“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 swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes 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.”

Luke 11:24-26

Some Jews accused of Jesus’ powers were satanic that he was driving out demons by Beelzebul, the Lord of the flies. Jesus responded that if he were aligned with Satan, exorcising a demon would be mutiny. The strong man’s fortress, Satan’s fortress, falls only when attacked by an even stronger force. In the exorcism, two kingdoms clashed. The stronger kingdom, God’s kingdom, has defeated the kingdom of the evil one.

We are part of this battle and there can be no neutrality. Even the expulsion of evil by the finger of God is not enough! Even if God has healed, cleansed, or forgiven us, we still must act to replace what God has taken away with whatever is good and godly. If we have been delivered from evil, we must fill that void with the life of God’s kingdom, lest evil fill it again. Thus, it is imperative to 'Recieve the Holy Spirit' (Jn 21:21-22) and 'Be Filled with the Spirit' (Eph 5:18).

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you died to set me free, you rose from the dead, and now live to intercede for me. Fill me with your Spirit to overflowing.

(Edited from Encounter with God)

* I personally believe that it is the most precious prayer topic that we pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit daily.