Do you believe in demons?

Some people see a demon on every doorknob. So many, in fact, that they blame every single thing on demons. Some people dismiss the entire idea of demons. They say such things are not for the modern mind and do not stand up against intelligent thinking or scientific scrutiny. I say the truth is somewhere in between. But, beyond others' opinions to the extreme and my understanding in the middle of those extremes, their lies one important reality: Jesus believed in demons.

Consider this account:  "And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, '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 the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, 'What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.' And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee." (Mark 1:21-28, ESV)

There, that's enough for me. It seems they believed in Him, too.

I think it's safe to say that Jesus believed in "normal" sickness, too. Consider this: "And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 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 1:29-34, ESV)

I also think it's safe to say Jesus believed in sickness springing from sin. Consider this: "'Which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven you," or to say, "Rise and walk"? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins'--he said to the man who was paralyzed--'I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.'" (Luke 5:23-24, ESV)

My point is not to dispute the conventional wisdom of going to medical and psychological doctors. My point is that we begin to consider, in a fresh way, the fact, which Jesus believed, that there are some behaviors, activities, sickness and emotional disturbances directly linked to the presence of demons in our world.

And, then, petitioning God with all humility, ask Him to work against such evil. Fact is, what I am blatantly suggesting is to seek Him first in everything, even before we seek out the help of doctors, seek out the help of God.

I think one of our key problems as a culture is failing to consider some things as spiritual problems. We think everything is something the hand of a man or a pill from a bottle can attend to. Fact is, speaking of a demon in Mark 9:29, Jesus said, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."

Speaking specifically about spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6:18 says, "...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and 18 say, "....pray without ceasing...for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Not everything can be repaired by human hands...

Nor do I believe everything people face falls simply into the realm of psychological or physiological problems. There is a supernatural enemy. Against such a foe, we should be knowledgeable. More so, we should be watchful. More so, we need God to deal with such a foe. Our role is often prayer and fasting, seeking the Lord and exercising dependency in Him.

Spiritual issues require spiritual solutions. Let us first and always seek the Lord.