Demonic Gag Order

“Demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.” (Luke 4:41).

Demons have good theology.

We know that because they shout, “You are the Son of God!” In this case, they know more than the people do.

The demons are not atheists.
They are not skeptics.
There are no agnostics among their ranks.
There are no “liberal” demons who doubt the truth.

That’s what James 2:19 means when it says that “demons believe, and they shudder.” Unlike many modern theologians, they aren’t hesitant to proclaim the truth about Jesus. No wonder R. C. Sproul said this:

Satan could make an "A" in my systematic theology course. He knows the information and knows that the information is true.

 Don’t play Bible Trivia with a demon. He’ll win every time.

Why did Jesus order them not to speak? Jesus did not want to give his enemies any ammunition. They already whispered that he performed his miracles by the power of the devil. If the demons were heard proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God, it would hurt his cause. The Geneva Study Bible says, “Satan, who is a continual enemy of the truth, ought not to be heard, not even when he speaks the truth.” We get the same idea in Psalm 28:3, “Do not drag me away with the wicked, with the evildoers, who speak in friendly ways with their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.” Jesus does not want coerced testimony, whether from demons or from evil people.

He wants testimony from believing hearts.
He wants the redeemed to speak up.
He wants the saints to praise his name.

The demons have no choice, but we do. The demons grudgingly declare Jesus as the Son of God, but we can praise his name from a redeemed heart.

Let’s take Psalm 107:2 as our guide today:

“Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!”

Lord Jesus, forgive me for pouting when I ought to be praising. Open my mouth to declare your greatness today. Amen.

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