"THIS KIND"

In Mark 9, Jesus had come down with the three chosen disciples from the Mount of Transfiguration, and they were confronted with a man whose son was posessed by an evil or unclean spirit. The disciples had been unable to cast it out. Usually they had been successful, but today, to their embarassment and the suffering of the boy, they were not. Perhaps they had used the name of Jesus, and it had not worked. In any case, Jesus said that "this kind" can only come out by prayer (and fasting, perhaps).

Reflecting on this important story, I wonder: Do we still have "this kind" of spirit today? The kind that cannot be cast out by the best of formulas and well-meaning effort?

I think that some spirits can come out with something less than the name of Jesus. Jesus hints elsewhere that the Pharisees and their disciples could cast out unclean spirits. Today, I suppose that psychologists and counselors can cast out some spirits, too. A spirit of fear, or of anger, or of addiction for example can be cast out through certain understanding of one's past and a resolve to do better in the present. But they cannot deal with "this kind."

Also, there may be a certain heirarchy of names that will have authority in the spiritual realm. Religion can at least curb or mask certain behaviors, even though a religious spirit is actually anti-Christ. And perhaps Mohammed, or Ghandi, or some disciplined man of today can command some spirits to leave, and they will obey, or at least pretend to obey. A womanizing spirit, or a spirit of dissipation might be conquered through the authority of a name that is greater than that spirit's. But those names cannot win over "this kind."

But I imagine that perhaps the disciples were already using the name of Jesus, and still without effect. Jesus is the name above every name; His is the trump card over every spirit. And yet, "this kind" cannot be cast out simply through a command using the name of Jesus; it also requires prayer (and perhaps fasting).

I cannot go into spiritual battle armed with the name of Jesus, but lacking a shield of faith, a breastplate of righteousness, or a helmet of salvation. And I cannot simply address a demon in the name of Jesus without being spiritually strong. I cannot expect success in heavenly warfare if I have not gone through training and conditioning. If I am not a man of prayer, if I do not deny my fleshly appetites, if I am not meditating on the Word of God, I am woefully unprepared for "this kind."

"This kind" walks the streets of Price Hill every day. "This kind" is the spirit of hopelessness in a teenage boy raised without a father and lured by the sins of the city. "This kind" is the pattern of poverty in a third-generation recipient of public assistance. "This kind" is the haunting demon of sexual abuse from childhood. Psychology fails to deal fully with "this kind." Religion and righteous men cannot cast "this kind" out in their own power. And even the name of Jesus, when wielded by an unprepared saint cannot stand against "this kind."

The name of Jesus is not a magic charm that any shaman can use to ward off all evil. If I am to be ready to confront "this kind" of spirit tomorrow, then I must be a man of prayer today.

"LORD, I do not have the power to win in spiritual warfare. You do. I am Your weak and willing servant. Prepare me to be a warrior for You, so that when the day of battle comes, I will be able to bring about a victory in Your name. To You alone be the glory, Highest God, King of the Universe. Amen."
-ker