Matthew 9:32-38-As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed.
33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"
34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons."
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
We have been swayed by Hollywood to believe, that if someone is possessed, they have to spit pea soup and their heads have to spend around backwards!
That is just not true!
There was demon possession in Jesus’ day and there is demon possession in our day!
I personally believe most of these ghost sightings or phenomenon is no more than demons, demons who are drawing attention away from people who are seeking something spiritual and if the devil can get someone to focus on anything other than God, then he has accomplished what he set out to do.
I myself, had an experience when I worked in the nursing home, had an older lady who was cruel and mean, to the staff and to the other patients, we had to restrain her one night from hurting to ladies, and when she turned to look at me and the look she gave me was pure evil, (By the way at that time I was backslidden but I believe in my heart, the Holy Spirit, made me realize that I was looking at pure evil!)
So if you ask me, if I believe a person can be possessed, then the answer is yes!!
But I also believe that Satan uses other ways of possessing people!
Whenever something possesses your thought, your actions, your lifestyle….Then you are possessed (influenced or controlled by something (as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)!!
Being possessed by drugs-Street drugs and or pharmaceutical drugs….In 2013, it was documented that 70 percent of Americans are on pharmaceutical drugs.)
Being possessed by alcohol-17.6 million, or 1 in every 12 adult’s battle alcoholism.
Not counting the millions of people who engage in risky binge drinking patterns that could lead to alcoholism.
Being possessed by a sex addiction-Has rose from 12 million to 30 million, with all of the new technology available.
Being possessed by beauty or looks-Statista reports indicate that the cosmetics industry brings in over $55 billion annually, as of 2014.
In 2013, the average woman spent 15,000 a year on cosmetics.
In 2008, Americans spend $40 billion a year on weight-loss programs and products, no telling what we are spending now, with obesity on the rise and all the shows, programs, telling people how they should look!
Millions of dollars are spent on plastic surgery, or enhancement.
Being possessed by fame-People send a lot of time and effort trying to be famous, even if it’s only 15 minutes of fame!
With all the tools that Satan has at his disposal, and how many people are possessed by something, not sure that he has to use demon possession much these days!
But whether it be demon possession or some other kind of possession, the only one that can free us or anyone else….is Jesus!!
Verse 34-But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons."
No matter what you do or how you do it, or what kind of benefits there are to what you are doing, there is always going to be negative people around you!!
There are always going to people around you that you are never going to live up to their expectations of you!
You are never going to satisfy them, or make them happy, and 9 times out of ten, they are probably never going to like you!
So how do you live with that? How do you cope with that?
Well, let’s look at what Jesus did with His naysayers, those ones who were always attacking Him, with their questions, their snide remarks, their plotting and scheming!!
Verse 35-Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
He didn’t stop what he was doing because of their disapproval, He keep on doing what he was sent to do!
Jesus was only interested in God’s approval and so should you be!
Continue doing what God has placed on your heart to do, don’t let anyone stop you, or hinder you, or discourage you!
I want you to notice something, He did not confront them, or argue His case (He does answer questions, set them straight on other occasions) but at this time, no words are spoken in his defense, He goes about doing good, when I read this I can’t help but think about the scripture that says
1 Peter 2:21-23- For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Verse 36-But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
I have to tell you that I’m so glad that He looks at us and is moved with compassion!
I’m so glad that He looks at us, and knows that we easily get mislead, confused, dazed, and that He understands or is sympathetic.
He looks us a sheep, not as wolves who devour each other (even though that what we do, attacking, harming, even killing one another like animals) but as sheep, sheep who are harmless, and completely depending on the shepherd to protect them, guide them!
Verse 37- Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
You hear people say, “Not as many people are just getting saved like they use too!”
“Nobody want to hear the Word! or “Nobody wants to go to church!”
But Jesus is telling them and He is telling us…There is not a problem with the harvest (It’s plentiful) the problem is, there is not enough workers!!
There has been and still is people who are hungry for the Word, we need to make sure we are delivering the bread of life to them!!
Verse 38-Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
We pray for a great harvest, a great revival, a great service, but we need to be praying for the workers in the field!
