“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid”  (Mark 5:15).

I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and agony that this man suffered from one night to the next. Lost in a world of deception, confused, and warring against the forces of darkness for his own mind.

Oh how the nights must have gotten so lonely; nothing but him and Satan’s minions (followers) in a dark, cold tomb. He would rise up at times in the night cutting himself with rocks. The people of Gadara had decided he had to be chained down; for they feared for their own safety. But this was to no avail, he would break the chains asunder and begin to terrorize the people again.

But finally, through the grace of a loving God, he sees through the windows of a weary soul, a man named Jesus. The demons tremble, but the soul of the man leaps; freedom at last. Jesus will show me the way.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:23, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The mind of a man is a strategic point of warfare. It is either a stronghold of hell or a stronghold of Zion. King David referred to his mind as reins:

“Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.” (Psalms 73:21)

“I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” (Psalms 16:7)

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.”  (Psalms 139:13)

A set of reins guide a horse by the man who controls the reins. At just the twist of the wrist, the horse will take a right, a left, stop, or go. Our minds are controlled either by the spirit of this world or by the anointing which God has placed in our inner man. King David was first grieved in his heart, showing that the Holy Spirit went ahead of the pricking within his reins. From his heart first was he led; not from his mind first.

Satan had a grip on the maniac of Gadara. But after he met Jesus, the Scripture says he sat at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. In the age in which we live, the psychiatrist wants to introduce you to Ritalin, Adderall, or Paxil. They are sorcerers seducing the people of God with a concoction of chemicals that is bringing this entire world under the hands of the forces of hell. I can speak from family-related experience; some of the physicians of our day are physicians of no value.

People need Jesus.

Jesus will give us joy, peace, and righteousness in the Holy Ghost; a steadfast joy and peace; one that isn’t dependent on a pill morning, noon, and night.  This man in our text was so transformed in his mind that fear took over the city, “And they began to pray him (Jesus) to depart out of their coasts” (Mark 5:17). But Jesus left a testimony behind that I believe turned Gadara upside-down. Jesus told the man “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee” (Mark 5:19). He was clothed and in his right mind.

Praise God for testimonies of life-changing experiences by the hand of Jesus.

Saints, fight the good fight of faith, and don’t let the devil deceive you. As Peter said in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

So stand fast, strap on the helmet of salvation, and know without a shadow of a doubt that we whom are chosen have the mind of Christ. Praise the Lord!