The devil is not afraid to go to church

 The devil is not afraid to go to church.  

Jesus was at the end of a 40-day fast when the devil came tempting Him, trying to make Him sin. (Luke 4:1-13).

The first place we find Jesus went after that was to church. But the people in Nazareth became angry at His words and kicked Him out. (Luke 4:16-30)

That didn't stop Jesus.  He left there and went to church in Galilee. Walking into the synagogue, he found a man hanging out inside that had an unclean (foul) devil. (Luke 4:33-37)

The Bible doesn't indicate what the devil possessed man was doing there. Was he causing trouble? Was he disrupting the worship or prayers? Perhaps the foul spirit was just quietly watching and observing, knowing he had some of those there bound as well. I have to wonder if anyone there even discerned and realized that the man was bound by an evil spirit? Was the man there wishing someone would see and set him free?

Jesus saw and knew!  I believe Jesus showed up with purpose! He had just been in Nazareth and taught that He was there to 'preach deliverance to the captives' (Luke 4:18).  And now He comes to where a man is being held captive by a foul spirit.

That foul spirit knew why Jesus was there and began to cry out to leave them alone. That devil said, "I know who You are!" After the encounter in the wilderness, the devils knew who Jesus is! Jesus silenced that foul spirit and commanded it to come out of the man. That foul spirit had to obey!

How many times have there been those that come to our Church services bound and we don't recognize or discern it? We recognize those bound by alcohol or drugs. What about those bound by nicotine? And too often we tend to just excuse poor behavior away or may even label the person as having a mental illness.  People are bound and yet we're not discerning it as we should.  

The devil is not afraid to come to church or say the name Jesus!

I have heard a woman possessed by devils say the name Jesus. That is why we must be discerning and full of the Holy Ghost. It takes more than just saying the name of Jesus to set the captives free.  We must walk in the power and authority of the Holy Ghost! 

Some of those bound are our loved ones or close friends. The devil has had them too long! It's past time for the Church to arise and take back what the enemy has stolen! We will see the victory and we will see the captives set free through the Blood of Jesus,  the power of His Holy Name Jesus,  and by the authority in the Holy Ghost! 

The devils know who Jesus is! They knew who Paul was! Do they know who you are? 

Jesus gave His Apostles power and authority over all devils.  (Luke 9:1) He's given that same power to those of us who have His Spirit in us. (Acts 1:8) Jesus promised these signs shall follow them that believe (Matk 16:17-18)

Are you walking in the power and authority of the Holy Ghost?

Repost from 1-27-22