Why Demons are sometimes, in a place of Religion

John Chopores

 

Mark 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

 23 ¶ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

We see here, that a demon can and will be in places of Religion!

"And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit-- literally,  "in an unclean spirit"--that is,  so entirely under demoniacal power that his personality was sunk for the time in that of the spirit. The frequency with which this character of "impurity" is ascribed to evil spirits--some twenty times in the Gospels--is not to be overlooked." [JFB].

And he cried out. The man cried,  the unclean spirit determined what he should cry. The silence and decorum of the synagogue made the outcry more noticeable,  and the demon betrayed his excitement and alarm in speaking before he was spoken to."  ,[TFG].

 

24  Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

25  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26  And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

28  And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

 

The question that comes to mind is; why would a demon want to be in a place of Religion?

Some of the reasons could be:

1. To make trouble for the "Kingdom of God".
   1. To try and stop Jesus from teaching.
   2. To tell people who Jesus was, before the time was right. Cf. Mark 1: 34  And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 
2. To keep an eye on Jesus. The demon being a spy for Satan!

 

Mark 1: 39  And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

It seems, from this verse, that there were demons in many of the synagogues!

 

1 Corinthians 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

This would seem to say; that a person can have communion with demons.

 

1 Timothy 4:1 ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

To me; "doctrines" are Religious teachings. It would seem, that demons can be behind some Religious teachings! We need to check out all Religious teachings, against the Bible! Cf. 1 John 4:1 ¶ Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.[NKJV].

 

1 John 4: 1 ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  " every spirit--which presents itself in the person of a prophet. The Spirit of truth,  and the spirit of error,  speak by men's spirits as their organs. There is but one Spirit of truth,  and one spirit of Antichrist.

 

try--by the tests (#1Jo 4:2,3). All believers are to do so: not merely ecclesiastics. Even an angel's message should be tested by the word of God: much more men's teachings,  however holy the teachers may seem.

 

because, etc.--the reason why we must "try, "or test the spirits." [JFB].

" {Prove the spirits} (dokimazete ta pneumata). Put them to the acid test of truth as the metallurgist does his metals. If it stands the test like a coin,  it is acceptable (dokimov,  #2Co 10:18),  otherwise it is rejected

(adokimov,  #1Co 9:27; 2Co 13:5-7). {Many false prophets} (polloi qeudoprofhtai). Jesus had warned people against them (#Mt 7:15),  even when they as false Christs work portents (#Mt 24:11,24; Mr 13:22). It is an old story (#Lu 6:26) and recurs again and again (#Ac 13:6; Re 16:13; 19:20; 20:10) along with false teachers (#2Pe 2:1).  " [RWP]. 

 

 

Revelation 16:14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Not all miracles are of God. However, some are of God; let us check all teaching and happenings with the Bible. [Please note that I do have a few web sites dealing with the subject of miracles].