Matthew 12:28-29. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
Prayer is not merely asking God for what we want or need. Jesus called that kind of prayer the prayer of the pagans (Matthew 6:32). True prayer seeks something fundamental and greater: God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Why must we seek the kingdom? Because another kingdom, the kingdom of darkness, has been at work since the beginning of time. The devil, the ancient serpent, has been deceiving the world and leading people astray (Revelation 12:9). He disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and mobilizes demons to infiltrate and afflict the spirit, soul, mind, and body of people (Mark 5:1–10; Acts 16:16–18).
Using politics, economics, ideologies, media, and culture, the “god of this age” blinds people so they cannot see the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4–5). His kingdom is organized and relentless, crafting schemes against believers (Ephesians 6:11–13) and attacking them on every front (Ephesians 6:16).
Cut off from spiritual reality, people chase after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16), unknowingly following “the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).
In Today’s Word, Jesus confronts this darkness directly. He reveals that only the Spirit of God can overpower and expel demons and that wherever the Spirit works, “the kingdom of God has come.” Before anything can be restored, the “strong man” must be bound. The devil must be subdued by the authority of God.
When Jesus called us, He entrusted us with that same authority to overcome all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). When we pray in Jesus’ name, the name of our True King who destroyed the devil’s work, the Holy Spirit moves with irresistible power, driving back the darkness.
This is exactly what Philip witnessed in Samaria: “With shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:4–8)
When Jesus ministered, demons left at His command: “He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.” (Matthew 8:16–17)
When Paul proclaimed Christ, the kingdom of God broke into the darkness of his mission fields: “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!”
At that moment, the spirit left her. (Acts 16:16–18)
Today’s world is overwhelmed with crisis, catastrophe, and confusion just as Jesus foretold (Matthew 24:1–35). Yet people remain blind to the spiritual reality behind their suffering. They run after idols, false ideologies, and empty religions, unaware that they are worshiping demons.
God is looking for those who understand the real condition of the world and who know how to pray with spiritual authority. He is calling watchmen, men and women who stand in the gap, who bind the strong man in prayer, who proclaim the gospel, and who fight for souls. Where the gospel is proclaimed in the power of the Spirit, demons will flee, people will be restored, and entire cities will be transformed.
Will you answer that call?
Prayer. Father, I thank You for destroying the devil’s work through Christ. Open my eyes to discern the enemy’s schemes. Fill me with Your Spirit so I may stand against him. Use my life to set free, by the power of the gospel, those who are living under the enemy’s bondage. In Jesus’ name, Amen.