Psalm of the Day: Psalm 109:1-15
Wisdom of the Day: Job 29:15-25
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:1-6
These verses contain our Lord's instructions to His twelve apostles, when He sent them forth the first time to preach the Gospel. The passage is one which throws much light on the work of Christian ministers in every age. No doubt the miraculous power which the apostles possessed, made their position very unlike that of any other body of men in the Church. No doubt they stood alone, and had no successors. Yet the words of our Lord in this place must not be confined entirely to the apostles. They contain deep wisdom for Christian teachers and preachers, for all time.
Let us observe that the commission to the apostles contained special reference to the demons and bodily sickness. We read that Jesus gave them "authority over all demons, and to cure diseases."
We see here, parts of a Christian's business. There is no evidence in the New Testament that the church is to cast out demons through exorcsim. This practice has been highly sensationalized by Romanism. Salvation with the simultaneous indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the cure for demon possession in the church age.
On the other hand, the Christian does not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against Satan and his minions. Scripture says, "Resist the devil and he will flee." We must keep up a constant warfare against the evil prince of this world.
The purpose of this devotion is not to scare you, but to help you understand the battle that we face. Satan hates the children of God and will do everything in his power to make them stumble. This is why walking with the Lord in the light of his Word on a daily basis is imperative.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to understand that the battle with Satan is very real.
Action Plan: The greatest way to combat Satan is to resist temptation through a Biblical manner by living a life of holiness. How does Satan tempt you the most? How can you fight him Biblically.
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
