The Hero

A Battle With Satan’s Spirits

Picture: A Battle With Satan’s Spirits 3TC 277.1

This chapter is based on Matthew 17:19-21; Mark 9:9-29; Luke 9:37-45.

As the sun arose, Jesus and His disciples went down the mountain to the plain. Absorbed in thought, the disciples were awed and silent. They would gladly have lingered in that holy place, but there was work to be done. 3TC 277.2

At the foot of the mountain a large group of people had gathered. As the Savior came near to them, He instructed His three companions to keep silent about what they had witnessed, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” To relate the revelation to the crowds would stir up only ridicule or idle wonder. Even the three favored disciples were slow to understand, as we can see from the fact that they questioned among themselves what the rising from the dead might mean. Yet they asked no explanation from Jesus. 3TC 277.3

As the people on the plain caught sight of Jesus, they ran to greet Him. Yet His quick eye recognized that something had happened that had caused the disciples bitter disappointment and humiliation. A father had brought his son to be delivered from a mute spirit that tormented him. Jesus had given His disciples authority to cast out unclean spirits when He sent them to preach through Galilee. As they went out, strong in faith, the evil spirits had obeyed their word. Now in the name of Christ they commanded the torturing spirit to leave his victim, but the demon only mocked them. The disciples could not find a reason for their defeat. They felt they were bringing dishonor on themselves and their Master. And in the crowd were scribes who were trying to prove that they and their Master were deceivers. Here was an evil spirit that neither the disciples nor Christ Himself could conquer! A feeling of contempt and scorn swept through the crowd. 3TC 278.1

But suddenly the crowd saw Jesus and the three disciples approaching. The night of fellowship with heavenly glory had left a light on their faces that awed the onlookers. The Savior came to the scene of conflict, and looking intently at the scribes He inquired, “What are you discussing with them?” 3TC 278.2

But the voices so bold and defiant before were silent. Now the afflicted father made his way through the crowd, and falling at the feet of Jesus, he poured out the story of his trouble and disappointment. 3TC 278.3

“Master,” he said, “I brought to You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down. ... So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” 3TC 278.4

Jesus read the unbelief in every heart, and exclaimed, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?” Then He told the distressed father, “Bring your son here.” 3TC 278.5

The father brought him, and the evil spirit threw him to the ground in convulsions of agony. He lay wallowing and foaming, filling the air with unearthly shrieks. 3TC 278.6

Again the Prince of life and the prince of darkness met on the field of battle—Christ to “proclaim liberty to the captives ..., to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18), Satan seeking to hold his victim under his control. For a moment, Jesus permitted the evil spirit to display his power. 3TC 279.1

Jesus asked, “How long has this been happening to him?” The father told the story of long years of suffering, and then, as if he could endure no more, exclaimed, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” “If You can”! Even now the father questioned Christ’s power. 3TC 279.2

Jesus answered, “All things are possible to him who believes.” With a burst of tears, realizing his own weakness, the father threw himself on Christ’s mercy: “I believe; help my unbelief!” 3TC 279.3

Jesus turned to the suffering one and said, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” There was a cry, an agonized struggle. Then the boy lay motionless, apparently lifeless. The crowd whispered, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up, and presented him to his father in perfect health of mind and body. Father and son praised their Deliverer, while the scribes, defeated and crestfallen, turned away sullenly. 3TC 279.4

Faith Connects Us With Heaven

“If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” How many a sin-burdened soul has echoed that prayer! And to all the answer is, “All things are possible to him who believes.” In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait and resisting every temptation, no matter how strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they remain away from Christ. Let these people not look to themselves, but to Christ. Faith comes by the Word of God. Grasp His promise, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37. Throw yourself at His feet with the cry, “I believe; help my unbelief.” You can never perish while you do this—never! 3TC 279.5

In a brief space of time, the three favored disciples had seen humanity as transfigured into the image of God and as debased into the likeness of Satan. They had seen Jesus proclaimed the Son of God and had seen Him meet the demon-possessed boy gnashing his teeth in agony. This mighty Redeemer had stood glorified a few hours before. Now He stooped to lift the victim of Satan from the earth and restore him to his father and home. 3TC 279.6

It was an illustration of redemption—the Divine One stooping to save the lost. It also represented the disciples’ mission. Christ’s servants are not to spend their lives alone on the mountaintop with Jesus. Down in the plain, people whom Satan has enslaved are waiting for the word of faith and prayer to set them free. 3TC 280.1

When Jesus was alone with the nine disciples once more, they questioned, “Why could not we cast it out?” Jesus answered, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Their unbelief, which shut them out from deeper sympathy with Christ, and the carelessness with which they regarded the sacred work committed to them had caused their failure. Jealous of the three disciples selected to go with Jesus to the mountain, they had been dwelling on their discouragements and personal grievances. In this state of darkness, they had attempted the conflict with Satan. 3TC 280.2

In order to succeed in such a conflict, their faith must be strengthened by earnest prayer, fasting, and humiliation of heart. They must be emptied of self and be filled with the Spirit and power of God. Only faith that leads to entire dependence on God and unreserved dedication to His work can bring the Holy Spirit’s aid in the battle against wicked spirits. 3TC 280.3

Lay hold on God’s word and all the helpful agencies He has appointed. In this way your faith will strengthen. The obstacles Satan piles across your path, apparently as impossible to scale as the eternal hills, will disappear when you exercise such faith. “Nothing will be impossible for you.” 3TC 280.4