Scripture

“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.”

Observation

Some teachers of the law and some Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus to prove that he is the Messiah. Jesus replies that only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a sign. The only sign that Jesus will give them is the sign of Jonah for He will lie in the earth for three days and nights.

All kinds of people will stand in judgement against this generation. Someone greater than Jonah or Solomon is here, but they refuse to listen.

When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest. It then returns to its former host where it finds its home swept clean and empty. So it invites seven more evil spirits to live there. That person is then worse off than before.

Application

The details of demon expulsion seem to be a bit vague for most of us. Jesus here says that the expelled demon goes into the desert or wilderness, but cannot find a comfortable dwelling place. It may then return to the person it was cast out of.

Of course this is somewhat pictorial language. Demons don’t go off to live in the literal desert. Jesus is emphasising that people can be subjected to further torment if all you do is cast out a demon.

Something needs to fill the vacuum lift by the evil spirit, namely the Holy Spirit. A person who just has an experience of God’s power without being “possessed”or transformed by God becomes worse off than before.

Everyone who practices deliverance ministry must also preach the gospel and encourage people to leave satan’s kingdom and enter God’s Kingdom for good.

Prayer

Lord, you are greater than any created thing. Help me to trust you for victory over every evil spirit. Amen.