32While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” (Matthew 9:32-34)
Thoughts: Jesus healed someone. Demons do not heal or help anyone. Yet because the Pharisees did not want to put their trust in Jesus they had to say he was bad some how. This is the ultimate example of calling good evil. But it is an old psychological and political trick. If you can't figure an argument out against someone- go ad hominem (against the man)-- demonize them. If you say enough bad things against them often enough perhaps people will start to believe it. The Pharisees many times said Jesus was demonic (Mt. 12:24f; Jn. 8:48 et al). It was an effort to get people to not see his amazing miracles as from God, and not listening to his astounding teachings. We should test evil not against our wishes or preconceived desires, but what the scriptures say is good or bad.
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to call good what you call good. Help me to be a blessing to those around me as you were.
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