PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 5:1-13
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” (Mark 5:9)
Do you believe that there are spirit beings out there, good and bad?
I believe everyone is harassed by evil spirits (as well as helped by good spirits).
We are not helpless, we can resist evil spirits and make them flee (James 4:7).
But if we do not resist them, we open ourselves to their deceits and fears.
God created spirit beings to help us fulfill our God-given purpose.
As messengers of truth, they whisper God’s wisdom and truth into our minds.
But some spirits rebelled, and have become voices of deception and defeat.
They usually work quietly, through people or circumstances or voices in our mind.
This man was so oppressed by these voices, he became possessed by them.
As Jesus followers, we are also oppressed by evil voices (spirits).
These voices hinder or harass us in our desire to serve Jesus.
Wherever we are being distracted or discouraged – this is the enemy at work.
If we give in to these voices, they take over and our lives become unlivable.
As Jesus followers, join with Jesus in commanding evil spirits to leave!
PRAYER
Lord, I can see how evil spirits are deceiving, discouraging and distracting me. Help me to see the danger, and to stand up to it, in your strength.
“The demons begged Jesus” Jesus has authority – the demons beg Jesus – they knew Jesus was going to free up the man – release him. Knowing that Jesus has this kind of authority – is something I need to remind myself. I think of all the churches in Pakistan being burned and sacked. In the face of that evil I pray that Jesus power may be called on to intervene and cast it out – that out of it will come an awakening that the people doing the carnage will feel the power of Jesus- Lord help me not forget that you are the victor even when it seems that evil has it’s day – especially within ‘Christian’ circles – to divide us!
Living. True living is only a possibility in Jesus name. All who seek Jesus will be saved. And to all who follow Him, filled with His Spirit, are over comers because all power and authority belong to Jesus. We too can speak the words that overcome our evil desires and stand up for Jesus.
1 All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!
2 O seed of Israel’s chosen race
now ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all!
3 Let every tongue and every tribe
responsive to his call,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!
4 Oh, that with all the sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.