November 2, 2024 Devo

I recently talked with someone who is struggling with their “demons” of addiction and the accompanying guilt that goes with it. They talked about how they wanted to be free and live differently than they were, but they felt as if they couldn’t. They had convinced themselves that there was just no way they could do it. To a degree, they were right. They couldn’t. But there is One who can. And His name is Jesus.
When Jesus posed the question today in our passage, He revealed two important truths to remember. One is that the Devil is strong. Jesus calls Satan a “strong man.” He didn’t minimize the hold that Satan can have on a life. He didn’t call people weak for not breaking free on their own. He didn’t say to just snap out of it and live differently. He freely admits that Satan can have a strong hold on our lives, and the only way to live in freedom is that the strong man must be bound by someone stronger.
The second truth Jesus conveys is that He IS that Stronger Man. In 1 John 4:4 the Bible tells us that the One who is in us, Jesus, is greater than the one who is in the world. In other words, what we can’t do out of our human strength, Jesus can do by His Power. Instead of trying harder to beat the strongholds that the Enemy sets up in our lives, we need to surrender to Jesus and invite HIM to bind the strong man who holds us captive. Victory is not in our effort. It’s in the power of our Savior.
The same Jesus who cast out demons in our passage today can overcome the demons that are plaguing you. Don’t wallow in self-pity that you can’t overcome that strong man. Rejoice that there is a Stronger Man who is here for you, who is willing to fight for you, and who is with you to give you victory! Face your demons with confidence today knowing that the One who is with you is greater than the one facing you. No matter how strong a hold your demons have on your life, Jesus is stronger still! That’s God’s Word for you today.