April 4
Luke 11:14-23
Jesus and Beelzebul
REFLECTION
We have seen in many encounters’ demons recognising who Jesus was, calling out to him by name and pleading to be left alone. They knew the power from God which Jesus held. They realised that nothing could defeat Jesus. The Pharisees on the other hand always tried to discredit Jesus and by not recognising who he was believed they could defeat him. The belief of the public and those who had been healed, threatened the power of the Pharisees and so they sort ways of bringing his downfall. In this encounter the demon was silent. Jesus knew what was in the hearts of the Pharisees so he healed the man who was mute. Now able to speak he showed the power of Jesus. The Pharisees demanded a sign from Jesus to prove that he was not a demon. The very act of the healing was proof enough of a sign from God. Their argument was illogical. Jesus was always able to tie the Pharisees in knots and they became increasingly frustrated and angry by these encounters.
In my first appointment in a town centre church which was always open, we would encounter many people with mental health issues. We listened, offered comfort, food if needed, and prayed with them. We would even direct them to the appropriate services. Their stories were their truth and we listened with compassion. What we did not do was offer to pray away their mental health.
The first time I came across evil was whilst I was leading a Toddler service. A man came charging down the aisle towards us. I managed to bar him as the families escaped into the vestry. He spewed hatred at me, shouting that I should go to hell. You may say “here was someone with a mental health problem” but when I looked into his eyes, I saw evil. Praying inwardly, I commanded him to leave in the name of Jesus. He did.
There must be a distinction between evil and mental illness and also a distinction between praying with someone for their healing and offering to “Pray away their illness”. Many have been left traumatised by the experience of Deliverance Ministry. Conversion Therapy is another way of trying to pray away something which others see as evil. “Evil” is something which is morally wrong or bad, something which is wicked. You cannot define someone’s health or who they are in these terms. What is evil is treating someone as less than human.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. Dr Martin Luther King
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
QUESTIONS
- Have you ever encountered evil at first hand?
- What are your views on “Deliverance Ministry”?
- What do you see as morally wrong within society?
- What is morally wrong with how we treat the vulnerable?
