What Jesus Did! 'Identity Theft' — Mark 5:9

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"

And [the evil spirit] replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man."

— Mark 5:9 NLT

Key Thought

Today, because of all the e-commerce and the widespread use of credit and debit cards and various types of electronic payment, identity theft has become a huge concern. People find our key identification information and then take over "our identity" to steal our money by buying things in our names. Satan, however, is the greatest identity thief. When he gains control over a human heart, that heart can lose its identity — the values, the commitments, the purposes of that person become lost as a new evil personality begins to display itself. For the unfortunate man possessed by evil spirits, identity theft was complete. He lived alone in the place of death, spending countless hours in sub-human behavior harming himself. He couldn't even give his name. His identity had become fused with the evil presences that now lived inside him. Let's never forget Satan's intentions for us. He longs to rob us of our character, our will, and our identity. Yet we can resist and overcome him by God's power. The key to doing so, however, is a commitment to vigilance and passion for the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Today's Prayer

O Lord, Sovereign God of all the earth, come and rule over my heart and drive out from me the influence of the deceiver and his demonic angels. Purify my heart and remove from me any residue of sin that would open the door for Satan to invade my heart and influence my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • James 4:7
  • 1 John 3:7-10
  • Ephesians 6:11-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 5:9 NLT — Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"
And [the evil spirit] replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.