Special Education and Unclean Spirits
I know that what I am going to write about here might be controversial to some, and that to others it might be considered offensive, I am sorry you feel that way, but I think this needs to be asked. Before I go further I would like to say that while I am a certified elementary teacher, I have only had one special education class but for my purpose that is enough for now. Also, I do not feel that every student in special education settings has an unclean spirit (demon) in them, but even if only a small percentage of them did what a difference we could make.
As I was preparing for my small group study tonight I was struck with an idea because of my experiences subbing for a life skills, special education class this week. The thought that came to me was “Whatever happened to the idea and understanding of demons or unclean spirits causing problems that are commonly associated with severely handicapped and special needs students?” The Idea continued to grow as I thought about different stories from the Bible when Jesus or his disciples would cast out demons from people that had crippled the, made them blind, unable to speak or both, or prone to seizures that would throw them into the fire (Mat 8:28, Mat 8:28, Mat 9:32-33, Mat 12:22, Mar 5:1-16, Mar 9:17-27, Luk 8:27-33, Luk 9:42).
Because I believe the Bible is the true and in inspired word of God, and that the stories and teachings from Jesus’ life are correct I believe these events occurred. I also believe that the Holy Spirit is still active and providing healing and other miracles today. If we take these two beliefs and bring them together with the stories I highlighted I have to ask what happened to casting unclean spirits out to heal these maladies? I am aware that not everyone was healed this way. One great example of this is John 5:1-9, Jesus is walking by the pool at the Sheep Gate. As he walks by he is lead to call out to one man in the multitude of “blind, lame, and paralyzed” people and heal him. What about all of the others? They were not healed that way, many may never have been healed on this side of eternity, but one was. So my question is, as those who love and look after special education students, should we not be looking for those that the Holy Spirit will heal and praying for God to let loose a miracle and free them from their affliction?
I do not have any answers here, just questions and I would love to hear what you have to say about this.
Tedward's Ramblings 