E. DEMONS FEAR JESUS
Nowhere in Scripture does it ever say that Jesus faced demonic power with fear and trembling. In fact, it was just the other way around. It was the demons who cried out in fear:
“There was a man in the synagogue with an evil spirit. And he cried out, saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? did you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God “‘ (Mark 1:23,24 smf).
“When Jesus stepped out onto the land, he was met by a man with demons… and when he saw Jesus, he raised a terrible cry and fell down in terror before him.
“Shouting at the top of his voice he said, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God. Please, I beg you don’t torment me…
“Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name? ‘Legion,’ he replied, because thousands of demons had gone into the man. And the demons begged him repeatedly not to order them into the bottomless pit” (Luke 8:27-31 smf).
“You believe there is one God? Good! But remember, the demons do too – so strongly that they tremble in terror” (Jas 2:19 smf).
It is interesting to note that the Greek word for “tremble” is phrisso. It means to shiver or shudder in terror and horror. It refers to the kind of fear which causes the the hair on one’s skin to bristle or stand on end.
No, it wasn’t Jesus Who was terrified by the presence of demons. It was the demons who were struck with fear by the power and presence of the Lord. They knew He had come to strip Satan of his power and authority.
1. Jesus Has All Power
After His resurrection, Jesus plainly put this truth in these words:
‘ALL power in heaven and on earth has been given unto me. Therefore go and make disciples in all nations… And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20 smf).
The word “power” in the scripture above means power to rule, to take authority and have dominion. Now if Jesus has ALL power and authority, that means the devil has none. Through His death on the cross, Jesus dethroned the devil and took away his power of death.
Jesus strongly stated this truth again to the Apostle John in his heavenly vision. “Don’t be afraid; I am the first and the last. I died, but see, I am alive for ever more. I have the keys [authority] of death and the grave” (Rev 1:17, 18 smf).
2. Jesus Gave Power To Believers
Not only does Jesus have all power and authority, but He has given that power to His disciples – of all ages!
“The seventy disciples returned with great joy. ‘Lord,’ they said, ‘even the demons submit to us when we use your name.’
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, I saw Satan falling from heaven like a lightning flash. And I have given you authority over all of the power of the enemy. You have power to crush under foot scorpions and serpents [demonic powers]. Nothing shall harm you!” (Luke 10:17-19 smf).
“These signs shall follow those who believe: they shall use the authority of my name to cast out demons..” (Mark 16:17 smf).
In the light of the above scriptures, it is plain that we have no reason to fear demonic forces. Their power and authority have been taken away. It is they who tremble in our presence when we stand strong in the victory of Calvary, submitted to the conquering Christ.
Let us now consider how to put the truth of God’s Word into action. Principles must be proven in practice.
F. THE POWER OF GOD’S PRESENCE
“The Lord their God is with them. The shout of the king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt. Israel has the strength of a wild ox.
No curse can be placed on them, and no witchcraft can be done against them. See what wonders God has done for them.
“These people rise up like a lion that will not rest until it has destroyed and eaten its prey…” (Num 23:21-24 smf). In the above passage we have a picture of what we enjoy as believers in Christ. God’s presence is with us, and His protection rests upon us. We are victorious over our enemies.
1. Demons Cannot Harm Believers
It is of special interest to note that no curse can be placed on us and no evil magic can be done against us. Even witchcraft is of no effect as long as we submit to the royal rule of our God. When we walk in faith and obedience, no power of the enemy can harm us.
This is truth which is for God’s people of every age. It rests upon the principle of divine dominion. As said before, when we come under God’s authority, His authority comes upon us. Then we can resist the devil and his demons in the authority of His Name and by the power of His Word. They will flee from us.
There are places in the world where this truth is of great importance. Many people live their whole lives in fear because of witchcraft. I have seen them completely set free in Christ Jesus.
When they understand that the devil was totally defeated at Calvary, they lose their fear. They quickly begin to move in their authority as royal sons and daughters in the family of God. They are not afraid to face and defeat demon powers wherever they find them. It is beautiful to see “the wonders which God has done for them.”
2. Personal Experience
I would like to briefly share something that I personally went through. As you know, I had become a Muslim before I had an encounter with Jesus in 1997. I experienced a lot of freedom instantly when I met Jesus, but I had no idea that I was still under demonic oppression.
About 6 years later, outwardly I was an outstanding Christian, ministering powerfully especially through the word and music. Inwardly, I was stuck in a rut. My life had not experienced the freedom that I knew was mine in Jesus.
Every experiment I had done in the occult, every ‘god’ I submitted to while studying hinduism, had given a foothold for Satan in my life. To top it off, I had renounced Jesus and submitted to the ‘god’ of Islam.
Getting ‘saved’ and ‘ministering’ for 6 years did not address this problem.
At that time I went to Bahrain for a recording. The Church there, The Father’s House, was in the middle of a 40 day fast. During one of the first meetings with Pastor Koshy of the Father’s House, my hand started rotating and twisting uncontrollably. It was only when he rebuked a spirit that it settled down. I was so taken back by this that we agreed to meet again for prayer.
This began 17 days of intense deliverance, where demon after demon, spirit after spirit left me as they were exposed layer by layer.
Demons can not posses a believer, but unless we renounce what we have willingly and unwillingly submitted to, they will have a legal clause to influence and torment us. In ignorance of this, I had lived under their influence, but the truth from the word of God, ministered under the anointing in the name of Jesus has set me free.
I have seen and experienced how powerless demons are. It has been 6 years since the deliverance sessions in Bahrain, and I continue to take back what the devil has stolen, not just in my life, but in the lives of many others, and with absolutely NO FEAR.
Jesus is the ‘Winner Man’
G. CONCLUSION
God wants us to walk in the joy of His presence, power and protection. He hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7).
Let us live therefore in faith and rejoice in our freedom from fear. Truly, we are beloved sons and daughters in the royal family of God.