SCRIPTURE: Mark 5:1-13
Do you believe that there are spirit beings out there, good and bad?
This man was possessed by a legion of evil spirits; occasionally this can happen, but I also think that all of us are harassed by evil spirits (and helped by good spirits).
We are not helpless puppets against them, we have authority over them, we can resist them and they will flee from us (James 4:7).
But if we do not resist them, if we open ourselves to their deceits and fears, we will become possessed, we will become crazed.
I have been with people who certainly seemed to be possessed by something, spiritual, something demonic.
God created the spirit beings to help us fulfill our God-given purpose, though some rebelled and chose to do the opposite.
We should not ignore spirit beings, but neither should we dwell on them; we should focus on the God-given purpose, aware that there are spirit beings both helping (angels) and hindering (demons) us.
They can do this visibly, though usually they work incognito, through people and circumstances, our through whisperings in our minds – this is why we need to discern the spirits (1 John 4:1).
Where/how are you experiencing the spirit world in your life?
How am I being harassed, deceived, distracted, and am I resisting or giving in?
Am I giving the demonic an opening in my life, making it possible that I become increasingly possessed by their power?
(Tomorrow I will look more at what happens with these spirits).
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I do sense how bad spirits are deceiving, discouraging and distracting me, and I am not always standing firm against them. Help me to see the danger, and to stand up to it, in Your strength.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observation/Application
Dead men walking.
The power of dead men – living among the tombs and none could contain him. The power of those contrary to Christ’s reign. Yet he recognized His presence. His presence is everywhere. And Christ power is no match for the opposition. He is victorious and commanded the the impure spirit to leave the man.
Legion was his name for many are captured by that spirit. And they know their end yet do not want it yet. Therefor they asked to go into the pigs which we considered unclean at this time. It was still the death of them. Christ is victorious. He has the victory!
Only those who are alive in Christ Jesus are alive forevermore.
Prayer
O Master let me walk with You today and always.
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.
The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.