A Man’s Condition – Changed or Unchanged? 

  In the past week, this devotional has been focusing on the story of the demon-possessed man in the country of the Gerasenes to this point in this true story. (Luke 8:26-33)

(NASB) Luke 8:34-35 “When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.
35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.”

Were they ecstatically happy for this healed and delivered man or were they frightened?  They were frightened because a man had been changed by the authoritative power of Jesus over those powerful demons.

Think about this: what had the people feared about this man when he first became possessed by many demons?  This man, a relative, a friend, a neighbor had become possessed by multiple demons.  The people had tried to restrain the man by binding him with chains, putting shackles on him and posting a guard!  But the strength of the demons in the man broke all those chains, shackles and overpowered the guards.  Those demons had driven this man into the desert…away from his home, away from people…naked.  He had shed his clothes and at times he would be “seized” by the demons.

This is what had frightened the people…now they were frightened again after the power of Jesus had delivered the man from those many demons.  This Man had the power to overcome and control those demons.

Frightened and fear-filled people.  What causes you to fear?  Is it events and even people over which you have no control?
Perhaps it is your health, or a child who is making unwise choices, or leaders who do not follow the living God of the Holy Bible.  What causes you to fear?

When someone is given healing and wholeness by becoming a follower of Christ Jesus, others may be filled with fear.  The power of the living God to heal and change a life is wonderful for the one who has turned to Jesus and received Him as their Savior.  The Holy Spirit of God is given at that moment and they are sealed forever as a child of God.

Has your life been so changed by the unchanging power of God?  A person’s condition is changed, their life is changed, and their choices begin to agree with God and His words.

What about your life today, is it changed by God and His words?
Or is your life unchanged?

You do not need to fear…God’s power is greater!