PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 8:26-33
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“’Legion,’ he replied, because many demons had gone into him.” (Luke 8:30)
What people called ‘demons’ then might now be called ‘hearing voices’ or ‘intrusive thoughts’.
A person like this man might today to be said to have a mental illness.
But what really is going on inside of this man, or all of us for that matter?
The bible word for angel is ‘messenger’, an invisible voice that sometimes appears.
Their message might be positive (good spirit) or negative (evil spirit).
Human imagination in history made these messengers into winged or horned creatures.
But all we know is that they are invisible voices that somehow speak to us.
I believe all of us hear these messengers either as good or bad thoughts.
If we dwell too long on the bad ones, they can take over us… possess us.
This man gives voice to the many voices in his head that disturb him.
They are legion, like the armies of Rome, possessing and controlling his life.
Are the thoughts or voices in your head healthy or unhealthy, good or bad?
Our world today is possessed by many unhealthy thoughts and voices, ruining lives.
It makes me wonder: are we possessed by bad thoughts and voices about demons?
PRAYER
Lord, our comic book caricatures of angels and demons blind us to the legion of voices oppressing and possessing us. May your voice speak truth into our minds and hearts, to expose and rescue us from the lies we believe!
In Cambodia, many homes will have little shrines in their garden as well as in their homes. One of the reasons is to appease or keep the evil spirits away – they will daily put out small offerings of flowers, fruit or incense – hoping to appease the evil while keeping the good spirits at home. The evil spirits in Legion obeyed Jesus. Buddhists will pray to holy men – including Jesus – to call off the evil spirits. When I think dark thoughts – I must not let them control me – in the name of Jesus I need to cast them far from me. In the name of Jesus! I must not lose sight of Jesus – he gave me the gift of his spirit to live in me. Help me to listen to him!
Today it is so difficult to glean the truth. Who do I listen to? Many listen to the voice of the leaders who have their own agenda. Their hearts are full of themselves and their desires. I need to be like a Samuel, ‘Speak Lord for Your servant is listening.’ I need to hear Him speaking saying ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’ Help me daily Lord to see Your LightShine so that I may walk in that SonShine.
Lord the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord And let there be light
Lord, I come into Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord And let there be light
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord And let there be light