"Be Quiet!"

Mark 1:23-25 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.   
 
ONE truth you must know is that evil spirits are active in the world. They do “possess” – live in and control the actions– of some people. And they attempt to influence us all to turn away from our Lord’s grace. There are many testimonies from people who have experienced demon possession. They tell how these demons spoke to them and turned them to evil actions, including self harm and murder. With joy and thanksgiving these now redeemed souls celebrate the Holy Spirit dwells within them.  
    The gospels record several encounters between Jesus and demons. The spiritual realm is fully aware Jesus of Nazareth is the Holy One of God!. With that confession and the question, “What do you want with us?” the demon(s) acknowledged Jesus’ power. They know they could not resist his commands because he is their authority in heaven and on earth. When temptation confronts you, a powerful, effective response is to speak to the sin, “In the name of Jesus, be gone!”  
    Jesus commands the demon, “Be quiet.” for two reasons. First he rejects evil’s voice. The Holy One has no time to consider the demon’s words. He knows all they say is lies. Their words have no value or meaning to him. “Be quiet!” are good words for temptation’s attacks on our mind.  
Jesus also silenced the demons to protect his identity. It was a common thought among the Jews that if a demon knew you or spoke to you, you were of the demons. Several times the Pharisees and others charged that Jesus was under Satan’s authority: Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Their obstinate persistence to accuse the Son of God to be of Satan gave their wretched souls permission to defy and crucify the Son of God.  
    Still, the demon does not leave peacefully. It causes the man to convulse. Jesus’ encounters with demons teaches us these spirits cause illness and bodily harm. And they certainly convulse the soul, heart and mind. You are made in God’s image. It is Satan’s purpose to destroy you. He will do so subtly with “minor” temptations. His purpose is for you to completely reject God and all the goodness he wills for your life. 
    The battle rages each day. Your soul’s enemy is looking for any opportunity to corrupt your mind, so you will reject God. That’s why each day you must call on Jesus’ power to protect you. Jesus has fought the battle on earth. Listen closely and only to his voice. He is fighting it in the heavenly realms now, so you have the weapons to tell temptation, “Be quiet!”