In this Sunday morning message, Pastor Arville Duncan explores the story of the Canaanite woman from Matthew 15, focusing on her desperate plea: “My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” Pastor Duncan delivers a direct, sobering reminder that spiritual warfare is not a relic of the past—it is a present reality in our world and our homes.
1. The Reality of Devils Today
Pastor Duncan asserts that if our spiritual eyes were opened, like those of Elisha’s servant, we would see that devils (demons) are everywhere. He clarifies that while the saved are children of God, the lost are under the influence of the “father of lies.”
- The Difference for Believers: A Christian cannot be possessed by a devil because they belong to God, but they can certainly be aggravated, intimidated, and irritated by them.
- The Anatomy of “Vexed”: Using Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Pastor Duncan defines being “vexed” as being:
- Teased or provoked
- Irritated or troubled
- Agitated or afflicted
2. From the Inside Out: The Heart and the Tongue
Drawing from Matthew 15:18, the Pastor explains that what defiles a person comes from the heart and exits through the mouth.
- The Tongue as a Tool: The devil often uses a person’s tongue to cause trouble. “Dirty” tongues, uncontrollable tempers, and hateful speech are evidence of spiritual vexation.
- The Solution: A physical change isn’t enough; one needs a “new heart” that only comes through salvation in Jesus Christ.
3. Fighting the “Stinking Devil”
Pastor Duncan shares several personal and historical accounts of confronting demonic influence, from “cursed” objects like Ouija boards to houses that required prayer. He emphasizes that you cannot fight a spiritual being with physical fists.
- The Only Weapon: The Atoning Blood of Christ.
- The Power of Prayer: Whether it is casting out a spirit or cleaning up a “bad temper,” the Lord is the one who does the work.
I started pleading the blood of Christ. That’s the only way you can fight the devil… that blood keeps him back.
4. A Warning for the Last Days
The message concludes with a call to sobriety. In a world where mental health crises are rising and violence is rampant, Pastor Duncan attributes much of the chaos to spiritual vexation. He warns that we are living in dangerous times and must “watch what we say,” as the devil is always looking for an opportunity to use our words against us.
- Proverbs 21:23: “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”