Scripture:
Mark 5 v 7-9: "And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For He (Jesus) said unto him (the demon), Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And He asked him (the demon), What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion, for we are many."
I have highlighted personalities in brackets for clarity as some people believe Jesus was speaking to the man who was possessed, known as the Gadarene Demoniac. The man would not know the name or power of Jesus, nor that He was the Son of the Most High God.
The unclean spirit, Legion, declared his nature - we are many. A Roman legion consisted of 6000 men and when Jesus cast that demon out it went into 2000 pigs ie 3 demons into each pig. Legion knew exactly who Jesus was! Immediately the man was clothed and in his right mind, seated at the feet of Jesus worshipping him.
In forty years of ministry to people who are bound by demons I have never met one person who was not influenced by demons in some way. Some are possessed by demons and are insane or extremely violent or deeply involved in satanism, voodoo, or witchcraft. Possession takes a social drinker who is oppressed by an alcoholic spirit to one who is an uncontrollable alcoholic. Or a recreational drug user to a complete junkie. You never know when the trap will be fully sprung. Jesus knows but few heed His warnings.
Most people are influenced by demons and are oppressed, suppressed, depressed or obsessed. It causes them to lie, steal, fornicate, gamble, dabble in the occult, fight, blaspheme, hurt those they love etc.
In Acts 19 v 19 when the 7 sons of Sceva, an exorcist, tried to cast a demon out of a possessed man, they called on Jesus who Paul preaches. The demon spoke out of the man, Jesus I know, and Paul I am aware of but who are you?
The sons of Sceva were not Christians and therefore had no authority over demons. The demon did not have to leave, instead he leapt on them and they fled naked and wounded from the house.
In Mark 1 v 23 - 25 "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him."
Also Mark 1 v 34: "And He healed many who were sick of divers diseases and cast out many devils, and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew Him."
Its obvious that unclean spirits know Jesus and what He is capable of. When Jesus is in our hearts the same light hits those demons into submission. However, the demons around today have learnt that people don't really believe in them and the demons have become very bold. Westerners in particular scoff at the very idea of demons.
In Africa they know and fear demons and even worship them in the hopes that they will protect them. Also true in Asia where in eastern parts they are called djinns. Those who practice voodoo send demons to cause death and destruction.
People who refuse to acknowledge the existence of demons think that prisons and institutions keep criminals in a place where they can better their ways. You cannot sanctify a demon - they cause people to be serial offenders such as murderers, rapists, paedophiles, homosexuals, drug lords, warlords, seriously corrupt individuals. They never change their nature. When a person says he will strike again - that is the demon speaking out of him or her.
When a crime is committed by one you would never suspect of harming anyone, and he says I don't know what came over me, I never meant to do that! He is probably telling the truth! A demon can rise out of a deep place in your soul and cause you to commit a one time crime that ruins your life forever.
You may have the smoking gun in your hand and no other clue how it happened. This is the very evil that Satan enjoys most. The destruction of the human personality. Where he can use his demons to commit atrocious acts and leave the human host to account for it.
If you have read the tragic death in Australia of 11 year old Luke Batty who was killed last week by his father, Greg, in front of his mother and friends, think and understand what came over him. He then attacked the police and screamed for them to shoot him. He died with a gunshot to the chest. Luke's mom said no-one loved Luke more than her and his dad but his dad had "mental health issues". I believe he was bound by demons.
This is truly why Jesus came to Earth and took Satan and his demons on and all the sin they stirred up in human flesh. He broke Satan's power over those who believe in Him.
Revelation 12v11: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony: and they loved not their lives unto the death."
The Blood of Jesus is God's atomic weapon against sin and demons. It cleanses us of evil. Our testimony declares what Jesus did to save us and we did not enjoy being sinners. Those still unsaved mock and persecute us because their demons are afraid of Hell. So please realise that demons exist today in every community on Earth. Your only true safe place is to be hidden in the Rock called Jesus.
Prayer: Father God We glorify You for defeating our enemy and his demons through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to be free of their lies, infirmities, illnesses, bondage to alcohol, nicotine and drugs. Deliver us from hidden evil that could cause murderous rage to rise up and take a life or rape, murder, blaspheme, or molest and abuse others. Set us free of corruption, fraud, theft, lies and bitterness. In Jesus' name. Amen.
