Leave no Place Empty

Jesus shared the parable of the return of the unclean spirit. He shared that when an unclean spirit is driven out of a person, it passes through waterless places trying to find rest, but does not find it. So the unclean spirit decided to return to the place where it came from. When it returned, it found 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 12:45).

Jesus addressed this parable to a crowd of Jews, which included the Pharisees who accused him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus responded to them saying, that any kingdom divided against itself could not stand. “And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand” (Matthew 12:26)? Jesus seemed to share the parable regarding the return of the unclean spirits in response to the reception from the crowd. Jesus was despondent that in his own city of Jerusalem, so many signs and wonders had been performed, yet the people did not believe and receive God.

The consideration would have been for the state of that city which had rejected the message of salvation. Earlier in Matthew 11, Jesus denounced cities where the most mighty works had been done who did not repent. The lack of repentance and acceptance of the Holy Spirit would leave those cities empty and allow for evil spirits to return. This would cause those cities to be worst off than before when the evil spirit returned with seven other spirits more evil than itself.

We have to maintain a relationship with God and remain full of the Holy Spirit. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God abides in us. Our lives within the cities and communities where we live, should create a free flow of the presence of God. We pray for our cities and places of employment in order that the kingdom of God can be established.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‬).

A.P.-Y.