The Demons of Which We are Unaware
Societal blindness to spiritual darkness
It has become a custom of our society to accept ignorance over understanding in matters that have deep effects on people’s lives, families, and communities. Much of this is a result of post modern philosophy which empowers an individual to choose for him/herself what truth is and what theology is relevant or fitting to their personal life. I believe the tragedy in this instance is that most people have found spirituality to be non congruent with lifestyle and too daunting to take seriously. Therefore, spirituality is an area where people, even in Christian circles, refuse to explore and in turn have no substantial foothold on truths that impact personal lives and cultural perspectives. The reality of this is that a subtle darkness has blinded us from issues of which we walk comfortably ignorant.
The other day I was listening to the news and I overheard a couple of doctors and psychologist claim that if they examined criminal human behaviors, they could better find the things in their lives to correct so that they could be rehabilitated to self respecting citizens, and so that we can correct other’s from making the same mistakes. The statement was made by one psychologist, “I want to examine sex offenders so that we can learn what makes them crave children. If we can find what that is, we can avoid more child molestation in the future.”
The object of spiritual brokenness has grown irrelevant on such matters, and we have settled for half baked theories that neither answer questions or solve problems. We have become so comfortable with such ignorance that the subjects of sin, death, brokenness, and evil have become mythology to millions.
So let’s rewind two thousand years for a moment and consider the level of evil that was relevant to that time, and how it compares to today.
When Jesus Christ walked the earth he dealt with cultural evils that haunted the personal lives and even communities of people. For instance, there was a man that haunted the nearby villages in the Galilean region of Israel. He lived in a graveyard, he looked like a wild man, attacked people without provocation, and when he was bound in chains by the local magistrates, he broke the chains in half. People were terrified of this man. However, Jesus knew the deeper struggle in this man’s soul. Jesus observed a man who was possessed by many evil spirits that provoked him to do horrific things. Furthermore, Jesus had no tolerance for this kind of evil. Therefore, He spoke to the evil that tormented this man and drove out the spirits that had provoked him for so long. In an instance the man returned to normal and worshiped the Son of God.
I’d like to offer one more example with regards to a boy that was brought to the disciples and Jesus. This boy had regular seizures and fell to the ground convulsing with this condition. However, Jesus again saw something deeper in this child. Again, Jesus observed a spiritual darkness that provoked the boy to act out in a way that reflected a seizure. And in a moment, Jesus rebuked the demon that tormented the boy, and he was made well.
Though I will never argue that evil is behind every medical condition, or every psychological defect, I would propose that we have become so blinded by simplistic, unsearched explanations for reason, that we have given no regards to spiritual darkness that is as active today as it was in Jesus’ time. The truth that nobody wants to face is that evil exists today, and reveals itself in so many different ways. Though, how can we recognize evil when we are reluctant to pursue spirituality behind out contexts.
We share similar struggles to that which Jesus wrestled two thousand years ago. The difference between these two times is that we reject true good news that God sends to us through Jesus Christ, which declares triumph over evil through Christ. Instead, we settle for theories or what makes the most sense in that current moment, which is exactly what postmodernism has conditioned us to do.
The truth is that evil is in the world and perpetuates the horrendous actions that we see and experience every day. Evil is behind every war, every terrorist, every corrupt government, every oppressive regime, and every self indulgent action. Evil perpetuates guilt, shame, pain, suffering and loss. Today, there are demons that still afflict the weak and torment the weary. There are still demons that bolster the pride in us that demeans the value of others.
The truth is that these are not psychological or medical conditions. There is nothing in a person’s past that motivates evil behavior other than evil itself. Until we recognize that evil is the contributor to a human decline we will continue to plunder into the endless chasm of excuses that leads to nowhere.
The Good News is that Christ gives us power over evil and darkness in and around us. Christ elevates the human condition to overcome evil. The Good News is that nobody’s past dictates their future. In Christ there is no shame or guilt. What’s more is that in Christ we have power to carry light into dark places. Which means that where evil resides, we serve as Christ’s ambassadors for good. We carry His power to rid evil in the places where evil resides. We carry His power to conquer demonic forces. Therefore, the Good News should be greater news rather than intimidation to those who fail to rationalize it.
Therefore my hopes is that we embrace two conclusions. The first is that evil is the condition which perpetuates the darkness of a society gone wrong. You will never be able to cure this condition through science, medicine or theories. The first step to correcting a condition is to recognize what you are dealing with. We are dealing with spiritual darkness. As much as that statement is hard to recognize, it is only difficult because our postmodern inclinations draw us to take in only those things that feels comfortable and makes sense with little pursuit to define truth. The second take away is that the cure to condition is in Christ. He demonstrated a power to exercise demons, cure diseases, correct mental, emotional and psychological disorders. Only He could bring humility to the proud and shame the oppressive behaviors of wicked men. In the same breath he could liberate those who were enslaved to their past and offer a trajectory free from shame and guilt. What’s more is that He gave us the power to do the same, through His Spirit, when he ascended into Heaven.
Let us not settle for the spiritual blindness for which much of our culture has settled. Instead, we must recognize the condition that most definitely perpetuates the evil tendencies of mankind and fall on the Grace of Christ who unhesitatingly liberates us from our condition. In turn, how amazing would it be if we took seriously the power that Christ’s message brings to a spiritually dark world? He gives us the power to rid evil in the places where evil dwells. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that much of the world’s decay is often a result of our complacency to pray against evil, and to uphold the message of the Gospel which overcomes evil. I pray for a Church that defies such complacency, and embraces the Spirit of God who declares an end to evil’s tyranny.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do -John 14:12 (ESV)
