April 25, 2013 (1 Samuel 30-31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order.” Matthew 12:44 NLT
Observation: The religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of satan. They considered themselves to be the God sent holy ones of their day. Jesus directed at them an illustration of what happens when an evil spirit is cast out of a person but that person doesn’t fill their house with godly things. The evil spirit comes back and discovers the house empty. Since the house has been cleaned, but not filled, the evil spirit discovers there’s room for him and others to move back in. So the evil spirit goes out and finds seven other spirits more evil than himself and they all move in! So the person ends up worse off than before. This was the case with the Pharisees, they had been cleansed on the outside, but inside they were occupied by multiple evil spirits.
Application: It’s not enough just to be cleansed, we must also be filled. Just cleaning up one’s life without filling it with God leaves plenty of room for satan and his friends to return. Many people try to rid themselves of the things they know God doesn’t approve of, but they fail to ever fill themselves with the things He does approve of. To tear down and destroy the idols in our lives is a good thing. To rid ourselves of sinfulness that displeases God is wonderful. To come to an altar of repentance is great and is the first step, but it’s not the only step. We must also fill ourselves with the things of God. We must seek Him and be filled with His Spirit. We must submit to Him and become obedient to His will completely. In doing so we will not only be cleansed and in order, but our spiritual house will be filled with the things of God leaving no room for satan to enter with any of his friends!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your Spirit that fills me. Father help me not only clean my house, but help me also fill it with the good things of Your kingdom. Keep my house so full of You that there’s no room for satan or his friends! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day, I especially need Your guidence today, in Jesus name, Amen!