Agency of Evil Spirits
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and untiring, of whose malignity and power none can safely be ignorant
or unheeding.
Evil spirits, in the beginning created sinless, were equal in nature,
power, and glory with the holy beings that are now God’s messengers.
But fallen through sin, they are leagued together for the dishonor of
God and the destruction of men. United with Satan in his rebellion,
and with him cast out from heaven, they have, through all succeeding
ages, co-operated with him in his warfare against the divine authority.
We are told in Scripture of their confederacy and government, of their
various orders, of their intelligence and subtlety, and of their malicious
designs against the peace and happiness of men.
Old Testament history presents occasional mention of their exis-
tence and agency; but it was during the time when Christ was upon
the earth that evil spirits manifested their power in the most striking
manner. Christ had come to enter upon the plan devised for man’s
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redemption, and Satan determined to assert his right to control the
world. He had succeeded in establishing idolatry in every part of the
earth except the land of Palestine. To the only land that had not fully
yielded to the tempter’s sway, Christ came to shed upon the people the
light of heaven. Here two rival powers claimed supremacy. Jesus was
stretching out His arms of love, inviting all who would to find pardon
and peace in Him. The hosts of darkness saw that they did not possess
unlimited control, and they understood that if Christ’s mission should
be successful, their rule was soon to end. Satan raged like a chained
lion and defiantly exhibited his power over the bodies as well as the
souls of men.
The fact that men have been possessed with demons, is clearly
stated in the New Testament. The persons thus afflicted were not
merely suffering with disease from natural causes. Christ had perfect
understanding of that with which He was dealing, and He recognized
the direct presence and agency of evil spirits.
A striking example of their number, power, and malignity, and also
of the power and mercy of Christ, is given in the Scripture account
of the healing of the demoniacs at Gadara. Those wretched maniacs,
spurning all restraint, writhing, foaming, raging, were filling the air
with their cries, doing violence to themselves, and endangering all
who should approach them. Their bleeding and disfigured bodies and
distracted minds presented a spectacle well pleasing to the prince of