In Our Right Mind

I was reading about the demon-possessed man in Mark 5:1-20 the other day. That is a wild account. Could you imagine living near him? You have heard stories. You know better than to walk close to where he is located. You hear the screams, and no one can stop him. It must have been a terrifying thing. Then this Jesus shows up. Had the townspeople heard about Him? If they had not, they would soon. You have to wonder, “How can Jesus control what was uncontrollable for me and my community?” It points to the fact that He is God, and we should listen to Him.

After the demoniac’s encounter with Jesus, the people saw a man sitting, clothed and in his right mind. I want to ask you, “Have you had an encounter with Jesus, and are you now in your right mind?” What do you mean, am I in my right mind? Of course I am. What I mean is, do we still think like we are in sin? One of the things that coming to Christ should do is change how we think about things. Outside of Christ, our thinking is darkened (Ephesians 4:17-20). So just because I was taught this or have done it this way all my life does not mean it is right. I must be willing to challenge every thought with the word of God. I have to transform from thinking worldly to thinking biblically (Romans 12:2). That is a daily challenge but one we should take up because we know Jesus.

The demon-possessed man wanted to go with Jesus, and Jesus gave him the mission of telling others. When we escape the devil, we see others trapped, and we should want to help them as well (2 Timothy 2:25-26). It will not be easy. Trying to help someone see and understand things differently than what they have always seen or understood can be challenging. We have to be patient and simply plant the word of God in their lives, praying they will accept it, and God will give the increase.