What Jesus Did! 'Constant and Unfair Attack' — Luke 11:14-15

Friday, July 21, 2023

One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn't speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, but some of them said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons."
— Luke 11:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

One of the ways Satan tries to discourage God's workers is through the constant badgering and attacks of tenaciously unfair opponents. Satan knew his power was no match for Jesus. So, when Jesus cast out a demon, the evil one made sure the voices of Jesus' opponents were heard. In the deceptive mode as the "father of lies" (i.e., Satan [1]), the opponents of Jesus directly turned around the truth of this exorcism. They claimed Jesus' power to cast out demons came from Satan. Of course, we can easily see the lie from our distance. However, be warned, dear Christian servant! Don't be discouraged or defeated if the good you do is attributed to false motives or to the power of evil. If Jesus' opponents did it to our Savior, they are going to do it to us also. But, if Jesus could stand firm, then by his power, we can stand firm as well.

[1] John 8:42-47.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I confess that the unfair criticism of my motives and my actions is discouraging. Thank you for helping me see that similar criticisms happened to your Son. If Satan could turn around the truth of his own defeat and attribute Jesus' power to evil, then I know the opposition that I face should not be surprising. Help me keep the ultimate victory of Jesus over sin, death, and Satan in my head and in my heart so that these unfair attacks do not derail or defeat me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Do More than Roll Your Eyes!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Some of you roll your eyes or quickly speed-read past any biblical discussion of demons because you think that this kind of thing..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 11:14-15 NLT — "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, July 21, 2023

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Confirmation!' (He. 10:15-16)
"The Holy Spirit confirms this: This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone [says the Lord];..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Hebrews 12:1
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Joy, Prayer, the Spirit's Fire' (1 Th. 5:16-23)
"Dear Father, holy God, Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Irenaeus:
"The glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!