MARK 5:1-20 THE UNSEEN It is not for the purpose of arousing curiosity about the power of darkness that this incident in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ is recorded. I think it is rather told to make us aware of the fact that "we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places." But an even greater reason is it is a reminder of the power and authority of the One we serve. He is the One who "has all power in heaven and earth." He is the Supreme Authority in the universe and we are associated with Him. "He is Lord!"
Evil spirits need bodies to live in to carry out the plans of Satan who controls them. Those dark beings are dangerous, evil, powerful and destructive. When they controlled the man of Gadara, certain characteristics were obvious. He was in a place of isolation, probably living in caves where the people of the area placed the bodies of the dead. Isolation is a characteristic of one who is the center of his own life and thoughts. A self-centered, self-absorbed person is vulnerable to the power of darkness. Lawlessness was another characteristic of this man. He could not be controlled and would not submit to the authority of others. The physical strength to break chains came from power greater than is normal in a man. Another evidence of his possession by evil spirits was the restlessness that kept him moving about and crying out day and night. There was also evidence that self-inflicted suffering was part of the signs of evil spirits having their way with him.
We may not be very aware of evil spirits in this God-favored part of the world, or at least in the more affluent parts of society. But there is a growing fascination with evil spirits on the part of many young people. It may have started with seemingly innocent games like Snakes and Ladders or playing with a Ouija board. From there it moves its attraction to computer games that create interest in demons and satanic-like characteristics. Any of these, open doors to the power of darkness to make an entrance into a human body and mind. Those who resist and reject the Lord Jesus, and even the existence of God, are placing themselves on a course that leads in the same direction as the man of Gadara. Self-will leads to destruction. Submission to the Holy Spirit's conviction leads to the Lord Jesus Christ and forgiveness, cleansing and freedom to live as God intended.
The desire to control the life and destiny of a person is the ambition of an evil spirit. They do not have power over the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ or our heavenly Father. They must submit to the power of Divine Persons. A person has the choice as to who or what power he or she is going to submit to. Demons know the supernatural power of the Lord. They know when one seeks the Lord with all their heart, they will find Him. So, they seek to isolate them from Christian influence by creating an unnatural resistance to the Bible, the Gospel and the righteousness which is by faith. Often, they restlessly try one thing after another to "have the experience." Drugs, movies, pornography, the internet and many other channels are used by the power of darkness to bring a person under its control. The great lawlessness and suffering that is brought about by the drug trade and alcoholism is evidence of what "spirits" can bring to a person and a society.
The casting out of these evil spirits from the man opened a whole new life to him. Now he began to tell his friends what the Lord had done for him. The change in the man and the good news he had to tell them about the Lord, brought a lot of people to consider the Lord Jesus Christ and their relationship with Him. When one comes to faith in Christ and puts their trust in Him, they are more than conquerors because "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Whenever the Lord Jesus comes to a place, there are choices to be made. One can't avoid making a response to grace, there is a price to be paid If one trusts the Savior, evil does leave, darkness and light do not mix. One cannot both God and the devil please, these two cannot coexist.
The power of Satan is a binding one, that keeps captive those who follow him. Of all the things one in life has done, under his power is only evil and sin. The power of God sets one at liberty, chains and habits that once bound are broken. A new life and creation begin and one is set free, when that person obeys the Word that is spoken.
There is no denying a work that is done by God, all is new, old things have passed away. The desire is there to speak of and obey the Lord, darkness is gone, and we live in the day. Others may mock and wonder and make remarks, but the reality is there to see. The old life is gone and one has made a new start, as people start to read "the Gospel according to me."
"Father, what evidence of power and the glory of Christ was seen that day in Gadara. Would it not bring glory to Thee here if that man who comes to listen to the Gospel, would be reached by Thy power? Save him I pray, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."