Defeating the Destroyer

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Recognizing the Reality of Spiritual Warfare

We are currently in a message series on Spiritual Warfare. Jesus’ ministry on this earth was all about spiritual warfare, and when you read the Gospel accounts, you find Jesus confronting demons and evil spirits on every other page. His ministry consistently revealed a collision between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness.

Acts 10:38 (NIV2011) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

In this verse, Jesus’ ministry is summarized as healing all who were under the power of the devil. In Jesus’ ministry, healing of the sick and casting out of demons were often intertwined, because when Jesus set someone free from the power of Satan, they were healed. This same ministry of spiritual warfare was continued by the early church as recorded in the book of Acts.

Yet today, churches seldom speak of demons and setting people free from the power of the devil. In fact, most people today do not believe that Satan and his demons are real. In the insightful book The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, two demons named Wormwood and Screwtape discuss their strategy in dealing with people.

“Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves. … I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that ‘devils’ are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that … he therefore cannot believe in you.”

So the belief in Satan and his demons is regarded by many, even in the church, as old-fashioned and unscientific thinking. Of course, what better strategy for our enemy Satan could there be than to convince people he and his demons don’t exist. On July 26, a massive 9-foot-tall, 2000-pound statue of Satan was unveiled in Detroit to hundreds of Satanic worshippers, and the spokesperson of the Satanic Temple said that Satan is simply a symbol of man’s nature and not a supernatural being.

Right, don’t believe anything that Satan or his followers say, because he is a liar. Today, our message is entitled “Defeating the Destroyer.” Satan and his demons are very real, and he is the destroyer who is out to destroy people created in the image of God.

John 10:10 (NIV2011) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Satan is a thief who is out to steal, kill, and destroy every good thing in the world. The demons of Jesus’ time are still with us today, because they are spirits and cannot be killed. When we see people stealing, killing, and destroying in our time, we should recognize that behind that destruction is the destroyer, Satan and his demons.

Beware the Destroyer

Mark 5:1–5 (NIV2011) They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

This is an incredible story that follows directly after Jesus calming the storm on the lake. As Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake, a fierce storm arose, the disciples panicked, and Jesus rebuked the storm and brought calm. Satan, the destroyer, did not want Jesus to make it across the lake.

As they got out of the boat, a frightening sight greeted them, because a man with an impure spirit came out from the tombs to meet Jesus. This man lived among the dead, was isolated from society, and was fascinated with death. People tried to restrain him to prevent him from hurting others, but he had supernatural strength and could not be subdued.

He cried out continually and cut himself with stones, living in torment while abusing his own body. He was naked and had no sense of modesty or dignity. The presence of demons in this man brought total destruction into his life, reducing him to an existence that was less than human.

Satan was out to destroy this man completely, and today our doctors might describe him as insane. Yet the root issue was not psychological alone, but demonic. Beware the destroyer who hides himself.

Discerning the Source of Destructive Behavior

As we see in this passage, this is an extreme case of demon possession. Many different words are used in the Bible to describe the activity of demons in a person, and the level of influence can vary greatly. In some cases, there is minor influence, and in others, there is severe demonization like we see here.

How did this man get this way? It was likely a gradual process, because overt and habitual sin can open the door for demonic influence, as can occult worship and the worship of idols. Severe trauma, as well as the use of mind-altering drugs or alcohol, can also open the door to demonic oppression.

Addictions in many cases have a demonic component. The spiritual gift of discerning of spirits can be used to discover and identify the type of demonic presence in a person. Demons are absolutely real today, and they have not disappeared since the time of Jesus.

On the church blog this week, I posted a story about a young lady being delivered from lesbianism who actually saw and wrestled with a demonic presence. Ask God to help you discern the spirits behind destructive behavior, whether it is directed toward oneself or toward others. This discernment is necessary so that you can confront the enemy.

Confront the Enemy

Mark 5:6–8 (NIV2011) When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

The demonized man ran toward Jesus and fell on his knees before Him. Jesus immediately recognized the source of the man’s torment and commanded the demon to come out. In response, the demon screamed through the man, identifying Jesus as the Son of the Most High God.

Throughout the ministry of Jesus, demons consistently recognized who He was. In the book of Acts, we also see that demons recognize believers who have spiritual authority, but they attack those who do not belong to Christ. The demons begged Jesus to stop tormenting them, because they fiercely resist being cast out.

