QT 28 Jun 13, Withdrawal from society is not an option

Luke 8:26-33 (NIV) They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 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. 30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

NOTE: As has been seen in other instances, there is no doubt in the demonic world about Jesus' identity or authority. Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. Jesus has authority over all things. The question and request of the demoniac are very enlightening: "what do you want with me" and "don't torture me." These statements tell us two things about the mindset of the demons. One, the demons are separated from God (by choice) and have no part in the kingdom. So they wonder, why does Jesus even confront them? Arguably, Satan is the prince of this world and they have freedom to act. But even though Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of the air, he can still be trumped by the King of Kings. Secondly, the request shows that they recognize they are deserving of punishment. But, they request for more time. Ultimately, they will be thrown into the lake of fire and receive eternal punishment. And the Abyss is a prison to hold them until the time of the tribulation. It is a place worth avoiding at all costs but deserving in all respects.

Another thought is that the demons drive the man into solitary places. While solitary places can be good for a time -- a retreat, time alone with God, etc., -- when the way of life is solitary and separated, this is a place demons prefer. Why? Because when we are away from people, we don't have to let their morals affect how we live (or revive guilt in our conscience). The town shackled the man and kept him in town, but demons don't like to be shackled by society, culture, or laws. So, the demons broke the shackles and went away from people. So, there is a danger when our actions or attitudes show rejection of rules or a desire to separate ourselves from people. Church and fellowship are actually for our good and when we withdraw, we do so to our own hurt. Likewise, while not all rules are good, rule-following is generally a good idea.