Grace Is A Spiritual Practice That Silences Bad Voices

by Eric Elkin

“He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn’t let the demons speak, because they recognized him.”

— Mark 1:34

What a difference a year makes. A year ago, this healing story from Mark would seem quite laughable to me. Jesus healed a woman with a fever. Not to be cynical, but big deal. In early February of 2020, one didn’t need Jesus to heal a fever. A fever required rest, fluids, and a little ibuprofen. If persistent, maybe a trip to the doctor.

Now, as we approach 450,000 deaths in the United States, stories about the need for healing from a fever hits us differently. We are now forced to see the limitations of modern medicine. Vaccines require months of disciplined research by people with a specific skill set. Even then, developing a cure is only one part of the problem. Vaccines need workers to be mass-produced and delivered.

COVID-19 has forced us to face our vulnerability. I love and agree with the research of Brene Brown. Yet, Brown leaves us feeling that owning our vulnerability is a choice. A virus makes that choice for you. Besides, finding strength from leaning into our emotional weaknesses does not feel the same as a physical threat that could result in death.

“Whenever we find that our religious life is making us feel that we are good - above all, that we are better than someone else - I think we may be sure that we are being acted on, not by God, but by the devil.”

— C.S. Lewis

Do you believe in demons? A year ago, perhaps, this idea was also laughable. Demon possession is something left for Hollywood movies and “fire and brimstone” preachers. They are not real. Then came 2020, and we were forced to watch a nation turn on itself in hatred.

On a warm May evening, young people stormed a police precinct and a post office in Minneapolis. The buildings were burned and destroyed. Most of those people did not look like they were fighting for justice or peace. They reminded me of my summers in Brooklyn when “wilding” was a thing.

Then Winter brought us an insurrection on the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Some of these protestors beat police officers with poles carrying their “Thin Blue Line” flags. As I watched both the events of May and January unfold, I heard the voice of Marvin Gaye singing in my head, “Hey, what’s going on?”

In the movies, demons always have weird glowing, cat-like eyes. Their skin is pale, and their hair is dyed ultra-black. Demons always seem to dress in a goth style. They never look like us. Yet, those involved in these violent dramas all looked like my neighbors. Could our neighbors be demons?

If you ever read, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, you will understand what I am about to say. Demons are voices that seek to seduce ordinary people away from hope. They try to convince us that love is not real and mercy is a weakness. To those who listen to these voices, grace is a ploy by the one offering it to take advantage of the one listening.

I believe there are demons. At least, the kind of demons C.S. Lewis described. I also believe that Jesus does not let demons speak. Not that Jesus has a Harry Potter-like wand and a spell, although that would be cool. The closer we draw ourselves to words of hope, the less we hear of hopelessness. The more we pray to a loving God, the less we hear of hatred.

When grace becomes a lived spiritual practice, demons can no longer speak. Mercy makes us less prone to hit, burn, shoot or scream. In silence, we listen to God’s abundant love for our neighbors and for us. So, today you are left with a decision, who will you listen to? One voice is life; the other is filled with sadness and despair.

Click to read Mark 1: 29-39