THIS KIND!

THIS KIND!

Matt 17:19-21

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 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.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

           Jesus had just cast demons out of a young man while his father looked on in amazement. The disciples had tried the same thing moments ago without success. They asked “Why could not we cast him out?”

           Today we medicate our demons because we no longer believe in them but they are still with us and sometimes we are confronted with evil so strong that conventional methods of dealing with them fail.

           There are two prevailing thoughts among believers. One looks for a demon behind every ailment and anomaly. The other doubts the very existence of them. But there is a kind of controlling evil that is stubborn to defeat. Call it what you will. “Industrial strength” or “professional grade” comes to mind. Jesus called it “this kind.”

           Adam Clarke says: “There are certain evil propensities, in some persons, which pampering the flesh tends to nourish and strengthen; and that self-denial and fasting, accompanied by prayer to God, are the most likely means, not only to mortify such propensities, but also to destroy them.”

           This kind is scary and serious. You can imagine the clash of spiritual forces good and evil. This kind requires the spiritual combatant to be serious about his faith. Prayer and the disregard for creature comforts connect us with spiritual power. Few are willing to be so engaged.

Matt 26:41

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Lord, I am pampered and soft. Help me to discipline myself for the spiritual battles ahead. AMEN