Bondage and Sin

Mark 5:5 - And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

This might be a controversial subject! Oh well. There was a man named Legion. A fitting name for one who had a legion--many--demons within him. This man was forced to live in mountainous tombs to distance him from others. An attempt to chain him proved futile because these demons were too strong. The chains were no match for them. 

We see Legion cried out, no doubt in torment because of these demons. And he cut himself. Yet he could not, on his own, live without them. He was in bondage. Chained.

I think about the people who can't help but cut themselves. Could there be something demonic controlling them? Demonic may seem a strong word, but I believe it is a true one. Our thoughts can be manipulated by these demons. What else could it be? We are told our minds are a battlefield. ...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬) If the enemy can control our mind, things like what Legion lived through can happen. 

Modern medicine or psychology might help for awhile but is unable to do what a powerful God can do. Legion recognized Jesus, knew His power, and worshiped Him, yet I believe was worried by what He might do. Jesus, knowing his situation, called for the unclean spirit to come out. He had to already have known it wasn't just one residing within this man. Still this man implored Jesus not to remove these demons from the country. A mind so controlled by them... 

Counseling today may not treat the real root cause because it doesn't understand the real reason. Jesus told us this: “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭43-45‬)

What a sobering thought. This is what Legion might have gone through. This may be what many today go through. All avenues of treatment are tried and perhaps momentary solutions obtained. Some may work, some not. But I wonder if with each new occurrence and added treatment if more wicked spirits enter? 

I would say, like with the account of Legion, an encounter with Jesus would be the only solution. An uncommon thought, however. A facility with doctors is tangible. But Jesus is not, to the unbeliever. When all else fails, calling on the Lord, the Great Physician, is always viable. Legion may eventually have had to change his name! He was delivered by Jesus of all his demons! 

We live in a physical world yet there is a very real, while unseen, spiritual world all around us. We do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers and rulers and spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). Some might laugh at this, but we see the proof in scripture. Thankfully, in and through Christ, we are able to overcome these spirits. HE removes the chains of bondage to such things. Any form of self-mutilation is a sin (Leviticus 19:28). Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave [bondage] of sin." (‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭34) But Jesus came to remove all our sins. Only Jesus saves. Seek Him, seek freedom, seek healing. 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; with long life I will 
satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1,3,9-10,16)