There’s a scene that plays out in Luke’s gospel where 70 followers of Jesus were sent out on a mission by Him (Luke 10:1-10). And when they returned, the very first thing they reported back to Jesus, with great excitement was...”Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!” (17).

Now this would be a good time to notice how Jesus responded to this new discovery or ‘revelation’ that enthralled these disciples. He immediately acknowledges being an eyewitness to the fall of Lucifer, whom we know as ‘Satan’ (Isa 14; Ezek. 28). The passage in Revelation 12 gives us the best picture as to how ‘war broke out in heaven’ when Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and his angels...who did not prevail’ (7-8). Then, vs. 9-12 reveal how he was cast down to the earth and what he has stayed busy doing ever since then. Satan knows his days are limited and a time is coming when he and his minions will be...no more (Rev. 20:10).

But in our passage back in Luke 10, we see how Jesus does acknowledge that these demon spirits do indeed have ‘power’, but there is no reason for a true follower of Jesus to be afraid of them. For starters, He is giving disciples the same power He has/had over them (19). Also, we should take comfort in knowing that a true child of God ‘no longer sins and the wicked one cannot touch them’ (1 John 5:18). Yeah...you might go underline that one too.

Then, Jesus seems to dial down their excitement over having this authority over this enemy, and instead admonishes them to stay focused on the real joy - that their names are recorded in heaven (20). But it’s vs 21 that I really want you to see and appreciate, where Jesus seems to turn aside and utter a short prayer of gratitude to the Father, thanking Him that He (God) has ‘hidden these things from the wise and the prudent (intellectuals)...and ‘revealed’ them to babes”. Would you give that a moment to sink in, please?

If you will recall, this word ‘revealed’ means to ‘take the lid off’ and we know from our previous studies to whom the ‘mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to’: true disciples of Jesus who have come to Him with their whole heart (Matt. 13:10-11). Remember, we sure don’t figure any of this out by/with our own ‘flesh and blood’ (Matt. 16:17).

I would again submit to you that it is our lack of understanding in such matters, or our ‘ignorance’...that has led to much needless suffering (Hosea 4:6). And yet, God in His mercy is wanting to ‘reveal’ such things to us (Rom. 1:18: Eph. 1:17-18), but it’s important that He has our whole heart where we are willing to ‘do whatever He tells us to do’ (John 2:5; Acts 3:22-23; Luke 6:46; Heb. 5:9).

If you think things are bad in the world now...hold on. The ‘flood’ is only going to ramp up as ‘lawlessness spreads’ and the ‘love of most will wax hard’ (Matt. 24:12). The division and polarization that is evident today...will intensify (Matt. 24:7). And if you are among the masses who think politics and/or ‘Republicans-MAGA-Project 2025’ are going to change or improve things...you are sorely deceived (Matt. 7:13-14; 2 Thess. 2:9-12).

Paul tells us plainly who we are in conflict with and contend against- ‘demon spirits and forces of wickedness and darkness’ (Eph. 6:12). And the only ones who will come through this ‘fiery furnace’ are those who are abiding in Jesus; and those who...no longer practice lawlessness and hence...cannot be touched by the enemy (1 John 5:18; Ps. 91).

But...if/when you do find yourself ‘under attack’ vs. being ‘tempted’ by him, there usually is a reason for it: this is how God ‘chastens’ us (Heb. 12:5-14; 1 Cor. 5:5; Hab. 1:12). Did you know that anyone who considers themselves to be a ‘child of God’ but tends to reject this idea that God ‘chastens those whom He loves’, or does not ‘receive’ or is ‘without’ this chastening...is not really a ‘child’ of His? The KJV uses a rather bold word to describe that as well (Heb. 12:8).

Now this is where we have to be cautious and not rush ahead and jump to false conclusions, which the enemy is happy to assist in doing. As I have said before: “God is not out to ‘get you’...but He did come to ‘get you’...”(John 3:17-18). I’ll give you a moment with that one.

Scripture informs us that ‘all we like sheep had gone astray’ (Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:25). This is how Jesus viewed the masses...with compassion (Matt. 9:35-36)...as we were ‘weary and scattered’. Do you know what usually happens to sheep that stray or are separated from their shepherd? They become prey to the ‘beasts of the field’ or deadly parasites, maybe fall victim to life threatening dangers. And what are believers warned to be alert to in 1 Pet. 5:8?

Let’s put on our ‘spiritual lenses’ now to gain more insight here. If you teach your child on the farm to not touch that electric fence for obvious reasons, why is it important that they learn that lesson quickly? If you live in an area where wasps and hornets ‘swarm’ at certain times of the year, and you know not to open doors or windows carelessly...and then do so anyway ... whose fault is it if you get stung?

So when Jesus told that man whom He healed (immediately) in John 5:9...to ‘go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon him’ (14)...surely you don’t think Jesus was kidding or using ‘poetic language’ here, do you?

Returning now back to Luke’s gospel where Jesus gives us that hint to whom He is revealing all these insightful spiritual truths to (10:21)...we read on in that next chapter where Luke offers us more insight. May I remind you that Luke himself, was a physician (Col. 4:14) so I find his diagnosis on various ‘patients’ to be interesting, because he speaks often to the presence of ‘demons’ and their effect on various people. (Luke 11:14; 13:10-13; 4:35-36). And being the author of the Book of Acts, what wording is used in Acts 10:38, when it came to describing whom Jesus healed...and from what were they healed of, or by?

Now...what advice are doctors known to encourage their patients to be diligent with, maybe after cleaning up a wound? "Keep. That. Area. Clean. Germs are bad and we don’t want infection to set in". So let’s read the words of Jesus as relayed by Luke in 11:24-26. What potential danger or harm are we made aware of there if we are not careful? And to whom are we admonished by Paul to ‘give no place to’ in Eph. 4:27? Now go read Matt. 24:42-43 and give consideration to the words of Jesus in that text, while being reminded what Jesus told us in John 10:10 what this ‘thief’ comes to do.

So when I keep quoting Hosea 4:6 about how God’s people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge...who do you think is doing the ‘destroying’? Oh...and in that very same verse, what is it that the people seemed to have forgotten or lost sight of that has brought about this destruction? I’ll let you look it up, then meet me back here tomorrow.