We all face trials in life. Those trials are varied, but each one can test our faith. Financial difficulties can weigh us down, as can health problems or marital strife. Many people who first come to Jesus for salvation are under the impression that life will be rosy with no more troubles. Oh, if that were only true. The fact is, life on this side of Heaven is filled with financial troubles, health worries, job pressures, marital discord, and all the things everyone in the world faces. The difference is that a Christian has Jesus to lean on.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as He was explaining to them that He was about to be crucified. He wanted them to find peace no matter what was about to happen. It’s not easy to find peace, let alone to be of good cheer in conflict or worry, but Jesus gives us His peace.

In times of trouble, fear can be our biggest enemy. The trials we face in life can have many consequences, and fear can make the trouble worse. Even the disciples who walked very close to Jesus let fear into their minds and hearts. One day Jesus was teaching a group of people by the seaside. I can almost hear the waves lapping upon the shore and the birds calling. Above it all, the voice of Jesus speaking and teaching. A very peaceful scene indeed. There were so many people present that He had entered into a ship so all could see and hear. That day He chose to teach in parables.

He taught about a farmer who sowed seeds which fell on various soils. Some seeds grew, some didn’t. The disciples didn’t understand the meaning, but Jesus explained that the seeds were the word of God. When we face problems in life, if we haven’t allowed the word of God to grow strong in our hearts, fear can cause us to falter.

“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19).

How do you react when the world seems to fall in around you? If you accepted the word of God and let it grow, when a health problem looms before you or financial problems come along, you’ll find the peace of God to comfort you and see you through. Parables were a favorite teaching tool used by Jesus, and He spoke many that day. His words should have strengthened the disciples in their faith, yet these men who spent so much time learning from Jesus had the same weaknesses as you and I. When things get bad, we let fear overcome our faith.

After Jesus taught by that lovely seaside, He sailed away. Suddenly the sea became stormy. The tranquil time on the shore listening to Jesus teach gave way to a raging storm at sea.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (Mark 4:37).

It’s the same today. Everything seems to be going along just fine, then a storm hits and we begin to fear the storm. One can only imagine the fear that gripped the men sailing with Jesus. Yes, they should have had faith that He would see them through, because He had said “Let us pass over to the other side.” He didn’t say, “Let’s go halfway and sink.” They feared because they believed the storm was greater than Jesus. Some of those men were experienced fishermen who should have weathered many similar storms. It’s easy to only see the storm and the trouble and think that Jesus doesn’t care. Where was Jesus?

“And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38).

I’m sorry to say that I’ve felt that way a few times in my life. Shame on me. I know Jesus cares, but when I look at the storm, fear takes ahold of my mind. He cared for those fishermen, He cares for me, and He also cares for you. Whatever trial you’re facing, He cares very much. Maybe a loved one has just died and you don’t know how to face life without him or her. Lean on Jesus. Let His strength be your strength. Maybe it’s an illness you face. Fear will make things worse. Jesus will give you the peace that will see you through the storm.

The disciples only saw the storm and let fear muddle their thinking. They were in the ship with Jesus and should have felt safe and secure, but they accused Him of not caring. What did they want from Him? They didn’t ask for Him to stop the storm, but seemed to want Him to bail the water out of the boat. Jesus knew the true need.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40).

Ouch. They had accused Him of not caring, but He pointed out their lack of faith. Since Jesus was resting, they should have known there was nothing to fear. The disciples were just regular people like you and me. Like us they had faith until they were tested. Also like us, when the problem was solved, they found other things to fear.

“And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41).

They feared the storm, then feared the solution to the storm. Instead of peace, fear continued to cloud their minds. This storm passed, but something more dreadful awaited them on the other shore. They were in the country of the Gadarenes where they were met by a man filled with a legion of demons. Storm or demons, Jesus is greater than all problems. Find peace in Him.

Jesus is our example; and by looking to Him we can learn many lessons. There were plenty of problems that could have kept Jesus awake that day. He faced much persecution; most of His family thought He was crazy; He could have fretted about the vile accusations that were said against His mother; and the Pharisees wanted to kill Him. That’s enough to keep anybody awake! He also knew that He would be put to death and all of His friends would desert Him. In spite of the raging storm of troubles that could have kept Him awake, Jesus had peace. What awakened Him?

The voices of His followers crying out to Him. Oddly, they didn’t ask Him to quell the storm, but just asked if He cared that they were all perishing. Some believe that this storm was more than a normal storm…more of a demonic attack. Jesus rebuked the storm just as He rebuked demons who tormented people.

