In the country of the Gaderenes, Jesus met a man with an unclean spirit. Though he was chained hand and foot, he broke the chains. No one was strong enough to subdue him. He used to cut himself with stones. When Jesus asked his name he said that he was legion. Jesus delivered the man from the evil possession.

Demonic possession can not happen without a willing subject. When a person loses control of himself, Satan takes control. It is said that when we do not surrender to God we surrender ourselves to chaos. When a person gives in to his carnal desires, hatred or greed he sets himself up for strong demonic influence. Devil’s influence is not a sudden onslaught. It begins with subtle suggestions leading to a person coming under total control of evil.

The demon –possessed man in the scripture passage, tore the chains. Though the external chains broke, he was not free inside. He was bound within and injured himself. Unless God reigns within us, we will never be free. Apparently, a person may appear to be free but deep within he is bound by internal fetters that cripple his thoughts and actions. He is bruised within and may be going through inexplicable pains caused by prejudices, fears and ungodly thoughts. Only when God delivers us we can be free.

We read that nothing could subdue him. Unless Godly control operates within a person, no force from outside can control him. Relationships are fractured and broken by cruel unbridled words that cause irreparable damage. Such brutal utterances tumble down with no control . People under demonic influence unleash such sharp arrows unmindful of the damage caused by the deadly darts. Only the love of God can check such thoughtless outburst. That’s why we need to make our thoughts captive to Him since thoughts are the source of words and actions. Power that rests on evil can not be easily subdued by human efforts. Such violent display of evil domination can be suppressed for a while but until the risen Christ reigns in the heart of such a person, transformation is quite impossible.

When the demon-possessed man comes under the influence of Christ he becomes subdued. When the power of Christ flows within a person, his whole personality is subdued.

Dr. (Mrs.) Edriana Jeyasingh