Angels & Demons

Angels and DemonsI have been asked several times if I believe in extraterrestrials. To which I respond, “Yes. They are mentioned in the Bible. Angels and demons.” No, I don’t believe that there is life on other planets as depicted in movies and storybooks. But the presence of angels and demons is well documented in Holy Scripture. Both of them have a presence in the same realm as we live, namely planet earth. But they both have supernatural abilities that we don’t possess.Several times during Jesus’ earthly ministry He confronted demons that had taken possession of a person’s body and mind. He confronted them, spoke to them, and cast them out, demonstrating the ultimate power that He has over their powers.People today are reluctant to believe in demons. They prefer to label certain behaviors as “mental illness”. And likely there is a distinction between mental illness and demon’s oppression or possession. But we shouldn’t be so naïve as to discount the very real influence of Satan and his minions on the lives and minds of people in this modern age. If we do, Jesus just might say the same thing to us that He said in today’s passage to His disciples and those around Him, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?”The truth is that the presence of evil is all around us; temptations that seem to come out of nowhere. People falling into the sins that they know will destroy them. Irrational behavior that defies logic and human reason. Where do we think all this comes from? Even when I look back at history it is easy to see that the work of Satan himself can be the only reason that millions were so mesmerized by Hitler and the Nazis, the rise of atheistic communism, the worship of cows in India, the abortion industry all over the world, etc. Jesus called Satan a thief who has just one purpose ‘to steal and kill and destroy’. (John 10:10)He spoke of the “spirit of antichrist” that operates in the world. But then He taught us this: 1Jn 4:4 “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Rest on this promise, and never let demons get a foothold in your life.Believing In The Promises,Pastor Monte Smith North Syracuse Christian Church https://www.facebook.com/NSyrCC