If our eyes could be opened to see the invisible things around us, we could see angels of God protecting us, guiding our footsteps, trying to save us. Also, we would see evil spirits of Satan and his angels trying to tempt us to sin, and to lead us away from God into the world.
If we could see the terrible smile on the face of Satan as the professed Christian men and women turn to the world, when Christian boys and girls turn to sin, we would shudder from fear to see it.
“We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan’s temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits.” –The Great Controversy, p. 517
An evil person can steal our money, our possessions; but evil spirits can steal our salvation, our eternal life, our happiness, our peace, and destroy our health and property as well. As in the case of Job, Satan and his angels destroyed all that he had.
Yet, people permit those evil angels into their homes, into their lives, and into their hearts. And often they are not aware of it. “And sent messengers before His face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritan, to make ready for Him. And they did not receive Him, because His face was as though He would go to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:52–56
This was a strange spirit, completely alien to the spirit of Christ. The disciples did not realize that the evil spirits had made them hate these Samaritans and wish evil towards them.
How many professed Christians today are like the Jews? Jesus called them children of the devil (John 8:44). They followed the outward ceremonies strictly, but hated Jesus and His disciples.
Angry, impatient words are inspired by Satan’s spirit. They break friendships, they destroy the happy life of families, and also the peace in the person’s own mind. A dissatisfied, unhappy person is under Satan’s control. Depression and misery are indications that Satan’s spirits are holding a person victim.
“And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.” John 13:27, 30. Satan’s spirit entered into Judas to betray Jesus. This made him so unhappy and miserable that on this same night He took his own life.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 1 Corinthians 6:14–17
These two companies do not fit together; some are temples of the Holy Spirit, and others are the habitation of devils—evil spirits.
What makes a soul a habitation of evil spirits? “Sensual indulgence weakens the mind and debases the soul. The moral and intellectual powers are benumbed and paralyzed by the gratification of the animal propensities; and it is impossible for the slave of passion to realize the sacred obligation of the law of God, to appreciate the atonement, or to place a right value upon the soul. Goodness, purity, and truth, reverence for God, and love for sacred things—all those holy affections and noble desires that link men with the heavenly world—are consumed in the fires of lust. The soul becomes a blackened and desolate waste, the habitation of the evil spirits, and the ‘cage of every unclean and hateful bird.’ Beings formed in the image of God are dragged down to a level with the brutes.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 458
Persons in this condition are not free, they are prisoners of Satan, only to continue in sin. “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43–45
Evil spirits may have been driven out of a person when he is converted, and the Holy Spirit enters in. However, there still is danger that a person can grieve the Holy Spirit and drive Him out thus allowing more evil spirits to enter in.
“‘Then goeth he and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.’
“Self-righteousness is a curse, a human embellishment, which Satan uses for his glory. Those who garnish the soul with self-praise and flattery prepare the way for the seven other spirits more wicked than the first. In their very reception of the truth these souls deceive themselves. They are building upon a foundation of self-righteousness.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1093
These self-righteous Christians feel good about themselves. They are lukewarm and are in a Laodicean condition. Many professing Christians think they are happy. Satan deceives them into thinking that the way they are living is happy, but they are not finding the real and lasting happiness and the peace that Jesus offers. They are miserable in their hearts. They envy those who are happy and are bubbling with joy. They have no power to overcome sin. Their missionary work is very little. There is no happy song on their lips as they go their way. This is not true religion and does not benefit anyone. There is no salvation in it, no happiness.
In the four Gospels we read constantly about how Jesus drove out evil spirits from people. Many who were possessed by demons were set free.
Can these evil spirits be driven out today? He that commits sin is of the devil. Yes, the devil must be driven out. There is a way to fight against demons. “Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the great conflict.
“To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?” –The Great Controversy, p. 593–594
Jesus said, “The truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. When He was tempted by Satan, Jesus responded by saying, “It is written,” thus defeating the enemy. By
reading the Bible, the word of God, and meditating on it, the sinner finds his way to Jesus, and gains much power to overcome. The demoniacs tremble at the word of God. “By the word of faith and prayer a soul can be set free.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 429
“And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:18–21. Then we must pray without ceasing and fast.
Sister White’s little boy was possessed by a demon and they gathered around his bed and prayed until the evil spirit left him. This also happened to Mary Magdalene. Mary had fallen into sin and had given herself to the power of Satan. She was a helpless victim, controlled by seven evil spirits. One by one Jesus drove them out, praying with a loud voice to God, calling each one of them to depart. Now Mary was free—free indeed. She purchased some precious ointment to pour on the feet of Jesus.
After His resurrection, to whom did Jesus first appear? “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.” Mark 16:9
We also have other helpers. “The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power. The Lord says, ‘Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? . . . . Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.’ Isaiah 49:24–25.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 259
We cannot cast out even one demon by our own power. They are stronger than we are. By willfully sinning we invite them in, and they take over. We are not free after that. But the mighty angels from heaven can defeat the power of Satan, and break the chains of sin.
The mightiest helper is Jesus Himself. “And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains. . . . For He said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And He asked him, What is thy name? and he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. . . . And when He was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” Mark 5:2–3, 8–9, 18–20
The next day he was a preacher of the gospel in Decapolis. Jesus looked for a missionary for that country and found one.
How many of us would think that an insane person filled with a legion of demons could be a missionary for Jesus the next day. What made him a capable missionary? It was his conversion, the Holy Spirit within him.
There is another thing that we can do to keep evil spirits away. “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23. At the sound of heavenly music, the evil spirit departed. There are spiritual songs and music which lift the soul to God, which dispels gloom and sadness. When we sing happy songs of praise to God, angels join with us. Evil spirits cannot stand the songs of praise that come from the heart.
A great part of the Bible is songs of praise and adoration. “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:1–4
“Praise ye Him, all His angels; praise ye Him, all His hosts, Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light. Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass.” Psalm 148:2–6
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty: He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is love, there is peace, and all is calm. There is joy, fullness of joy, and there is patience and kindness.
Why would anyone choose to remain in a miserable condition, when fullness of joy is offered by Jesus? Many are deceived by Satan into thinking that his way is the happy way, and the way of Jesus is a life of self-denial and sadness. This is how Satan deceived Eve in Eden. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:4–6. However, their sin did not bring them happiness, as promised by Satan. The opposite was true. Much sadness and misery resulted on this earth from their sin. The truth is that only Jesus’ Spirit will make our hearts sing for joy. Peace that passes understanding fills our hearts. We will have the faith to move mountains.
This is Christ’s righteousness message. We are to let Jesus take away the filthy garments of misery and wretchedness, and we are to put on the garments of joy and peace that Jesus is offering us. Bolt the doors of your mind that Satan cannot enter in. Throw out idols from your home. Satan has free entrance into your home as long as his belongings are there, including his books, literature, and vanity. Be more afraid of Satan than an evil man entering your home.
Invite Jesus into your home as the two disciples did on the way to Emmaus and your heart will burn within you. Invite His Spirit into your heart to cast out every evil spirit, making room for the Holy Spirit of God to dwell within. Invite the angels into your company and you will never feel lonely. In their company your happiness will be as being in heaven. Amen.
Timo Martin