demons
"After sunset, as evening drew on, they brought Him all who were ill, and those possessed by demons." —Mark 1:32
Before His public ministry, Jesus overcame the temptations of Satan (Mk 1:13). Jesus began His public ministry by driving out an unclean spirit from a man in a synagogue (Mk 1:26). Jesus' reputation was: "He gives orders to unclean spirits and they obey!" (Mk 1:27) "Those whom He cured, who were variously afflicted, were many, and so were the demons He expelled" (Mk 1:34). Mark summarized Jesus' public ministry as follows: "He (Jesus) went into their synagogues preaching the good news and expelling demons throughout the whole of Galilee" (Mk 1:39).
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8). Jesus drives out demons today as He did yesterday, and His followers likewise expel demons in His name (Mk 16:17).
Our secular humanistic culture does not recognize the existence of demons. Those who talk about driving out demons are viewed as hopelessly unenlightened and backward. However, the Church, the Bible, and the experience of almost every culture clearly state that demons are real and active. Don't be blinded by our culture. Give your life to Jesus, and then use your authority in Jesus to drive out demons.
Prayer: Lord, "speak, for Your servant is listening" (1 Sm 3:10).
Promise: "Rising early the next morning, He went off to a lonely place in the desert; there He was absorbed in prayer." —Mk 1:35
Praise: Barbara had painful sensations in her face for several years. She made a full Confession, her first in many years. Jesus then removed the pain permanently.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflets, Spiritual Warfare, and Do You Renounce Satan?)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997