Overcomer #6 – Avoiding Extremes
I’ve appreciated the balance C.S. Lewis emphasized about demonic activity: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and then feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
Some never see anything demonic going on at all. They reduce everything to psychology or sociology or culture.
Others see every problem as demonic. They think demons are behind every action, every conversation, every thought.
As Christ followers, we avoid extremes. For example . . .
• Sickness: Some see every sickness as demonic. Some never see any sickness connected to the demonic.
Jesus discerned the difference between a physical affliction and the demonic. For one deaf and mute person, Jesus healed physically (Mark 7:31-37). For another deaf and mute person, Jesus rebuked an evil spirit and commanded it to come out never to return (Mark 9:25).
• Spiritual warfare: Some believe they are being constantly bombarded by demonic forces pressing down upon them. Others believe they are immune to demonic attacks.
The Bible talks about “when the day of evil comes” – when we are tempted or accused or hindered spiritually (Ephesians 6:13). But it is not all the time. Even after Jesus was tempted by the devil, he left Jesus until an opportune time (Luke 4:13).
• Darkness: Some are convinced forces of darkness are taking over our country and our world. Others only see forces of darkness in distant, atheistic or pagan countries.
The first fails to see how the kingdom of God and Christ’s church are advancing unseen and overlooked in typical news reports. The latter misses the reality of evil among our own communities.
Even when our culture turns into the worse possible situations, our God still reigns. God laughs at the plotting of rulers to conquer the world around them (Psalm 2:1-4). “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).
We neither live in ignorance nor fear. Regarding ignorance, we are not unaware of the devil’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Regarding fear, the Bible repeatedly says, “Do not fear.”
The focus in the Bible is not on Satan or demons, but on God. We avoid a demon-centered Christian life. We focus on the centrality of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ Pastor Dave
