Maniac of Gadara – 9.13.09

Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-40 both record one of my favorite accounts in all the gospels of the miracles Jesus performed during His earthly ministry. The wonderful, life-changing power of Jesus Christ is seen in this man, who in a single day went from running around naked like a crazy man to sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind.

What was this man's problem? What caused him to lose his right mind? Well, in some way, he had put himself under the control and influence of an unclean spirit (see Ephesians 4:27). The above-referenced passages shed some interesting light on some of the marks of satanic influence.

1. NAKEDNESS

Luke 8:27 says that he ware no clothes. In every Biblical case since the man and woman were alone in the garden (Genesis 2:25), any type of open nakedness is a shameful thing to those who recognize the presence of God (Adam & Eve, Genesis 3; Noah, Genesis 9; Peter, John 21; et al).

God says cover yourself. And His word doesn't change with the temperature or the location or your activity. It's not OK to be naked (by the biblical definition) just because it's 95 in Florida or you're at the beach. It's not OK to uncover your flesh because you're working out or cutting the grass or taking a swim or going somewhere where everyone else is doing it.

2. REBELLION

This man could not be bound. He could not be controlled. No man could tame him (Luke 8:29; Mark 5:3-4). In 1 Samuel 15:22-23 God equates rebellion with witchcraft. In other words, according to the Bible it is just as satanic to be a rebel as it is to be a witch.

3. SELF-MUTILATION

This man ran among the tombs, cutting himself with stones (Mark 5:5). Reminds me of the prophets of Baal in the showdown with Elijah atop Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18. In their attempts to get their false god to answer by fire, the Bible says they cut themselves with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

Somebody who is interested in hurting himself/herself needs help (Ephesians 5:29). And the root of their problem is not depress or self-esteem or any of that, it's that somehow in some way, they have allowed themselves to come under the influence of some type of unclean spirit.

Seems to me this country is full of people who have lost their right mind and allowed their lives to be influenced by the god of this world, and it's all because they have refused to submit their lives to the will of God and resist the enemy that seeks to destroy their lives and devour their souls (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8).

The devil cannot overpower us, but He'd sure love to deceive us and ensnare us (2 Timothy 2:26). Let's not be ignorant of His devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). And let's be strong in the power of our mighty God (Ephesians 6:10-11).