“And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath Day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day” (Luke 13:14).
Religion is dangerous. Religion would rather debate about healing than see somebody healed. Religion would rather argue about deliverance than see somebody set free.
You can see an example of that in Luke 13. There Jesus had healed a woman who had been bowed over for 18 years. Think of it, a dear old woman – a daughter of Abraham Jesus called her—set free after being bound by the devil for nearly two decades.
You’d think the temple rulers would have been rejoicing at what Jesus had done. But, no! They were angry because He’d done it on the wrong day.
Do you know what’s worse? Those very same religious leaders who criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath could have ministered healing to that woman themselves on any of the other six days of the week if they’d cared enough to do it.
That’s why Jesus was so indignant with them. They had the same covenant of Abraham that Jesus was ministering on. But their religion had kept that woman bound instead of setting her free. It always does.
Remember that next time someone tries to get you sidetracked into a religious debate about healing or deliverance. If someone needs to be delivered from a demon, just do it! Don’t get all hung up on theological questions about where the demon is.
“Is it in his body? Or his brain? Or his spirit? Or his pocket?” While you’re arguing about questions like that, the demon will be driving the poor guy up the wall.
The question isn’t, “Where is the demon?” The question is, “Why haven’t we gotten this man delivered? He’s our blood brother in the Name of Jesus and he ought to be free!”
Once you start asking that question, you won’t care whether that demon is inside or outside, hovering over or sitting under. All you’ll care about is getting that person free!
That’s the difference between religion and the love of God. Religion argues. Love acts. Choose love today.
Scripture Reading: Luke 13:11-17
Excerpt permission granted by
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka: Kenneth Copeland Ministries
For the last 50 years Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have been passionately teaching Christians all over the world how to apply the principles of faith found in God's WORD to their lives.
They have seven ministry offices around the world: United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Ukraine and Latin America. Their God-given directive is to preach and teach the uncompromised WORD of God on every available voice, which is being accomplished through a variety of channels, including our Believer's Voice of Victory TV and radio broadcasts, podcast and magazine; Believers' Conventions, Victory Campaigns and Living Victory meetings; published books, website, and social media channels, to name a few.
With the expansion of technology, they have more work to do now than ever. They are determined to let the world know Jesus is LORD, and they are not slowing down anytime soon!