Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

Why is it that so many believe in demon possession but refuse to believe in being possessed of God? Why is it easier to believe in being possessed of evil than to be possessed of love? People have no problem saying “The devil made me do it.” They choke at the idea of “God did it.”

Jeremiah 22:21-22 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

I am neither ashamed nor confused. I am forgiven. Is that it, are we all sinners where the differences in state of mind exist solely because of forgiveness? I understand the power of forgiveness on a personal level but I might have overlooked its power when I did not have it.

What if all of us were possessed by shame and confusion? We who have found forgiveness have been set free from this byproduct of sin. I do know sin has consequences and in my former state I remember saying “Why is this happening to me?” I was confused as to the cause, sin.

Perhaps we do not preach the power of forgiveness often enough or with enough clarity to overcome their confusion. We make it clear that the ultimate consequences of sin is death but fail to make it clear about the benefits of forgiveness that removes shame and confusion.

Perhaps that is because it is only a temporary state of mind.