NOTES for Mar 3:11-12

In C. S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" there is a moment when the senior demon writes to his pupil, telling him to try to suggest to the person assigned to him that devils do not exist at all, and this would be a great victory for him. Modern materialistically minded people really do treat the existence of unclean spirits with skepticism, although most often they admit that there is "something" in black magic and sorcery. But if a person suddenly "sees," he falls into the opposite extreme - uncontrollable fear of demons. This also concerns people who consider themselves believers, which, generally speaking, is strange: for if through faith we are united with Christ, whom demons fear, then where does fear come from? Is something wrong with our faith?

Now to another point. The unclean spirits recognize Jesus as the Son of God ("Even the demons believe and tremble" Jas. 2:19). Is it necessary to explain why Jesus forbids them to speak about Him? Imagine that you have an acquaintance whom you know to be an outright liar and scoundrel. Then you learn that he is praising you at every street corner. What will people think of you? Would you like that situation? So Jesus does not want such "testimony" about Himself. The time will come when His disciples will be called to bear witness to Christ, but then their words and deeds must not diverge.