Encouragement for Life

I have been reading the gospels recently (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and noticed the many times Jesus rebuked and cast out evil spirits. These demons possessed people and sometimes caused them to do violent things. I’ve read these familiar passages many times, but never thought much about the significance of what Jesus did. 

Jesus’ compassion for people is shown in the many miraculous healings He performed. The blind could see, the deaf could hear, the crippled walked! Amazing events! But I think Jesus knew that evil spirits had to go. A person’s spiritual health was more important than their physical health.  So Jesus forgave sins and drove out demons, and He also healed physical bodies. 

I wonder about the evil in our world today. Many people do things that indicate they are controlled by evil spirits.  Satan is alive and well and his demons are actively seeking for prey. Jesus does not walk on the earth as He did during the events we read about in the gospels.  But His people do. Could it be God’s people are not living enough “Jesus life” to drive out the demons? The Church (made up of God’s people) has the responsibility to carry out the ministry of Jesus. No, we don’t have miraculous powers, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men” (Matthew 5:13).

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 14-16).

I have to ask myself, is my light shining brightly? Is my life salty enough to make my part of the world better? Am I willing to stand up against the dark forces working around me?  Am I willing to risk attacks or arrest because of my faith and the truth of God’s Word? So many are suffering in prisons, being punished because they lived like Jesus and stood for the truth.  This isn’t just in other countries, it’s happening in our country, too. 

I must feed on God’s Word, pray, let Jesus shine through me, pray, be salty, pray, and stand strong against the forces of darkness. Light drives out darkness. 

“Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 3: 20-21).