CULTWATCH Devotional

43 When an evil spirit[1] comes out of a man, it goes through arid places[2] seeking rest and does not find it
44 Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.” When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
45 Then it goes and takes with it seven[3] other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live[4] there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked[5] generation.

THE STORY ITSELF

This brief parable recorded by Luke (11:24-26) as well as by Matthew, was a warning to Israel. “This generation” had the opportunity and privilege of accepting the promised Messiah. In this story Jesus made a comment on the spiritual condition of his generation, rather than giving a sermon about demons. He compared his “wicked generation” to a man who was freed from the influence of “an evil spirit” or demon. The man is called his “house”, because the spirit had lived in him. For an unknown reason, the evil tenant left his “house” and the man’s life improved noticeably. But having been set free from the power of evil, he failed to replace the evil with good and with the power of God.

Evil is persistent and, in this case, there was no protection against its return. As a result, even more destructive forces possessed him for the same evil spirit eventually returned with seven additional wicked spirits. The number seven symbolizes a greater level of evil with less hope of recovery. Now inhabited by eight spirits, he was in a worse position. Jesus clearly believed in the existence of Satan and demons. Demons are an army of spiritual powers led by Satan who oppose Jesus Christ. Paul taught that the Church is at war with demonic powers (Ephesians 6:12).

AN APPLICATION TO ISRAEL

The main application of the parable was to the nation of Israel, especially its religious leaders. Israel had a long history of idolatry or spiritual adultery. The relationship between God and Israel was described by the Old Testament prophets as that of a husband to his wife. Hence Jesus described Israel as a “wicked and adulterous generation” (verse 39). “Adulterous” or “disloyal” (Moffatt) or “godless” (TEV) implied Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

Jesus warned that unless Israel and its leaders gave whole-hearted obedience to God, they would end up further from God than before. Israel’s earlier exile in Babylon had helped to remove the evil spirit of idolatry, but a genuine faith in God did not fill the vacuum. The demon returned with the Pharisees worship of the letter of the Law, and the other demons of spiritual pride, formalism, hypocrisy, covetousness, and self-righteousness entered Israel’s religious life. The ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ helped to cleanse the Jewish nation, but their unbelief towards Jesus the Messiah again resulted in a worse spiritual state. When a nation rejects Jesus Christ, the spiritual vacuum will be filled by satanic deception.

THE DANGER OF NEUTRALITY

The truth of God should not be trifled with. If a person is casual with the truth, that person’s last condition may be worse than his former condition. There can be no neutrality when God reveals his truth to us and commitment to Jesus Christ is essential. Jesus said, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30) A person is either on one side or the other. We either accept Christ or we reject him; we go forwards or we go backwards, with eternal consequences. There is the danger of those who are stirred by God’s Spirit but never come to faith in Christ, and are not changed by the new birth. The parable is a warning against partial conversion to Christ for there will be an empty space that the devil can exploit.

WE NEED A SUPERNATURAL CONVERSION TO CHRIST

A morally upright, religious Pharisee like Nicodemus needed the new birth (John 3:1-8). We should never accept religious reformation instead of heart conversion. The words “swept clean and put in order” refer to physical and moral improvement. However, morality or self-improvement or religion, is not enough as any attempt at reforming oneself, without the power of God, is futile. If human nature were the only factor involved, some people might by self-discipline achieve a formal righteousness.

But dark and evil forces are involved with human nature, and we need the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:12). There is the danger of an empty house and the possibility of the return of evil. Notice the hatred that Satan has for people. Satan will always counterattack. He is a cunning and formidable enemy. In the parable the Holy Spirit had not been made a guest in place of the “evil spirit” and the single demon brought his companions to enjoy a new work of destruction. The house or personality must not only be cleaned, it needs a new tenant. The alternatives are either the Holy Spirit or an evil spirit.

The parable also illustrates the position of a sinner who repents but makes no effort at practical holiness. A person is not safe until God takes over the house of his life. The empty space or moral vacuum in a person’s life must be filled with prayer, good works, and the love of God. Returning to a past bondage or addiction from which a person was formerly released results in a deeper bondage. Note there are degrees of evil: “more wicked than himself.” Verse 45 is a picture of moral failure or backsliding: “The final condition of that man is worse than the first.” Like nature, the spiritual realm dislikes a vacuum.

The apostle Peter in denouncing false teachers says, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20). Commentators argue whether these people were once saved and then lost their salvation, or whether they were merely professing believers.

THE NATURE OF EVIL SPIRITS

CONCLUSION

“We ought not to be ignorant of Satan. Christ speaks of Satan as a ‘strong, armed man’. He knows exactly how every rank, class, age, nation and people can be assailed [attacked] with most advantage. Let us no more jest about the devil than about the executioner at the gallows.

Thank God that Christ is stronger than Satan. Jesus overcame him on the cross, plucks his captives from his hands and breaks the chains with which he binds them. Are you delivered?”[6]

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for the freedom Jesus offers. Help me to persevere in my journey of faith, to grow spiritually, and to become more Christ like.

[1] Greek “unclean spirit.”

[2] The desert was thought to be a natural haunt of demons. Jesus confronted Satan in the desert.

[3] Seven is the number of perfection. In this story it represents every form of evil.

[4] The Greek word means, “settle down or live permanently.”

[5] The Greek word means, “evil in a moral or spiritual sense, worthless, vicious, degenerate, harmful, malicious, corrupt.”

[6] Daily Readings From J. C. Ryle, compiled by Robert Sheehan, page 100, Evangelical Press, 1982