LUKE 11:24–30
“When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order”
(Luke 11:25).
Jesus told a parable to the Jews who accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. He said that when an evil spirit comes out of a man, it wanders in dry places seeking rest. When the demon can find no place of rest, it returns to the “house”—the person—it had left. Finding the house swept clean and put in order, the demon goes and takes seven other spirits, more wicked than itself, and they enter and live there. Jesus concluded by saying that the last estate of that man is worse than the first (Luke 11:24–26).
What is the point of this message? Jesus is saying there is more to redemption than the negative aspect of it. Fallen man is under the influence and dominion of Satan; Jesus had just healed a man of that demonic influence. But was that act enough to redeem that man? No, because to get into the kingdom of God it is not enough to get rid of the influence of Satan, or to be delivered from a besetting sin for a moment. It is not enough to stop a pattern of behavior. We must go on and replace the old pattern with a new one. Just so, men must receive Christ in order to come into the kingdom.
If a man is delivered from a demon, a hangup, a bad habit, a bad job, a life-threatening sickness, or anything else—he may think that is all he needs. He thinks he can go on in his own strength and live his own life. There is, however, a vacuum in his heart. The evil is gone, but nothing good has come to replace it.
Jesus makes it clear this condition will not continue. If the man does not accept Christ, enter the kingdom, and become a dwelling for the Holy Spirit, the demon will return. Old bad habits will be replaced by new ones. In fact, says Jesus, trouble will come back upon him sevenfold, and his later condition will be far worse than his former.
CORAM DEO
Job 34–35
Acts 13:26–52
WEEKEND
Job 36–39
Acts 14
The sense of urgency Jesus communicated in this passage is the motivation for continued substantive Christian education. Without continual growth, the same “empty house syndrome” can happen to us. Ligonier Ministries is devoted to cultivating the new character and traits which typify a house indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
For further study: 2 Corinthians 3:1–18; tape #B57INT.52/53
WEEKEND