Demons

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Mark 1:34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mark is telling of Jesus' ministry in Capernaum. It says that Jesus casted out many demons and those demons knew Jesus. Demons know exactly who Jesus is and what Jesus will do to them. Jesus didn't even allow the demons to speak because they would proclaim Jesus' identity as the Holy one of God.

Why didn't Jesus let the demons speak? Well, I suppose the demons would have tried to use their words to manipulate and deceive. Jesus didn't want His these demons to taint His ministry. What kind of demons are there today? Spirits of lust, sickness as a result of sin, and others that I can't even discern yet. Demons are worshiped in other religions. They are dark things that creep into one's heart and flesh to control and manipulate. So what do I do about demons? They are very real. They are just as real as Jesus is. I need to ask Jesus to silence and rebuke the demons in my life. I also need to discern what is from God and what is not from God. Even demons know Jesus, so I can't just assume that anything or anyone who knows Jesus' name or identity is of God. I need to ask God for His wisdom. I need to know Jesus intimately myself so that I am not led astray by false teachings.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Please forgive me for being comfortable with being gullible. Help me to have a discerning spirit. Please forgive me of all my sins, intentional and unintentional. Keep me from straying. Silence all the demons in my life so that I only hear Your truth and Your will. I pray all these things, in the name of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.