Conquering the Prince of Darkness
Conquering the Prince of Darkness
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
This scripture is very clear that a battle rages between God’s people and the powers of darkness. Yet, as believers, we need not tremble before this malevolent ruler, for we are reassured by the unyielding truth that his doom is inevitable. In just one little word, the dominion of Satan can be brought to a resounding end. Satan, the Prince of Darkness, may temporarily wield power in this world, but we are reassured that his rule is inherently fragile. His reign persists only with the divine permission of the King of Kings. Satan’s ultimate demise can be seen in one of the most extraordinary miracles performed by Jesus.
Here is the full text from Mark chapter 5, versus 1-20
1 "And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel."
I’d like you to consider this story through the eyes of a child: Imagine you are playing outside when the neighborhood bully approaches, fists clenched, and threatens to harm you. Knowing you are no match for his strength, you brace yourself for the impending hurt. Yet, in a sudden turn of events, the bully’s eyes widen, his expression shifts and displaying fear, he raises his hands in surrender, retreats, and runs away. What turned the tide? As you turn around, slightly behind you, you see your father, walking resolutely towards you and the bully. He is rolling up his sleeves, preparing to defend you. In the presence of someone mightier, the bully's power fades, rendering him powerless. We know that a bully in this world is not the same as Satan, yet this analogy mirrors the story we encounter in Mark 5. Just as the bully fled when the child’s father approached, these demons, who had held relentless dominion over this tormented man, are rendered utterly powerless in the presence of Jesus. With one word, just one little word, Jesus expels them from the afflicted man, sending them into a herd of swine where they meet their ruin. Jesus affirms for us a timeless truth: while Satan may masquerade as the prince of this world, it’s Jesus who is King! We do not need to live in fear because we live under the protection of a conquering Savior. “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” (Psalm 94:4-5)
This is Good News:
Take shelter beneath God's welcoming wings; He will protect you and shield you from all fear. I know the troubles in today’s world may seem as if darkness has the upper hand. I believe we can find solace and assurance when a word from the mouth of Jesus, can make the darkness crumble. The powerful forces of evil are no match for the sovereign authority of our Lord and Savior. Satan's reign is fleeting, and his power is deceptive. In God's divine plan, his defeat is certain. Father, we know that Satan’s reign on earth will not endure. We find peace in the light of your great love for us and the knowledge that you will triumph over every dark place in this world. We rest assured in the words of the apostle John. “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5) Amen.
Credit: Ron Kelley
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
This scripture is very clear that a battle rages between God’s people and the powers of darkness. Yet, as believers, we need not tremble before this malevolent ruler, for we are reassured by the unyielding truth that his doom is inevitable. In just one little word, the dominion of Satan can be brought to a resounding end. Satan, the Prince of Darkness, may temporarily wield power in this world, but we are reassured that his rule is inherently fragile. His reign persists only with the divine permission of the King of Kings. Satan’s ultimate demise can be seen in one of the most extraordinary miracles performed by Jesus.
Here is the full text from Mark chapter 5, versus 1-20
1 "And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel."
I’d like you to consider this story through the eyes of a child: Imagine you are playing outside when the neighborhood bully approaches, fists clenched, and threatens to harm you. Knowing you are no match for his strength, you brace yourself for the impending hurt. Yet, in a sudden turn of events, the bully’s eyes widen, his expression shifts and displaying fear, he raises his hands in surrender, retreats, and runs away. What turned the tide? As you turn around, slightly behind you, you see your father, walking resolutely towards you and the bully. He is rolling up his sleeves, preparing to defend you. In the presence of someone mightier, the bully's power fades, rendering him powerless. We know that a bully in this world is not the same as Satan, yet this analogy mirrors the story we encounter in Mark 5. Just as the bully fled when the child’s father approached, these demons, who had held relentless dominion over this tormented man, are rendered utterly powerless in the presence of Jesus. With one word, just one little word, Jesus expels them from the afflicted man, sending them into a herd of swine where they meet their ruin. Jesus affirms for us a timeless truth: while Satan may masquerade as the prince of this world, it’s Jesus who is King! We do not need to live in fear because we live under the protection of a conquering Savior. “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” (Psalm 94:4-5)
This is Good News:
Take shelter beneath God's welcoming wings; He will protect you and shield you from all fear. I know the troubles in today’s world may seem as if darkness has the upper hand. I believe we can find solace and assurance when a word from the mouth of Jesus, can make the darkness crumble. The powerful forces of evil are no match for the sovereign authority of our Lord and Savior. Satan's reign is fleeting, and his power is deceptive. In God's divine plan, his defeat is certain. Father, we know that Satan’s reign on earth will not endure. We find peace in the light of your great love for us and the knowledge that you will triumph over every dark place in this world. We rest assured in the words of the apostle John. “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5) Amen.
Credit: Ron Kelley
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