Torment Me Not!

Have you ever wondered why Jesus granted the demons their request in Luke 8:26-39? Do you wish that wicked people will just disappear or be destroyed? As much as one would like that, it happens not to be God’s best for them. This article reveals Christ’s best for them.

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me! Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them – Luke 8:28, 32 (NKJV).

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust – Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV).

Why would Jesus permit the demon’s request? Jesus granted the demons their request because He is love, He is not them or like them. It is God’s nature to be good. Surely, their time for punishment and torment is certain and will surely come, and anyone who chooses to remain with them will suffer with them then.  However, here Jesus showed us an example to follow. If Christ didn’t torment them, why should we His children ask that other human beings be tormented? This example of Jesus helped me to understand how Matthew 5: 44-45 can be applied to a witch, wizard, or oppressors, etc.

God expects you to be like Jesus: to love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. In essence, not obeying this instruction makes your sonship questionable.

You are above those in darkness; you have no need to fear them. They can’t do anything to you. Only those who fear are tormented, for fear has torments and those who fear have not been made perfect in love (1 John 4:18). You are to know the word of God and be prayerful. Be convinced of your position in Christ, knowing that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4); again, if God is for you who can be against you (Romans 8:31). You are to walk in the knowledge of the truth. Read more...