Why Demons are Smarter Than Humans

This morning in middle school class, we looked at Luke 4:31-37, and again, tonight during high school youth group, we looked again at the same story. Rarely do coincidences like that happen...I prepare a lesson, and so did my son (the youth pastor) on the same passage.

So needless to say, it's still on my mind and I need to make an observation.

In this story, Jesus enters a synagogue where there is a demon possessed man. This demon screamed at Jesus, "Let us alone...have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!"

Now, as the story goes, Jesus rebukes the demon to come out of the man, and guess what? The demon obeys immediately.

Here are two observations I made from that story. First, the demon was terrified of Jesus. And second, he obeyed Jesus - no discussion, no objections, no struggle. Immediate obedience.

So, why are demons smarter than humans? Because I have yet to find a human that is terrified of Jesus and I can hardly find one that obeys with no discussion, objections or struggle. Why is it that demons respond the way they do and humans hardly respond at all?

The only thing I can think is that demons know Who Jesus is - they know He is God and they get the difference between God and His created beings. Are demons more or less powerful than men? Obviously they are more powerful - that's why we're so scared of them. That's why they are the subject of many horror films. They are very, very powerful and we are very, very limited.

But when they come face to face with God, it is the demons who are terrified. Within the context of their own power, Jesus strikes terror in their hearts - to the point of unquestioning obedience.

Now, of course I know that demons are delusional because having seen God in all His power, they still chose to follow Satan. But after the fact, what you see in the gospels is sheer terror in the presence of Jesus Christ. Terror and obedience.

Hebrews 10:31 tells us, "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Unfortunately, humans don't get terrified when it comes to God. Oh, they will, when they see Him face to face, but until then we will continue to question His existence, deny His goodness, ponder at His involvement and ignore His special revelation.

It really breaks my heart.

Let's learn from the response of the demons. Let's determine to hold Jesus in high esteem because He is God, He is powerful and He has control over all things, even His enemies the demons. Let's fear God and let's determine to obey because of Who He is.

Too radical? Not loving enough? Fine, I'll take that criticism - it's the application from both lessons today.

As for the picture above - no, I don't wear army boots, but it's the only picture of a soap box I could find and I had a feeling I was going to be in a ranting mood...