Unclean Spirits; Supernatural Power and Strength

June 7

Read: Mark 5:1-20

(2of 5)

Unclean Spirits; Supernatural Power and Strength

“He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him.” (v. 3)

One byproduct of the demons in this man was that he had supernatural strength. He was able to do things that normally you cannot do. He was “breaking chains” and overpowering those who sought to control him. This man had power beyond his own. This man could not be “bound”… “no one could subdue him”.

This attribute IS something that fairytales and Hollywood seems to get right… The concept that an evil spirit within someone leads to a crazed person with supernatural strength. But if this is true for evil spirits, why do we forget that it is true for The Holy Spirit? If we can clearly see that an unclean spirit within this man led to him having supernatural strength, why do we doubt that the Holy Spirit would actually strengthen us as God’s children? Why is it that we act as if there is no POWER that comes from The Spirit of God within us?

This is tremendously GOOD NEWS because so often strength is what we need… physical and emotional strength. Think of the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus is there with his disciples. When he finds them worn out, tired, and falling asleep - look at what he says: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41) Often times in Christ, we have willing spirits trapped in weak bodies. We are tired. We need good ‘ol fashioned strength. This is available to us… present in us… through the Holy Spirit. Look at Sampson as another example; every time the Spirit of the Lord “rushed upon him” he had supernatural strength o break the chains that held him and to fight his enemies. (cf. Judges 15:14) For every person who feels weak and tired, know that in Christ - thought he Holy Spirit - there is power and strength to carry on… even when you feel like you have nothing left!

One final note: Notice how this man could not be “bound” or “subdued”. This is another outworking of a spirit within a person. Those people who would seek to “bind” or “subdue” the work of the Holy Spirit within us will be unsuccessful. When we are moving in the Spirit, we will not be “bound up” or easily “subdued” by those seeking to control us… or by those who seek to work against the Lord. We see this idea played out in Acts 5 when Gamaliel is speaking about the apostles:

“Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men… in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (Acts 5:35-39)

The Lord is giving you the strength you need today so that your “willing spirit” can thrive in your “weak body”. When you feel tired, worn out, and “bound” - call out to the Holy Spirit within you. The work of the Lord will not be stopped… it will not be “subdued”. This is a spiritual truth. Why wouldn’t it be? If it is true for evil spirits, how much more so for the Holy Spirit? Go in God’s strength! Love you guys. - JDP