Mark 5:1, 2 Although we cannot be sure why demon-possession occurs, we know that evil spirits can use the human body to distort and destroy man's relationship with God and likeness to Him. Even today, demons are dangerous, powerful and destructive. While it is important to recognize their evil activity so that we can stay away from demons, we should avoid any curiousity about or involvement with demonic forces or the occult (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). If we resist the devil and his influences, he will flee from us (James 4:7).

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Mark 5:10 Mark often highlights the supernatural struggle beween Jesus and Satan. Them demons' goal was to control the humans they inhabited, Jesus goal was to give people freedom from sin and Satan's control. The demons knew they had no power over Jesus.

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Mark 5:19,20 The man who had been demon possessed (Jesus sent the demon into the pigs), became a living example of Jesus' power. He wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him to go home and share his story with his friends. If you have experienced Jesus' power, you too are a living example. Are you, like this man, enthusiastic about sharing the Good News with those around you? Just as we would tell others about a doctor who cured a physical disease, we should tell about Christ who cures our sin.

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Luke 4:41 Jesus didn't want the demons to reveal who He was. (1) Jesus commanded them to remain silent to show His authority over them (2) Jesus wanted His listeners to believe He was the Messiah because of His words, not because of the demons words. (3) Jesus was going to reveal His identity according to God's timetable and He would not be pushed by Satan's evil plans. the demons called Jesus "Son of God" or "the Holy One of God" (4:35) because they knew He was the Christ.

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Ephesians 6:10-20

In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan, who is a vicious fighter, see 1 Peter 5:8) To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of His armor. Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church. The whole body needs to be armed. As you do battles against the powers of this dark world, fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.

These who are not "flesh and blood" are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies - they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us. If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus' words to Peter. "On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)

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Exodus 7:11,17 How were sorcerers and magicians able to duplicate Moses' miracles? Some of their feats involved trickery or illusion, and some may have used satanic power since worshiping gods fo the underworld was part of their religion. Ironically, whenever the sorcerers duplicated one of Moses' plagues, it only made matters worse. If the magicians had been as powerful as God, they would have reversed the plaques, not added to them. Although miracles can help us believe, it is dangerous to rely on them alone. Satan can imitate some parts of God's work and lead people astray. We can avoid this error by letting the Word of God be the basis of our faith. No miracle from God would endorse any message that is contrary to the teachings of His Word.

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