The gospels record many occasions of Jesus casting out demons. On one such occasion, a man came requesting that Jesus heal his son of his demon possession (Matthew 17:14-15). What was interesting about this example was that this man first brought his son to Jesus’ disciples, but “they could not cure him” (Matthew 17:16). But when Jesus told this father to bring his son, Jesus immediately cast out the demon and cured the boy (Matthew 17:17-18).
Afterward, the disciples asked Jesus why they had been unable to cast out the demon. His answer provides an important lesson for us about faith.
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not drive it out?’ And He said to them, ‘Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting’” (Matthew 17:19-21).
Let us notice what Jesus was teaching His disciples about faith and how it applies to our lives today.
A Misconception
A faith that is strong enough to move mountains and is able to make all things possible is a powerful thought. Yet many miss the point of this passage. A lot of religious people have this concept about faith that if they believe sincerely and pray hard enough then anything can happen. But that is not what Jesus was teaching here.
It is certainly true that God has the power to do anything He chooses to do. He spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6, 9). He is “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). But this is not about what God has the power to do. Rather, it is about believing what the Lord told them they should expect Him to do.
The Context
The disciples who were unable to cast out this particular demon were rebuked for their lack of faith (Matthew 17:20). The problem was not that they were lacking in some general understanding of the nature and power of God. Instead, the problem was that they ignored what the Lord had already promised regarding the casting out of demons.
The disciples had previously been instructed to “cast out demons” (Matthew 10:8) as they went about proclaiming the kingdom to the people of Israel. Therefore, they should have understood that the Lord was granting them the power to cast out demons. This understanding would have been based upon the Lord’s explicit instructions.
It is important to be reminded at this point of the source of faith. Paul wrote, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). The disciples should have had faith that they could cast out this demon because they had received word from Christ Himself that they had been given the ability to do it.
There is a difference between the disciples believing that the Lord was able to grant the power to cast out demons to anyone He wished, and knowing – based upon His word – that this power had been granted to them. The disciples needed to believe the word they had received, telling them that they were capable of doing what the Lord said they could do.
The lesson for us is that we need to believe that God will do what He has said He will do and will deliver on the promises which He has made. Jesus’ point was not that if we truly believe in the power of God and pray hard enough that He will give us a million dollars, then eventually the Lord will miraculously deposit a million dollars into our bank account. Could He do that if He chose to do it? Of course He could! But there is nothing in His word that would imply that He will do such a thing. Instead, what we have in His word is the promise that if we “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,” then “all these things will be added” to us (Matthew 6:33). Jesus was not referring to an abundance of riches being added to us (though occasionally disciples can become quite wealthy – 1 Timothy 6:17), but that our basic necessities will be added to us (Matthew 6:31-32). That which is revealed in His word is what we can, and should, accept by faith.
Application
Jesus told the disciples earlier that they would be able to cast out demons. Though they may have had difficulty casting out this particular demon, they should have had enough faith in the Lord and His word that they could do so. It was for this lack of faith they were rebuked. In the same way, we must have the faith to understand that we can do what the word of God says we can do. Notice just a few examples:
- We can be saved – “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Though we have all sinned and are worthy of punishment (Romans 3:23; 6:23), God has made it possible for each one of us to be saved. But in order to be saved, we must have faith in Him and then proceed to do those things which are necessary to be saved (Hebrews 5:9; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
- We can overcome sin – “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). We have the promise of God that every temptation that arises is able to be overcome because there will be a way of escape provided for us. We need to have faith in the Lord that this is true, then face temptations and overcome them.
- We can do all things – “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Whatever challenging circumstances may exist, if we are faithful to the Lord, we will be able to handle the trials of life and continue to follow Him, just as Paul was able to do.
Let us not make the same mistake as the disciples and fail to believe the word of the Lord. Let us have faith in Him and His word and serve Him accordingly.
