Demons Know. Do You?

Luke 4:34-35 (ESV) “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

In Western culture today, demons are common characters in horror movies and hard music. Most people, however, consider them to be mythical ideas left over from a pre-scientific age. If you travel outside of the secular West, though, you will find a completely different attitude. Missionaries have often encountered similar situations to Jesus’ ministry described above. Demonic encounters are common in many parts of the world today and occur more often in America than you might think. I have conducted several exorcisms in my ministry. I have had friends who have served overseas for whom casting out demons took a big portion of their ministry time and energy.

Demons are real spiritual beings that chose to side with Satan in the cosmic struggle against God. They will do everything they kind to undermine the ministry of Jesus Christ. However, they must respond to his authority. In fact, power encounters like this are a big reason millions of people overseas have left their traditional religions and come to Christ. I have a friend from India who became a Christian because his Hindu priest and the Muslim Imam he sought could do nothing to help his demonized daughter. When he took her to a Christian pastor who had faith in the authority of Christ, she was delivered.

Like the demon in the Bible passage above, demons know who Jesus is. They know he is completely different from all religious leaders. They respond submissively only to the name of Jesus. They know for sure that Jesus is the Holy One of God. Do you?