Power untapped
Sicknesses and illnesses are increasing becoming more potent and difficult to cure. After doctors thought they had a handle on deceases and infections today more then ever are being surprised with things that are even more difficult to cure. And, the reason why they increase in strength of illnesses is because the devil knows that his time is getting closer to and end(Rev12:12). The attack on humanity is going to get even more rigor the ever. He is going to hit us with everything he has to try to destroy us. Peter tells us that the devil is prowling around us like a roaring lion seeking to whom he may devour (1P5:8-9), but that we need to resist him. Now, resist means to withstand the action and to refrain from doing, suggesting that even though the devil is roaring loader then ever we cannot give in. After all, we know that the devil has come to kill, still and destroy (Jh10:10), and part of his means for doing such is via illnesses.
Matthew 17:19-21
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
In today’s story we find a father whose life is turned upside down, because of an illness brought by the enemy. While Jesus was manifesting his deity to his inner circle disciples at the mount, the other disciple’s faith was being challenged by this spirit of illness brought on a child. Now, Jesus had given his disciples power prior, to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead(Mt10:1) so there was no reason why they could not cast out this one from the child. They saw Jesus model how to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead many times and in the instances when John sent his two disciples to confirm his deity (Mt11:4-5). But, something went missing from the disciples, that in this instance they could not cast out this demon of infirmity. Their faith was being depleted and therefore this type of demon was too difficult to cast out. So, the question that comes to mind is, what makes ones faith to deplete? And, the answer is a lack of prayer and fasting makes our faith shrink. Nowadays, the forces of darkness are using stronger arsenal against the people of God. They are coming at us with everything they have to destroy us, and that is why infections and deceases are even stronger then ever before. Fasting has its reward, when we set our purpose for it, such as to cast out an infection or illness, Jesus said that we must use discretion; don’t look like your fasting (Mt6:16). Jesus resisted the devil’s direct attacks via fasting (Mt4:1-2), modeling for us the choice weapon for spiritual warfare.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
John 10:10
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Matthew 10:1
10 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease
Matthew 11:4-5
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matthew 6:16
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 4:1-2
4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.