Workers In The Field

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!