Legion
If we turn to Luke 8: 27-35, we will read the story of a man who had severe mental disorders. He calls himself "Legion" but that is not his real name, he called himself because he had a multitude of problems.
He lived in the tombs without clothing, and was bound with chains because he was considered a danger to society. Jesus healed this man of his mental disorders in a very dramatic way, to demonstrate the power of God.
Jesus outwardly accepted the man's stataments about himself as true, in order to gain his attention and make healing possible.
The man gives his name as, "My name is Legion; for we are many." Demon possession is another form of insanity, but there is only ONE form of sanity. The name of insanity is "Legion" for it is "many." The name of sin is "Legion" for there are so many. The name of negativity is "Legion" for there is so much. But what is the name of the Gospel? What is the name of Truth? It is not "Legion" for there are not many, but only ONE!
He had often been bound with chains, but as often he "rent them asunder." The "crying out" and "cutting himself night and day with stones," this is consistent with self-harm the pain of depression that is going on in the mind when unclean or impure thoughts take possession of it. This is because of our sinful nature or sinful flesh
When asked his name the man replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." He identified himself with the adverse states of mind that he thought of as demons, because he was powerless to control them.
From what legion of demons does a believer still have to be delivered? When he falls into a adverse state of consciousness, a believer finds himself subject to countless fears. These are demons that must be overcome before he can know the true real self of the Christ consciousness.
Is self-will an unclean spirit? It is, because it cannot be identified with the Christ consciousness, and whatever is not sanctified by the Christ consciousness is identified with sin and uncleanness.
"Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the demons were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."
It is significant that when the man was under the influence of these mental problems, the people thought of them as "demons." After he was cured, they understood that he was now in his right mind.
Today, we would understand that when he was ill, he was "crazy", "nuts" or "out of his mind" We are not under the same influence of superstition, and we therefore identify the problem in more rational terms.
After Jesus commanded the spirits to come out of the man, he cried out saying: "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not." (See verse 28-29)
This man knew better than anyone that a great miracle had been performed and Jesus must be the Son of God. He was inspired to cry out so that his healing would remain as a testimony to the power and authority of Jesus the Christ.
Jesus uses the occasion to provide two witnesses. The first witness was the man in his right mind. The second was the transfer of the mental disorders to the swine. Their resulting madness showed clearly that a miracle had taken place
The man gives his name as, "My name is Legion; for we are many." Demon possession is another form of insanity, but there is only ONE form of sanity. The name of insanity is "Legion" for it is "many." The name of sin is "Legion" for there are so many. The name of negativity is "Legion" for there is so much. But what is the name of the Gospel? What is the name of Truth? It is not "Legion" for there are not many, but only ONE!
He had often been bound with chains, but as often he "rent them asunder." The "crying out" and "cutting himself night and day with stones," this is consistent with self-harm the pain of depression that is going on in the mind when unclean or impure thoughts take possession of it. This is because of our sinful nature or sinful flesh
When asked his name the man replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." He identified himself with the adverse states of mind that he thought of as demons, because he was powerless to control them.
From what legion of demons does a believer still have to be delivered? When he falls into a adverse state of consciousness, a believer finds himself subject to countless fears. These are demons that must be overcome before he can know the true real self of the Christ consciousness.
Is self-will an unclean spirit? It is, because it cannot be identified with the Christ consciousness, and whatever is not sanctified by the Christ consciousness is identified with sin and uncleanness.
"Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the demons were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."
It is significant that when the man was under the influence of these mental problems, the people thought of them as "demons." After he was cured, they understood that he was now in his right mind.
Today, we would understand that when he was ill, he was "crazy", "nuts" or "out of his mind" We are not under the same influence of superstition, and we therefore identify the problem in more rational terms.
After Jesus commanded the spirits to come out of the man, he cried out saying: "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not." (See verse 28-29)
This man knew better than anyone that a great miracle had been performed and Jesus must be the Son of God. He was inspired to cry out so that his healing would remain as a testimony to the power and authority of Jesus the Christ.
Jesus uses the occasion to provide two witnesses. The first witness was the man in his right mind. The second was the transfer of the mental disorders to the swine. Their resulting madness showed clearly that a miracle had taken place
No comments:
Post a Comment