against the darkness

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 11:20

Jesus explains most succinctly why spiritual activity surrounded His public ministry. God’s kingdom had arrived with Him. And it was being met with a show of force by Satan’s armies. Jesus faced demonic spirits because a kingdom was being opposed. But it was not difficult for God to defeat demons. God barely had to lift a finger. Jesus spoke and demons fled. Those once held captive in demonic darkness were set free under the new King’s love and power.

Detractors to Jesus’ miraculous works attributed His control over spiritual forces to the Devil. But this was not possible. The Devil would not divide his own kingdom. Instead, the True King now walked the world. Jesus is that King. And He was taking back occupied territory! He attacked the strongholds of Satan. He took away demonic gains. He spoiled the enemy (Luke 20:21-22). That power was on display every time Jesus confronted the demonic.

And that power is still found in Jesus. He changes lives. Jesus can break strongholds of sin if we let Him rule over them. Past abuse, sexual immorality of any kind, pornography, alcohol and drug addiction, occultism, sexual confusion, self-harm, self-worship, relational pain, racism, hate, and a host of other demonically fueled strategies all fall when we allow our Risen King to storm the strong man’s lair and break the armor of the enemy. Oh that the gospel would continue to pillage the foe!

“The prince of darkness grim

we tremble not for him

his rage we can endure

for lo, his doom is sure

one little word shall fell him

That word above all earthly power

no thanks to them abideth

the Spirit and the gifts are ours

through Him Who with us sideth…”