Unclean Spirits

Mark 1:21-28:

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 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!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Blog:

Demons are unclean spirits that have fallen with satan from Grace and Heaven when St. Michael the Archangel defeated them (along with God’s Army of Angels).  In other words, these unclean spirits lost the biggest battle of their Spiritual lifetimes – and, they lost Heaven and gained hell.  While the stories about what Heaven (from both Scripture and first-hand accounts of those of us who’ve had a brief moment(s) There) are commonly-shared often to reactions of awe and wonder, while the stories about hell are not commonly-shared.  The Truth is that far too many of us only want to talk about the Good Guys and what Eternity Promises to us all.  Very few people talk openly about the bad guys and what demons and hell are actually like.  But those stories are there for us to see, as well.  One Man talked about both for 3 years with as many people as came to hear Him.  Not only did He talk “about” demons, He also spoke “with” demons.  And, He spoke about hell and the “wailing and gnashing” of teeth.  And, His Name is Jesus.  People are motivated by two things – either moving towards pleasure or moving away from pain.  So, why do we often only focus on half of the equation?  When we’re called to a real, earthly battle, do we just focus on how shiny our own swords are or how brilliant our armor is?  No.  While we gear-up and prepare accordingly, we also study and strategize around our opponents; we look to understand our enemies, foes, competitors, rivals, etc. in almost every aspect of our lives.  We must be just as prudent to not let fear and ignorance fuel our lukewarm approach to our Spiritual Battles – Battles that are raging each and every day in our lives and that will cost us Everything in Eternity.  While it’s Infinitely-important to know Jesus, it is paramount that we know who satan and his demons are and how they operate.  St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-18 that we must “be strong in the Lord and in His Mighty Power” and “put on the full armor of God, so that [we] can take [our] stand against the devil’s schemes.”  Check-out any image of St. Michael the Archangel and you’ll get the point…and, it’s never, ever too early or late to Prepare for the Way of the Lord!