Servias Ministries Blog

We must not be reluctant to identify and deal with demons!

When is the last time you heard a teaching from the pulpit dealing with casting out demons?

Matthew is showing that Jesus is the promised Messiah with authority over every realm of creation, including demons.

Matthew recorded by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 9:

32 While they were leaving, some people brought before Jesus a demonized man who couldn’t speak.

33 Jesus cast the demon out of him, and immediately the man began to speak plainly. The crowds marveled in astonishment, saying, “We’ve never seen miracles like this in Israel!”

34 But the Pharisees kept saying, “The chief of demons is helping him drive out demons.”

This verse concludes the account of Jesus healing a man who was unable to speak because he was demon-possessed. As soon as Jesus cast out the demon, the man immediately began to speak.

This miracle comes near the end of a series of miracles in Matthew 8–9, where Jesus demonstrates His authority over:

• Disease
• Paralysis
• Nature
• Demons
• Sin
• Death

“The mute spoke”

The man’s inability to speak was not presented as a natural medical condition alone. In this specific case, Scripture attributes it to demonic oppression. When the demon was expelled, the physical impairment disappeared immediately.

This illustrates two Truths:

• Jesus has complete authority over the spiritual realm.
• His miracles were complete and instantaneous.

“The multitudes marveled”

The crowd’s response was amazement.  The Greek word translated “marveled” means they were astonished or overwhelmed with wonder.  They recognized they were witnessing something extraordinary—not merely a skilled teacher or healer, but works unlike anything Israel had previously experienced.

“It was never seen like this in Israel”

This statement is significant.  The people were essentially saying:

“Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of our nation.”

Israel had seen miracles through people such as:

• Moses
• Elijah
• Elisha

Yet Jesus’ ministry was different because:

• He healed by His own authority.
• He cast out demons with a command.
• He forgave sins.
• He raised the dead.
• He performed miracles continuously throughout Galilee.

The miracles pointed to His identity as the Messiah foretold in passages such as Book of Isaiah 35:5–6:

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.”

Jesus’ works fulfilled these prophetic expectations.

A contrast in responses

The very next verse (Matthew 9:34) reveals a stark contrast:

• The crowds were amazed and recognized God’s power.
• The religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of demons.

This contrast appears repeatedly throughout the Gospels. The same evidence produced faith in some and unbelief in others. The issue was not a lack of evidence but the condition of the heart.

Spiritual application

Matthew 9:33 teaches several enduring Truths:

• Jesus has absolute authority over Satan and demonic forces.
• Jesus restores what sin and evil have damaged.
• His miracles authenticate His identity as the promised Messiah.
• God’s works often lead humble hearts to worship, while proud hearts may resist even clear evidence.
• Jesus’ mission was not only to heal physical bodies but to free people spiritually and ultimately bring salvation.

The miracle also serves as a picture of the Gospel. Just as the mute man could not speak until Christ set him free, people are spiritually unable to respond rightly to God until Christ delivers them from the bondage of sin and brings new Life. When He does, the appropriate response is to glorify God, just as the crowds were moved to amazement by what they witnessed.

How common was deliverance in Jesus’ ministry?  If you count the specific miracle accounts in the Gospels:

Jesus performed approximately 35–40 recorded miracles.  About 8–10 are explicit accounts of casting out demons.  Several additional passages summarize Him casting out “many demons” without describing each event individually. 

That means roughly 20–30% of the recorded miracle stories involve direct deliverance from demons.  But those miracle stories represent only a small portion of His total ministry.

As Sons and Daughters, we must not shy away from this aspect of His and our ministry!

THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY has a heart for the poor!

We do too!

Throughout Scripture, FATHER’S character is consistently revealed as compassionate toward those in need.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 25:

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the Holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the Throne of His glory.

This is not referring to His first coming but to His return as King and Judge. Unlike His humble birth in Bethlehem, He comes in glory with all the angels to judge every nation.

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Jesus says He will separate people:

• Sheep on His right hand
• Goats on His left

Biblically:

• Sheep symbolize those who belong to God because they hear and follow the Shepherd’s Voice.
• Goats represent those who do not belong to Him.

The separation is complete and final.

34 Then the King will say to those on His Right Hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Several Truths are included:

• The Kingdom is an inheritance, not something earned by good works.
• God’s plan of redemption existed before creation.
• Those entering the Kingdom are already described as “blessed by My Father.”

Salvation is by God’s grace, but genuine faith produces a transformed life.

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Jesus lists acts of mercy:

• I was hungry, and you gave Me food.
• I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink.
• I was a stranger, and you welcomed Me.
• I needed clothing, and you clothed Me.
• I was sick, and you cared for Me.
• I was in prison, and you visited Me.

