Mark 5:6-13
“When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then howled in protest, ‘What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!’ (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, ‘Out! Get out of the man!’) - Jesus asked him, ‘Tell me your name.’ He replied, ‘My name is Mob. I’m a rioting mob.’ Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country. - A large herd of pigs was grazing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs so we can live in them.’ Jesus gave the order. But it was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned.”
“When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, ‘Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!’ For Jesus had already said to the spirit, ‘Come out of the man, you evil spirit.’ Then Jesus demanded, ‘What is your name?’ And he replied, ‘My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.’ Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. ‘Send us into those pigs,’ the spirits begged. ‘Let us enter them.’ So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about , pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.”
We moderns have foolishly minimized the world of evil spirits. This mob of evil spirits had a name, identity, and personality, and they knew Christ was coming for them. Like many of us, they didn’t want to leave home. The spirit world is not without definition just because we know so little about it. It is complex with a history of its own (Luke 10:18, Rev. 12:7) and is bent towards destruction of all God wants to build. The more aware we are of its existence the more prepared we are to travel the walk of faith.
It is interesting to see animals may carry evil spirits also. Perhaps this is why God demands animals who take human life must be destroyed. (Genesis 9:5)
Lord, open my eyes to the world of the spirit. Let me see its subtle delineations that I may prevail against it in prayer by the leading and power of your Spirit. Make me as steel, a weapon of war against it.