Scripture: “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.” Matthew 12:43-45 ESV
Observation: Having called out the Pharisees for their scheming to incriminate him as a blasphemer under the guise of asking for a sign, Jesus further develops his assessment of this unrepentant generation’s perilous condition through a parabolic revelation. His stark illustration reveals four behaviors of the evil spirits that seek habitation in the unseen elements of God’s creation:
- They seek to occupy our human personalities but fail to maintain longevity under Christ’s reign (v.43).
- When ousted, they wander the ethereal aspects of our world but find no rest (v.43).
- Undeterred, they persist in regaining control of our wills by observing where we have left a void in the development of our spiritual character (v.44).
- And they shrewdly gather more evil spirits to establish a stronghold over our minds and wills (v.45).
Of note, the original Greek translated correctly above as “my house” (v.44) states the evil spirit “owned” the man. For in ancient Israel, to be demon-possessed implied losing all control of one’s self. Indeed, Matthew provided an earlier example of two demon-possessed men so fierce that no one could pass safely by them. Still, the evil spirits that owned the men feared the Messiah. And when they realized Jesus would exorcise them from the two men, they begged Jesus to send them into other living organisms: pigs (8:28-32).
Takeaway: Paralleled in Luke’s Gospel (11:24-26), Luke first shows Jesus’ authority to bind Satan, while Matthew builds on how Jesus is superior to Israel’s prophets and kings. Thus, for Matthew and Luke, this passage implicitly carries Messianic undertones of who’s Lord of your life. Those rescued from demonic possession or oppression must decide whom they will follow because there’s no such thing as neutrality.
So how does this story apply to all of us? Whether or not demon-possessed, Satan seeks to sift us (Luke 22:31), separating us from Christ and weighing us down with unresolved sins. The answer? Wholeheartedly commit to Christ. Easier said than done? Yes, our sin-marred minds inhibit our ability to move beyond neutrality and choose Christ. But the Father and Son understand our helpless state. In addition to the salvific work of the Cross, they sent us the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ to our minds and hearts, expose our sin-controlled lives, and woo us into a relationship with them. Still, even after we believe, repent, and receive forgiveness, the issue of a swept house remains. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit does more than reveal and woo; he, along with Christ, indwells us and fills the void. Click here to read our February 7 Daily Focus and learn more about this.
Our text also speaks to those struggling with addictive and obsessive-compulsive personalities, which, to a certain degree, includes all of us because sin is addictive. In practical terms, we need to fill the void of those times and spaces where we act out with more of Christ through:
- Study and reflection of Scripture
- Transparent prayer
- Fellowship with the community of believers (where we gain support, encouragement, and accountability)
- Worship
- Creativity
- Acts of service
- Scripture recall
Lastly, we need to appropriate Christ’s grace, which is always sufficient, particularly when we relapse. (To read more about transforming the addictive personality, click here.)
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son who filled the void of our helpless state as serial sinners by living a sinless life on our behalf. And we thank you and your Son for sending us your Holy Spirit, who rescues us from the power of sin to walk by grace through faith in your Son’s finished work of atonement. So would you please help us follow your Holy Spirit’s lead in filling the void with more of your Son? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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