“When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse off than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place. “That’s what this generation is like: You may think you have cleaned out the junk from your lives and gotten ready for God, but you weren’t hospitable to my kingdom message, and now all the devils are moving back in.”
Matthew 12:43-45 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/mat.12.43-45.MSG
Are you vacant? “What do you mean am I vacant,” Jordan? The bible says that our body is a temple, which means that it is a structure that has to be, and will be occupied by something. It is God’s desire that we CHOOSE him, which allows the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and fill us with the knowledge, love, and power of God. However, when we don’t choose God, our temple (body, heart, mind) doesn’t remain empty, instead it becomes susceptible to invasion by evil spirits (satan). This passage is special because it uses an example of someone who has been healed/delivered from a demon/evil spirit, has been cleaned/healed of impurities, but hasn’t been filled with the Holy Spirit. I’d like to point out that it’s not a package deal; just because you have been healed/delivered, it doesn’t mean that you automatically become saved or filled with the Holy Spirit. The gospels are filled with miracles and healings performed by Jesus, where he heals their ailments but he doesn’t give them the Holy Spirit. He gives them commands after healing them: go and sin no more, show yourself to the priest, pick up your mat and go, etc but no Holy Spirit. Jesus forgives and removes the sin, but the decision to live holy is still theirs to make. This parable illustrates an individual that has been delivered of an evil spirit, but has not chosen an occupant for their heart. When you don’t make a choice, you make a choice. Not accepting or choosing God, is a default choice for satan, because our hearts/minds will be filled/occupied with something, either holy or sinful. When Jesus shows up the devil has to flee, because they can’t occupy the same space. This person in the parable received a miracle, but didn’t invite the Holy Spirit to enter them and stay, so they received the healing, but didn’t receive salvation:
salvation: liberation from illusion or ignorance
a: preservation from destruction or failure
b: deliverance from danger or difficulty
merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salvation
Without the Holy Spirit, there is no protection from satan. We are unable to withstand the tricks or tactics of the devil, and overcome his attacks by our own strength. When Jesus frees us from sin, the evil spirit that was afflicting us leaves, but always with the intention of returning to a familiar place (us, the host). It is our responsibility to welcome in the Holy Spirit into our lives, and after accepting him, continue to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can thrive and change/perfect us to live the life that Christ has made available for each of us that follow him. It’s important to develop a real relationship with Christ through study of the word, a real and consistent prayer life, and community with other believers. When you combine those things, it creates an environment where the Holy Spirit can take residence in you and resist the temptations/attacks of the devil much like Jesus was able to in the wilderness in Matthew 4. Healing or deliverance doesnt mean that the devil won’t return to attack, but rather gives us an opportunity have victory which is found in fellowship with Christ.
Reflection Time
Are you vacant? Have you accepted the Holy Spirit, and if so, are you creating an environment where the Holy Spirit can thrive? Take a moment to assess you’re current state and make a choice to accept Christ.
