Evil worsens with unrepentant hearts

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | April 24, 2023 | Matthew 12:41-45

KEY VERSE:

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.” Matthew 12:45

THE MESSAGE:

The last point of Jesus’ reply is an illustration taken from an individual experience in the matter of demon possession. The illustration begins at the point of dispossession. The unclean spirit was cast out, but that spirit needed some place through which it can act, and so it was restless until it could find someplace it sought. In Jesus’ story, the spirit returns to the man and finds the place “empty, swept, and put in order.” The key word is “empty” or “unoccupied.” The man was improved in some ways, swept and put in order. But he was not possessed--he was empty. So the result was that the improvement was of no avail. Seeing that there was no indweller possessing and holding the man in the right way, the unclean spirit re-entered and took other spirits in with him. So all the improvement was lost, and the man was far worse in the end than he had been in the beginning.

The Gospel message is not simply that Jesus Christ has the power to defeat Satan and cast out unclean spirits, but that He does this so that He might take possession of peoples’ lives and defeat opposing forces through them. But without Christ within, there can be no victory. It is therefore dangerous for people to be nominal but unbelieving “Christians,” present in Christian events but not in Christ by faith. Christ’s presence always loosens the bonds of evil, whether people confess it or not, or whether they are even conscious of it.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

If a person’s heart is not changed, surface changes will not last. A person may resolve and fix himself to some extent to be a better person, but if he has not decided to invite Jesus into his heart and make him Lord, he will revert to his old habits again. Likewise, if a person is possessed by a demon and the demon is driven out without a new Master (Jesus) being invited in, the demon will just come back again and bring more with him the second time. The lesson is simple: the only lasting remedy for peoples’ problems is Jesus. Anything short of accepting Jesus will result in only surface changes, and evil worsens with unrepentant hearts.

PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, thank you for your power that changes and makes a difference. I give you full control of my life, and please help me walk in your ways and live a life that is pleasing to you. I want to be victorious in all I do, and I know this is only possible through your power and grace. Thank you for your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING

SHOWERS! BLESSING!