritual uprightness that we may have eternal life with Him. The breastplate of righteousness which was imputed to us by Christ and conforms us to His image as we walk with Him. Sandals enabled the soldiers to hold their ground and walk effectively. The peace of Christ (shalom); then enables us to have the right relationship with God and with man. This brings us to submission to Gods’ purpose which enables us to have strength in our hearts and souls as we love God and our neighbours. Likewise; the shield as used by soldiers locked together to prevent the missiles from harming them; as a unit. This is the unity as believers; joined together in the body of Christ through faith; Who is the source of all power and strength. The helmet of salvation guards our minds from evil thoughts. We are called to set our minds on things which are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8). The word of God which is Christ Himself gives us faith, love and wisdom to walk according to His will through the help of the Holy Spirit. The imagery of the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. We know that a sword cannot do much when the bearer does not know how to use it. We as spiritual disciples; require to read the Word of God and use it always even when we are tempted. Jesus; when He was tempted used Biblical scriptures to overcome the snares of the devil. Finally, to overcome the temptations of the devil, we are called to pray without ceasing and when we do not know how to pray; the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
PRAYER
May Your presence Lord always be with us and our families everywhere we go. Intercede for us Holy Spirit when we do not know how to pray and grant us peace. Cover us with Your precious blood Jesus and deliver us from the snares of the enemy. Guide us in all our decisions and actions Lord and grant us Your whole armor, that we may forever stand in Your presence. There is no other God but Jesus; we give You all the glory and praise. Amen
Revelation 18:1-3
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.
INSIGHT
-Babylon is representative of the world systems both in a spiritual and literal sense. In the previous chapter; the fall of Babylon is depicted in the dimension of religious systems. In this chapter; an angel with greater power will declare the fall of Babylon. A system which is greatly influenced by demonic powers, and mighty economically with great immorality. Babylon will be judged for propagating materialism, unclean, immorality, drunkenness, adultery and seducing people into her luxuries. It is the home of demons and lures men, unclean animals and hateful birds alike; into it. Prophet Isaiah prophesies on the fall of Babylon; with its jewels, pride and glory, and compares it to the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah. He speaks about the invasion of the city by jackals, wild goats, owls and hyenas (Isa 13:19-22), painting a picture of corruption, witchcraft, idolatry and all forms of uncleanliness. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, Babylon will crash with all its inhabitants. We are reminded that our security rests in God alone and not in riches and pleasure. When the Babylonian system hooks ones heart, he/she becomes a slave to it, a slave to sin. The system erodes the call to walk by faith; as one walks by sight. Babylon has dazzling beauty but when the light of heaven shines on it, it exposes her immorality and her fall is inevitable. God is stronger than Babylon, and His purpose will prevail. As Christians, we are called to be children of light as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things He will added unto us.
PRAYER
Help us Jesus to see through the fog of Babylonian systems that we may walk by faith and not by sight. Help us to trust only in You and be content as You faithfully provide for us and sustain us. Help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, for only You can give us true wealth. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness and cover us with Your precious blood. Forgive us for our faithlessness and show us Your grace. Amen
James 2:19
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!
INSIGHT
-God is Sovereign and His Kingdom is everlasting. Even demons know of the power and authority of God and they tremble. We are called to have faith in God for through His precious blood do we have victory over the snares of the devil. It is also important to be alert and sober minded for our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. To resist him and stand firm in the faith, for the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Pet 5:8-9). Through the blood of Jesus which purifies us from all sin and makes us righteous, we are able to dwell in peace and love with Him and with one another.
SUMMARY
Demonology is a critical subject which is rarely talked about. It is always important to understand the source of most of the challenges that we face. Demons are also called fallen angels for they exulted themselves with pride and were cast out of heaven by Angel Michael, together with their leader satan. Job was attached by satan as he was going about his business, and he lost all he had including his children and possessions. According to John 10:10, the enemies objective is to steal, kill and destroy but Christ came so that we may have life everlasting. Satan also tempts us as he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, that we may fall into sin. Like Jesus fasted and prayed, we are called to emulate Him so that we may not fall into temptations due to lack of self control (1 Cor 7:5). He is also referred to as the accuser for he accuses us sighting our sins which is his main gateway to cause trouble in our lives. When Joshua the high priest was standing before the angel of the Lord, satan stood at his right side to accuse him. Then the Lord rebuke satan and cleansed Joshua’s sins. God also told Joshua to obey His statutes so that he main gain authority over his house (Zech 3:1-7). Demons like their master, always seek for an opportune moment to bring shame, destruction, disease, death and other calamities in a persons life (Lk 11:24-26). It is in the last days, when the devil and his agents will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where there will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev 20:10). As at now we are called to rely on Gods’ grace which is sufficient for all of us until that time comes when we will inherit eternal life with Him. To overcome demonic influences; we are also called to put on the whole armor of God that we may stand against his snares. Through prayer, studying and applying the word of God; we are able then to stand firm through His truth, righteousness, peace, salvation and faith in Him. It is important to realize that it is impossible to resist the devil by our own power, for we are insufficient without the blood of Jesus. Gods’ grace is sufficient for us and His power is made perfect in our weakness so that when we are weak, then we are strong, for His power rests upon us (2 Cor 12:1-10).
PRAYER