SCRIPTURE: Mark 5:14-20
I have heard interesting theories as to why the spirits wanted to be sent among the pigs (one person theorized that demons need bodies to survive; if so then killing pigs was unhelpful).
The reason is obvious: they wanted to scare people away from Jesus.
This is how Satan and his helpers work, they do what they can to distract, deceive, discourage and defeat us.
Notice how the pig-tenders respond, how they ‘witness’ to what happened, and how the people in the town respond to it all – they beg Jesus to leave.
Look at how the enemy uses fear or deception or distraction to hold you back, to keep you from seeing, believing and following Jesus.
Satan uses this fear tactic to inspire a while group of anti-witnesses, to keep people from Jesus.
And notice how Jesus does the opposite, He uses kindness and blessing to help (not hinder), and send this man to be a good witness, to draw people to Jesus.
Jesus is working in your life to equip you to witness for Him; Satan is working in your life to keep you from witnessing for Jesus, and maybe even against Him.
Whose work or influence has the upper hand in your life?
Here is a test; how do I respond to Jesus’ words to me: ”Tell them how much the Lord has done for you.”
If your hesitant to do this, that may be a clue as to which influence is winning.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are asking me to tell people what You have done for me. My inner hesitation reveals to me how I am more influenced by fear than by faith. Help me be bold for You, and to trust Your power over the enemy’s.
Observation/Application
Come and see are words repeated throughout the Scriptures. ‘The proof is in the pudding’ so to speak. It really has happened. WoW! When the shepherds saw the Christ Child, they told all. When the ‘herders’ saw what happened they told all. When the hearers heard, they disbelieved. When the man healed saw the Master leaving, he was told to tell the Story. The people were amazed, but . . .
I too need to tell the Story of how I was healed and all that He has done in my life.
Prayer:
Lord, help me daily to walk the talk. Help me to be a living epistle so that all may see that I am Yours and You and mine.
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain
I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Refrain
I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
Refrain
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Refrain