Jesus and Demons – Luke 8:26-32

This is a wonderful portion of Scripture where Jesus shows not only His power over demons but also His loving heart for the chosen. 

Even in this modern and technological age, demons are real. Simply put, demons are fallen, angels. Satan, the first demon is very mighty and temporarily the king of this world (Rev 12:4,9). Demons are spirits, meaning they don’t have a material body. They are also personal with emotions, will and understanding. For example, they were able to converse with Jesus Christ and display various emotions and thoughts. In short, demons are powerful evil spirits with nothing good in them. 

Although demons are powerful and supernatural, they are limited in power. They cannot go against Jesus. In Luke 8:26-32 We see a person was possessed and imprisoned by these demons. We see the terrible and tragic effect they had on this man’s life. 

One question we might ask is: Can a Christian be demon possessed? The answer is ‘No’. But there have been many missionary reports of demon-possessed Christians. There is a debate in the Christian community about evidence of Christian demon-possessed. Biblically speaking, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 says we are the temple of the living God. If the Holy Spirit dwells within the believer, then how can it also be a place for demons?

While Christians cannot be demon possessed but they could be demon oppressed. There are many Christians that hold sinful worldviews. For example, if they are pro-choice or pro-gay marriage. They could be a genuine Christian but woefully wrong. This could be an indication that they are demon oppressed. The Israelites sinned and worshipped demons which were the idols (Deut 32:17) This is why John warns the believers to be on guard from idols because idols are a means of inviting demons (1 John 5:21). 

Christians can also invite demons when they wallow in sin without confessing, hold onto sin and grudges, or cling to emotions of bitterness, regret, or anger. This unconsciously makes the believer susceptible to demon influence. We must resist by repenting daily for our sins. This is why Christians must diligently meet the Lord in prayer and the word every day. 

The world is filled with heinous and perverse sins and immorality. Especially sexual sins are rampant everywhere and encouraged from the media to our schools. Sex before marriage, extramarital, homosexuality, and transgender are all horrible signs of sins and demonic oppression or possession. Occultism is also a sign of demon possession (Acts 16:16). There is a strong connection between sorcery, spiritual mediums, and demon possession. 

How does the demon-possessed behave?

It has been popular to diagnose the mentally ill as being demon-possessed. The demon possessed are not bipolar or schizophrenic. However, there are two persons in one body. In Biblical accounts, demons are able to communicate and have sense in their words and actions. They aren’t spouting gibberish. Their goal is simply death and destruction. Demons also have supernatural knowledge, such as being able to identify Jesus and godly Christians (Acts 16:17). There is a distinction between demon possession and mental illness.

In Luke 8:26 we see the solution to both demon-oppressed and demon-possessed. Jesus has a loving and sovereign plan for this demon-possessed man. First, Jesus went across the lake into a foreign land just to meet this man. It was not an accidental encounter. God is seeking to meet those oppressed and possessed. We all need Jesus because we all face demons who seek our downfall and ruin (1 John 1:18, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11, 2 Peter 2:11). Thankfully Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8). We must have Jesus if we wish to overcome the enemy. 

There is no hope unless one is converted (Luke 8:28-29). No one was able to subdue these demons. Chains could not hold the demons, but The demons could not rebel against Jesus the Son of the Most High God. Jesus rescues us from darkness and bondage (Romans 10:9, Colossians 1:13-14). True conversion is a new life in which the old is gone and the new has come. (John 5:24, 2 Corinthians 5:17). The converted is a new creation that belongs to Christ and not the power of sin.

To avoid being demon oppressed you must then live a Christ-centered life, denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus (Matthew 16:24). A Christ-centered life relies on the work of Jesus, yearning for holiness and desiring fellowship with Jesus when we stray.

Avoiding demon oppression is not everything. We must fight on. In Luke 8:30-32 Jesus demands the demon’s name. The name ‘Legion’ shows how dark and deceitful a man’s heart can be. It was a whole army of demons in this man. Jesus commands the legion to leave and they obeyed. He has ultimate power and complete victory over the demons. We too can have victory over the dangerous demons that constantly attack us through the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-19). Everything we need and more is in the inerrant and infallible Word of God. By a simple command, the demons were cast out and conquered, and it is still by His Word that we fight against the devil. In addition to the Bible, we pray (Ephesians 6:18). Your prayer life reflects your knowledge of God. The devil is not afraid of the prayerless but trembles at those who pray. Prayer is for God and your fellowship with Him. Do not resist the need for prayer but enjoy the richness of God in prayer. 

There are two dangers concerning the doctrine of demons. Disbelief and being too obsessed. Understand that demons are real and dangerous but instead of fearing them, we trust and fear Christ who is truly the mighty Savior and King (Ephesians 5:21).