Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?  Did you come to destroy us?  I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” – Mark 1:23-24

I would imagine that many of you reading this are like me and you deal with some evil, unclean spirits. Notice where this particular unclean spirit lived:  it was a man who went to the synagogue.  When that spirit got around Jesus, it had to cry out.  Now, notice what it cried out:  “Let us alone!”

“Leave me alone,” I believe is the major cry of the demons.  When you try to intervene with your son or daughter, a coworker, a friend, or another family member, the first thing they may say is, “I don’t want to hear about Jesus.”  Of course they don’t, the unclean spirits have a vice grip on their hearts, their minds, and their lives.  They wormed their way in; of course they want to be left alone.

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. – Mark 1:25-26

I know this stinks, this is hard, and this is scary, but evil and unclean spirits are not just naturally going to disappear.  They have found their home and they don’t leave just because you tack an eviction notice to the door.  You have to cast them out with an audible voice of authority.  Before you attempt anything like this, you pray until you feel like Jesus Himself is praying inside of you.  Then, and only then, do you have His authority to speak to the unclean spirit.  Read Acts 19:11-20 if you want to see how badly and embarrassing this can turn out.

I have no idea why I am writing something so hardcore this morning.  I’m going to assume that someone needs to hear it.  If you believe in God, have trusted in Jesus for salvation, and have the Holy Spirit flowing through you at this very moment, you have the Holy trifecta.  You have power beyond measure.  Use it to set people free.  There are a lot of demons crying, “Leave me alone.”  There are a lot of people who want nothing to do with the Holy Son of God. I don’t believe it is those actual people thinking this.  It is an unclean spirit who has found a home.

Pray, power up, and invade that home in the Name above all Names.