By Gale Nelson
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2021
Lesson Scripture(s): James 2:19-20
Tags: #demonic #possession #devil #influence

The devil's greatest device is trickery: to make people think they are doing right by God, but in truth, are being influenced by the devil.

For it is written, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead."

LESSON AT A GLANCE

• Christians are not the only one that believe in the power of Jesus; the devils believe as well and tremble (see James 2:19)

• The Power of Jesus… Mark 4:37-41
He calmed the wind and sea during a great storm.

• People are influenced by the devil--we might have devilish thoughts and actions.

• Gadara is a fortified city with a lot of rocks and stones, where Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit… Mark 5:1-13

○ The man could not be bound with chains, wore no clothes and lived in a cave (see also Luke 8:27)

○ (v. 5) He was always crying and cutting himself with stones in the mountains

○ (v. 6-7) When the man saw Jesus, he ran and worshipped him (kneeling in reverence as you do with royalty). However, the demon within cried out against Jesus, fearing that he had come to torment them before the time.

○ The time refers to Jesus second coming: the sheep on the right will enter into his rest, the goats on the left will be cast into everlasting or unquenchable fire prepared for the devil and his angels (see also Matthew 25:31-34,41)

○ (v. 9) The unclean spirit identifies himself as Legion, for there are many devils within the man.

○ (v. 12-13) Jesus allowed the demons the opportunity to do what they wanted to do by sending them out of the man, but he did not honor their request.

• God did not spare the angels that sinned against him, but cast them down to hell; the devils know their fate (see 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6)

• The demonic influence of worldliness, riches, popularity, and prestige has infected the church that brothers are no longer standing on the doctrine of Christ.


CALL TO ACTION
• Resist the devil… 1 Peter 5:8
• Will you yield to God, or will you yield to the temptation?
• God's Plan of Salvation... https://miamigardenscoc.net/salvation.php
___
RECOMMENDED LINKS
* Where Could I Go but to the Lord? https://youtu.be/tQKWQiQqPvs
* 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus: https://youtu.be/YdGOHw4ozsE
* Yield Not to Temptation: https://youtu.be/LEdlrTY98u8
* Website: https://www.miamigardenscoc.net