A Man’s Condition – Changed or Unchanged? 

  In the country of Gerasenes [(Ger’a senz) on the Sea of Galilee opposite Galilee] a man met Jesus as He stepped ashore.  This man was naked and had been for a long time.  He lived among the tombs, among those who were dead.  Scripture tells us that he had many demons within him – so many demons gave this man strength to break the restraints of chains, shackles and any of the men guarding him.  This man was not in control of his life – the demons were.  The demons would drive the man into the desert.
(Luke 8:26-27, 29)

What or who is in control of your life?  For the followers of Christ, the Holy Spirit of the living God resides within…there is no room or power for any other spirits of any kind.

Also note this: demons are not Satan.  Demons and Satan are fallen angels.  Satan is the leader of demons.  Satan’s desire is to be worshiped as God…but God will never succumb to Satan…at the end of history, Satan will be consigned to hell forever and ever by Jesus Christ.  (See Revelation 20:7-10)

When the demons, within this demon-possessed man, saw Jesus step ashore, the man cried out and “fell before Him and said in a loud voice, ‘What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me.’
For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.”
(NASB Luke 8:28-29)

Then Jesus asked the man his name, “‘What is your name?”  And he said, ‘Legion’; for many demons had entered him.”  (NASB) Luke 8:30
  Then the demons (notice it was not the man), implored Jesus “not to command them to go away into the abyss.”  (NASB) Luke 8:31

  At this point in this life event, the man is unchanged…he is still naked, he is still an outcast, he is still possessed by demons.  What did Jesus do to release this man from the power of many demons?

Tomorrow…