THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT

THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it 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 that man is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)

Christ was characterizing the work of the phony exorcists (verse 19). What appears to be a true exorcism is merely a temporary respite, after which the demon returns with 7 others (verse 26). The exorcised person becomes like a clean house, although empty if God is not present, and still exposed to spiritual danger. The problem is that the evil spirit found the house “unoccupied” (verse 44). This is the description of someone who attempts moral reform without ever being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Reform apart from regeneration is never effective and eventually reverts back to pre-reform behavior. In Luke’s Gospel, this section serves as a warning to Jesus’ listeners to be on guard against satanic attack.

Matthew’s application of this parable (Matthew 12:43-45) suggests that the generation of people Jesus addresses refused His kingdom offer. Consequently, their rejection created a void that demons would fill. While Jesus may simply be using this parable as a metaphor for evil, he indicates that they would be worse off than prior to hearing His teaching. Here, Matthew may have the fall of Jerusalem (ad 70) in mind.