They Faith of Demons is Instructive: Believing that God will give you what you Ask!

The Faith of Demons is Instructive: Believing that God will give you what you Ask!

October 14

In the biblical narrative, we find a curious account that highlights the surprising faith of demons. It might be perplexing to consider that beings associated with evil and malevolence would have faith in anything, let alone the Word of God. Yet, this intriguing episode involving Jesus and a legion of demons sheds light on the principles of belief and faith in the spiritual realm.

The story unfolds when Jesus encountered a man who was possessed by a legion of demons. This tormented soul was known for wandering among tombs, living in desolation. When Jesus approached him, the demons within the man recognized the divine authority of Christ and, surprisingly, believed in the power of His Word. In Mark 5:12-13, the demons pleaded with Jesus, saying, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." Astonishingly, the demons understood the principle of faith with spoken words in action.

The demons' request and their belief in the Authority of Jesus were honored, and they were cast into a herd of pigs, which subsequently rushed into a nearby lake and drowned (Mark 5:13). This incident raises a thought-provoking question: Do demons exhibit a stronger and more unwavering faith in the Word of God than some humans do?

Human faith, as we know, can waver and fluctuate. People often find themselves torn between believing and doubting, unlike the legion of demons who exhibited unwavering belief in Jesus' power. However, God, in His boundless grace and mercy, does not demand perfect faith. Even a mustard seed-sized faith, as emphasized by Jesus in Matthew 17:20, can produce astonishing results. With just a modicum of faith, one can move mountains and see miraculous transformations.

The demons' example underscores the potency of belief. Their faith in the authority of Jesus was so steadfast that they actively made a request to Jesus and trusted that He could fulfill it. As a result, their request was granted, albeit in a manner that resulted in the destruction of the pigs.

Contrastingly, there are instances in the Gospels where Jesus encountered human unbelief. In Capernaum, a city where Jesus performed many miracles, His power was constrained by the prevailing unbelief of the people. As mentioned in Matthew 13:58, "And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." The point here is that even in much unbelief, a little faith can usher in miracles. A few found out when they were healed. This demonstrates that even in the presence of skepticism and unbelief, a tiny flicker of faith can open the door to divine intervention.

The principle of spoken faith in action is further exemplified through the words of Jesus: "Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7). These words reveal a divine promise that encourages persistence and faith. As individuals move forward in faith, pursuing their desires, they eventually receive what they seek, just as the persistent woman who knocked at her neighbor's door or the persistent petitioner who approached an unrighteous judge received what they sought due to their relentless persistence in asking (Luke 11:5-10).

In reflecting on the account of the demons who believed and received their request, it becomes evident that if beings associated with darkness and evil can make requests and have them granted, how much more can humans, whom God loves and for whom Jesus sacrificed His life, approach God with their desires in prayer and receive what they desire? The message is clear: we are called to ask and believe, trusting that God's grace and mercy extend even to those who waver in their faith.

In conclusion, the story of the demons' belief in the Word of God serves as a reminder that faith, even in its smallest form, can move mountains and lead to extraordinary outcomes. As we navigate the complexities of our own faith journey, let us draw inspiration from this unusual encounter and approach God with the assurance that He hears our requests, answers our prayers, and extends His grace to us, His beloved children. In faith, we can confidently declare, "I Ask, and I will receive."