Dear Explorer,
Now, let's read Luke's version of this same incident that we looked at yesterday.
Read Luke 8:26-39
So, what is demon possession?
Satan has a whole army of demons who are evil spiritual beings that help him with his work. What is Satan's work? (Review Day 30 if you don't remember.)
To kill, steal and destroy! Satan's goal is to destroy God's plans and to do as much damage to the things God loves as is possible.
Can a follower of Jesus be demon-possessed?
No! But he/she can be demon-influenced. If you have invited Jesus into your life, the Holy Spirit resides in the control center of your life. Demons can't go where Jesus is. You are safe. However, they can still pester you and try to get you to start obeying SELF instead of the Holy Spirit and get you badly off track. Our best defense is simply to draw near to Jesus, listen carefully, and He will direct us and keep us safe from Satan's plans.
Satan is real, his demons are real, and their goal is to destroy you. However, focusing on Satan and his demons is a quick way to get off-track. Our focus should be on obedience to Jesus and let Him take care of Satan.
Many, many people worship Satan and his demons. But most Satan worshippers have no idea that they are messing with beings who are supernatural and superior in strength to humans. Only God can defeat Satan and his minions. And in fact, their end has already been determined. At the end of time, they will be thrown into Hell for all eternity. But until then they are free to do their dirty work.
Are people demon-possessed today?
Oh, yes! Any person who has rejected Jesus is an open target for Satan and his demons. They cause people to do evil and seek evil and love evil.
Don't play with evil. Run from it and stand firmly on God's side. That's where the REAL power is!
The man who was healed wanted to travel with Jesus. Why do you think Jesus sent him home?
We'll discuss this in a later study when Jesus returns to the area of the Gerasene.
In His service, dale
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