The apostle Paul was giving some wise and insightful advise to Timothy, a young pastor whom he was mentoring…writing these words in his second letter to him: 

"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.”

He continues on…

“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been…‘held captive’ by him (the devil) to do whatever he wants.” (2 Tim. 2:22-26 NLT)

I’d be curious to know how any modern-day ‘theologians’ who might scoff at the idea of ‘literal demon spirits’ existing today…would ‘explain away’ this notion here in Paul’s letter that suggest that people can actually be ensnared by the ‘devil…who takes people captive to do his bidding or will’.

For those of you who do believe that he/they exists…how do you think this devil ‘takes people captive’… to ‘do his will’? This might be a good thing to have a solid understanding in, not only for yourself but also where you could share this 'truth' with others so they might be ‘set free’ as well (John 8:32,36). I only say that because as we have studied the past few days, the ministry that Jesus was given to go and ‘set the captives free’ and to ‘heal all who are oppressed by the devil’ (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38) is the same ministry that He has given to the church to continue sharing (John 20:21).

And the reason so many sincere people are in ‘bondage’ or under the control/influence of these unclean spirits is because at some point in time…they ‘gave him place’ or ground, or a foothold into their lives; hence Paul’s reminder to us to “give no place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27). Sadly, many converts are taught that once they are ‘saved’…that they can’t ‘have demons’ anymore… (whatever that means to them) . So why would Paul utter such a needless warning then?

For that matter, why would Peter admonish us to be ‘sober minded and alert’ given the fact our ‘enemy, the devil…roams about like a roaring lion seeking to devour’? (1 Pet. 5:8). I can’t help but to think that in the same way an exterminator might come to your home and rid it of unwanted pests and critters, he would also point out how they came to be and found entrance into your home to begin with. It's then is up to you to heed his advice and do your part to prevent them from coming back again…which might include sealing up cracks, replacing broken windows and any other opening that may have been an open invitation to them. Cleaning up their ‘food sources’ goes a long way as well in helping alleviate the problem.

Do you remember that short illustration Jesus shared in Matt. 12:43-45…telling of an ‘unclean spirit that went out of a man’ and after roaming about seeking a place to rest… decided to return to the ‘house’ from which he left. Clearly…he ‘found an opening’ and we are told that not only did he re-enter…but he brought with him ‘seven other spirits more wicked than himself’; and what was the condition of that person in the end? – he was much ‘worse off’ than he was at the start.

Jesus refers to this enemy of ours in one place as a ‘thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy…’ (John 10:10). So with that word-picture in mind, turn to Matt. 24 where Jesus is expounding on what the days at the ‘end of the age’ will look like, referring to the ‘days of Noah’ and how a ‘flood came and took all the people away to destruction’ (Matt. 24:24:39; Luke 17:27). Knowing this ‘enemy can come in like a flood’ (Isa. 59:19)… we read where Jesus advises us to be on ‘watch…for we know not when the Lord is coming’ (Matt. 24:42). But it’s the next line that offers more insight as He tells us that if the “master of the house had known what hour the ‘thief’ would come, he would have kept watch and not allowed his house to be broken into.”(44). And how will the ‘Day of the Lord’ come like? (1 Thess. 5:2)

It sounds to me that we truly can give place to these ‘powers of darkness’ to come in and ‘control’ us, or take us ‘captive’ again, which might be why we are instructed to ‘resist them’. Now some might be quick to disagree and point out how ‘no one can pluck you from the Father’s hand, using John 10:28 as a reference point; but let’s scroll back one verse before that to see who this promise is given to: “Those who hear His voice and follow Him” (27). It would appear there is more to this ‘following Jesus’ than just ‘saying you believe’… (James 1:22; Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:26-27). And once again…’why are God’s people destroyed’? (Hosea 4:6)

In his closing remarks to the believers in Ephesus, Paul spends time addressing this topic of spiritual conflict (6:12) while offering up strategies and ‘armor’ made available to us by God so that we might ‘stand against the schemes of the devil’ (11). Yes, this ‘enemy’ of ours has ‘schemes’ in which he plots against us waiting for an ‘opportune time’ (Luke 4:13; 1 Pet. 5:8). Aside from already knowing that Satan can appear as an ‘angel of light’ or as a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ (2 Cor. 11:14; Matt. 7:15) we also are reminded that we are ‘not ignorant of his schemes’…in which he uses to ‘take advantage’ of us. (2 Cor. 2:11).

So let’s just imagine for a moment that you, or someone you know who is a sincere ‘believer’ and professes to be a child of God…has been suffering for some extended period of time, maybe physically, emotionally…or even mentally perhaps. What if the source or ‘root’ of this needless suffering was ‘spiritual’ in nature; would it not be good news if there was a simple remedy or ‘cure’ to alleviate it?

I only suggest that because who are we told Jesus was anointed with power to heal, according to Acts 10:38? And are you familiar with the story found in Luke 13 that tells of a woman who was indeed a ‘daughter of Abraham’, and had been suffering physically for 18 years? What was the source of her condition, according to vs.11 & 16? Seems it took little effort on the part of Jesus to ‘loosen her from her infirmity’ (12), and He did it without long waits in doctor offices while wading through insurance quagmires. That would also be the same Jesus who is the ‘same yesterday, today, and forever’…since He ‘changes not’. (Heb. 13:8; Mal. 3:6).

Meet me back here tomorrow?