Identity and authority are key to a man’s success and walk with the Lord. Therefore, we must not lose sight of our identity—and who has authority over our lives. In Mark 5, we find a man who had lost his identity through the power of sin. His life was given over to the authority of the enemy of God, Satan.
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. Mark 5:1-5
Notice in these verses that when Jesus got out of the boat, the man with an unclean spirit came to meet Him. This unnamed man had been taken over by impure spirits. He was tormented daily by Satan and the unclean spirits.
Why is this important? Because like this man, when we are tempted by the devil to sin, we must understand there is no such thing as “a little sin.” All sin leads to death.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 3:23)
This man lived in torture and torment—an outcast from his own community. His misery even included self-inflicted wounds. Men, you don’t have to be possessed by demons to understand the agony of sin. Sin not only destroys lives; it destroys reputations. And it can’t be controlled by outsiders.
Often, sin starts with the rejection of God’s voice—and the voice of others who are trying to help. It may start with so-called “little sins,” ones we are tempted to think are not a big deal. But the truth is, indulging in one sin is not “small.” It’s still rebellion against God.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (James 2:10)
Men, there are no little sins. Sin always leads down the devastating path of ruin and loss. And just like the man in Mark 5, we may even lose our identity.
When Jesus got out of the boat, the man ran to Him and fell on his knees. Mark 5:6 recounts “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.”
Why?
Because even the demons within the man—and the man himself—knew the power and authority of Jesus. Jesus not only has the healing power of God; He carries the authority to cast out demons.
Where was the man’s identity? Notice that when Jesus asked his name, the answer was “Legion.” That was not the man’s name—that was the name of the unclean spirits. It was their voice speaking.
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” (Mark 5:9)
This is what happens when we are controlled by sin: we lose our identity and begin to take on the identity of whatever is controlling us. When Jesus asked his name, the man didn’t truly answer—the demons answered for him. The man’s identity became whoever had authority over him.
Like the old Brylcreem commercial—“A little dab will do”—that’s often how sin starts. But it never ends with a little dab. Sin never stays small. When sin is fully matured, it destroys a man’s life.
So what is the good news?
The power of Christ is greater than the power of Satan.
Men, we must never lose our identity to sin, and we must not forget who has authority over Satan: Jesus. We are children of God, and the grace of God to cover our sins has been given to His Son, Jesus. His door is never shut. We can run to the feet of Jesus, ask for forgiveness, and be free.
Even though we may have given temporary ground—temporary identity and temporary authority—to Satan, we have a good God who will not only restore our identity, but also free us from the dark authority of the Evil One.
Notice that the demons even feared Jesus.
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!” (Mark 5:7)
We are saved by the Lamb. And when the man was saved and restored, he asked Jesus if he could stay with Him—and Jesus said no. He had his identity back now. Jesus told him to go and tell others what the Lord had done for him.
When we are restored, God doesn’t want us to be idle and quiet. He wants to use us. He wants us to tell others about the grace and mercy He shows His children.
Men, we must never forget where our identity is found—and who has been given authority. But even if we temporarily lose sight of it, the good news is this: we can always return to Jesus.
Have a great day!
SL Thomas
RTM