Indeed, some of the attacks we face are demonic in nature. These evil beings can even oppress Christians to the point of despair. Why don’t we turn to Jesus first instead of struggling along, making things worse on our own? Storms come, but Jesus brings peace.

There were smaller boats that followed along with the ship Jesus was in. Those little boats were also touched by the storm. That’s how it is in life. No person is isolated; and when a loved one suffers, we also suffer. A husband fears as his wife goes through an illness. Children fear as they watch their parents fight and threaten divorce. A parent fears for a child who rebels against authority. Jesus will help us through each storm.

Brothers and sisters, call out to Him in prayer. Christians will find peace through Jesus and strength to get through every storm. The people around us who are touched by our storms will see our faith and ask how we find peace instead of fear.

Many years ago, when my mother was fighting cancer and many other problems, she was always able to smile. She loved Jesus; and instead of letting fear win, she trusted Him for the victory. When she had visitors or met a stranger, she always found a way to comfort them and share her faith. Like the Apostle Paul, my mother desired to serve Jesus.

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:20-21). 

My mother died, but her faith in Jesus did not leave her in the grave. She had nothing to fear in life nor in death because of her rock-solid faith that Jesus would see her through safely to the other side. Her faith strengthened my own.

It’s easy to proclaim our faith in Jesus when we have smooth sailing in life, but when our faith is tested, we sometimes lose the peace that comes from faith in Jesus. The disciples had seen many miracles and heard His teaching, and yet they were still able to forget who He was. Their fear took away their peace. We aren’t any different than they were. We trust Jesus with our eternity, but we just can’t quite trust Him to see us through today. When a storm in life rages, we sometimes accuse Him of not caring. He does care. He gave His life for us, and there is no love greater than that. Because He cares He also gave us the way to perfect peace in all of life’s challenges.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The world cannot give us the peace that only comes from Jesus.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Jesus cares. Talk to Him and trust Him through the storm. Let His peace bring peace during the storm.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos” – God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

 

How many of us enjoy a good horror film? I don’t, but many people do. Even Christians. Many films seem to glorify evil, such as The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, It, and The Joker. What’s the fascination with such evil? It’s only a movie, right? Just entertainment. The problem is, demons are real.

These movies, as well as television and video games, make them seem as if they’re imaginary things that are unreal. Many of the Hollywood crowd serve Satan and have an agenda to make demons seem entertaining. Most people simply shrug off any idea that demons might actually be real and give them no more thought than smiling at the little ghouls and goblins who come begging for candy on Halloween.

Yes, our little ones begin at a very early age to make friends with demons. A little devil costume is so cute on Billy, and Susie is adorable in her witch hat and black robe. Is this just harmless fun? Another trend today is wearing hideous skulls on t-shirts and tattooed on bodies. Ugly skulls that personify evil. Many Christians see no problem with this.

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). 

As Christians grow increasingly desensitized to Satan’s evil, we deny our power to stand against him. We become weak in our Christian walk and see the powers of evil just as the world does…nothing more than a myth. The fact is, demons are real and are very active in the world today. Only the deceived say “There’s no such a thing as demons.”

Demons aren’t myths or fairytales. We don’t like to think about demons, but Christians need to be aware of them. Jesus is the ultimate authority, so since He says demons are real, then they are real. He taught those who followed Him to spread the Gospel, heal the sick, and also to cast out demons. In addition to the twelve disciples, there were many others who followed Him. Jesus sent seventy of these men out to put what they had been taught into practice.

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke10:17).

Jesus didn’t tell them there were no such things as devils, but told them He had given them power over the enemy. The name of Jesus is powerful.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). 

Even demons bow to Jesus. Christians have authority in the name of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many Christians deny His power because they think the enemy isn’t at work today, or that the Holy Spirit stopped His work after the Apostles died. That’s what the enemy would like you to believe. That’s like being in a war (which we are) and believing the enemy when he says that guns don’t need bullets to be effective. Believe God and don’t be deceived.

What are demons? There are many opinions about their origin, but the bottom line is that they are disembodied spirits. What do you suppose they want most? You guessed it, living bodies. They enter when they’re invited. One way is through necromancy, which is defined as the conjuring of the spirits of the dead, and always involves demons. Their intention is not to communicate truth or wisdom, but pure lies. Trying to contact the dead is forbidden by God.

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD…” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12a).

The Israelites were heading to the Promised Land, which was filled with demon-worshipping people who practiced child sacrifice (…maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire…) to their demon god. Children are still sacrificed to a demon god today, but we call it abortion. This demonic practice opens portals for demons.

