Question:
Please explain what Jesus meant in Luke 11:24–26 when he spoke of an unclean spirit returning after being put out and making matters worse.
Answer:
The Scripture reads as follows:
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
The text implies demoniac possession, or the control of human beings by the demons or angels of Satan. These evil angels cut off by voluntary sin from God, from whom they once received the current of life directly, are doomed to obtain it by secondary means through originally lower creatures. Many of them possess humanity. Many, doubtless, possess lower animals.
The parable was no doubt spoken concerning the Jewish people. As a people, they had been cleansed from their wickedness through the goodness of God, but instead of being filled with the fruits of righteousness by faith, their house had been left empty. They had swept and garnished it by their high professions and formalities and their outward works of humility and righteousness; they were like whited sepulchers, which appear beautiful outwardly, but, not having invited the Lord to take His dwelling with them, they had left themselves just where the evil spirit could return with sevenfold power, as it did in their rejection of Jesus Christ. It was true of them in the time of our Saviour. Under John’s powerful influence and preaching, many, no doubt, turned for a while from their sins, but instead of receiving Christ, whom John preached, the heart was left empty, and Satan came in and took the place Christ should have occupied. The nation went on from bad to worse till it crucified its Lord.
It is just as true as regards individuals. The spirit is cast out. God, in mercy, expels him to save the man so that he may be free. The man asks for cleansing, and God cleanses that the man may serve Him. The house is left empty, swept, and garnished. The unclean spirit is cast out, that the Spirit of God may come in. The man is released from the bondage of Satan, that he may freely serve God. But this must be voluntary also. The man refuses, thinks to do nothing, and yet go free. The evil spirit goes forth seeking rest and nourishment but finds none, and he returns to his house— the man who was cleansed, and, finding the house empty, enters and again takes possession. He controls the man and lets in others to make possession sure. Indeed, the last state of that man is worse than the first.
If Christ has cleansed us from one sin and set us free from one evil habit, it is that the good may take its place. If we refuse to use the strength to do the good that Christ would put in the place of evil, sooner or later, the evil will return, leading a troop of others worse than the original, and we will be doomed to worse bondage than ever before.
We can not remain neutral; it will avail naught to say, “We will do naught against Christ.” The Master declares, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth” (Luke 11:23). And then follows the scripture under review. Undoubtedly, the lesson is essential. It is Christ or Satan.