Demons are spirits without bodies, but they strongly desire to inhabit bodies. They seek control and destruction of whatever body they possess. In this encounter, the demons did not come out immediately at Jesus’ first command, showing that confrontation with the enemy may require persistence.

Walking in Courage and Authority

Would you have the courage to cast demons out of a madman? If you are a believer, you can do so in the name of Jesus. Would you have the courage to help set someone free from suicidal thoughts, drug addiction, alcoholism, self-harm, or other destructive behaviors?

There is often demonic involvement in many forms of violent and self-destructive behavior. It is commonly stated that a believer cannot be demon possessed, and while the Bible does not explicitly state this, it is reasonable to believe a believer cannot be fully possessed. However, believers can still experience demonic influence, oppression, or harassment and need deliverance from Satan’s power.

In the early church, new believers routinely went through exorcism prior to water baptism, followed by prayer to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Demons are dealt with the same way Jesus dealt with them, by commanding them to come out in the name of Jesus. Faith in the authority of Jesus’ name is what gives power over demonic forces.

Deliver the Oppressed

Mark 5:9–13 (NIV2011) Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

The demon spoke through the man’s lips, revealing complete control. Jesus asked for the name, and the response was Legion, indicating many demons. A Roman legion consisted of thousands of soldiers, showing the severity of this man’s torment.

The demons attempted to bargain with Jesus, fearing being sent to the Abyss, the place of eternal punishment. They begged to be sent into the pigs, preferring to inhabit animals rather than be bodiless. Jesus allowed this because His priority was setting the man free.

When the demons entered the pigs, the herd rushed into the lake and drowned. This demonstrated the destructive nature of demonic forces and revealed just how many demons had been tormenting one man. Jesus’ deliverance resulted in complete freedom and restoration.

Filling the Life with the Holy Spirit

Jesus gave important teaching on deliverance in Luke 11, explaining that when an evil spirit is cast out, it seeks another place to rest. If it returns and finds a person’s life empty, it brings more evil spirits, making the final condition worse. The clear lesson is that deliverance must be followed by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The fullness of the Holy Spirit is the greatest protection against demonic influence. When you pray with someone for deliverance, you must also pray for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Without this, the person remains vulnerable to renewed spiritual attack.

Be Prepared for Rejection

Mark 5:14–17 (NIV2011) Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

We see a dramatic before-and-after picture of the man. He was once violent, naked, and living among the tombs, but now he was calm, clothed, and in his right mind. The deliverance was complete and undeniable.

The people were afraid, not only of the power of Jesus but also of what it might cost them. After losing two thousand pigs, they feared further disruption and pleaded with Jesus to leave. The Gentiles of the region rejected Jesus’ deliverance ministry because it frightened them.

Staying Faithful When Others Reject the Truth

In the Gospels and the book of Acts, we repeatedly see Jesus and His followers casting out demons and setting people free. Yet many churches today rarely speak about these realities. One reason is disbelief in the present-day activity of demons, and another is fear of spiritual gifts that empower believers.

Talk of demons frightens people, and fear often leads to rejection. Satan himself benefits when churches ignore spiritual warfare. Even today, churches that teach deliverance are often rejected by other believers who do not fully embrace all of Scripture.

Keep praying for people and follow the example of Jesus. He came to set people free, and rejection should not stop us from walking in obedience.

Spread the Truth

Mark 5:18–20 (NIV2011) As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

The people asked Jesus to leave, but the man who had been delivered wanted to go with Him. Jesus gave him a different mission, sending him back to his own people to testify about God’s mercy. This man became a witness to the transforming power of Jesus.

As he shared his story throughout the Decapolis, people were amazed. His testimony spread the truth of what Jesus had done. A changed life became the evidence of spiritual victory.

Conclusion: Living in the Victory of Christ

Jesus came to set people free from bondage to sin and Satan, and He is still setting people free today. Denial of the reality of Satan and his evil spirits keeps many people, including believers, in bondage. Spiritual ignorance is one of the enemy’s greatest tools.

Read through a Gospel such as Mark or Luke and observe how Jesus healed and delivered people. Look around at those who struggle with illness or self-destructive behavior. Begin to pray and ask God to use you to help people be saved and set free from Satan’s power.

Share the truth about spiritual warfare, because it is real. Jesus brings victory, and He calls His followers to walk in that victory.

📘 Continue the Journey

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