Howbeit This Kind Goeth Not Out but by Prayer and Fasting (Matthew 17:21)

2023-08-20

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:21)

When Jesus came down from the Transfiguration with three of His disciples, they met the other nine, who could not cast out a demon from a boy. Two reasons were given.

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:20-21)

The latter reason, the need for prayer and fasting, is the only reason given in Mark’s account.

To overcome the evilest of forces of darkness, we need to believe that Jesus has conquered them. If I am not settled on Jesus’ authority, I will live a life of defeat. However, there is also the requirement of begging God for victory over this force at the current time to be removed. A devotion where I set myself apart and focus only on that battle. That was what was required there. This is a spiritual battle, and the enemies are fierce.