A Spiritual World?
I think it is pretty clear that Jesus realized he was living a Spiritual Battle against the forces of darkness.
He spoke of it. He cast out Demons and Evil spirits. He had conversations with them. They recognized him for who he really was and obeyed his commands.
Before he began his public ministry, he went alone into the wilderness and withstood Satan’s call and temptations. Since he went alone he must have shared that experience with some of his followers since they recorded it.
Acts records the Apostles encounters with Evil Spirits and rescues brought about by Angels (Good Spirits).
Paul tells us that that is what we battle against. (Ephesians 6:10 – 20) Other New Testament books mention demons and evil Spirits. Even the OT describes battles between Gods Messengers and Spiritual Powers trying to stop them. (Daniel).
So, if you believe the Bible, do you accept its opinion of Evil Spirits, powers of darkness and such? I do. I have experienced evidence of their existence and actions!
I have a couple of related questions. First, Why do I and many who profess to be Followers of Jesus and have a Biblical World View act as if they are not real Influencers in our world today?
Why do we act as if many are not bound by these beings and seem to believe that those bound individuals can, break those bounds by an act of the will. No place that I remember does a person so bound have the power to free themselves.
Second, If we accept that they are real and active in our world, How are we to respond?
We are spiritual beings who have the Spirit of Jesus within us. Should/Can we respond effectively? Are we put off by those who claim to have this ability but turn it into a fund raising performance.
I suspect that it is because many of us realize that we do not walk in the Spirit enough to enable us to have the Spiritual Power to command these Spirits to leave a person and never return.
In Luke 10:17 “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Luke 10:17 NIV
This was not the closest 12. This was the 72 that Jesus commissioned on this mission very early in his ministry well before his death and resurrection.
Or Is it that we are afraid we would be more like the people in Acts 19 who tried to cast out demons in Jesus name who failed and were beat up by the man they were trying to help who was still under control 0f the Spirit?
I know many people say that those terms were the terms used for mental illness at the time. If so they cured mental illness!
Think what this world would be like if we recognized the Spiritual nature of our world and began to confront it as Jesus and his followers did?
What if, much of what we call “sin” is actually the result of people being “possessed”? They would need rescue more than condemnation. I don’t remember Jesus condeming any one possessed. He rescued them from their situation and freed them from control of Evil.
I have more questions than answers! What do you think?