No Better Than the Devil?

Luke 4:33-37

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, and he cried out with a loud voice: "Ha! What have You to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are: the Holy One of God." – Luke 4:33-34

In movies, people possessed by demons usually have tangled hair, pale skin, red eyes, and walk unsteadily with a half-hunched posture, like Gollum in The Lord of the Rings. But can they also appear neatly dressed and even seem friendly? Can they look normal like you and me?

No Different from the Devil

There was a demon-possessed man in the synagogue (the Jewish place of worship). And according to the books of Luke and Mark (Mark 1:21-28), no one brought him into that synagogue. Mark records that Jesus was teaching the Word deeply when the demon-possessed man shouted loudly.

So, that demon-possessed man had dressed neatly, behaved normally, and gone to the synagogue, just like most people. No one knew that he was any different. But while Jesus was teaching, there was something Jesus said that triggered him, so the devil dwelling in him revealed itself. He recognized Jesus as “the Holy One of God.” He acknowledged the divinity and identity of Jesus.

We go to church every week. Hopefully no one forces you to go to church. Although I must admit that sometimes I also have to force myself to go to church. We act normally, sing in worship, take communion, and listen to the sermon. We know Jesus and may even have known Jesus since childhood. We are familiar with Bible verses and acknowledge that Jesus is “the Holy One of God”. Just like what that demon-possessed man did.

James, the brother of Jesus, addressed this sharply when he wrote, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.” – James 2:19

Then the question is, how different are we from the devil?

No Better Than the Devil

In the English translation, that demon-possessed man cried out to Jesus, “Go away!” or “Go away!”. Have we ever said the same thing to Jesus? Perhaps with a quiet voice in our hearts? I have long since stopped counting how many times the Holy Spirit has reminded me about Jesus while I was in temptation. And how I chose to keep ignoring His sacrifice and fall into sin. Through my actions, I have said to Jesus, “Go away!”

That demon-possessed man asked Jesus, “What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us?” Before, I had asked God that question over and over again. At that time, everything was not going well and I felt disappointed by God.

Have you ever asked this too?

“What do You want from me?”

“Why are so many bad things happening to me?”

“Why are You not on my side? It is as if You are against me.”

“How much longer will You let me fall?”

Perhaps you have had the same doubts about God that I have felt.

But Jesus rebuked him, saying: "Be silent and come out of him!" And the demon threw the man down in the midst of the crowd, then came out of him without hurting him at all. – Luke 4:35

The Lord did not destroy that man. He only cast the demon out of him, and he was not hurt at all.

This is also what the Lord wants to do for us. He does not want to destroy us. The Lord only wants to free us from the devil's bondage and release us from the slavery of sin. He is present for us and stands by our side, not against us.

Faith Accompanied by Works

James emphasizes, “So you see, a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). What do our doubts and our actions reflect about our faith? We cannot be without sin, but we must consistently strive to keep becoming better.

The devil believes that Jesus is the Holy One of God. If we stop only there, then the question is, “Are we any better than the devil?” A person is justified by faith accompanied by works. Faith without works is empty and dead faith (James 2:20,26). This is what distinguishes us from the devil: faith accompanied by works, not merely belief alone.

And all the people were amazed, and said to one another: "What a remarkable message this is! For with authority and power He commands the evil spirits, and they come out." And news about Him spread everywhere throughout that region. – Luke 4:36-37

Jesus has the authority and the power to help us. Let us study His Word earnestly and let Him refresh us with His power that is able to transform our lives. - Source: Adapted from "No Better Than The Demons" on the website www.jesus365.church. - Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every region. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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