How did those swine run!
(Thomas Watson, “The Ten Commandments“) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
“Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26
Men naturally are enslaved to Satan. Satan is called the prince of this world (John 14:30); and the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4); because he has power to command and enslave his dupes. Though he shall one day be a fellow prisoner in chains–yet now he insults and tyrannizes over the souls of men. Sinners are under his rule, he exercises a jurisdiction over them. He fills men’s heads with error, and their hearts with malice! “Why has Satan filled your heart?” Act 5:3. A sinner’s heart is the devil’s mansion house. “I will return into my house.” Matthew 12:44
Satan is a comprehensive tyrant.
He rules men’s minds, he blinds them with ignorance. “The God of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe not.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
He rules their memories. They remember that which is evil, and forget that which is good. Their memories are like a strainer, which lets go all the pure, and retains only the dregs.
He rules their wills. Though he cannot force the will, he draws it. “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father, you will do.” John 8:44.
He has control over their hearts, and they willingly obey him. His strong temptations draw men to evil, more than all the promises of God can draw them to good.
This is the state of every man by nature: the devil has him in his power! A sinner grinds in the devil’s mill! He is at the command of Satan, as the donkey is at the command of the driver.
How did those swine run, when the devil entered into them! “They entered the swine, and suddenly the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water!” Matthew 8:32
It is a dreadful and dismal case, to be under the power and tyranny of Satan! He wholly possesses them. If people should see their pets bewitched and possessed by the devil, they would be much troubled; and yet, though their souls are possessed by Satan, they are not sensible of it! What can be worse, than for men to be in bondage to the devil, and him hurry them on in their lusts, to perdition! Yet they are willingly enslaved to Satan! They love their gawler!
What an infinite mercy it is, when God brings poor souls out of this house of bondage, when He gives them a deliverance from the prince of darkness.
As David rescued a lamb out of the lion’s mouth–so Christ rescues souls out of the mouth of the roaring lion! Oh, what a mercy it is, to be turned “from the power of Satan, unto God.” (Acts 26:18) to be brought out of the house of bondage, from being Satan’s captives–to be made subjects of the Prince of Peace!
