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Exposing the Strongman

 Mark 3:23 -27 – “So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.”

            We are engaged in a spiritual battle. Jesus said, “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.” In Revelation 12:10 we learn about true spiritual warfare, “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” As children of God, we are attacked by a very real adversary who hates righteousness and the Savior we love and serve. 


            Who is this strongman? Jesus identifies him as “the ruler of demons.” His name is Beelzebub, which is another name for Baal. Joel Ryan writes in his article, What does the Bible say about Baal, “The name Baal in the Bible is most commonly associated with the Canaanite and Phoenician god of fertility, the rain, the sun, and the storm. Baal was considered the supreme god and master of all the other gods. In many instances, various cities would have their own special Baal. This is where we see the name used in conjunction with a specific locality such as Baal-Peor, Baal-Gad, and Baal-Hermon. The Baals or Baalim (plural) were considered the lords of their respective lands.”[1]


       Dutch Sheets writes in Binding the Strongman Over America, “Baal (Beelzebub) is identified as the ruler of demons in Matthew 12:24 and Mark 3:22. Beelzebub is another name for Baal.”[2] The children of Israel were ascribing the miracles of God to Beelzebub or Baal. 


        Baal worship is identified by the following three things:

    1.    Worship of the environment.

    2.    Shedding of innocent blood.

    3.    Sexual perversion. 

The temples of Baal were filled with sexual immorality. These acts were performed openly in the temple. Pornography and sexual perversion are celebrated in our society today. This is the work of the spirit of Baal. 


            This evil spirit is at work in our nation. Our role as believers is to fast and pray until the heavens open over us individually and our church corporately, so this evil spirit is bound and his influence is broken.  



[1] [1] Ryan, Joel, Crosswalk.com, https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-the-bible-say-about-baal.html.

[2] Sheets, Dutch, Binding the Strongman Over America and the Nations, Destiny Image Publishers, Shippensburg, PA, pages 455.

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