THE INSANITY OF SIN!

Saturday, December 1, 2018

THE INSANITY OF SIN!

           The Merriam-Webster definition of insanity is: [1] exhibiting serious and debilitating mental disorder; [2] ABSURD. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 5 and in Luke chapter 8, we read the story of the demoniac who resided naked and wild in a graveyard. His behavior certainly fit the definition of insane but there were other forces at work which gave him supernatural strength. Inside him were a legion [an army of around 5,000] of demons.

Luke 8:27

27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

           Nakedness, isolation, a preoccupation with death and self-destructive behavior marked this man’s demon possession. Is it possible that demon influence is behind some of the same behavior in our modern culture? I think so. Sin is a form of insanity. It is absurd behavior that a person in his or her right mind would not do. Wild, irrational and destructive is the man or woman who rebels against God. While there may be valid use of psychoanalysis, Jesus is the only cure for demonic insanity.

Luke 8:33-35

33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

           It is strange, isn’t it? The townspeople had grown accustomed to the familiar figure in the graveyard. His wild antics had become curious but common to them. Now that they see him calm, clothed and in his right mind, they were afraid. The insanity had spread to the entire town! The next verses prove it.

Luke 8:37

37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

           Amazingly, insanely, they did not ask Jesus to remain to cure others. Instead, they asked him to leave. What Jesus had done frightened them more than the behavior of the demoniac! Although a milder form, insanity had settled over the whole town. Anyone who witnesses the benefits of Jesus and rejects Him can’t be sane!

Dear Lord, thank you for curing my insanity of sin and giving to me a calm and clothed right mind. AMEN