The Demoniac of Gadara, Part 1

"The country of the Gadarenes", our Lord was come out of the ship, “immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit” (5:2). Luke tells us the man had devils a “long time” (8:27).

We are seeing an increase in demonic activity today. For example, take one look at these vulgar rappers and rock and roll people, and you can see the strong demonic influence.

Demons disturb men physically, mentally, and spiritually. They destroy the souls of men and then lead them off into the eternal fires of hell.

These are some of the various ways demons attempt to hinder God's work:

1. They oppose believers as well as the elect angels (Dan. 10:13, 20).

2. They cause physical and mental disorders (Matt. 9:32; 12:22; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 9:37-42).

3. The term “unclean spirits” suggests that they lead people into moral impurity (Matt. 12:43-45).

4. They disseminate false doctrine (II Thess. 2:2; I Tim. 4:1).

5. They are behind all idolatry and occultism (I Cor. 10:19-21; Acts 16:16-19; 19:13-20).

6. They attempt to hinder our spiritual progress (Eph. 6:12).

7. They desire to possess human beings (Matt. 4:24; Luke 8:2; Acts 8:7), and even animals (Mark 5:11-13).

Every lost sinner has all the characteristics of this demon-possessed man here in Mark 5 – uncleanness, lawlessness, restlessness, and even madness. (Sinners must be mad to prefer to go to hell rather than heaven.)

Psychiatrists and “mental health pros” tell us that demonism is a nothing but a disease, but this is not true. There is a big difference between demonism and disease.
(c.f. Luke 9:1; 40,41; 9:1; 13:32; Matt.4:24; 8:16; 10:8; Mark 1:32,34; 6:13; 16:17,18; Acts 19:12).