NOT SO FAST!

In two passages, speaking about the disciples failure to cast out strong devils, and a third related verse, Jesus (and Paul) told them:

Matt 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and FASTING.

Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by *nothing, but* by prayer and FASTING.

1 Cor 7:5  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to FASTING and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

This is the ONLY way to resist these strong devils, according to Jesus Christ (and the apostle Paul). These are the ONLY three places where this vital doctrine is mentioned in scripture (if you don't think being armed to resist the devil is vital, try fighting him unarmed!). Do the modern versions give us this vital information?

Matt 17:21 (NIV) ENTIRE VERSE REMOVED

Mark 9:29 (NIV) He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

1 Cor 7:5 (NIV) Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Only by prayer? This version removes the way to defeat strong devils from ALL THREE verses.

Matt 17:21 (NASB) Most ancient mss do not contain this verse

Mark 9:29 (NASB) And He said to them, "This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer."

1 Cor 7:5 (NASB) Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Uh oh, this version forces us to battle strong devils unarmed as well.

Matt 17:21 (RSV) ENTIRE VERSE REMOVED

Mark 9:29 (RSV) And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."

1 Cor 7:5 (RSV) Do not refuse one another except perhaps by agreement for a season, that you may devote yourselves to prayer. but then come back together again, lest Satan tempt you through lack of self control.

How about the version-du-jour, the RSV update, the ESV?

Matt 17:21 (ESV) ENTIRE VERSE REMOVED

Mark 9:29 (ESV) And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."

1 Cor 7:5 ESV) Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer. but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self control.

No fasting? This version is also making you fight strong devils with one hand behind your back.

Matt 17:21 (ASV) But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:29 (ASV) And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer.

1 Cor 7:5 (ASV) Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.

ONE out of THREE! But finally a MV at least mentions it. That's really sad when the other MVs omit this vital doctrine ALTOGETHER and we must scour them to find one mention.

Now who would not want you to know how to battle strong devils?