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Post by Elizabeth on Jul 11, 2015 8:09:13 GMT -8
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of the man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."
Matthew 12:43-45
Prior to this statement Yeshua told some of the scribes and Pharisees that, "an evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign...." after they asked him to show them a sign.
I am just curious how other people apply this verse to themselves and am trying to pull my thoughts together.
Every time my family overcomes some evil and finds ourselves in a good place, I think of this verse and wonder how best to protect ourselves. It also reminds me of Saul and his mess. I think the key is that when the evil spirit returns, it finds the house empty. We need to be full of G-d's spirit.
Do you think this is referring to people who try to overcome evil without having the strength of the Holy Spirit? It also talks about the spirit "going out of a man" and returning sounding like it may be coming and going of its own will. Do you think this verse is referring to something different than when evil is cast out from the spirit if G-d? Is this just talking about people who have no spiritual protection or offense against evil? I always used to read it like the spirit was cast out, but now, I don't think so.
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Post by alon on Jul 11, 2015 11:24:41 GMT -8
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of the man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation." Matthew 12:43-45 ... Every time my family overcomes some evil and finds ourselves in a good place, I think of this verse and wonder how best to protect ourselves. It also reminds me of Saul and his mess. I think the key is that when the evil spirit returns, it finds the house empty. We need to be full of G-d's spirit. Do you think this is referring to people who try to overcome evil without having the strength of the Holy Spirit? It also talks about the spirit "going out of a man" and returning sounding like it may be coming and going of its own will. Do you think this verse is referring to something different than when evil is cast out from the spirit if G-d? Is this just talking about people who have no spiritual protection or offense against evil? I always used to read it like the spirit was cast out, but now, I don't think so.
People try to clean up their lives all the time. They quit smoking, drinking, drugs, or beating their wife. They remove their demons, but they are not rid of them. The demon is still there, often made more effective by chemical dependencies or imbalances and pent up lusts and emotions to go back the way they were, and the temptation to fall back is often too great. And when they do fall back they are most often in a worse state than when they quit. These are strong examples we've probably all seen. But in any area of our lives this can occur.
You are correct, the best and most important defense is to keep ourselves filled with the things of God. But it is important to avoid areas where we are tempted. Obviously an alcoholic should avoid bars and lounges. But it may be as subtle as someone addicted to pornography or philandering avoiding women in the office or even in church who tempt him. And remember, it all starts with thoughts, dwelling on something until later the pressure to act becomes too great. A kleptomaniac may not be able to avoid opportunities as much, however making yourself accountable to a good and Godly friend can help. But first and last, fill yourself with the things of God so your house is not empty, and you can refuse the enemies attempts to weasel his way back in.
Dan C |
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Post by Elizabeth on Jul 12, 2015 4:53:18 GMT -8
I have in my mind people who are just plain unaware of evil and its influence. I don't know much on this topic and hope people will clarify any misunderstanding, but it seems to me there are many people who are clueless about where the evil comes from and how it us effecting them. If you want nothing to do with G-d, how much can they get away with?
Maybe they are not foaming at the mouth and raving mad, but several times I have had the experience of having perfectly fine conversations with people in my family and the second you bring up G-d or anything holy, it's like a switch flips and all of the sudden there is hostility and they cant have that conversation. We can talk about anything else, but the second G-d enters the conversation(and I am not talking about trying to convince them of anything or preach, just a reference to G-d), and a wall goes up. They don't even see it so they dont recognize where it comes from. They dont know why they get so angry. They dont even think about how strange the shift in tone and mood.
I don't know, I just wonder how much say-so and free-for-all evil has for these people walking around clueless and seemingly defenseless.
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- there are 70 faces to 
