Do you prefer the presence and power of Jesus Christ over the demonic realm?
You may immediately answer yes; however, I would caution that we get comfortable with what we live with. It is easy to adjust to our surroundings rather than allow Jesus in to bring healing.
The media loves to create ghost stories around cemeteries causing us to jump out of our skin. In Mark 5, Jesus comes face-to-face with a creature from which the town could tell great tales. I can imagine the parents warning the children against playing hide-n-seek in the graveyard due to the fear and terror that this demon-possessed man carried.
However, every demon must bow at the feet of Jesus Christ, and when the man, with his associated demons, sees Jesus, he runs up to him and kneels.
The demoniac was a man who no human had been able to bind. His strength was from the demonic realm, and he did not recognize local authority. However, when Jesus stepped into the demonic territory, it was immediately recognized that the camp was about to be plundered. The demon knew that their numbers did not matter because Jesus, an army of one, had more authority and was stronger than they would ever be.
As the town watches, this man is delivered of his horde of demons and restored to the man that God created him to be.
How would you react at that moment?
I want to think that I would rejoice, which is what I expect from others. However, that is not how the town responded. The people’s response was to ask Jesus to leave. The town had embraced the demonic as part of their town, their environment, and their legacy. Because of this embrace, they missed all that Jesus carried and could not rejoice with the man in his freedom.
The culture demands that we conform to standards equivalent to the demon-possessed man in the graveyard. Each time we walk by and forget the power of God, we accept evil as good and will see good as evil (Isa. 5:20). We do the same thing that this town did and tell the Lord that we would instead align with the demonic realm rather than the heavenly realm.
The man, who was healed, begs to go with Jesus. The town was unable and unwilling to rejoice with him. However, Jesus tells him to stay and to tell people what has happened.
Jesus can be kicked out, shoved out and pushed out. But there will always be a way for the gospel to go forth. The question is, have you become more comfortable with the demonic realm than with the fullness of the kingdom of heaven?
Heavenly Father, forgive me for any time I have aligned with the demonic realm and stayed in my comfort zone. I ask you to give me courage to explore the fullness of life and freedom that you have for me. I do not what to be the one asking you to leave. It is my heart’s desire to be the one asking you to stay and teach me your ways. In Jesus name. Amen.
Ruth Hendrickson is an ordained pastor, itinerant speaker, ministry trainer and board-certified biblical counselor who has extensive experience in the development, training and oversight of emotional healing ministry teams, recovery ministries, prophetic ministry, prayer ministries and women’s ministry. In addition, she is a course facilitator for Patricia King Institute and Charisma courses. She writes for Elijah List and Charisma and has a podcast titled Real Truth with Ruth. Through biblically based teachings and practical applications infused with love and laughter, her goal is to introduce people not only to the living God who saves, but also to the God who desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. Her books Positioned – How to be Aligned & Empowered to Walk in Your Diving Destiny and Everyday Prophetic will help you grow in your walk with God. Ruth is an avid unsweetened iced tea drinker who loves warm weather, palm trees and beaches! She believes that she should live in the South. However, in the meantime Ruth and her husband Mark reside in Stockton, New Jersey.
Marilyn Hickey Ministries 
Charisma Staff 
