Mk.5:14,15 – So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

Religious people often have a problem with anything supernatural, this will far too often bring kick back attributing the power of God to the demonic world. I had seeds of that in me when I first encountered the power of God’s presence when I first became a Christian. I had been warned about speaking in tongues as being ‘from the devil’ by the church people in my childhood. I remember trying to find my way through that quagmire when I realized that the supernatural power that was attracting me was glorifying Jesus. That settled it for me, if Jesus is being exalted you can be sure that the devil is nowhere to be found.

Jesus often cast demons out of people showing that the power of God is greater than any unclean power. When this demonized man was set free the fear of God began to affect the people in that region. That’s what God’s power does, the awareness that His presence brings puts everyone in awe of His greatness. Here is a quote from Albert Barnes followed by Matthew Henry on this event.

Barnes

“They were awed, as in the presence of God. The word does not mean here that they feared that any evil would happen to them, but that they were affected with awe; they felt that God was there; they were struck with astonishment at what Jesus had done.”

Henry

“The sight of this made them afraid; it astonished them, and forced them to own the power of Christ, and that he is worthy to be feared.”

Many people today are under the power of darkness, it is revealed in many different ways. Sometimes it is in addiction or in immoral behavior. There are many ways darkness shows its ugly head; it could be in anger, depression, or fear. regardless of what you may be dealing with God’s power is far greater, its not even close. Draw near to the Lord in prayer and worship, honor the name of Jesus. His presence will fill the room and darkness will begin to flee in terror.