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Why Evil Spirits Were NOT Cast Out Before Jesus' Time?
I remember the first time I read the Bible from cover to cover, I had this question in my mind: Why were evil spirits NOT cast out before Jesus' time?
During Jesus’ Ministry, one of the works He did most frequently was to cast out demons. At His word, the blind could see, the lame could walk, and insane people came to their right minds. All these incidents pointed out that evil spirits are actually the source of all these sufferings! So why didn’t Yahweh god cast them out from His Chosen People the Israelites?
Yahweh Uses Evil Spirits
I believe one of the possible reasons could be - Yahweh uses evil spirits.
There are many incidents in the Old Testament where Yahweh actually used evil spirits to achieve His purposes. When He had chosen king David to replace king Saul, He sent evil spirits to torment Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). It is even recorded that prophet Micaiah saw in a vision how Yahweh sought counsel from His heavenly hosts, and finally decided to send a “lying spirit” to deceive king Ahab in order to kill him.
And he (prophet Micaiah) said, Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on His left. And the Lord said, “Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’” And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, “I will persuade him.” And the Lord said to him, “In what way?” And he said, “I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” And the Lord said, “You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go forth, and do so.” Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets, and the Lord has spoken evil concerning you. ~ 1 Kings 22:19-23
If Yahweh god uses evil spirits to do these “dirty jobs”, it certainly would be a good enough reason NOT to cast them out!
Righteousness of Yahweh vs Righteousness of Jesus
Yahweh
Righteousness of Yahweh is justice. He taught the Israelites “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” through Moses. Therefore, using evil means to judge evil people is permissible to Him and also can be justified.
Jesus
Jesus, on the other hand, teaches ONLY GOOD. “God is Light, in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Jesus teaches us to do good to our friends, but we should also do good to our enemies. Jesus allows no evil in His Kingdom, so He just cast them out.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. ~ Matthew 5:43-48
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement (James 2:13)
Easy to say, but I think most people may find it easier and more preferable to repay evil for evil. However, overcoming evil with good is actually a superior way, because this is the only way which will eventually bring eternal peace to the world and rest to all our souls.
If someone accuses us wrongly and we accuse him back, will it end the strife? Most assuredly not! We can imagine the matter escalates, and both parties may even end up going to jail. However, if one side chooses not to react but to make peace instead, the conflict can end permanently.
Jesus Frees Us From the Bondage of Our Minds
Many people complain about others, but are not aware that much of their sufferings are actually caused by the wrong beliefs in their own minds. Think about how much bitterness, jealousy, hatred and other negative thoughts torment us! By teaching us heavenly wisdom, Jesus has come to set us free!
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic … But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ~ James 3:14-18
Related Post:
Different God in the New and in the Old Testament?
