Good Spirit or Bad

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.  Matthew 12:28 (KJV)

Jesus was under scrutiny again by the religious authorities.  He had just healed a person filled with an evil spirit which left him blind and dumb.  The amazed people began to murmur that this could be the promised Son of David and this upset the Pharisees.  To combat this affront to their strong theological stronghold, they accused Jesus of working with dark powers and in conjunction with the king of darkness.

Let us examine this story in the context of today.  We might possibly bring light unto healing for us and preserve us from falling into the same traps as our forefathers.  The Lord gave us these words of the Sacred Scriptures to instruct and to direct us even in this age.

Perhaps we are living in times where we prefer not to consider too deeply the things of spirits and demons.  Many people may secretly think that those people of the past who interpreted the affliction of others to be the work of spirits, was a primitive idea and modern technology has better equipped us to see that there is another more scientific approach.

It is true that science may have shown us more light into what takes place on a biological scale inside the body, but it has not given many answers as to the why or the powers which created these situations.  A true Christian, who believes there is a Spirit of God at work in His creation, should not have to stretch his or her imagination much to know that if Jesus has referred to these evil forces or ¨spirits¨, than they are indeed at loose and working amongst the children of the world.

We could waste time diving into deeper considerations of the workings of evil spirits but it might not be time well spent.  It may be enough to allow the words of Jesus to stand and know that they exist and pose constant danger to us.  Then take advantage of any remaining time at our disposal to seeking the right Spirit and understanding of Him and coming to know His movements.

One thing is for sure, when we dive into such themes we are standing on dangerous ground.

The Bible has much to say about evil forces at work in the world and inside of people.  Constant encouragement throughout the Bible is found for seeking the Spirit of God before all else.

Therefore when we find people throwing stones, so to speak, at Jesus and saying He was working in cahoots with the Devil, let us pay attention to what He says about it.

Jesus throws the whole weight of argument back upon the ones pointing the fingers.  He says that if you are throwing accusations around, and there are people who do just that, then they should beware of the powers at work in them.  We can find in religious circles as well as from the world in general, people who point the finger at others saying that they are not working with the power of God.

Perhaps this story in Matthew 12 verses 22 to 37 should remind us that none of us have been found perfect.  We have all fallen short of righteousness.  Therefore, the only ones who will stand in the end will be those who are found with the Spirit of God at work in them.  This means that it is not the sort of people throwing stones or placing themselves over another, but rather the ones who are not self-regarding but God regarding.  Those who concern their time examining others are quite surely not the ones spending enough personal time concerning themselves with filling their eyes, hearts and souls with that great, wonderful, loving Spirit from above.

The Spirit of God always works in waves of love and compassion towards others.  It always directs all attention back to where it belongs, upon God the Father and His Son.

May you and I be found among those who throw ourselves headlong into this kind of quest.  Let us dive deeper each day and in each and every moment to seeking this Great Spirit.  Let us familiarize ourselves with His movements and need to be aware of them, like a person gasping for the last breaths of air.

Only then, will the Spirit be pleased to show us His workings and movements.  Then perhaps we may not find ourselves on the side of people like the Pharisees and find ourselves rather where we belong, at the feet of Jesus Himself.

Please dear Lord, open our eyes to the workings of the Spirit.  Place a burning deep inside of each of us, to feel and sense and understand when and how that Great Spirit moves.  We do not have the adequate equipment or knowledge of judge in spiritual matters, but if we are close enough to Jesus, He can instruct us.  Draw us and fill us.  Open our hearts wide to that Great Mysterious Spirit until all the reality of our current world pales and vanishes and we are found to live with you there.

In Your name we pray,

Amen

Scott W