Written by Joel E. Kim |
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Some believers become preoccupied with spiritual dimensions, angels and demons, and powers of darkness, finding the work of demons in every event. It certainly does not help that all of us are catechized daily by social media and popular culture from astrology to zombies. Our approach should begin with and be bounded by the teachings of Scripture.
Some biblical accounts are difficult to forget. In Acts 19, Luke recounts the powerful ministry of Paul as he healed the sick and exorcised demons in the city of Ephesus. Seeing his success, some itinerant Jewish exorcists evidently decided to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus as a part of their own exorcism on a man who had an evil spirit. The possessed man replied unforgettably, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” (v. 15). Then he proceeded to overpower the exorcists, who had to flee “naked and wounded” (v. 16). When the residents of the area heard the news, many, including believers, came forward, confessing their continued acceptance of “magic arts,” and burned their books publicly (v. 19). Luke records the surprising value of the books: “fifty thousand pieces of silver” (v. 19), or more than 135 years’ worth of daily wages. Though Luke’s intention in including this episode is to display the power and the expansion of the church through the Word of the Lord, it is instructive in understanding the biblical teaching on spiritual realms and powers.
The Spiritual Realm is Real
Luke, Paul, and the Apostles ministered among people who believed in the spiritual realm and were conscious of the presence of spirits. People in the first century agreed that the supernatural and spiritual realm exercised control over everyday life and ultimately determined eternal destiny. Magic, divination, astrology, and the like were employed to influence and manipulate spirits so that good things were received and any harm was thwarted.
The New Testament not only recognizes this spiritual reality but portrays the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles as opposed to and overcoming the spiritual powers. The authority and power of Jesus over “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) are seen in the Gospels by the way that Jesus overcame the temptations by Satan, exorcised demon-possessed people, and healed the sick and the lame. Luke records the activities of the Apostles in defeating the power of darkness by exposing the futility and powerlessness of pagan idolatry with all its associated activities. Paul was no different. Paul often mentions principalities (Rom. 8:38; 1 Cor. 15:24; Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col. 1:16; 2:10; 2:15), powers (1 Cor. 15:24; Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 6:12; Col. 1:16; 2:10; 2:15), dominions (Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:16), elemental spirits (Gal. 4:3, 9; Col. 2:8, 20) to acknowledge the reality of spiritual powers that oppose God and His people. Moreover, Paul did not hesitate to inform his flock of the powerful presence of the evil one, referring to him as Satan, the devil, the evil one, prince, spirit, Belial, the enemy, the serpent, the tempter, and the god of this world.
It is hard to deny or ignore the existence of the spiritual realm. Some have attempted to “demythologize” the Bible by erasing any elements of supernaturalism. Others have ignored the reality of the spiritual realm and spirits by conducting life as though such powers and spirits did not matter, often leading to spirituality without belief or a life of faith that exudes self-reliance and not prayerful dependence.