Biblical Deliverance: The Jesus ModelShembull

Why are you arguing with them?

Peter, James, and John have now come down off the mountain along with their rabbi (teacher), Jesus. Just think about it for a few seconds. They were the only human beings to see Jesus in His glorified state at that moment. What a supernatural experience that would have been!

Now, as they approached the town, they came upon a large group of people and witnessed their fellow disciples arguing with the teachers of the Torah (the Jewish law). Jesus, Who seems to be a little disheartened with what He is witnessing, asks a simple but profound question. We find this question in verse 16 which states, “What are you arguing with them about?” He asked.

Question: Do you argue with religious people about deliverance? If so, why?

Obviously, we don’t know what they were arguing about. However, Jesus quickly showed them that arguing with these types of people is pointless and a waste of time, IF the disciples were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Why? Because if they were taking care of their spiritual disciplines while Jesus was away, they would have handled this deliverance with supernatural grace from the Holy Spirit. Jesus exposes the disciples' devotion time with the Father or really the lack thereof.

Before we move on, let’s take a brief look at one major deliverance question we see the Church arguing about today with religious people.

Should we use the word oppressed, demonized, or possessed when talking about a person tormented by unclean spirits?

Let’s focus on the words possession and oppression. Webster's Dictionary states that possession could mean: the act of having or taking into control, control or occupancy of property without regard to ownership or domination by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea). Oppression is defined as unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power and a sense of being weighed down in body or mind.

If you have witnessed a person who has been tormented by unclean spirits, all of these could apply, don’t you think?

Family, do not allow your pride or being influenced by unclean spirits yourself cause you to get in an argument over semantics. When looking at the question above, this once major question actually turns into a minor one, right?

Let’s follow the example of Jesus here. In the story, Jesus did not care about getting involved in the argument. He didn’t ask if the boy was saved or not. He didn’t care to use the words possessed, demonized or oppression. You see, after rebuking His disciples, He said, “Bring the boy to me”. We sometimes focus on the wrong things, don't we? Jesus is teaching us to just focus on the boyhere, the one who had an unclean spirit tormenting him.

We have to really look within ourselves and see if Jesus is exposing us as a religious person or a pharisee. Are we the ones causing arguments in the church? Do we get excited when one of our brothers or sisters fails in their attempts to bring deliverance to another person? Do we celebrate when Christians lose a battle? Do we enjoy the Church's disappointments? Really examine your heart here.

I truly believe Jesus’ charge to us today in this devotional is whenever the opportunity presents itself, we should have compassion in our heart and focus on helping deliver the person right in front of us with the authority God has given us. This is always the position of a real follower of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Father, I repent for any time I have been involved in meaningless arguments and not focused on the ones who were hurting. Help me stay focused in those situations. Holy Spirit please give me a spiritual check in my soul whenever there are moments where I am causing division in the Body of Christ. Father, do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.