January 12th Devotion

Matthew 9:34 (NIV) 34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."

I have always been amazed that the Pharisees could make such an accusation. Jesus casted out demons. People were released from the power of the devil, and Jesus was accused of calling on the devil to do it. How said it is when people deny the power of God, in any form.

Here is Jesus’ response to such claims.

Matthew 12:22-28 (NIV) 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined. Do you think that includes the kingdom of God? The Church in America is in decline. Could we be the reason? We are so quick to make claims against other denominations, and yet rarely recognize how God is working in them. Instead of pointing out everything that is wrong in them, we should recognize the things that God does through them. The House of God needs healing, not division.

We cannot blame the devil for everything.

1 Peter 4:17 (NIV) For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God

Love, Pastor Don