Bible Study - Dark Side (2) - Demons - Mark 9:17-29 - September 10, 2017

Bible Study – Dark Side (2) – Demons – September 10, 2017

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “The Dark Side.”

Our focus scripture is Mark 9:17-29.

Demonic forces are real, but CHRIST is greater. 

[ Additional thoughts: (1) JESUS directed questions, regarding the history of boy's condition to the boy's father. This was for our benefit. There are medical conditions and conditions which are the result of demon position or oppression. JESUS knew but this was instructional both for HIS disciples then and for us today. Notice as you read, the demon's goal was to destroy the boy. The demon would cause the boy to attempt to burn or drown himself. The symptoms the boy was displaying were those of a person with epilepsy but the difference is the destructive nature of the demon. Demons and evil spirits seek to destroy.
(2) Could the lack of power of the 9 disciples of JESUS waiting for JESUS to come down from the mountain have been due to them being left in the valley while Peter, James and John went up the mountain with JESUS? Had they neglected their prayer life while JESUS was on the mountain? We do not know but our attitude toward JESUS is vital when we serve HIM. The key is for Christians not to neglect their prayer life and to maintain the right relationship with JESUS. Christians are in spiritual warfare every day and we must not neglect our prayer life or allow jealousies or other compromising issues into our lives. When we see these flesh issues come into our thought lives, cast them out and command them never to enter again. Cast such thoughts out and slam the door shut. We must turn our thoughts to JESUS and HIS power because JESUS has won the battle for all Christians by the shedding of HIS blood and HIS resurrection. JESUS conquered sin and its consequence, eternal death, for all who place their faith in HIM.]

I pray for all who read this study that all will be covered by the shed blood of JESUS. When we study about Satan and the spirit world, Satan tries to divert our attention to the spirit world. Often, his strategy is to get us to look at various things happening in our lives as demonic. That results in us, especially Christians, turning our eyes and thoughts from JESUS to the spirit world. When such matters come to our attention, immediately change your thought life to “greater is HE (JESUS) that is in me than he (Satan or his evil forces) who is in the world. JESUS has already conquered Satan and the spirit world for Christians to live in victory. This does not mean Christians will not experience the onslaughts of the spirit world.

Soon after choosing HIS disciples, JESUS gave HIS disciples authority over the forces of evil, as recorded in Mark 6:7 and 13:

7 He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

It is always good to go out in pairs. One can witness and the other can be praying, particularly, when you encounter the demon world. In fact, you need prayer warriors praying for you when you go out to witness or serving The LORD.

13 And they were driving out many demons, anointing many sick people with oil, and healing.

JESUS’ disciples had experienced success before this event in our lesson today. At this time in our lesson, JESUS was nearing the moment for which HE came to earth – HIS crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, remaining upon earth for 40 days, ascension into Heaven, sitting at the right hand of GOD and sending the Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS.

Let’s read some of the background leading up to our focal scripture: JESUS’ disciples, Peter, James and John, went up the mountain referred to as the mountain of transfiguration with JESUS. As recorded in Mark 9:2-10:

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transformed in front of them,

3 and His clothes became dazzling-extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them.

4 Elijah (representing Prophecy) appeared to them with Moses (representing Law), and they were talking with Jesus.

Since JESUS was nearing HIS appointed time, had all been fulfilled in the scriptures and had JESUS fulfilled the Spirit of the Law? We know the answer when we read verse 7.

5 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"-

6 because he did not know what he should say, since they were terrified.

Peter was overwhelmed with what he was observing. Often, Christians get overwhelmed when they experience Spiritual matters but we are to keep our focus on truth and not go beyond. We are to learn from what GOD allows to come into our lives and to use that witness when HE permits.

7 A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!

8 Then suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

10 They kept this word to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.

The disciples witnessed a special event but JESUS asked them to hold their witness until the right moment.

Let’s read Mark 9:14-16:

The Power of Faith over a Demon

14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes disputing with them.

There were nine (9) disciples waiting for Peter, James, John and JESUS to come back from the mountain.

15 All of a sudden, when the whole crowd saw Him, they were amazed and ran to greet Him.

16 Then He asked them, "What are you arguing with them about?"

JESUS wanted all to know the issue of concern. Peter, James and John needed to be briefed. They had witnessed GOD confirming JESUS as HIS SON and HIS mission for the salvation of all who will place their faith in JESUS.

Let’s continue reading our focal scripture Mark 9:17-22a:

17 Out of the crowd, one man answered Him, "Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak.

18 Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't."

19 He replied to them, "You unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to Me."

Was JESUS speaking to the father of the boy, HIS disciples, those gathered or all who had gathered? Nine of JESUS’ disciples had tried to exorcise the demon but failed. Had the father prayed to GOD for his son’s healing or carried him to others who had tried but failed? Had some of the religious leaders, in the crowd, prayed over the boy or tried to exorcise the demon and failed? This was a teaching situation for JESUS.

20 So they brought him to Him. When the spirit saw Him, it immediately convulsed the boy. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

In James 2:19:

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!

This demon recognized JESUS and demonstrated its power over the boy. JESUS demonstrated HIS power and authority over the demon. JESUS had not spoken a word but the demon recognized JESUS and knew who HE was and the authority JESUS had over it.

