The Devil’s Opportunity
When Satan is in the Service
The Devil found an opportunity to try to disrupt, distract and destroy the ministry of Jesus and it was during a church service.
“When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.” -Luke 4:13
Luke 4:14-15, 33-35
“Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone….Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.”
Over time, I’ve learned to listen better to the helper God gave me for life and ministry: my wife.
Before a chapel service a number of weeks ago, she said she discerned a concern from the Spirit, that there was a need to confront a “spirit of death” that night in the ministry time.
She was impressed with a burden that someone was fighting a dark and desperate battle. That night we ministered accordingly, sensitive to the challenging reality that the devil comes to “steal, kill and destroy” (Jn. 10:10).
We had a meaningful night of ministry particularly with a young man struggling with his identity. A boy raised by a mother who had spoken death and meaninglessness over his life. Thankfully that same young man has stayed at the shelter and told us he was intending to come to church this week.
Unfortunately recently one of the guests at the shelter succumbed to the darkness and took his own life. The tragedy of such a loss fuels our commitment to do our best to be present in ways that are meaningful and matter to men, women and children.
Eternity hangs in the balance for many guests.
Before a recent chapel service LeeElla told me that she was sensing a direction from the Lord to ask for the gift of deliverance from evil spirits to operate in the ministry times. Satan is behind much that we often dismiss as merely natural, when in reality it’s supernatural.
Devils build strongholds.
Most are centered around beliefs and resulting actions that are rooted in the mind. These barriers are constructed by lies and illusions that resist or twist the truth of who God is as revealed in Christ and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
Others are erected through sinful relational devastations inflicted through abuse, betrayal, abandonment and wicked deeds that stain, suffocate or sear the heart.
Some strongholds are built through unrestrained sexual activity outside of marriage and porn ignited deviancy from God’s original intentions for human sexual celebration and expression.
The ministry of the Word of God through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit exposes, provokes and expels devils who deceive, influence, suppress, oppress or inhabit individuals.
These individuals are in churches as well as shelters, because this is a profoundly personal reality that involves the will and ways of people’s lives. Just because someone attends a service doesn’t mean that person is actually part of the Church of Jesus.
Devils continue to say: “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”
Gospel truth and life in Jesus breaks down demonic strongholds. Demons will rail against anything that threatens their dominion.
“Go away” is usually the first word, the second is often “stay away” and they’ve been really good at convincing too many of God’s people to obey.
“Why are you interfering?” they squeal. Because love compels us to interfere and Jesus modeled the way.
“The crowd” is always watching which spirit will prevail.
This confrontation has to be discerned and determined to be engaged by God’s hand extended in ministry and mission. We can’t cower or cuddle devils and deception.
We stand in love, mercy and truth but we…stand. We do not give back ground, we don’t buckle under the pressure to stop or stay away. We push forward like soldiers taking back ground, warriors shielded, but advancing.
This is a battle. It’s unnerving at times, it’s difficult and distressing, it’s infuriating and exacerbating in some moments and it can be depressing, discouraging and devastating too.
Nevertheless, Jesus has commissioned us to go and not stop.
“…love compels us.” -2 Cor. 5:24
For the good of those in need of rescue and restoration and preeminently for the glory of the “Holy One of God!”