by Ester yusufu | 1 March 2022 08:46 pm03
Spiritual Emptiness and True Repentance
(Luke 11:24–26)
Jesus gives us a sobering warning about spiritual life and deliverance in Luke 11:24–26:
“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.”
This passage reveals important truths about spiritual warfare, the danger of spiritual complacency, and the necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus says the impure spirit goes through “arid places” or “waterless places,” He uses symbolic language. In Scripture, water often represents the Holy Spirit and spiritual life.
John 4:14
“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Theologically, a “dry” or “empty” heart is one without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. It may be morally reformed, but it’s not spiritually reborn (cf. Titus 3:5). Deliverance without transformation leaves a vacuum. Evil doesn’t just leave—it returns if the space is unoccupied.
In the parable, the spirit returns to find its former “house” empty, though clean and orderly. This shows that moral reformation without spiritual regeneration is insufficient.
Rather than returning alone, the spirit brings seven more wicked spirits. This number suggests completeness in evil (cf. Matthew 12:45), showing how evil multiplies in a soul not filled with Christ.
Why does it bring stronger spirits? Theologically, this is a strategy of the kingdom of darkness—to fortify demonic strongholds (Ephesians 6:12) in people who remain vulnerable.
This illustrates why true deliverance must be followed by discipleship, not just emotional experiences. A saved soul must be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), rooted in the Word (Colossians 3:16), and walking in obedience.
Revelation 3:16
“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
A lukewarm Christian—half in the world, half in the faith—is vulnerable to spiritual attack. The story of Mary Magdalene reminds us of this.
Mark 16:9
“When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.”
Mary had been deeply oppressed—likely due to an uncommitted, spiritually open lifestyle. But once she encountered Jesus, she followed Him faithfully (cf. Luke 8:2), showing that true discipleship is the only way to lasting freedom.
Attending church, giving offerings, and taking part in religious rituals while still living in sin (e.g., fornication, drunkenness, sorcery, etc.) is a contradiction. These acts do not protect against demons—in fact, they can provoke stronger spiritual retaliation.
2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
When you mix sin with spiritual activity, you don’t fool the enemy or God. Evil spirits react defensively, bringing more wickedness to fortify their hold when they sense their position is threatened. That’s why many people’s lives get worse after hearing the Word—but choosing not to obey.
Matthew 11:12
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.”
The call to salvation is a serious one. Satan is active because he knows time is short (Revelation 12:12), but God has given us the tools to overcome through Jesus Christ.
If you’re ready to start again, here’s a prayer of repentance:
Heavenly Father, I come before You recognizing that I am a sinner. I have lived apart from You and done things that grieve Your heart. I ask for Your mercy today.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for my sins, and rose again for my justification.
I repent of all my sins and invite Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior.
Wash me clean by His blood, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and make me a new creation.
Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/03/01/then-it-goes-and-brings-seven-more-spirits/
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