21 "How long has this been happening to him?" Jesus asked his father. "From childhood," he said.

This demon had been in this boy’s life since childhood.

Why do you think JESUS asked that question? Had the demon been handed down through their ancestral line or some practice in which the family had been involved? This gave the father and those listening to JESUS a clue about the demonic world and how long demons can dwell in a person’s life; even an innocent child.

Let’s read Mark 9:22b-27:

22b “But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."

This response of the father suggests to me that he had tried everything to try to help his son. In essence, it suggests, “I have done all I know to do without success. YOU are my last resort. Are YOU able to help us? Please, I beg YOU, have compassion on us and help us!

Often, it is when we exhaust our efforts that we turn to JESUS. When we do, we know HE alone is the source of the results which can be supernatural or natural. Our part is to be obedient.

23 Then Jesus said to him, "'If You can?' Everything is possible to the one who believes."

Keep in mind JESUS had an audience which included HIS disciples. In essence, JESUS reacted to the boy’s father’s statement “If YOU can?” You do not know ME or MY Father or the authority MY Father has given ME. Pay attention and witness what will happen when your faith is firmly established in GOD. All things are possible when a person places his or her faith in JESUS. JESUS connected the boy’s father’s statement “If YOU can?” to JESUS’ relationship to GOD and the authority GOD had given to HIM as HIS Only SON.

24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe! Help my unbelief."

The boy’s father exclaimed that he had faith and had asked that GOD deliver his son from that which tormented his son. But obviously, his faith had come up short because his son still had a problem.

Now, here we need to be cautious. Not every condition is the result of a demon or evil spirits. There are diseases which need to be treated medically and there are conditions that need to be treated Spiritually. How can we know the difference? Christians need the gift of discernment.  JESUS reveals what Christians need to do and that is to pray. Get fellow Christians to pray with you. If an issue is from the evil world, the person will be delivered! But the 

delivered person must not be left void as we read on ---

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly coming together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!"

JESUS identified the demon and commanded it to come out. NOTICE: “come out of him and never enter him again!" It is vital that the person delivered from a demon, evil spirit or anything from the spirit world be filled with the Holy Spirit. We know that a person delivered from an unholy spirit has a void. Christians can be oppressed but not possessed. When the evil spirit moves from oppressing the life of a Christian, the Holy Spirit must be allowed to reign supreme in that person’s life. When a Christian is delivered we should also command that evil spirit not to enter that person’s life again. When the non-Christian is delivered he or she does not have the Holy Spirit to fill the void. Christians are to command the evil spirit not to enter that person’s life again. That allows for the possibility for that person to become a Christian and to be filled with the Holy Spirit at a later time, unless he or she opens up to another evil spirit. But woe to that person who delays asking JESUS into his or her heart, because he or she is subject to evil coming back into his or her life and taking over that person.

I hope no one thinks this is nonsense. If so, I pray that your Spiritual eyes will be opened to truth through faith in JESUS.

When those with authority over demons cast out a demon or demons, they should command it or them to “never enter that person again!”

26 Then it came out, shrieking and convulsing him violently. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, "He's dead."

The demon had no choice but to obey the command of JESUS. JESUS wanted all who were listening and watching to know that HE had authority over the 

evil spirit/demon world. The demon immediately came out “shrieking and convulsing” the boy. It was physical evidence of divine authority.

The onlookers thought the boy was dead. Some Bible scholars believe the boy was dead but JESUS restored him back to life, which would have revealed JESUS authority not only over the spirit world but also over physical death. 

This was a teaching moment for the onlookers, the boy’s father and JESUS’ disciples. Look back at Mark 9:9 and 10. JESUS’ inner circle of disciples had been pondering what JESUS meant by:

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

10 They kept this word to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.

Did JESUS’ disciples need to witness what it meant for a person to “rise from the dead?”  

27 But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.

If the boy was physically dead, JESUS brought him back to life. Again, this was to demonstrate HIS authority over the spirit world and the physical world. JESUS was truly the promised Messiah.

Let’s read Mark 9:28-29:

28 After He went into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

JESUS’ disciples had been successful in casting out demons before, as we read in Mark 6:13, so they wanted to know why they could not cast this demon out. JESUS gave them the answer as we read on ---

29 And He told them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [and fasting]."

The bracketed language is not found in earlier copies of Mark’s account. Bible scholars focus our attention on the need for Christians to “pray.” Of course, fasting helps us to focus our attention on JESUS Who is the power over the demonic world. That is why Christians must stay prayed up and to continue to build and maintain their relationship with GOD through JESUS.

The spirit world is real. It is not to be feared or tested. Christians must keep in mind, “Greater is JESUS Who is in us, than Satan and the evil spirit world that we live in.” (1 John 4:4)

Again, I pray for all who read and study this lesson that the spirit world will have no influence over you and that the Holy Spirit will indwell you, teach, enlighten and protect you.

If any do not know JESUS as your Savior, my prayer is that you ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life now.

If you prayed this prayer, then thank HIM for coming into your life and for HIM saving you from sin and its consequence, eternal death.

Welcome to the family of GOD through faith in JESUS, eternal life, the miracle of rebirth in your spirit/Spirit, a brother or sister in CHRIST and being a citizen of Heaven. Blessings!!!