The Reality of Unclean Spirits: Mark 1:23-28
“23) Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24) saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25) And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26) Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27) They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28) Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.” Mark 1:23-28
Encounters like this were very common in the New Testament. Jesus encountered many unclean spirits during the course of His ministry. Let’s make some brief observations from this story.
First, unclean spirits or demons are real. They are attached to or dwell in people. They create various side affects in people which may include mental torment, physical symptoms that mimic infirmities and the giving paranormal powers to some. They often abuse people.
Second, they recognized Jesus and His authority over them. They cried out; “ What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Third, Jesus rebuked him and commanded him to be quiet and come of him! He took immediate authority over the demon. And this happened prior to His work on the cross where He disarmed and destroyed all the works of the devil. (See Colossians 1:13-14; 2:13-15, 1 John 3:7-8)
Forth, the unclean spirit obeyed His command. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the highest authority. Note that He commanded him. Jesus did not request, beg or suggest; He took authority and gave the command! Rebuking and commanding go hand in hand.
This brings us to the final point, even the crowd recognized the surpassing authority of Jesus. “27) … What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” It didn’t take long for the news about Jesus to spread far and wide.
Jesus has given His followers authority over the demonic realm. Denial or ignorance about this subject is inexcusable. The biblical theology of spiritual warfare is dealt with at length in the Freedom Quest Workshop. You can also do a self study by ordering the Freedom Quest workbook from the GoServ Global office.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“23) Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24) saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25) And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26) Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27) They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28) Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.” Mark 1:23-28
Encounters like this were very common in the New Testament. Jesus encountered many unclean spirits during the course of His ministry. Let’s make some brief observations from this story.
First, unclean spirits or demons are real. They are attached to or dwell in people. They create various side affects in people which may include mental torment, physical symptoms that mimic infirmities and the giving paranormal powers to some. They often abuse people.
Second, they recognized Jesus and His authority over them. They cried out; “ What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Third, Jesus rebuked him and commanded him to be quiet and come of him! He took immediate authority over the demon. And this happened prior to His work on the cross where He disarmed and destroyed all the works of the devil. (See Colossians 1:13-14; 2:13-15, 1 John 3:7-8)
Forth, the unclean spirit obeyed His command. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the highest authority. Note that He commanded him. Jesus did not request, beg or suggest; He took authority and gave the command! Rebuking and commanding go hand in hand.
This brings us to the final point, even the crowd recognized the surpassing authority of Jesus. “27) … What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” It didn’t take long for the news about Jesus to spread far and wide.
Jesus has given His followers authority over the demonic realm. Denial or ignorance about this subject is inexcusable. The biblical theology of spiritual warfare is dealt with at length in the Freedom Quest Workshop. You can also do a self study by ordering the Freedom Quest workbook from the GoServ Global office.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
