"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. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him." - St. Luke 4: 34-35

People who are evil know it; and they also know that there is a better way, but are not and never want to be receptive to it. People know when they are doing wrong. They know when all signals are not coming through.

They know when they are sick. They know when they are only putting on a show. They know when they are only playing the one and two game -- one for the money and two for the show. They do not play the three and four game of three to get ready and four to go.

People also know when they are possessed with an evil spirit and have a serious problem with speaking the truth. Jesus said that these people are like whitened sepulchers but full of dead men's bones. How many persons go around analyzing others to the "T" -- have a comment for everything but never know how to deal with their mountain of problems? These are serious times in which we live, and rather than run from who we are, why not stay where we are and try and pray to get "straightened" out. Yes, this really can happen, but burning candles and chanting and engaging in evil doings will not do it, only Jesus can heal every situation, be it moral, spiritual, politically or socially.

Throughout Jesus' Ministry, he often encountered persons who were demon-possessed. He viewed them as being possessed with hostile and violent spirits over which they had little or no control. These devils were filled with satanic power destructive to the welfare of productivity in every way and form, but when Jesus arrives on the scene, change comes with his presence.

And so it was that while Jesus was in the synagogue he came face to face with a man who had a spirit of an unclean devil. The demon began speaking through the man, and identified Jesus by calling him by his name and begged Jesus not to destroy them. They also knew that Jesus was the holy one of God.

As children of God, we must know when to break the silence and rebuke demons to shut up and make a quick departure. Breaking the silence does not mean we go into lengthy tirades and showy scenes, but rather give commands with conviction that will be carried out.

No devil likes to be "dissed", so when they are rebuked, they usually do not go quietly like a mouse. Gospel writer St. Luke himself being a physician and trained in cause and effect to bring about relief and healing wrote, "And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him and hurt him not."

It did not take long for Jesus to get that demon-possessed man clothed in his right mind, and neither will it take long for one to get back on track once a call for deliverance is made to the master of mind, soul and body. And in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean devil. Not only are devils to be found in the synagogue, but in our homes, in schools, in neighborhoods, on the job, in societies, nooks and crannies.

A life renewed brings amazement and they were all amazed and spoke among themselves saying, what a word is this? For with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits and they come out. It is my prayer that as we begin a new school year with thousands of children in our nation, that we rebuke all unclean spirits, demons of distraction, violence, nonchalance, rudeness, insolence, tardiness, truancy, lies and deception from lives that God has created to do and be good, not only for the nation, but his kingdom. We also pray for those who are for the first time embarking on the noble teaching profession. May God bless and direct them as they pour into innocent minds, all things bright, beautiful and rewarding.

o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, Facebook Ruby Ann Darling or write to P.O. Box SS 19725 Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's blessings!

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