The Parable of the Unclean Spirit: Matthew 12:43-45, Luke 11:24-26
by Owen Borville
In the Parable of the Unclean Spirit, described in Matthew 12:43-45 (also Luke 11:24-26), Jesus explains the condition of the "wicked generation" that he has observed. He was referring to those of that generation who were not seeking God and rejected the prophets that God had sent. They even rejected Jesus Christ, who was the promised Messiah, because the people were spiritually dead and blind that they could not comprehend what they observed. The parable explains that those who do not build their faith and fill their hearts and souls with the Holy Spirit are in danger of falling in to greater sin.
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Matthew 12:43-45 KJV.
When the unclean spirit left the man, he had an opportunity to seek God and spiritually fill his heart and soul with the Holy Spirit. He then could have built his faith like a rock so that the next time the unclean spirit came by, it could not enter into the man. However, this man did not seek God and did not allow the Holy Spirit to enter his body to help build his faith. The man could not build up his faith over time because he was spiritually empty and had not seeked the spiritual tools that God made available to him. Therefore, his body was spiritually "empty, swept, and garnished."
The Unclean Spirit had an easy opportunity to return inside the man and bring "seven more spirits more wicked than himself" and therefore the man became worse off than before. It is not enough just to be a good person and do good works. Man must build his faith and spiritual well being through prayer, seeking God, repentance, and humbleness. Those who do not build their faith will be in danger of falling into greater sin and becoming worse than before.
by Owen Borville
In the Parable of the Unclean Spirit, described in Matthew 12:43-45 (also Luke 11:24-26), Jesus explains the condition of the "wicked generation" that he has observed. He was referring to those of that generation who were not seeking God and rejected the prophets that God had sent. They even rejected Jesus Christ, who was the promised Messiah, because the people were spiritually dead and blind that they could not comprehend what they observed. The parable explains that those who do not build their faith and fill their hearts and souls with the Holy Spirit are in danger of falling in to greater sin.
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Matthew 12:43-45 KJV.
When the unclean spirit left the man, he had an opportunity to seek God and spiritually fill his heart and soul with the Holy Spirit. He then could have built his faith like a rock so that the next time the unclean spirit came by, it could not enter into the man. However, this man did not seek God and did not allow the Holy Spirit to enter his body to help build his faith. The man could not build up his faith over time because he was spiritually empty and had not seeked the spiritual tools that God made available to him. Therefore, his body was spiritually "empty, swept, and garnished."
The Unclean Spirit had an easy opportunity to return inside the man and bring "seven more spirits more wicked than himself" and therefore the man became worse off than before. It is not enough just to be a good person and do good works. Man must build his faith and spiritual well being through prayer, seeking God, repentance, and humbleness. Those who do not build their faith will be in danger of falling into greater sin and becoming worse than before.
