THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH SATAN
Good Morning,
In the book of Mark, chapter five, we read about the man who lived in the cemetery. He was possessed by many devils, and the Savior crossed the sea of Galilee with his disciples when he met this poor man.
The things I am about to mention are not necessarily doctrine but associations. Things that are seen and found together have significance. Please notice a few observations from the passage.
Mark 5:3 “Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:”
He dwelt among the tombs. The devil is often associated with things of death. Whether it be the Filipino or Mexican “Day of the dead, the Mardi Gras, or fashionable use of skulls on clothing or pirate flags, it is an undeniable association.
“…no man could bind him, no, not with chains:”
We find that he had very unusual strength and such out-of-control living that no man could help him.
vs. 5 “And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.”
Night and day, as with many drugs and demonisms, we find sleeplessness, tears, and self-destructive behavior associated with Satan.
vs. 11 “Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.”
Jesus is Lord of lords, and whether it be the stormy waves on the sea of Galilee or devils possessing a man, Jesus is Lord of all.
vs. 13 "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea…”
When the devils moved into the swine, they ran down the steep hill into the Sea of Galilee and were drowned. Again, we see self-destructiveness, death, and ruined lives associated with Satan.
vs.15 “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.”
“Sitting, clothed, and in his right mind” was the description of the man after the devils were cast out. A spiritual assurance and presence of Christ, as well as an absence of Satan, is found in a calm, stable life. This man was sitting; he was no longer wandering or out of control. We see that the man is clothed properly. Make no mistake; nudity and near nudity goes along with the satanic influence of this world. Fashion or style has much less to do with it than demonic influence on culture and society. You can be sure, the more of the body one uncovers, the more evil influence has been involved.
You will also see that he was in his right mind. If you have talked to people on the street, you have noticed that the drugs they use are certainly producing the same kind of behavior that is found with people possessed by the devil. Drugs are a tool that Satan uses. When drugs and liquor gain control of a human being’s life, wreck and ruin are sure to follow.
Lastly, let me make this clear: Satan is real; devils are all around our world and in our communities. Only one who is naive denies this truth.
We ought to guard our personal lives and the lives of our family members, and seek to yield all to the will of God.
Pastor