Demoniacs in the Bible: real or not?

What is demonic possession?

It is tempting to try to explain away what the Bible refers to as demonic possession. Some say that demonic possession in the Bible is nothing more than an undiagnosed physical or mental illness such as epilepsy or schizophrenia. Yet, in the New Testament, demonic possession is clearly differentiated from sickness or ‘lunacy’ in several specific ways:

1. Severe personality change. The possessed person’s own identity was replaced by that of another entity. When Jesus asked the name of the Gerasene demoniac, he stated, “Legion, is my name. There are many of us.” And after being healed, an entirely new personality emerged. The man pleaded to remain with Jesus, and then proclaimed the miracle to all who would hear him.

2. Anti-social behavior. Those possessed by demons lived alone, often in areas where no other people would go, such as among the tombs.

3. Demoniacs exhibited a spiritual insight about Jesus, recognizing him as the son of God. “What have you to do with us,Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Mark 1:24

4.  Super-human strength. Demoniacs showed strength beyond that of normal men, such as the man who had been dwelling among the tombs in Gerasene. “He had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him.” Mark 5:4

5. People possessed by demons were known to cry out as if in pain, and to cause themselves pain. “Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Mark 5:5

Demonic possession was also different than other illnesses in the way it was cured.

There is often a verbal exchange between the spirit and Jesus and many times the spirit shows fear of Jesus.

The possessed person often falls down before Jesus.

The demon recognizes Jesus as the son of God.

The possessed person undergoes convulsive movements and physical pain as the demon is expelled.

Jesus commands the demon to be silent.

Do you believe that the men Jesus cured were really possessed by a demon? Do demonic possessions happen today?

Next time: How did someone become possessed by a demon?

My research into demons and demonic possession went to good use in The Tomb, A Novel of Martha, in which the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac, frequently known as the Miracle of the (Gadarene) Swine, is an important part of Martha’s story. Have you read The Tomb?