Episode Eight

Jesus' Power Over the Evil One

There is an evil one, and he desires to destroy us. The evil one is alive today. Although we do not need to be obsessed with the evil one, we need to be aware that he exists. The evil one is active in three areas: the world, the flesh, and the devil. We see images of the evil one in the very beginning of Scripture. However, Jesus confronts the evil one and has authority over him. Jesus has given us a share in his power over the evil one. Every time we resist temptation and respond to grace, we participate in Christ’s saving victory over evil. This response to grace is conversion, which is God acting in us.

LUKE 4:31-35

 "Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm."