Don't Be A Gadarene - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) March 14, 2025

The Gadarenes is a region near the Sea of Galilee and one day, Jesus went there. He was met by a demonized man who'd been oppressed by demons for a long time. Jesus expelled the demons from him and they went into a group of pigs which ran off into the sea and drowned.

Those who'd witnessed this event ran to inform the townspeople. They came and saw that the formerly demonized was now calm. The Bible notes that he'd previously beaten people and broken free from shackles. Matthew 8:34 - Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

These people learned of the miraculous power of God and rejected it. They rejected the love of the Lord because the display of His power made them uncomfortable. Think about it. They were used to the demonized man the way he'd been. That was normal. That was comfortable. For him to be healed from demonic oppression and for pigs to end up rushing into the sea to drown ... now that was a problem. And the source of that problem - Jesus - had to go.

How many of us have been like the Gadarenes in that we witnessed God move in a new way and rejected it? How many of us have judged first instead of seeking guidance from His Holy Spirit as to what our perspective and response should be?

​The Holy Spirit has had to 'check' me multiple times so my eyes opened to accept and receive the new He was doing. He's taken me through incidents to teach me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable so I wouldn't walk away from a blessing that didn't follow a pre-expected design. I'm still learning and the story of the Gadarenes is a great illustration to be careful not to close the door to God's miracles just because they don't come in convenient packaging.

This doesn't mean we are not to test the spirit. After all, the Bible tells us that there have always been men with false spirits who deceive people. Believers have been called to discern the spirits behind a person or thing with the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10). We cannot shirk that responsibility. Particularly in this day and age, where we have heard of false prophets or wolves in sheep's clothing who have led countless souls astray

We need to grow our relationship with God, His Son, and His Holy Spirit so that we are steered away from those the devil is using to steal, kill, and destroy. Plus, that deepened relationship will ensure that the Spirit leads to where God's power is present so we recognize it and don't make the mistake of the residents of the Gadarenes. On our own, we are incapable of discerning such situations.

The Holy Spirit will also help us not to be like the Gadarenes who could not wrap their minds around what Jesus did to free a member of their community. The Pharisees and Sadducees of His time were no different. Same with Job's friends who predated them all. May the Lord, in His mercy, steer us on His path of righteousness so we walk in faith, discerning between spirits, and submitting to His move regardless of if it seems strange, IJMN, Amen.