Jesus is Essential
Luke 11:24–26: “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
You must do more than get rid of the bad. The demon cast out does not remain inactive. It may return to its natural haunt, the arid desert land, but it will not stay there long. It likes the dwelling it had far more than the desert, so it goes back “home.” Without the demon occupying it, the house looks clean, neat, and inviting. The demon goes off seeking company. Seven more demons join him in settling down in the house he first left.
The house they settle in is, of course, the man from whom the demon was originally cast out. That man finds his condition worse than ever. Why? Because he was content to have a nice, orderly life without demons. He should have listened to Christ’s words, filled his life with the practice of those words, and had a future to look forward to with Christ. Life must be lived in the kingdom of God with Jesus, or it is lived as a servant to the evil strong man. Take your choice. 1
Walking with Jesus
Your redeemed body is now a temple for the Lord. The Lord does not want to “time-share” His property with worldliness. Ask the Father to fill you with the Holy Spirit…now!
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20
If He does not occupy you completely, then another influence will rule you.
Praying
Lord, awaken me to the reality of yielding to You and Your Word, in all matters.
1. Butler, T. C. (2000). Luke (Vol. 3). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
