PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 12:43-45
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person…” (Matthew 12:43).
I am not 100% sure what Jesus is talking about, but here is one possible application.
When I break free from a bad attitude or behaviour, for a time things are better.
If I can somehow overcome a negative spirit, I will enjoy the freedom for a while.
But it is only a matter of time before it comes back stronger, and my situation is worse.
Our sin problem is not something that we can sweep clean or put in order ourselves.
We need someone to help us bind the strong man, and to help is break free (12:29).
The religious leaders were refusing to admit their need for help.
Their hearts and minds were closed to the good Spirit (12:31-32).
This made them vulnerable to impure spirits, who would overpower their resistance.
We are living in a world filled with impure spirits, and we have them in us too.
Self-help and new year’s resolutions cannot set us free from our ‘demons’.
We need someone stronger, someone led by the Spirit of God and not the spirit of Satan.
We need his gracious love, and his gracious help, to make our final condition better.
Am I trusting Jesus or my own efforts to sweep my life clean and put it in order?
PRAYER
Lord, I can relate to negative spirits coming back to me with increased strength. Thank you for being stronger, and talking me down when these spirits agitate and trouble me. I need your help!
If I don’t have Jesus, I’m vulnerable – temptations can lead me different ways. I need a moral compass but if I’m self driven I may still go places I shouldn’t and allow ideas, media and other external influences divert me. And if I am too open to that I am very vulnerable. Jesus working through the HS guides me and does not leave me vulnerable. I get the warning and sometimes I falter – I steer into a direction or dabble in some thoughts or visits sites on the internet or watch movies that mess me up. I am brought to confess that and admit that I need my compass. HS continue to work in me as I am vulnerable!
When we get rid of wrongs we need to replace them by rights. The religious leaders had replaced God’s ways with their own ways/laws. God’s Spirit needs to dwell within us to lead and guide me in the way I need to travel. Jesus is the answer and I need His presence to live for Him.
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]
3 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]
4 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]