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Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.

Luke 11:26

One very important thing to understand about the powers of darkness is that they are on a smear campaign. In other words, the devil and his followers are not content to simply lead people to be godless. Their goal is to instill in them the spirit of anti-christ.

This is a key New Testament concept. Though the ‘Anti-Christ’ proper cannot yet take power, the spirit of anti-christ is already present and at work in this world. The evil one was not pleased when he was unable to get Jesus to worship him. He doesn’t just want to take away God’s deserved worship. He wants to discredit God

Heavenly Father, You are good, and that means You define what good is. You alone can bring good into our lives. You are the author of all that is delightful, all that brings joy to our hearts. Thank You for Your Word! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order.

Luke 11:25

Religiosity can get a lot of things out of a person’s life. But, it won’t keep the minions of the evil one from taking up residence again.

Unfortunately there are hosts of people all over the world who assume they are very spiritual. They think they are close to God. They may not be guilty of the ‘really bad’ sins, but they are devoid of any life. Christ alone can fill us to overflowing.

Heavenly Father, thank You for You mercy! You are gracious, kind, loving, and faithful. But, Your holiness is the main thing. I praise You for Your great holiness. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’

Luke 11:24

We are not told much about demons in Scripture. But, this passage does give us a glimpse into their nature. They are restless wanderers. Without some mischief to cause, they are unhappy.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and care for us. We look forward to that day when the Lord Jesus shall return. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.

Luke 11:23

We tend to overlook statements like this. But, if you will really look at what Jesus is saying here, you will understand something important. Though the powers of darkness have an influence in this world, Jesus has the full authority and power to frustrate their purposes.

Right now, the Holy Spirit of God, and the church that He empowers, stands in the way of the devil at every turn. The program and purpose of evil is held at bay. This will change when the church is taken out of the world. But, then the power of God against evil will be manifested in a very different, and obvious, way.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of Christ! It is a comfort to us to know You and to trust in You. You are worthy of all honor and glory. Jesus has all power in heaven and earth. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons, he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.

Luke 11:22

The strong man may protect his house very well. But, when faced with a stronger adversary, even he will be conquered. Thus it is with Satan. Jesus is able to overpower him and taken his weapons away.

It is interesting how Jesus details this illustration. It shows that the old devil thinks he can trust in the means by which he has power. But, he finds out that Jesus is well able to take these things from Satan’s hands.

Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering us from the power of darkness, and for bringing us into the kingdom of Your Son. You are good and holy beyond all imagination. I will praise You for ever for Your faithfulness and truth. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure.

Luke 11:22

Jesus is here illustrating the position of the powers of the air in this word. They are strong by the world’s standards, and hold their territory with strength.

The devil has possession of this world for the time being. However, as we see in the following verses, Jesus has power over the devil and all the rest.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your true love and great grace. You are so holy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 11:20

Jesus was preparing to teach His hearers some things about demons. But before that, He makes a very important statement. He was not just a prophet. He was not just one of the many messengers that God had sent. He did these mighty works by the ‘finger of God’.

What is the significance of that? It is with the finger of God that the Old Testament law was written on the tablets of stone. The finger is on the hand, and the arm, of God. These appendages are mentioned repeatedly in the Old Testament in connection with the mighty acts of God.

In other words, Jesus is saying that He does what He does with the full authority and power of the Godhead. He follows this up by saying that the kingdom of God had come to them. Jesus is referring to Himself here as well. As the Messiah, He is the King of the kingdom.

Fortunately, many of the students of scripture in that day were quite dense. If they had understood Jesus well at this time, they would have tried to kill him sooner. Indeed, we must remember that the cross wasn’t the first attempt upon Christ’s life. It was just the first one He allowed to succeed.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Messiah! Jesus is perfect! I praise You for Your infinite wisdom. You are so awesome! Father, Your will and way are beyond description. Yet You have given us a peek into them. I will forever thank You. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges.

Luke 11:19

Jesus is using the classic ‘you can’t have your cake and eat it too’ argument. There were those among the Jews who practiced exorcism. Jesus doesn’t comment here on their relative success, or legitimacy. But, He does call his critics on the carpet for their hypocrisy.

The fact was that Jesus was being attacked because the leadership of the Jewish nation could not ignore the many things He was doing. He was different. There were many in that time who pretended to be the Messiah. But, Jesus was unique. His works had to be repudiated, or accepted.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Messiah! Jesus is perfect! We will live to proclaim Him to the ends of the earth. Thank You for bringing us to see our need and turn to Christ. You are worthy of all honor and praise forever! Every day gives me a new opportunity to glorify Your Holy Name. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

Luke 11:18

Jesus is not here telling us that excorcism is always proof that someone is on the right side of things. There have surely been some fakes and phonies down through history.

But, Jesus had cast out so many demons with such authority that their had to be some explanation. Either he was in league with the devil, or He was God Himself. Using simple logic Jesus here refutes the idea that the devil would allow this.

Satan is the author of confusion. Jesus had a clear message, and His authority was clear. He cast out demons as a spoiler of the powers of darkness. He alone has the authority and ability to do so.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Christ! I will praise You forever. You are wise and strong and good. You have by Your authority made all things in Your will. I will live to love Your ways. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Knowing their thoughts, he told them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.’

Luke 11:17

Don’t ever miss the significance of the first few words of this verse. So-called mind reading is a cheap trick. But, this was the real deal.

Indeed, on several occasions in the gospels we are specifically told that Jesus knew what people were thinking. Now Jesus is very intelligent, and could surely figure out what people were likely to be thinking. But He can do more than that, He CAN read minds.

Two observations are helpful here. First, this is one of the many evidences of the Divinity of Christ. And, second, it is something that I am convinced the devil can never do. Oh the old worm can figure a lot of things out. He has been guessing for a long time. But only God knows exactly what you are thinking.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love! If anyone could read anyone else’s thoughts we would all condemn each other. But You know it all and yet allow us to be redeemed. So it seemed good in Your sight. We are eternally thankful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.