Notice that these are ordinary acts of compassion, not extraordinary displays of power.

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.‘

In other Words, “And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, My little ones, my True brothers and sisters, you demonstrated Love for Me.’”

Evaluating a Christian Ministry

Scripture encourages believers to evaluate ministries by their fruit.

Jesus taught:

“You will recognize them by their fruits.”
— Matthew 7:16

Questions that can help in evaluating any ministry include:

• Does it proclaim Jesus Christ faithfully?
• Does it demonstrate Love through action?
• Does it handle resources with integrity?
• Does it serve people with humility?
• Does it remain faithful to Biblical Truth?
• Does it produce Spiritual fruit as well as humanitarian impact?

Our goal is satisfy all the above criteria.  To those who support Servias, our good fruit is your fruit.

THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY owns all of creation!

The inhabitants of the earth have a very limited view of creation thus they develop their own opinions based only what they see and experience.  The Bible provides us with FATHER’S world vision.

Psalm 24 is a psalm of David that celebrates God’s absolute ownership of creation, identifies who is worthy to approach Him, and prepares for the triumphant entrance of the King of Glory (vv. 7–10). Verses 1–6 move through three major Truths:

1. God owns everything.
2. God is Holy.
3. Only those made right before Him may draw near.

We are to meditate on these three Truths if we are to see things as GOD sees them.

Verse 1

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”

David begins with a declaration of God’s ownership.

Everything belongs to God:

• Every continent
• Every nation
• Every acre of land
• Every animal
• Every tree
• Every ocean
• Every person
• Every dollar
• Every breath

Nothing ultimately belongs to mankind.

Why is this important?

This verse establishes one of the Bible’s greatest principles:

We are not owners—we are stewards.

A steward manages something that belongs to someone else.

This principle applies to:

• Land
• Money
• Businesses
• Families
• Time
• Talents
• Ministries

Everything has been entrusted to us for a season.  If the land belongs to God, then caring for it faithfully becomes an act of stewardship rather than merely a business activity.

Verse 2

“For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.”

Why does God own the earth?  Because He created it.

Creation gives Him absolute authority.

David reminds Israel that the world exists because of God’s sustaining power.

This verse also demonstrates God’s sovereignty.

The ancient world viewed the sea as unstable and chaotic.

Yet God established the earth above it.

Nothing in creation exists outside His control.

Verse 3

“Who shall ascend into the Hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His Holy Place?”

This is the great question!

Who is qualified to approach God?

The “Hill of the LORD” refers to Mount Zion where the ark was located.

Spiritually, the question becomes:

Who can enter God’s Presence?  The answer is: Not everyone.

God welcomes sinners who repent and trust Him, but no one approaches Him on the basis of personal merit. His Holiness means that entrance into His Presence requires cleansing and reconciliation.

Verse 4

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

David lists four characteristics.

1. Clean Hands

Hands represent our actions.

Questions to consider:

• Do I act honestly?
• Do I treat people fairly?
• Do I keep my promises?
• Do I conduct business with integrity?

God examines what we do.

2. A Pure Heart

The heart represents:

• motives
• desires
• intentions

God is concerned with:

Why are we doing what we’re doing?

Someone may perform a good deed for recognition.

Another may do the same deed from genuine Love.

God sees the difference.

This connects to Jesus’ teaching that God looks beyond outward appearance to the heart.

3. Has Not Lifted His Soul to Vanity

“Vanity” means emptiness or falsehood.

It includes:

• idols
• false gods
• misplaced trust
• empty pursuits

Today, idols can include:

• money
• power
• status
• success
• possessions
• self

The question becomes:

What has first place in my heart?

4. Has Not Sworn Deceitfully

God values Truthfulness.

A Godly person keeps his or her word.

Scripture repeatedly teaches that integrity matters.

Integrity is a hallmark of someone who seeks to walk with God.

Verse 5

“He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

Notice something important.  The blessing comes from God.

Even righteousness is described as something received, not earned.

This anticipates the New Testament teaching that we are made righteous through God’s gracious provision rather than our own perfection.

God blesses those who seek Him sincerely and depend on Him.

Verse 6

“This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek Thy Face, O Jacob.”

God is looking for people who genuinely seek Him.

Seeking God’s Face means more than seeking His gifts.

Many people seek:

• blessings
• healing
• provision
• protection

But David says we should seek God Himself.

There is a difference between seeking God’s Hand and seeking His Face.

God’s Hand provides.

God’s Face represents His Presence, fellowship, and relationship.

The greatest reward is not merely what God gives—it is knowing Him.

