Our lives, our words, and actions should interfere with hell’s agenda. Yet, all the trappings of religion are roadblocks to experiencing or demonstrating God’s power. It is easy to hide behind the prison bars of religion. We can meet for Bible study, prayer meeting, or church service, but unless we are walking in the light—with nothing hidden—we will not see the power of God. 

Religion is something we can quantify and control. We can make life work without God through our good works, self-sufficiency, and self-protection. We follow the rules and try to meet the standards without a change of heart. Our fears and angst multiply the older and “wiser” we become. If someone demonstrates the authority and power of Jesus, we might meet such actions with suspicion and resistance. We may see it as interference or even destruction rather than an act of salvation, deliverance, and healing.

In Mark 1:22-24, Jesus taught the Scriptures at the synagogue in Capernaum. The people responded with amazement at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

But a demonically infested man confronted Jesus, saying, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jesus cut the man short and commanded him to be silent. “At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.” Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this? … It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders” (vs. 26-27)! Year after year, this audience had sat and faithfully listened to religious leaders speak, but none of what they taught had authority and power. 

Jesus is still anointing His followers to demonstrate His authority and power. Whether we are in our homes, on the streets of a city, or in a church building, we have been given the mandate to interfere with hell’s plan. Our words and teachings should interfere and confront demonic spirits oppressing people even in our places of worship.