Brothers and sisters, be careful. Don’t embrace the world, but embrace Jesus Christ. Christians have the protection of the Holy Spirit, but non-believers are unprotected. It’s not difficult to attract demons; people do it all the time by drug use and other common practices. Once they’ve taken up residence in a human body, it’s not easy to evict them.

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26).

Casting out demons is a serious matter. Once the demon is gone, the space once occupied by the demon needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit. If the space is left empty, the demon will return and bring others with him. The only way to be protected is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That only happens when you truly accept Christ for salvation.

In fear of giving too much power to Satan and his minions, Christians refuse to study about demons. In doing so, many deny the existence of evil. We need to be aware of the enemy in order to know how to fight against him. Denying his existence has made it easy for Satan to work his evil.

The spiritual battle rages today just as it did when Jesus walked among men. Scripture contains many examples of demons being cast out. One time a man had brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples for them to cast out the demon, but they were unsuccessful. They watched as the young man foamed at the mouth and rolled on the ground. The man explained to Jesus that his son had been possessed since childhood. It wasn’t a psychological problem nor was it a health issue. It was a demon. Jesus told him that all things are possible to those who believe.

“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). 

Jesus told the demon to come out and to stay out; the demon had to obey. Later the disciples asked why they were unable to cast the demon out.

“And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).

Not only are demons real, but there are different kinds of demons. Why do Christians fail? We don’t believe. Jesus will help our unbelief if we ask.

Born again believers in Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, and He doesn’t share space with evil. We live in this fallen world and are in a battle against demonic forces.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). 

This war will continue until Satan is ultimately defeated. The war is made up of many battles, but many Christians side with the enemy. We join forces with Satan when we compromise our walk with Jesus by embracing the worldly ways. God knows this spiritual battle is real, and has told us how to fight. God has not left us without weapons, but it’s up to us to take up those weapons and use them.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

The armour of God consists of the supernatural weapons required to fight the supernatural battle and are described beginning in Ephesians 6:14. Study them and learn to use them before you find yourself in the midst of battle. Only a foolish soldier neglects his weapons until the day of battle.

Demons are present everywhere and poised to pounce like a lion hidden and waiting for its prey, but Christians have protection. We have the Holy Spirit and Scripture to guide and teach us.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:7-8).

Even a Christian can be oppressed by demons if you embrace sin instead of submitting to God. Using drugs, participating in any kind of witchcraft, horoscopes, tarot cards, Ouija boards, yoga, meditation, contemplative prayer, embracing any sin, yoking yourself with those who aren’t of God, are some of the ways demons are given an invitation. Anything that encourages you to “empty your mind” is satanic. Many “Christian” groups accept these practices and therefore invite demonic forces to enter the congregation. Yes, Satan is bold enough to enter a Christian gathering.

There’s no such thing as Christian yoga, and no Eastern mystic activity has any place in a Christian’s life. Stick to Scripture and draw near to God. If you’ve been keeping company with the enemy, you’re in danger of coming under his control.

Here’s the good news – and listen very carefully to this: Jesus Christ is all powerful and all loving. He gave His life for you. There is no sin you can possibly commit that He will not forgive. Ask Him to come into your life and to forgive your sins. He will. Then, turn away from that sin.

If you’ve dabbled in yoga, necromancy, or have been a part of Satanism or witchcraft, you may need a strong Christian to help you get free of demons. Today is the day to come out from under the control of Satan and place your life in the loving hands of God Almighty. This is true for Christians as well as non-Christians. If you’re a Christian and have been participating in occult activities or keeping company with those who do, you may well have invited demonic oppression in your life. You may need the help of a fellow Christian who is stronger in their walk with Jesus to help you. Whatever your situation, only Jesus can free you from demons.

As we see Halloween approaching, stores are filled with demonic costumes. Parents buy their children costumes that will identify them with demons. Adults also dress up in costumes that glorify Satan. It’s all in good fun, right? As a Christian, why would you dress up in a satanic costume and identify yourself with the enemy? When we resist Satan, he loses his power.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

When Christians refuse to believe Satan and his minions of evil are real, they’ve fallen for his lies. Demons aren’t just costumed pranksters wearing masks; they are pure evil poised to destroy humanity. They are relentless and know their days are numbered.

Christ triumphed over the minions of evil at the cross. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). 

One day they will be thrown into the lake of fire along with all who follow them. Walk close to Jesus for His protection.

Demons are real. Don’t invite them into your life, and don’t fight the spiritual battle unarmed. Take your stand with Christ.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos” – God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.