Battle Rattle

Battle Rattle Matthew 17:21-23

Battle Rattle is a military slang that means to be fully geared out, ready to fight. We chatted about it at U-Turn. Last week we examined vv14-21 and when we spoke we covered the essentials about the section, but I wanted to take a little more time and see that we truly are at war. You are, your teens are and your children are. Satan respects no rules, no ties, destruction is his only desire. To tear down the image of God.

From birth to death, Satan has devices in place to destroy the image of God in humanity. Including trying to change the physical sex of children even in middle school, by using hormones and surgery to mentally and physically scar them for life. Some do reverse the curse, usually through entering into a relationship with Jesus or finally clearing their minds but after after terrible consequences.

Men are told they must be more like women. Women told that men are THE problem. The sanctity of marriage tossed out the window, shattering the foundation of culture, the family. Husband, wife, children.

Work, created by God is looked down upon. Those who work hard, who seek to be successful, are denigrated by the demonic doctrine of socialism of any kind.

Look around you, wars, famine, plague, Satanic activity is real.

Lets read the encounter again from 2 sources:

Matthew 17:20–21  “ So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.””

Now, the encounter with the demoniac boy we see a bit more of the “scary” encounter in

Mark 9:20–29  “Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the (unclean) spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.””

Now before we examine the coming out by prayer and fasting, just a few more things.

There are approximately 12 specific, detailed instances of Jesus casting out demons recorded in the Gospels, but these represent only a fraction of his total work, as multiple passages describe mass healings that include numerous unnamed individuals.

Total Mentions: "Demon" is used 54 times in the Gospels.

Specific Encounters: While 12 specific instances are commonly cited, some interpretations highlight 7 specific times Jesus is explicitly recorded as speaking to or directly engaging with demons, though this excludes the general, repeated cases of mass exorcism.

Key Encounters (with repeats):

The Gerasene/Gadarene Demoniac: Recorded in Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-39 (sometimes referred to as "Legion").

The Capernaum Demoniac: Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37.

The Blind and Mute Man: Matthew 12:22-29, Mark 3:20-30, Luke 11:14-23.

The Syrophoenician Woman's Daughter: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30.

The Epileptic Boy: Matthew 17:14-20, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43.

The Man in the Synagogue: Mark 1:23-27.

Mary Magdalene: Luke 8:2 notes she was cured of seven demons.

General Mass Healings: The Gospels often describe Jesus casting out demons from "many" people, such as in Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:34, and Luke 13:32.

It is notable that there are no records of Jesus casting out demons in the Gospel of John. However the battle and presence is noted,

Judas Iscariot (John 6:70-71; 13:27): John explicitly states that the devil (Satan) influenced Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. In 13:27, it says, "Then after he took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him".

The Father of Lies (John 8:44): Jesus describes the devil as a murderer from the beginning and the "father of lies" who does not stand in the truth.

John 8:44 NKJV

44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

This is who we don’t chose to call on or involve ourself in, but he is after us. This is war.

Paul specifically talks about what this looks like. Turn to:

Ephesians 6:10–13  “ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Then we see him talk about the parts of the armor - belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, sword. Its not about having conversations with demons. Or barfing into trash cans. Or burning confessions. There is no method. It is all Jesus. There is power in but on name, His name is Jesus. But lets jump to:

Ephesians 6:18  “ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”

So the culmination - is prayer. Because each of these parts points us to Christ. Truth, Gospel, Faith, Salvation, Word - all of which is? Jesus. And we approach and apply all of this via reaching out to the provider of all these things, Jesus. We note as we did before - we are reliant not on a method, having conversations with demons, using certain types of anointing oils, its purely depending wholly and totally on Christ.

True prayer is to Christ and genuinely for others.

Fasting is just that. It quite literally abstaining from food/meals so that we can focus on our walks with Christ. Christ was the example of this when he fasted for 40 days, we should be able to handle missing a 40 minute meal. I’ve heard others saying it was like adding a scope to a rifle (battle analogy still), it sharpens the focus and allows one to be more on target. A laser like fast focused prayer.

Paul and Barnabas for the simple act of appoint pastors over the churches established, prayed with fasting. Acts 14:23  “ So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Jesus says, that this is the key - its dependence not on works we think we can do, but who Jesus is. And because we love these who are under attack, we pray with everything we have. To save lives, and its not about the show. Not about you. Its about them. “He that would overcome the devil in certain instances must first overcome heaven by prayer, and conquer himself by self-denial.” (Spurgeon)

In Closing:

When demonic activity is high, then exorcisms occur with more frequency. Its not that we need to start “deliverance” ministries, we just need to make disciples as we go and at times, living out our faith means battling these malignant spirits. But you shouldn’t seek them out. If you go looking for them, they just might show up. Or you’ll make them up.

The cool thing is that nearly every facet of prayer and fasting mentioned points to praying for others. Also that faith, affects the realities of our life and can enable us to do battle with foes that otherwise could inhabit us like cars.

We pray to one with infinite resources, we come to him knowing he can. Jesus told us, it is not necessary to have great faith; even a small faith is enough, as long as it is faith in the great God and Savior, Jesus the Christ.