"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first." - Luke 11:24-26 (ESV)
We cannot simply put a veneer on for our faith. It is not meant to be like the whitewashed tomb or the cup that is clean only on the outside. Look at what these verses teach us about the nature of the spiritual war we are in. The reason why the demon finds the ability to return and bring seven friends is that we have merely swept. We have provided the appearance of holiness without the cost. The reason why the modern church is so impotent is this lesson is lost on her. When you are only about appearance, you are inviting demonic attack. How often do sweep our house of the common sins but secretly tuck away what we really don't want washed? That secret sin we adore and hide away so carefully while we decorate our house with the common gifts and graces of modern churchianity. It is all paint and varnish. But a common contrition does not last because what lays secret still defiles us. It was never given up to Christ, nor dwelt in by the Spirit. We rest in what passes for spirituality here on earth and even in our churches but we have rested well short of heaven. Thus we give full right for our victories to be fleeting. For the same spirits to return. For the same sins to never be conquered! For not only will they return but they will return seven fold when they see that all is merely swept but not truly washed! Then they will dwell there because we have essentially invited them to do so. And our last state will indeed be worse than our former.
I have come today to tell you that it does not matter what your former state was. It does not matter how many devils had to be cast out of you. They can remain out if we would seek our acceptance, approval and acknowledgment from God and not from anything or anyone in this world. Am I suggesting that relationships do not matter? Of course not. But when two people are in relationship with God first then He is what will matter. And that is the lesson of chasing the three "A's." In Christ we can always find the solid rock to stand on. If we seek them from any other source, we build upon the shifting sands of this world.
Reverend Anthony Wade - May 5, 2014
