Mark 5:1–7(NKJV)
1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.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.”
We have heard this story many times and read through it ourselves, I'm sure. But, have we considered the presence of mind of the demoniac? Here is this man in an unimaginable condition of torment and anguish. He exhibits superhuman strength at times, is subjected to painful fits of demonic possession and physical hurt, and yet has the presence of mind to come to Jesus when He gets off the boat. He saw Jesus from afar, and by his own volition, comes to Jesus and falls at His feet worshipping Him. This is not by the power of demons, but a lucid act of his own will, crying out for help. As I think on the speculations that have been purported by the superstitious minds of well-intentioned Christians, I believe that we do not understand the nature of such things, especially within the confines of a culture preoccupied with the tenants of psychology and medicine. This man was someone's son. He was probably not what we would deem today as some reprobate. There is always enough darkness around us to invite such demonic force into our lives, and only by the grace of God does not everyone suffer in this way. However, I often wonder how many in our culture suffer presently from such demonic affliction disguised as some medical psychosis? I am not for one moment saying that all such ailments should all be thrown into the same demonic basket, but perhaps there are some who are simply being tranquilized by pharmaceuticals. Whatever one may think of these things, we must be aware that darkness and forces of evil are all around us, but Jesus is still today as He was then, the healer of the afflicted and the power that casts demons out.