We often hear about people being set free from many different things. Being delivered or set free from addictions, afflictions, oppression and many other things. But is this biblical? We know that Jesus did set people free from many things that were holding them captive. Does this still happen today?
Are people afflicted and oppressed by spirits like they were in Jesus’ day? Or, was this something that only happened on the earth during Jesus’ time of ministry?
John 14:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
This verse clearly says believers will do the works that Jesus did and even greater works than these. What works did Jesus do? He healed people, both physically and spiritually. He set people free from spiritual bondage, affliction and oppression. He preformed miracles, signs and wonders. He taught the people about the kingdom of heaven. He raised people from the dead. He forgave their sins and loved them.
These are the works Jesus said we would continue to do and even greater works than these we will do. I don’t believe that all the evil or unclean spirits disappeared after Jesus ascended into heaven. The devil is still at work, prowling about looking for someone to devour. There is still evil in the world and people still need to be set free from these spiritual attacks.
The scripture I want to look at this morning is taken from Luke 8:26-39.
Luke 8:26-39 King James Version (KJV)
26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
So, if we found someone like this man that was filled with many devils in today’s culture, how would we treat him? Would we call him crazy or out of his mind? Would we diagnose him as psychotic or schizophrenic? Would we prescribe drugs and/or therapy to help the person? The answer to all these questions is “yes”. Jesus had the answer 2000 years ago, yet we misdiagnose this condition in today’s world. Why, because we have learned so much more than our creator about the human mind and spirit. I say this sarcastically, but it is true. We lean on our own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord with all our hearts. The bible contains all the answers we need to live successfully on this earth. Yet, we seek the answers elsewhere.
The people of the country of the Gadarenes bound this man with chains. They did not know how to help this poor man either. He lived in the caves, away from other people because he was an outcast from their society. Yet, after Jesus set him free, this man was in his right mind and wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus told him to return to his house and tell others about what God had done for him. The other people from the area wanted Jesus to leave because they were afraid.
How would we react to Jesus or someone doing the work of Jesus in today’s culture if they did something like this? People usually are afraid of something they can’t explain. This is what happened in Jesus’ day and it still happens today.
Jesus showed compassion for this man and helped him. The man was able to return to his house completely free from the devils that had held him captive. What are we doing to help people like this man? Are we following Jesus’ example or pronouncing judgement on them as crazy or psychotic?
What about those that are held captive by the spirit of fear? Or, the spirit of depression, the spirit of anger, the spirit of unforgiveness, the spirit of hopelessness? Have we really progressed as a society or are we ignoring the truth?
We are in a battle between good and evil. God is real and so is Satan. Heaven and hell are the only two possible eternal destinations. Which side are you on? Where do you want to spend eternity? If you haven’t decided your answer to these questions, I would encourage you to pick up a bible and start reading. When you are ready, confess to Jesus that you are a sinner and that you believe he died for your sins. Tell Jesus that you believe he died on a cross, was buried in a tomb for 3 days and then was resurrected back to life by God’s power. Ask Jesus to come into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Invite the Holy Spirit of God to fill you and transform you. Thank Jesus for his shed blood and for dying for your sins. Find a church that teaches and preaches the bible and get baptized.
I trust you will find hope in these words. Christ’s blessings to you this 2nd day of September 2019.