27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29 For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
Our verse for today certainly gives assent to the definition of demonic possession as being one of the worst forms of human suffering known to mankind. Naked, homeless, living amongst the dead, chained, and driven to solitary places this poor man’s spirit was in dire pain and distress. Blackest darkness certainly prevailed until Jesus appears bringing Light onto the scene. Interestingly, demons always recognized who Jesus was in Scripture and that He had power over them. I am reminded of the first chapter of Job (one of the oldest books of the Bible). The scene is heaven:6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." 9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Job 1:6-12 (NIV) God is ultimately in control. Satan, the accuser, cannot buffet the child of God apart from God’s Divine permission – God, all the while being ever-present on the scene so that He may “skim the dross off the top of the gold as the heat rises” conforming the child to the image of His Son. God’s purposes are never thwarted (Job 42:1). Yet, for a time, Satan has dominion over the earth and its people. “ Satan, of course, is “the god of this Age” (2 Cor. 4:4; cf. Eph. 2:2) and “the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19)”—Bible Knowledge Commentary.For believers, Satan’s power and authority has been disarmed by Jesus by the cross. Scripture tells us: 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Col 2:13-15 (NIV)
Indeed, Satan has no right over the life of a believer, only what the believer gives assent too. While Satan’s power has been disarmed through Jesus, he certainly continues to shoot plenty of his fiery darts at us seeking our ruin. If he cannot keep us from being saved, his modus operandi is to keep us from being used. Peter gives us this command: 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Just as Jesus has a wonderful plan for our lives, Satan has a counterfeit plan. Paul tells us: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Eph 6:10-11 (NIV)
The word “scheme” in the above verse is translated from the Greek word “Methodia” meaning method, the following or pursuing of an orderly and technical procedure in the handling of a subject (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible NT Lexical Aids). This is why the Christian is commanded to put on the full armor of God each day! 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:13-18 (NIV)
It is profitable for us to heed these instructions! Our job is to don the armor, Jesus’ job is to cause us to stand – He alone is able to keep us from falling: 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- Jude 1:24 (NIV)