was permitted to take place that the disciples might witness the cruel power of Satan upon both man and beast . The Saviour desired His followers to have a knowledge of the foe whom they were to meet , that they might not be deceived and overcome by his devices . It was also His will that the people of that region should behold His power to break the bondage of Satan and release his captives . And though Jesus Himself departed , the men so marvelously delivered , remained to declare the mercy of their Benefactor .
Other instances of a similar nature are recorded in the Scriptures . The daughter of the Syrophoenician woman was grievously vexed with a devil , whom Jesus cast out by His word . ( Mark 7:26-30 ). " One possessed with a devil , blind , and dumb " ( Matthew 12:22 ; a youth who had a dumb spirit , that ofttimes " cast him into the fire , and into the waters , to destroy him " ( Mark 9:1727 ); the maniac who , tormented by " a spirit of an unclean devil " ( Luke 4:33-36 ), disturbed the Sabbath quiet of the synagogue at Capernaum--all were healed by the compassionate Saviour . In nearly every instance , Christ addressed the demon as an intelligent entity , commanding him to come out of his victim and to torment him no more . The worshipers at Capernaum , beholding His mighty power , " were all amazed , and spake among themselves , saying , What a word is this ! for with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits , and they come out ." Luke 4:36 .
Those possessed with devils are usually represented as being in a condition of great suffering ; yet there were exceptions to this rule . For the sake of obtaining supernatural power , some welcomed the satanic influence . These of course had no conflict with the demons . Of this class were those who possessed the spirit of divination , --Simon Magus , Elymas the sorcerer , and the damsel who followed Paul and Silas at Philippi . None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who , notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures , deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels . So long as we are ignorant of their wiles , they have almost inconceivable advantage ; many give heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own wisdom . This is why , as we approach the close of time , when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy , he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist . It is his policy to conceal himself and his manner of working .
There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices . The better to disguise his real character and purposes , he has caused himself to be so represented as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt . He is well pleased to be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object , misshapen , half animal
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