No one today would like to admit to being possessed by evil, indeed, most people would laugh at the thought. Mainly, I believe that people don’t recognize the reality of demons because they have been so overblown graphically in the media. Additionally, most would look to a psychosis of some sort as being the cause of such strange behavior. However, I believe that there is much that can be learned from the encounters that Jesus has with evil spirits, aka demons.
Mark 5:6-8 (TNIV)
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”
First, I would note that simply believing that Jesus was real is often not enough to keep evil from getting a foothold in our lives. Having a relationship with Jesus, loving Him and following Him (applying His wisdom to your life) is a heart in which demons can’t stay!
James 2:19 (TNIV)
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.
Look above at Mark 5:6-8, this man that has evil spirits in him certainly recognizes Jesus and in fact, rightfully recognizes Him and his power: “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”
The first thing said to Jesus is, “What do you want with me?” He is not asking a question as much as he is asking Jesus to leave Him alone! Why? He tells us…., “In God’s name don’t torture me!” He recognizes his ultimate fate!
Interestingly enough, I see this often in our society: people screaming at God, screaming at the church and screaming at Christian values. People trying to take all the good and saying “get out of my life!”. Yes, I agree that not all of those who believe in Jesus do all the right things….however……..there is much more good done in His name by followers of Jesus than all the bad that makes the news. When a person rejects God, indeed, rejects Jesus, he is putting himself on the side of these evil spirits that are placing the focus on the bad and trying to stop the good.
Can you hear them now, “Leave us alone Jesus!” as if children praying in schools, or a cross on a public building are bad. Isn’t it funny that the very same freedoms they say they are trying to promote are robbing these followers of Jesus their freedom. They seek to take our freedom so they can have freedom? They say that our prayers (which aren’t mandatory) or a cross in a public place (that a majority of people want there), encroach on their freedom and offends them….yet they are trying hard to take away OUR freedoms and are offending us. What’s up with that?
Look closely at what happens next, Jesus says, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” His purpose is always to heal and to give life…while the purpose of evil is to kill and destroy good…and life.
How amazing that people in Jesus day….much like many people today…….are so blind. As Christians, we must also respond…..but we must always respond in love, like Jesus, giving forgiveness, seeking healing and giving life. Yes, we must defend our right to love God, indeed Jesus. But as followers of Jesus, we must defend with love, prayer and forgiveness. When we do this, we live with Jesus inside us…a place where evil must flee. They always seek to destroy something…we must, as Jesus, always seek to heal and give life.