Unclean Spirits:

Context:

• Jesus cast out a demon.
• The authority and power of Jesus were on display.
• The authority and power of the Pharisees didn’t compare.
• The Pharisees accused Jesus of operating demonically.

Matthew 12:28-30 “...But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters...”

Mark 3:27 “...But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house...”

Luke 11:20-23 “...But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters...”

What was Jesus able to do that the Pharisees misunderstood?

• Exercise authority over the demonic world.

How was He able to do what He did?

• He brought the Kingdom of God to bear on the situation.
• The demonic world has no authority in the presence of God.
• The demonic world is overthrown by the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 12:43-45 “...When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation...”

Luke 11:24-26 “...When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first...”

What do these passages tell us about unclean spirits?

• They can occupy a person.
• They can be ordered out of a person.
• They are restless when roaming.
• They can return to occupy a person, with additional spirits.

How would you describe an unclean spirit?

• A disruptive, negative power that resists and perverts the intentions of God.
• A force that holds people captive, holds people back, and prevents them living healthy and whole as God intended.

Does our culture believe in the unclean spirits that Jesus mastered?

What is the problem with failure to believe in unclean spirits?

• You can’t defeat something if you disavow its existence.
• “...the last state of that person is worse than the first...”
• Troubles increase when the real problem isn’t addressed.

How can you keep unclean spirits out of your life?

• Having the house empty, swept and put in order is apparently not enough.
• Jesus needs to reside in the house.

1 John 2:24 “...Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father...”

It’s pretty important to have Jesus around.