Please Don't Call Me Legion

In January, 1983 my husband, Jay, took me to see Dr. Black, an older Christian psychiatrist, to determine if I’d been demon-possessed during my first psychotic episode at the end of December. Jay was concerned because of the similarities of some of my symptoms with the Biblical account of the madman of the Gerasenes. I will quote one account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man from “The Message,” a modern translation of the Bible that uses contemporary idioms and language to make it fresh and more understandable.

The Madman and the Pigs

"They sailed on to the country of the Gerasenes, directly opposite Galilee. As he stepped out onto land, a madman from town met him; he was a victim of demons. He hadn’t worn clothes for a long time, nor lived at home; he lived in the cemetery. When he saw Jesus he screamed, fell before him, and howled, “What business do you have messing with me? You’re Jesus, Son of the High God, but don’t give me a hard time!” (The man said this because Jesus had started to order the unclean spirit out of him.) Time after time the demon threw the man into convulsions. He had been placed under constant guard and tied with chains and shackles, but crazed and driven wild by the demon, he would shatter the bonds.

Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?'

'Mob [Legion in most translations.]. My name is Mob,' he said, because many demons afflicted him. And they begged Jesus desperately not to order them to the bottomless pit.

A large herd of pigs was grazing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged Jesus to order them into the pigs. He gave the order. It was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the lake and drowned.

Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had been sent, sitting there at Jesus’ feet, wearing decent clothes and making sense. It was a holy moment, and for a short time they were more reverent than curious. Then those who had seen it happen told how the demoniac had been saved." Luke 8:26-36 (MSG)

Dr. Black was well acquainted with this story which is also recorded in Matthew 8:28-34 and Mark 5:1-15. He talked with us for a while and then said he didn’t think I had been demon-possessed. He’d participated in exorcisms of demons and I didn’t have those manifestations. Since I had been out of control and had thought the shower head was telling me to do something, I was terrified that I might become a “Son of Sam [David Berkowitz].” He asked if I had murderous thoughts when my thinking was clear. I said “No,” so he said I could never be a “Son of Sam” [David]. Jay wasn’t convinced about the demon-possession, and I was only partly relieved about the”Son of Sam” explanation.

Dr. Black told me the best thing I could do to protect myself from demons would be to memorize the scripture about putting on the “Whole Armor of God'' and to quote it every morning when I first got out of bed. This was to serve both as instruction and an encouragement to me, as well as a warning to the principalities and evil spirits that might try to influence me that day. I didn’t do that, but I know my life would have been dramatically different if I had. The part about quenching the fiery darts of the devil by my strong faith in God reinforced the idea in my mind that demons had somehow been responsible for this psychosis, and if I had more faith maybe there would have been no more psychotic episodes!

The Whole Armor of God

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:10-17 (NLT)

Until recently, I searched for answers to the question about whether I might be or have been demon-possessed. When the sermon or Sunday School lesson at my church was about Legion, I would often get up and leave. And if I knew the topic ahead of time, I just wouldn’t attend.

I almost overcame that reaction a few years ago when a rather large young man in the throes of a manic psychotic episode started screaming and running down to the altar during the middle of a church service. It took several strong men to take him outside to the lobby. As I sat there I felt the Holy Spirit was telling me to go outside the sanctuary and pray for him. Finally I listened. Several people were laying hands on him and praying. He was lying down on a bench. I touched his shoulder and prayed and soon thereafter they were able to get him up and take him outside the building.

I sat there weeping. I knew what it felt like to be in his shoes. When I went back into the sanctuary I saw on the tv screen right in front of me the scripture about Legion. My first thought was “What if that guy were demon-possessed and the demon(s) had gone out of him and landed inside MY body just like they did in the pigs?” Immediately I knew that wasn’t true, and I’ve not had so many problems with that Scripture being taught since.

Later that day I went to a cafeteria across town. One of the men, who was praying for the deranged man, saw me and came over to thank me for praying for him. I stupidly said, “I understand. I’ve gone running naked in the streets before.” He didn’t have much to say after that!

After my 2018 severe manic episode with psychosis, fear of demon-possession raised its ugly head again. I’ve studied many Christian writers, including Dr. Billy Graham, all who say that a Christian can’t be completely taken over and controlled by demons. We have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. But all Christians can be oppressed, tempted, deceived, harassed, or influenced by demons. When I’m suffering from fear, paranoia, intimidation, pride, depression, rejection or other negative feelings and emotions, I know a fiery dart got through a pinhole in my shield of faith. A friend once told me I should carry a roll of duct tape!