Important Highlights
At times in the bible, we find repetition of topics and phrases. And it is because such topics and or phrases are of utmost importance. Like many of us, when we have something important to get across, we will repeat it, and God will do the same. Sometimes when we read a passage of scriptures twice in different places in the bible, it is because God is drawing our attention to something he is saying. It is important for us to remember that all scriptures are inspired by God and is useful for teaching and reproving the man of God (2Tim3:16-17). Because the word of God deals with the internal man and discerns the thoughts (He4:12), it will guide us to those topics that will help us. Jesus said that his words are spirit and life (Jh6:63), and therefore will pin point to what God wants to say to us. For example, Luke Chapter 8 is organized with a series of events that are repeated in Matthew and Luke, but an overlying topic is felt, freedom from Demonic oppression. We see in the writer mention those who support the ministry of Christ including one who was delivered from demonic oppression, the parable of the seed with the devil taking it away from the wayside preparing the reader for the last the man from Gadarene.
Mark 5:5-8
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Demonic oppression is a spiritual attack from a demonic spirit which seeks to influence a person’s thoughts, emotions, and even their actions. Since a demon cannot possess a Christian to control them, then oppression is the next best option. Because of the way we are created as humans, these attacks will often begin in our mind because this is the central hub that dictates what we think about, how we feel, and ultimately what we do. The goal of demonic oppression is to keep a person trapped and bound. The desire is to paralyze the Christian believer, so they become ineffective. This guy from the Gadarenes was possessed and was literally bound to the point that he could not live a normal life in a house with family and clothes on his back.
He knew that he was possessed and could not do anything about it, just cry and cut himself trying to get this thing out of him. Now cutting one-self is a coping mechanism that many use to deal with their internal pain or suffering according to the Self-Injury and Recovery Research and Resources (SIRRR). The bible tells us that the Devil came to kill, steal and destroy (Jh10:10), so this guy most of his life was stolen by him. Now, medically psychiatrists can give a person medication and other coping mechanisms to replace the self-harm, but that can take time. Jesus said if the son sets you free then you will be free indeed (Jh8:36). Something interesting happened to this guy was that when he saw Jesus, he ran to him and worshipped him. While in his right mind, he knew that Christ was the solution to what was in him, and the demon could not impede him. No matter how strong the influence strong holds are, they have to break when we come to Christ. Paul tells us that our weapons of warfare are mighty to the bringing down of strongholds (2Cor10:3-4).
This guy was set free and was commissioned to talk about it to all his family and friends, of which he did causing a great revival in his community.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 10:10
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 8:36
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)