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tortured man must lose his life in the struggle with the foe that had been the ruin of his manhood。 But the Saviour spoke with authority； and set the captive free。 The man who had been possessed stood before the wondering people happy in the freedom of self…possession。 Even the demon had testified to the divine power of the Saviour。
The man praised God for his deliverance。 The eye that had so lately glared with the fire of insanity； now beamed with intelligence； and overflowed with grateful tears。 The people were dumb with amazement。 As soon as they recovered speech they exclaimed； one to another； 〃What is this？ a new teaching！ with authority He commandeth even the unclean spirits； and they obey Him。〃 Mark 1：27； R。 V。
The secret cause of the affliction that had made this man a fearful spectacle to his friends and a burden to himself was in his own life。 He had been fascinated by the pleasures of sin； and had thought to make life a grand carnival。 He did not dream of becoming a terror to the world and the reproach of his family。 He thought his time could be spent in innocent folly。 But once in the downward path； his feet rapidly descended。 Intemperance and frivolity perverted the noble attributes of his nature； and Satan took absolute control of him。
Remorse came too late。 When he would have sacrificed wealth and pleasure to regain his lost manhood； he had become helpless in the grasp of the evil one。 He had placed himself on the enemy's ground； and Satan had taken possession of all his faculties。 The tempter had allured him with many charming presentations； but when once the wretched man was in his power； the fiend became relentless in his cruelty； and terrible in his angry visitations。 So it will be with all who yield to evil； the fascinating pleasure of their early career ends in the darkness of despair or the madness of a ruined soul。
The same evil spirit that tempted Christ in the wilderness； and that possessed the maniac of Capernaum； controlled the unbelieving Jews。 But with them he assumed an air of piety； seeking to deceive them as to their motives in rejecting the Saviour。 Their condition was more hopeless than that of the demoniac； for they felt no need of Christ and were therefore held fast under the power of Satan。
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The period of Christ's personal ministry among men was the time of greatest activity for the forces of the kingdom of darkness。 For ages Satan with his evil angels had been seeking to control the bodies and the souls of men； to bring upon them sin and suffering； then he had charged all this misery upon God。 Jesus was revealing to men the character of God。 He was breaking Satan's power； and setting his captives free。 New life and love and power from heaven were moving upon the hearts of men； and the prince of evil was aroused to contend for the supremacy of his kingdom。 Satan summoned all his forces； and at every step contested the work of Christ。
So it will be in the great final conflict of the controversy between righteousness and sin。 While new life and light and power are descending from on high upon the disciples of Christ； a new life is springing up from beneath； and energizing the agencies of Satan。 Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element。 With a subtlety gained through centuries of conflict； the prince of evil works under a disguise。 He appears clothed as an angel of light； and multitudes are 〃giving heed to seducing spirits； and doctrines of devils。〃 1 Tim。 4：1。
In the days of Christ the leaders and teachers of Israel were powerless to resist the work of Satan。 They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spirits。 It was by the word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one。 The leaders of Israel professed to be the expositors of God's word； but they had studied it only to sustain their traditions； and enforce their man…made observances。 By their interpretation they made it express sentiments that God had never given。 Their mystical construction made indistinct that which He had made plain。 They disputed over insignificant technicalities； and practically denied the most essential truths。 Thus infidelity was sown broadcast。 God's word was robbed of its power； and evil spirits worked their will。
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History is repeating。 With the open Bible before them； and professing to reverence its teachings； many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the word of God。 They busy themselves with dissecting the word； and set their own opinions above its plainest statements。 In their hands God's word loses its regenerating power。 This is why infidelity runs riot； and iniquity is rife。
When Satan has undermined faith in the Bible； he directs men to other sources for light and power。 Thus he insinuates himself。 Those who turn from the plain teaching of Scripture and the convicting power of God's Holy Spirit are inviting the control of demons。 Criticism and speculation concerning the Scriptures have opened the way for spiritism and theosophythose modernized forms of ancient heathenismto gain a foothold even in the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ。
Side by side with the preaching of the gospel； agencies are at work which are but the medium of lying spirits。 Many a man tampers with these merely from curiosity； but seeing evidence of the working of a more than human power； he is lured on and on； until he is controlled by a will stronger than his own。 He cannot escape from its mysterious power。
The defenses of the soul are broken down。 He has no barrier against sin。 When once the restraints of God's word and His Spirit are rejected； no man knows to what depths of degradation he may sink。 Secret sin or master passion may hold him a captive as helpless as was the demoniac of Capernaum。 Yet his condition is not hopeless。
The means by which we can overcome the wicked one is that by which Christ overcame；the power of the word。 God does not control our minds without our consent； but if we desire to know and to do His will； His promises are ours： 〃Ye shall know the truth； and the truth shall make you free。〃 〃If any man willeth to do His will； he shall know of the teaching。〃 John 8：32； 7：17； R。 V。 Through faith in these promises； every man may be delivered from the snares of error and the control of sin。
Every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him。 None have fallen so low； none are so vile； but that they can find deliverance in Christ。 The demoniac； in place of prayer； could utter only the words of Satan； yet the heart's unspoken appeal was heard。 No cry from a soul in need； though it fail of utterance in words； will be unheeded。 Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own
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nature。 They are invited by the Saviour； 〃Let him take hold of My strength； that he may make peace with Me； and he shall make peace with Me。〃 Isa。 27：5。 The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion； but angels of God will con