The demons spoke to Jesus through the mouth of the possessed demoniac, saying "Have You come to destroy us?" (Mk 1:24) The answer to that question is "Yes." "It was to destroy the devil's works that the Son of God revealed Himself" (1 Jn 3:8). Jesus is gentle and humble of heart with sinful human beings (see Mt 11:28-30; 12:19-20). However, Jesus is not gentle with the strongholds of the evil one. He casts out demons and destroys the works of Satan's kingdom of darkness with power and authority (see Mk 1:27). Jesus "rebuked [the demon] sharply," commanding the demon to "Be quiet! Come out of the man!" (Mk 1:25)
Today, there are many strongholds of the evil one to be destroyed: abortion, contraception, alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual sins and perversions, hunger, greed, slavery, human trafficking, pornography, generational sin, the attacks on marriage and family, racism, disunity in the Body of Christ, and many more. Jesus, the Son of God, has come to destroy these strongholds. Jesus offers us a share in this work of destruction, once our obedience is complete (see 2 Cor 10:4-6).
Our obedience to God plays a part in whether or not some strongholds of evil are destroyed. Do you want evil destroyed badly enough to obey God in every detail of your life? "Do whatever [Jesus] tells you" (Jn 2:5).
| PRAYER: | Father, I offer You all of my unwillingness to do Your will. Do in me whatever You must in order to do through me whatever You will. |
| PROMISE: | "He gives orders to unclean spirits and they obey!" –Mk 1:27 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus instantly delivered Marie from depression during a healing prayer session. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College