Agency of Evil Spirits
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the Sabbath quiet of the synagogue at Capernaum, were all healed by
the compassionate Saviour. In nearly every instance, Christ addressed
the demon as an intelligent entity, commanding him to come out of
his victim and to torment him no more. The worshipers at Capernaum,
beholding his mighty power, “were all amazed, and spake among
themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power
he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” [
Luke 4:33-
36
.]
Those possessed with devils are usually represented as being in
a condition of great suffering; yet there were exceptions to this rule.
For the sake of obtaining supernatural power, some welcomed the
Satanic influence. These of course had no conflict with the demons.
Of this class were those who possessed the spirit of divination,—Simon
Magus, Elymas the sorcerer, and the damsel who followed Paul and
Silas at Philippi.
None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than
are those who, notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of
the Scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil and his
angels. So long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have almost
inconceivable advantage; many give heed to their suggestions while
they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own
wisdom. This is why, as we approach the close of time, when Satan
is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy, he spreads
everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It is his policy to conceal
himself and his manner of working.
There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we
shall become acquainted with his devices. The better to disguise his
real character and purposes, he has caused himself to be so represented
as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt. He is well
pleased to be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object, misshapen,
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half animal and half human. He is pleased to hear his name used
in sport and mockery by those who think themselves intelligent and
well-informed.
It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that
the question is so widely asked, “Does such a being really exist?” It is
an evidence of his success that theories giving the lie to the plainest
testimony of the Scriptures are so generally received in the religious
world. And it is because Satan can most readily control the minds of