IS DEMONISM REAL?

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

IS DEMONISM REAL?

Eph 4:17-20

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

           Debate continues as to whether deviant behavior is psychological or spiritual or a combination of both. The approach to a cure through counseling depends upon the educational disciplines of the counselor. To put the question more simply, do demons exist among us or is it folklore?

           Was the miserable man of Gadara a maniac or a demoniac? Several aspects of his condition are replicated in our culture and, in fact, are transforming our culture. This miserable man presented himself to Jesus violently. None can deny that violence is on the rise, and it is doubtful that we will control it by removing the tools of violence. He was also completely nude. Nudity in our culture ranges from immodest and suggestive attire to complete undress and it is deteriorating. Is this a manifestation of mania or demonic influence? Again, the argument continues.

           Super-human strength is also manifested by the maniac. Whether this is an adrenaline rush produced by psychosis or a spiritual strength is in question. The answer is in Jesus’ handling of the situation.

           Jesus restrained the man, who could not be fettered with chains, by verbal commands. He asked his name and the answer came from deep within the victim. The voice recognized and named Jesus as “the Holy One of God” in Mark 1:24. Hyper-cognizant ability is not an attribute of mania but comes from the spirit realm. The voice pleads for mercy and makes a request to be reassigned to a heard of pigs. And who can explain the behavior of the pigs?

           I believe demonism is with us today. Our claim of sophistication is smudged by violence, nudity, vulgarity, and self destruction. These are the things we try to control with counseling and medication but what this world really needs is Jesus. Only then will we find our culture clothed and in its right mind.

Mark 5:15

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.

Dear Lord, come and heal us from the things that torment us. AMEN