Matthew 12:43-45 (NIV) “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Devotion
Matthew 12:43-45 warns us of the peril of spiritual vacancy, where an evil spirit returns with worse companions to an empty "house." This passage, as discussed in the sermon, parallels our lives after being “cleaned up” by the Lord; if we remain empty, we invite greater chaos. Like Israel, swept clean by the teachings of John the Baptist and Jesus, we must truly repent and turn to Christ, or risk becoming worse off than before. Courteney Bence’s sermon, “Cleaned, But Empty” highlights that deliverance isn't merely about removing sin but filling our lives with Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.
If we’re not utilizing those tools, we're vulnerable to even more devastating spiritual attacks. Our faith journey requires constant nourishment, not just a one-time cleansing. Thus, we're called to actively fill our spiritual house with God's truth to thrive, not just survive.
Maturing as believers means embracing time with the Lord, being a part of Christian community, and other means of spiritual discipline that help to strengthen us against the return of past evils.
Let us commit to the ongoing process of growth. Decide (and re-decide) today where your focus will be, because "Where you focus, is what you'll fuel."
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the clarity of Your Word and its guidance for our lives. We acknowledge the warning in Matthew 12:43-45 and ask for Your help to guard our hearts and lives against spiritual emptiness.
Apply It Today
The Christian life requires more than removing sin; it requires actively putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Reflect on your spiritual "house", is it being filled with God's truth, or is it vulnerable to attack? Today, commit to putting on the full armor of God: gird yourself with truth, walk in righteousness, wield the sword of the Spirit, and stand firm in prayer.
Resources:
Reading through the New Testament: Today’s reading - 2 Corinthians - Galatians
21-Day Fasting Journey with Jentezen Franklin
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