Let's Talk About Demons - Matthew 12:22-45
Let’s Talk About Demons Matthew 12:22-45
What’s been your experience with demons? Have you ever been under demonic influence or oppression? Certainly, as Christians we would all know and have experienced spiritual attack at one point or another. I think there has been a growing fascination with angels and demons over the last 10 to 15 years with the numbers of movies and streaming services that have it as a focus or a central theme. I think it’s all part of an increasing awareness or desire globally to tap into the spiritual realm. But I must confess, when I have watched these shows or seen the trailers to them, I am constantly amused by the complete lack of understanding of what demons/angels are or how they behave. It’s as if it is all based on myth, fairy-tale or superstition, but very little on what Jesus (a faithful source of information) says about them.
Jesus acknowledged their influence and presence – he addressed them, he cast them out, he healed against the effect they had on people. Verse 22 – Jesus healed and people wondered whether he was “The Son of David” I.E the Messiah.
Jesus, Satan and unity (verses 24-30) The criticism of Jesus was that He cast out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of Demons, we call him Satan. Before he dealt with their response, Jesus asked his accusers, the Pharisees, when they cast out demons, by whom do they cast them out! You see their hypocrisy.
Unity required for any kingdom (verses 25, 26)
The work of the Spirit (verse 28) “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, …” One kingdom takes over another. A stronger man takes out the strong man. (verse 29) Entering a strong man’s house – you must be stronger.
Being for Christ (verses 30-32) “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters...” These verses have caused some grief. Let’s make it simple and clarify. The house is the heart of man. Someone occupies your heart – sin and Satan, or Christ and the Holy Spirit. There is no 3rd option.
Fruit trees again! Jesus repeated Himself here in Matthew 12 saying the same things just with slightly different words as to what He used in Matthew 7:13. He said, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.”
You can’t be good – you snakes! (Verse 34) “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” You cannot be a good tree; you don’t have the Spirit of Christ. Goodness is not an action or an attitude, it is a state. Only God determines that state.
The state produces treasure – one way or another (verse 35) “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” Good treasure: Evil treasure. This flows out of the heart and mouth and lifestyle.
Judged by the words (verses 36, 37) “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak..." Words matter into eternity. What we say to our children, spouse, friends, workmates – all have an influence one way or another. But more than this, they are recorded. God has a storehouse of your words! What does your storehouse look like?
Satan seeks a sign (verses 38, 39) “some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign,” Satan wants signs. The irony is – they just witnessed one: a man born blind and mute was now seeing and speaking; he was right there. I wonder how he felt.
But there will be a sign (verses 39, 40) “but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ...” Jonah: historical fact, 3 days in a fish; Jesus in the ground 3 days, historical fact. People want to deny both. Jonah and Jesus got out of their tombs.
A crowd of witnesses (verses 41, 42) “The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment… something greater than Solomon is here.” Jesus is the someone greater. Hence His authority over the devil.
The devil you know! (Verses 43-45) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none… So also will it be with this evil generation." These verses have caused some conflict. They shouldn’t. This is the difference between Jesus casting out and the ministry of the Pharisees. Remember the initial discussion – you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do you cast them out? The reality is Satan is happy to have a reformed drunk if his later state can be made worse. I know a number of people who were in the church – not truly converted, like these Pharisees – they did ministry, youth ministry, preached, were committed to a church – not saved.
Satan and the modern world. I asked whether you have been under possession, oppression or the influence of Satan. Regardless of the fascination with demonology through movies, and social media, Jesus should be our only counsellor regarding the devil. Everyone who is not converted by the Spirit of Christ is under Satan’s sway. Ephesians 2:2 says, “you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” 1 John 5:19 says “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Jesus calls him “the father of all lies” and the greatest lie is that he is not real and that Jesus doesn’t save from sin.
Satan’s influence is mainly through unbelief. Demon possession and expression through the occult, mediums and seances, new age – these things are well known. But his greatest weapon is distraction from Christ, through unbelief and apathy. He does this by making us focus on ourselves rather than the great commission.
Also...being the Father of all lies, Satan promotes bad theology. Evolutionary theory – driven by Satan; generating hysteria about a climate catastrophe – distraction by the devil; conspiracy and confusion which we have had an abundance of lately. All propelled by Satan: how do we know? Jesus tells us – the fruit produced. Where there is division, fear, anger, resentment, splitting families and society; where there is social, physical and spiritual isolation: that’s the devil folks. Jesus said he comes to steal, kill and destroy.
What’s the answer? Being filled with the Holy Spirit. Ask, seek and knock for more of the Holy Spirit. “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness and self-control.” Resist the devil and he will flee. There is no greater resister to the devil than the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Strong man in Christ!