Jesus and Legion #2467

6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” (Mark 5:6–9, NKJV)

The man lived a torturous life among the tombs, caves, and mountains. Unclean spirits involuntarily possessed him, and he could not be restrained due to unnatural strength (Mark 5:1-5). The demons who tormented the man knew Jesus, acknowledged He is the Son of God and begged Jesus not to torment them “before the time” (vv. 6-7; Matt. 8:29). Jesus banished the demons to a herd of swine that stampeded into the Sea of Galilee (Mark 5:11-13). Healed and in his right mind, the man wanted to remain with Jesus, who told him to tell others of the compassion he received from the Lord (Mark 5:15, 18-20). This amazing miracle teaches us important lessons of truth about Jesus and the deliverance He can give sinners. (1) Jesus has power over demons. He came to destroy the devil’s works, and His power over demons illustrated that defeat (1 John 3:8). We are assured of the Lord’s strength to stand against the “spiritual host of wickedness” when we put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-13). (2) Faith only does not save. The demons “believe—and tremble” but are lost (James 2:19). Do not accept the false doctrine of salvation by faith only (James 2:20-24). (3) Tell others of God’s compassion. Spread the good news of salvation that saves oppressed and lost souls. Its power transforms lives (Rom. 1:16; 12:1-2).

Don’t Give Pure and Precious Things to Dogs and Swine #2343

Jesus has warned us not to judge lest our unrighteous measure of judgment condemns us (Matt. 7:1-2). Jesus forthrightly judged (condemned) hypocritically judging others while ignoring ourselves (Matt. 7:3-5). James reinforced this truth, “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). Jesus went on to imply we must judge several things: (1) What is holy and what are pearls, and (2) Who are dogs and swine. Holy things are pure, blameless, and set apart to God and His service. Your pearls would be your precious things. The gospel, salvation, faith, and heavenly treasures are among the holy and valuable things we judge to be great treasures. Dogs and swine were unclean under the Law of Moses and used by Christ as figures of impure, contemptible character and conduct (cf. Deut. 23:18; 2 Kings 8:13). But the dogs and swine in this passage have two legs, not four. So, take care to live holy and not defile yourself with evil companions (1 Cor. 15:33). Judge error from the truth and avoid the “dogs” who hold God’s truth in contempt and with their false doctrines (Phil. 3:2-3). Oh yes, we must judge what is right to abhor what is evil and cling to what is good (Luke 12:57; Rom. 12:9). God’s word of truth is holy. It identifies our pearls, and those whose sin and error identifies them as dogs and swine. Beware. They will turn on you when given a chance. Come out, be separate, and do not touch what is unclean (2 Cor. 6:17-7:1).

Judgments about Dogs and Swine #500

Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6, NKJV)

An unwillingness to make any moral and religious judgments puts a person at odds with Jesus. After warning against making hypocritical judgments in Matthew 7:1-5, He commands us to make several judgments. We must judge what is “holy” and are “pearls”, as well as who are “dogs” and “swine” (the two-legged kind). Then, we must judge when not to give holy things to the dogs and when not to cast pearls before swine. But, are these judgments left up to our personal assessment? No, because God’s word tells us about holy things and true valuables (cf. Matt. 13:44-46). He identifies the figurative dogs and swine for us (cf. Phil. 3:2). The Scriptures reveal God’s judgments. We shall test ourselves against His judgments conform our lives to His words. When evil people despise God’s truth we must judge when to “shake off the dust” from our feet and move to others who will hear and respect the gospel of Christ (Matt. 10:14-15). (Or, have you  reached a point where you will not judge something and someone as evil?) “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good” (Rom. 12:9).