LESSONS FROM THE DEMONIZED MAN IN MARK 5 – 2
(This blog is a word-for-word transcript of what I teach to the pastors in India about Spiritual Warfare from Mark 5, a continuation from the last blog.)
When Jesus landed in the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1-13) a demonized man knelt before Him. No matter how many demons are in a person they can still turn to Jesus. And the Bible tells us that demons must bow down before Jesus. I John 4:4 Greater is He that is in You than He that is in the world. This is a good verse to memorize and use for spiritual warfare. Do you believe Jesus is greater than Satan’s power?
There were many demons in this man. The demon who was the strongest was the leader and spoke for all of them. What did he say his name was? A Legion is 5,000 or 6,000 soldiers! This demon was saying, “We’re very strong, Jesus, there are thousands of us!” But who is stronger, thousands of demons or one Jesus? When Jesus commanded these demons to be gone they had to leave. Where did they want to go? Into the pigs. If demons can’t indwell a person they want to indwell an animal. What happened to the pigs when the demons went in? They died! Demons always bring death and destruction. How many pigs were there? 2000, so there must have been at least 2,000 demons.
What happened to the man when the demons were gone? He was changed and in his right mind. Just like that when the demons were gone he immediately cured. When Jesus removes the demons his life is changed. He could have changed the other people, too, if they let Him.
People came from everywhere to see what had happened. They knew what this man had been like, they saw how he changed. You would think they would want Jesus to do that for them as well. But they don’t want Jesus to stay – they told Him to go. They were afraid of upsetting the demons. Demons use fear to control people. Their power isn’t as great as they want us to think. So, they try to use fear to have us think they can do more. Satan had to have God’s permission to attack Job. God will only allow them to do what is for His glory and our growth.
Because they were afraid of the demons these people wanted Jesus to leave. You tell people today that Jesus can set them free but they’d rather stay in darkness. Jesus didn’t force Himself on these people, He left. But He did keep a missionary there. That was one of the reasons He went there, to give them a witness to the light. You think He would have chosen someone important, well educated. But look at the man He chose! Sometimes we think, “God how can you use me? I don’t have any education, I’m no influential. Like this man, I have this awful sin in my past.” But those are the very people God chooses to use .
He has an important job for this man. The man wanted to leave and travel with Jesus. It seems strange Jesus wouldn’t let Him. Jesus wanted Him to stay right where He was. He knew the people and the people knew him. God put you right where you are to minister. Jesus told Him to tell the people what happened. He had never been to Bible school. All he knew is what Jesus did in his life. Has Jesus done anything in your life? God wants you to tell others what He has done for you.
Jesus wants you to be a witness for Him. In a court of law, a witness tells what he knows. There are lawyers in a court of law as well. What is the difference between a lawyer and a witness? A lawyer argues to convince other people he is right. A witness just tells what he saw, what he knows. Does Jesus want us to be a lawyer or a witness? – a witness.
This man stayed and told everyone what Jesus had done for him. Jesus went back to his country and continued teaching. A little later He was crucified & then ascended heaven. The early church started growing in Jerusalem. As they grew they started sending out missionaries. Most of the missionaries had a hard time witnessing to the people. But when they came to the area where this man was many turned to Jesus. Do you know why? This man had been faithfully telling what Jesus had done for him. This man had faithfully prepared the soil and planting seeds in people’s hearts for years, so when Christians came they could harvest the crop. This man didn’t see the harvest, he may not have been alive any more. But he kept faithfully telling what Jesus had done.
God has called many of you to a ministry just like that man. You are in a place of darkness are sowing the seed for the first time. It’s hard, you don’t see many results. But stay faithful and keep telling people about Jesus. One day God will use that to bring a great harvest where you are. You may not bring in the harvest, you may not even be here anymore. But God will use what you started to bring great results. Don’t get discouraged, stay faithful. Don’t think there is something wrong with you as a pastor because you don’t see lots of results. It’s a special privilege God gives you to start the soil in a place. You’ll be blessed and rewarded for the harvest the same as the man who brings it in.
Some of you have big growing ministries. Don’t think that means you are a better pastor than others. That just means God is giving you the privilege of reaping where someone has sowed before you. Thank Him for that privilege but don’t take credit for that yourself. Do all you can to encourage and help brothers who are struggling.
Jesus used this man for His glory and His kingdom. He used it to teach His disciples how to have victory over demons. In Luke 9 we read that Jesus gave the disciples power & authority to drive out all demons. He sent them out and they used this power while evangelizing. When they came back they were very excited. Luke 10:17 tells us they said, “Even the demons submit to us in Your Name.” We have power in Jesus’ name. That also have power in His Word.
The Bible says it is sharp and powerful like a double-edged sword. When Satan tempted Jesus 3 times Jesus quoted the Bible to have victory each time. In Ephesians 5 Paul says the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit for us to use. There is power in God’s word that Satan and demons must obey. Use God’s Word when you pray. We said 1 John 4:4 was a good verse to use. So is James 4:6-8. Luke 10:17-19 is also good to use. Revelation 20 I another powerful passage. Use God’s Word when you pray. Persevere and don’t give up. Make sure you live a holy life without sin. Even fast when you pray if God wants you to.
There is power in Jesus’ name. Use His name when you command demons to be gone. There is no power in my name or your name, just in Jesus’ name. Demons don’t need to listen to you or me, but they must obey Jesus. Paul used this authority. One day he was walking down a street and a demon possessed slave girl was following him. He turned around and he commanded the demon to be gone in Jesus’ name. Immediately the demon was gone.
I want us to use that power and authority now to make sure no demons are working against you or your family. I want us to pray for any demons to be gone. I want you to see how you can pray for yourself and your church. First search your heart to make sure there is no sin in your life. This could be pride, self-centeredness, laziness, greed, lust, jealousy, fear, anger or not treating your wife and children as you should.
Please stand and pray what I pray after I pray it. “Dear Jesus, we thank you for the salvation we have in Jesus. We know you are greater than Satan and His demons (1 John 4:4 Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world!). We know you have power over them and have given us that power in Jesus’ name. In Jesus name I forbid any demons to work against me or my family or my church. If I have committed any sin that they use to work against me I put it under the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:9 says if we admit our sins God will forgive them). In Jesus’ name I break any claim that comes down through my family line (1 Corinthians 5:17 says we are a new creation and the past is gone; John 1:13 says we are now born of God’s Spirit). In Jesus’ name I dedicate the land where my home and church are to God. In Jesus’ name I break any curses any one has made against me, my family or my church (Galatians 3:13 says Jesus has taken my curse on the cross). In Jesus’ name I forbid any demons to work against me or my family or my church for any reason. I commit myself and my family and my church only to God. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Surround me with Your angels. Use me for Your glory. Amen.”
Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
What are some verses you can use when you are spiritually attacked? Write them down to memorize. Keep the list where it is always visible.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling)
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