Triumphant Life Church

By Apostle Isidore Agoha

There is one incident believed by many to be the first public encounter between Jesus Christ and demons. This incident, which was recorded in Mark 1:21-28 and Luke 4:31-37, also provokes an examination of some basic principles of demonology and spiritual warfare. Furthermore, there are some valuable spiritual lessons that are very relevant and up-to-date with the experience of the present day Christian and religious people as a whole. Let us, therefore , explore the key aspects of this encounter and identify the appropriate principles of demonology.

A Man With An Unclean Spirit

And they went into Capernaum and immediately on the Sabbath, He entered the synagogue and began to teach. And they were amazed at His teaching for He was teach them as one having authority and not as one of the scribes. Just then, there was a man in the synagogue with an unclean spirit and he cried out saying, "What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy one of God!" And Jesus rebuked him saying, "Be quiet and come out of him." And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. And they were all amazed so that they debated among themselves saying, "What is this? Anew teaching with authority? He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him." And immediately, the news about Him went out everywhere into all the surrounding districts of Galilee. Mark 1: 21-28

The first lesson here is that the ultimate victim of demons in this case and in most other cases discussed in the New Testament is a human being. It is a very clear fact of scripture that humans come under demonic domination as a result of Adam’s fall. Man’s subjection under demonic bondage is one of the major consequences of the fall of Adam and Eve. Prior to the Fall, all things, including demons were subject to humans. Genesis 1:26-27; 9:2.

The second lesson is that people who are afflicted by demons are not necessarily "obvious sinners" or outcasts of a religious community. The man with the unclean spirit in the center of this synagogue was by all accounts not without religion. He was, apparently, a practicing Jew, as he was attending synagogue on a Sabbath day. He must have attended many of these synagogue services , yet he was troubled by demons. In the midst of all his religious involvements and observances, these demons found place and comfort in their victim. He was still bound and under some form of torment. This man is a classic picture of many religious people, who still do not have Jesus or who have not appropriated God’s grace, including deliverance in Jesus.

The entrance of Jesus into that synagogue is typical of the deliverance ministry that manifests when He comes into a religious life, or into a family, marriage, ministry, career, business or local church. Demons do not mind religiosity or piety as long as Jesus is not invited and acknowledged. Furthermore, religious complacency, lukewarm attitudes, false religious hopes and wrong religious motives - including religious politics and other wrong internal and external religious attitudes, will only negatively impact the lives of those involves so as to render them conducive to demonic hibernation

True freedom and hope in religion only come through personal repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Apostle Isidore Agoha is the Senior Pastor at Triumphant Life Church in the Bronx, N.Y.

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