What Jesus Did! 'Satan's Goal' — Mark 5:3-5

Saturday, March 19, 2016

This man lived in the burial caves. No person could tie him. Even chains could not keep this man tied. Many times people had used chains to tie the man's hands and feet. But the man broke the chains on his hands and feet. No person was strong enough to control him. Day and night the man walked around the burial caves and on the hills. The man would scream and cut himself with rocks.
— Mark 5:3-5 NLT
Illustration of Mark 5:3-5 NLT — The man would scream and cut himself with rocks.

Key Thought

So often the power and influence of the Devil is minimized. To believe in a real being behind evil is ridiculed in many circles. Yet Scripture assumes a belief in a real "evil one" that stands behind real evil. What we are able to witness in Mark 5 with this man possessed by demons is the goal of the work of the Devil in human lives. He longs to isolate, degrade, and torture those whom he controls. His power is unrelentingly strong, yet he uses his strength to hold people in fear because of death. Ultimately, when the evil one gains a foothold in our lives, he leads us to self-destructive behavior. Don't minimize the Devil's power or presence. Instead, center your life on Jesus, the one who conquered the evil one's power and broke his death-grip on us.

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me if I have ever minimized evil and the Devil's power exerted through it. Thank you for sending Jesus to destroy the Devil's hold on my life. Give me strength to resist his attacks and give me strength to overcome his influence in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 6:10-12
  • Hebrews 2:14-15
  • 1 Peter 5:8

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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