The Progression of Psalm 24:1–6

David builds a beautiful progression:

How This Applies Today

This passage invites us to examine our lives in light of God’s ownership and Holiness.

Ask yourself:

• Do I recognize that everything I have belongs to God?
• Am I managing my resources as a faithful steward?
• Are my actions (“clean hands”) consistent with my profession of faith?
• Are my motives (“a pure heart”) pleasing to God?
• Have I allowed anything to take God’s rightful place in my life?
• Am I known as a person of integrity?
• Am I primarily seeking God’s blessings—or seeking God Himself?

Our calling is to steward resources faithfully, with integrity, while continually seeking His Presence above all else.

Beware of a manipulator!

The Bible does not often use the modern word “manipulation,” but it clearly condemns behaviors that involve controlling, deceiving, flattering, coercing, or exploiting others for selfish purposes.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Deuteronomy chapter 5:

20 ‘You shall not give false testimony [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the Truth] against your neighbor (any person).  AMP

Manipulation often involves deception.  A manipulative person may say one thing while hiding a different motive.  Manipulation uses flattery as well.

Wisdom recorded in Proverbs chapter 29:

5

“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.”

Flattery is praise given to gain advantage rather than to express sincere encouragement.

Manipulation seeks selfish gain and is usually driven by self-interest; Agape Love seeks the good of others.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 2:

3 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves.

4 Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.

5 And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let His mindset become your motivation.

Manipulation Is Contrary to Truth

Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 4:

25 So discard every form of dishonesty and lying so that you will be known as one who always speaks the Truth, for we all belong to one another.

God’s way is openness and Truthfulness, not hidden agendas.

Manipulation Can Be a Form of Control

A striking example is found in the story of Jezebel in 1 Kings 21. When King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard, Jezebel manipulated circumstances, used false witnesses, and orchestrated injustice to obtain what she wanted. Scripture presents this as wickedness.

There is a difference between:

Influence: honestly presenting Truth and allowing others to choose.  Manipulation uses pressure, guilt, fear, deception, or hidden motives to control someone’s choice.

Jesus invited people to follow Him, but He did not manipulate them. For example, when the rich young ruler walked away, Jesus let him choose rather than coercing him (Matthew 19).

Common warning signs of manipulation include:

Guilt-tripping (“If you really cared, you’d do this.”)

Withholding information.

Twisting facts.

Flattery used to gain advantage.

Playing on fear.

Constant pressure to make a decision.

Changing the terms after an agreement is made.

The Biblical model we are to live by:

Truth instead of deception.

Love instead of control.

Integrity instead of hidden motives.

Persuasion through honesty rather than manipulation.

Manipulation is inconsistent with God’s Character because it attempts to control people through deception, pressure, or selfish motives rather than through Truth, Love, and integrity.

Should you do business with a manipulator?

The Bible would counsel great caution when doing business with someone who is known to be manipulative.

A manipulator often relies on:

Half-truths or deception

Hidden motives

Pressure tactics

Constant renegotiation

Exploiting trust for personal gain

These traits undermine the foundation of any good business relationship: trust. 

Wisdom Chooses associates carefully.

Wisdom recorded in Proverbs chapter13:

20 If you want to grow in Wisdom, spend time with the wise. Walk with the wicked and you’ll eventually become just like them.

The people you partner with affect the outcome of your endeavors.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 10:

16 “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

Jesus did not teach believers to be gullible. We are to be honest and kind, but also discerning.

A person’s character matters.  Remember when your word was your bond?  A trustworthy business partner honors commitments. A manipulator often changes terms when it benefits them.  Avoid being unequally bound.

King David wrote by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 15:

4 “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.”

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Corinthians chapter 6:

14 Don’t continue to team up with unbelievers in mismatched alliances, for what partnership is there between righteousness and rebellion? Who could mingle light with darkness?

Practical Business Guidance

If someone has demonstrated a pattern of manipulation:

Get everything in writing.

Define terms clearly.

Verify rather than assume.

Avoid handshake agreements alone.

Limit their ability to alter terms later.

Be prepared to walk away.

If manipulation is habitual and severe, the wisest course may be not to enter the business relationship at all.

A Helpful Test

Ask yourself:

“Has this person consistently shown that their word can be trusted when it costs them something?”

If the answer is no, that’s a significant warning sign.

The Bible does not teach that we must avoid all imperfect people—everyone has flaws. But it repeatedly warns against entrusting important matters to those who have a pattern of dishonesty, deceit, or exploitation.

A good rule is:

Grace forgives; wisdom evaluates character.

You can forgive a manipulator and still decide they are not a suitable business partner. In many cases, that’s not a lack of Love—it’s an application of Biblical Wisdom and stewardship.