The King's Authority

Jesus as King of the kingdom of God rules above all of creation. Whatever Jesus did He did with the authority of God. For example, if Jesus was preaching or teaching He did it with authority, with power. He did not rely upon the “authorities” of that time. Those that observed Jesus knew that He was radically different from all those that came before Him. “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power (Luke 4:32).” In fact those that were sent once by the priests and the Pharisees to arrest Jesus returned dumbfounded and said of Him, “Never man spake like this man (John 7:46).” But Jesus also had power to deal in the spiritual realm – to exercise authority over the devil and his angels. “And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil... (Luke 4:33).”


With this incident in the synagogue we're faced with the sad reality of demonic possession. Many would try to deny that possibility. Surely no one who believes the Bible would doubt the reality of Satan and his minions. For instance the gospels contain many instances of those that were possessed (Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22; 17:18; Mark 5:1-20; 7:26-30; and here in Luke 4). In the Old Testament idolatry was identified with the demonic. “And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring (Leviticus 17:7).” King Saul was troubled by an “evil spirit” sent to him by God. It is a scary thing to think about, but demons and demon possession is clearly presented in scripture. Thankfully, there is no scriptural evidence that a true believer can be demon-possessed. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19).” And, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).”


You and I ought to know the means by which someone is so possessed. No one becomes possessed by accident, like catching a cold. We are warned in scripture that “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23a).” It is rebellion and resistance toward God that caused Saul to be rejected by God and to be tormented by an evil spirit. This rebellion against God can be blatant as with pagans, anti-theists, and atheists; or it can be subtle as giving oneself to greed and covetousness as was the case of Judas (John 12:6;13:27). Demon possession is not common in our land, but it is in the lands where paganism, false religion, and idolatry are common. India, where millions of gods (demons) are worshiped, is plagued with demon possession. Where demonic activity is the strongest seems to be as a result of God giving them up to do as they desire (Romans 1:18-32). The closer one gets to Satan, even unknowingly, the more likely that person is to end up possessed. But the devil does not have to possess you in order to destroy you. All he has to do is keep your from repentance and faith so that you will go to hell.


The only way that one possessed of a demon can be truly freed is by Jesus Himself. Demons sometimes leave on their own, but that does not free that soul. Jesus warned that when an unclean spirit leaves it may return with more demons with him (Matthew 12:43-45). “...and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” No, as with everyone, the only real solution is in Jesus. When Jesus saw this man in the synagogue He silence the demon and cast the demon out. There was no ceremony or torture of the possessed man. Just the simple words of Jesus' authority: “Hold thy peace, and come out of him (Luke 4:35).” Just as it says in the final verse of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, each of us must cry out to Jesus, “Cast out our sin and enter in. Be born to us today.”


You may not be demon possessed, but your need is no less than that man. And your help is no farther from you. Come to Christ Who came to set you free for the bondage of the devil. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).” Repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ.