The devil is real. He is not some abstract idea that exists only in our minds as a way to embody evil. Demons also exist and are active in the spiritual realm. Satan labors tirelessly to separate us from God. He will stop at nothing to separate our soul from God. Denying the reality of spiritual warfare is to put your soul in great peril. Rather, stick close to Jesus and his Church. Receive the sacraments as often as you can. On the cross the battle was won. All that is left for us to decide is if we want to be on the winning team or the losing team.
The Man with an Unclean Spirit
And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 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 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
Scriptural Analysis – Background
Jesus has just called his first disciples and Mark now turns his attention to the first miracle recorded in his Gospel: an exorcism. Jesus travels with his first disciples to Capernaum which is a small fishing community on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum will serve as his home base for his ministry in Galilee. According to Mark, Capernaum was also the hometown of at least two of Jesus’s disciples and Jesus took up residence there.
By the first century AD, most communities with a strong Jewish population had a synagogue. The people would gather there for prayer, readings and instructions. These would focus on the Law and the Prophets. As a faithful Jew, Jesus would observe the sabbath by attending services in the synagogue.
Scriptural Analysis – Jesus Teaches
Jewish custom allowed any man who was knowledgeable of the Scriptures to comment on the readings. Jesus took this opportunity to teach. Note that Mark does not give an account of what Jesus taught in his account of this incident. What Mark does record is the people’s response to his teaching.
The first effect that Jesus’s teaching had was to stir the hearts of the people. They were “astonished” at his teachings. When one taught in the synagogue, the custom was to hand on the teachings of respected scholars. The teachings of various Rabbis would be handed on. However, Mark tells us that Jesus, “Taught them as one who had authority.” He presented his own authoritative and definitive interpretation of the scriptures.
Scriptural Analysis – Jesus Exposes Evil
Jesus’s teaching also has the effect of exposing evil so that it can be expelled. Mark provides no details regarding the identity of the possessed man. We don’t know if he was part of the community and if he was a regular synagogue attendee. Perhaps he had come only to hear Jesus teach. Regardless, in the presence of Jesus the grip of evil comes out in fear and rage, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”
The demon is challenging what he sees coming. Jesus is going to encroach upon their territory. He is aware that the coming of Jesus marks their downfall. The spirit claims knowledge that thus far was hidden, “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”
The term “Holy One” is a term usually reserved for God:
“There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides thee; there is no rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)
“For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come to destroy.” (Hosea 11:9)
At times, it is used for those consecrated to his service:
“The man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one.” (Numbers 16:7)
“Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, who is continually passing our way.” (2 Kings 4:9)
“When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord.” (Psalms 106:16)
The title is accurate for Jesus but it is not one he wants revealed now, he will handle that in his own time.
Scriptural Analysis – Jesus Drives Out The Demon
Jesus sternly rebukes the demon commanding him to, “Be silent.” A more literal translation is “Be muzzled.” He commands that the demon, “Come out of him.” As his act last of defiance the demon convulses the man but it comes out, powerless when faced with the power of Jesus. The words of John the Baptist are already being fulfilled, “After me comes he who is mightier than I.” (Mark 1:7)
The people who witness this again respond with amazement. They ask, “What is this?” They also state that they have seen, “A new teaching!” The people are making the connection between the teachings of Jesus and the power of Jesus. This is what makes Jesus’s teaching new. Not only are the words different than what has been heard but they have power to accomplish what they teach. The plan of salvation frees people from evil.
As a result of this event, Jesus’s s fame begins to spread all around the region of Galilee.
Daily Application
When we discuss evil often times we tend to think in very abstract sort of terms. We forget that, just as Jesus is the embodiment of goodness and truth, Satan is the embodiment of evil and lies. The forces of evil are very much at work in the world. Their goal is simple, the eternal damnation of souls. Satan and the other evil spirits know that they will forever spend eternity in hell. Their entire desire is to take as many souls as they can with them.
How do we engage then in the spiritual battle? What can we do to protect ourselves from the forces of evil? First and foremost, remain close to the Church and her sacraments. There is no better way to combat evil than frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we are washed clean and able to remain in a state of grace. The Eucharist helps to fortify our souls and gives us the grace needed to resist temptation.
We also need to be conscious of what we are allowing to enter our minds and souls. Just as eating unhealthy food makes the body unhealthy so too can the consumption of questionable media make our soul unhealthy. Discerning what content is appropriate and what content we should stay away from can be challenging. That is because Satan is wise. He will never appear to us in a way that shows us the fullness of his evil. Rather, he appears in a way that is appealing: perhaps as a song that has a catchy groove and nice refrain but when you dig deeper into the lyrics you see an unholy message.
Digging deep into discernment is beyond the scope of this article. However, I will quickly offer two pieces of advice: one simplistic and one more complex. First, as a quick rule, ask yourself if Christ was sitting next to you would you be watching the show or movie you are watching, would you be listening to the music you are listening to, or would you recommend to him the book you are reading? It is simple, but provides a quick litmus text.
The second is to ask yourself if what you are consuming is drawing you closer to Christ or away from Christ. Discerning if you are being drawn closer to Christ needs more space to fully unpack but there are a couple of quick points. First, recall that Christ brings peace and calm. If something is making you anxious, that is usually a good indication it is drawing you away from God. Second, things that are drawing you to Christ glorify Christ. If you are hiding what is going on again, that is a sign that perhaps this is not of Christ.
The devil is real and he is at work. However, Jesus has shown he has authority and dominion over the devil and all other evil spirits. He gave us the Church as a conduit through which is grace could flow. Stick close to the Church and her sacraments. Guard what enters your heart and mind. A real spiritual battle is underway: a battle we already know that Jesus won.
Comentários