Jesus the Liberator Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Liberator Keywords: “authority” “control” “freedom” Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Read the following Bible passage, then answer the short questions. Consider the practical suggestions at the end of the study. Passage: Mark 1:23-27* 23. And just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24. saying, "What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One of God!" 25. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 26. And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him. 27. And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." Questions 1. What did the demon recognize about Jesus?   2. Why did the demon have to obey Jesus?   3. What did the people who witnessed this event recognize about Jesus?   Practical help There was no question in the mind of the demon who Jesus was. At least in the spirit realm there was no mistaking the Holy One of God! We humans are a little slower to make the connection, unfortunately. Even though the bystanders at this event didn’t fully realize who Jesus was, at least they realized He had power over unclean spirits. This was something new for them to see. Jesus had just liberated a man tormented and controlled by demons! It’s really just a matter of authority. Because of His identity and position, even Jesus’ enemies have no choice but to obey His every word. In our own struggles with sin and the flesh — specifically porn struggles — there is none more powerful and able to come to our aid than Jesus. And He has chosen to be gracious to us! If He can command the demons and liberate those held by them, He can set the porn struggler free also. The truth is that for all who are in Christ, we have already been set free and we need only to walk in that freedom. (See Romans 6:1-14) With confidence in your Liberator, stand strong today in your freedom. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1998, 2003 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission." ---