Casting Out Satan
We had a great Men's Bible Study this morning. We started later for the holiday, and we had breakfast. There were 24 guys there to have fellowship and to dig into God's Word. It was a wonderful way to begin our Labor Day.
We had a good discussion of Luke 11 where Jesus is accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of the devil, instead of the power of God. There are many lessons to be learned form this passage, but there are two primary principles we all need to remember.
It is vital that we understand God doesn't bring division but unity. It is Satan who divides people, families, churches, and countries. He works on the basis of "divide and conquer." God brings people together, so we can be members of His kingdom and accomplish His will in His power. That is why Jesus said in this passage that the one who did not "gather" with Him, scatters. We do not want to be people who scatter others, but we want to be ones who gather people together in Jesus.
Then, we must always keep in mind that Satan and his demons are no match for the power of God. Jesus cast out demons by the "finger" of God. It was no trouble for Him, at all. We must not fear them, either. We only need to stay in right relation to Jesus, and we can deal with anything Satan throws at us. He is a defeated foe through the cross of Jesus.
Therefore, we all need to have our house swept clean by the blood of Jesus and fill it with all of the works of righteousness and fruit of the Spirit that He has designed for us. That way our lives will be free from the influence of Satan and filled with the presence of Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 18-20.
We had a good discussion of Luke 11 where Jesus is accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of the devil, instead of the power of God. There are many lessons to be learned form this passage, but there are two primary principles we all need to remember.
It is vital that we understand God doesn't bring division but unity. It is Satan who divides people, families, churches, and countries. He works on the basis of "divide and conquer." God brings people together, so we can be members of His kingdom and accomplish His will in His power. That is why Jesus said in this passage that the one who did not "gather" with Him, scatters. We do not want to be people who scatter others, but we want to be ones who gather people together in Jesus.
Then, we must always keep in mind that Satan and his demons are no match for the power of God. Jesus cast out demons by the "finger" of God. It was no trouble for Him, at all. We must not fear them, either. We only need to stay in right relation to Jesus, and we can deal with anything Satan throws at us. He is a defeated foe through the cross of Jesus.
Therefore, we all need to have our house swept clean by the blood of Jesus and fill it with all of the works of righteousness and fruit of the Spirit that He has designed for us. That way our lives will be free from the influence of Satan and filled with the presence of Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 18-20.