Quest 26
Setting:
Jesus had cast a demon out of a man who was blind and mute, healing him in the process. Some in the crowd accused him of using Satan’s power to do this. Others wanted to see more, testing him to see if he was from God. In response, Jesus reminds them that they had exorcists. Whose power did they use? He also pointed out that that it would make no sense for Satan to help him. Then he concluded with this parable (Matthew 12:43-45) -
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
THE DANGER OF THE EMPTY HEART
1. SATAN CAN BE EXPELLED, BUT YOU CANNOT CONQUER HIM.
First, there is no reference in the parable to exorcism.
Some do not believe in Satan. Jesus did. Example (Luke 22:31-32) - “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Victory over evil comes from a place other than ourselves (1 John 4:4) - Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
2. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REMAIN NEUTRAL.
And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there…
Some think they are Switzerland in the battle between God and evil.
Jesus spoke of having a master, but he did not say there was an option of having no master (Matthew 6:24) - “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
3. REPENTANCE WITHOUT HOLINESS IS WORSE THAN NO REPENTANCE AT ALL.
…the last state of that person is worse than the first.
It is like the person who gets “religion,” but “religion” does not get them.
When God rains down the blessings of salvation on someone, and they do not pursue a holy life, there is a warning (Hebrews 6:7-8) - For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Holiness means belonging to or dedicated to God. How important is our holiness? Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Example: Greek mythology of King Midas: everything he touched turned to gold – the Midas touch. Every person who stays in touch with Jesus turns holy (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) -Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
4. YOUR HEART NEEDS TO BE OCCUPIED BY SOMEONE STRONGER.
Romans 8:11 says, “… the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,” and so we know where the power comes from (2 Corinthians 4:7) - But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Pursue holiness because you have the power of God (Romans 8:13) - For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:31- If God is for us, who can be against us?
