The Unclean Spirit Comes Out - Mark 1:26

Mark wrote how Jesus, “on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out. Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-six of his book, Mark wrote how the “unclean spirit”, “came out of him” where we read:

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

The verse reads, “And when the unclean spirit had torn him, ...” Mark began words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “the unclean spirit” which means “the not cleansed, impure, morally lewd and foul disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one” “had torn him” or “convulsed with epilepsy, rend and mangled with a spasmodic contraction”. Mark shared how the “unclean spirit” responded to Jesus' command by “convulsing with spasmodic contraction” within the man.

The verse continues, “and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.” Mark added the words, “and cried” which means “and croaked, vociferated and spoke” “with a loud voice” or “with a great, large and intense affection and emotion of the mind”, “he came out” which means “the unclean spirit departed came forth, escaped and withdrew from out” “of him” or “of the man with the unclean spirit”. Mark shared how the “unclean spirit” shouted loudly and withdrew from the man just as he was commanded.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “unclean spirit” immediately responded in obedience to Jesus' command. Though he “convulsed” the man as he left him and caused the man to “cry out with a loud voice”, the “evil spirit” came out. Jesus has power over the “unclean spirits”, and although it may seem they “rule” in a person's life, when Jesus tells them to depart, they do. God's desire is to turn every person from the influence of “evil spirits” to believe in His Son Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who yield their lives to Him rely upon these words, “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, says the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Next time Mark tells how all the people watching Jesus, “were all amazed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".