February 17, 2022
What Does an Evil Spirit Do When It’s Cast Out?
“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So, it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” (Luke 11:24-26 NLT)
My precious child, everywhere Jesus went He cast out devils and healed many who were sick. One evening Jesus and His disciples saw a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” The evil, unclean spirit quietly left. The disciples tried to cast it out but were not successful. Why? Jesus said, ‘this kind can come out only by fasting and prayer. (Mark 9:14-29) Jesus spoke to the evil, unclean spirit with power and authority and it obeyed. When an evil, unclean spirit goes out of a person, it goes to dry desert land in search of an oasis to rest, looking for some unsuspecting soul it can and finds none. It says, ‘I will return to my house/the person I came from!’ When he returns and finds its former house swept clean and in order, but vacant – the spirit goes and finds seven other spirits more wicked and evil than itself, they all move in to live.’ That person ends up far worse than before he/she was delivered and set free the first time. (Luke 11:24-26)
When a person has been delivered and set free, it is so important to read the Scriptures daily to fill that swept clean area with the Word of God. Why? The Word of God has the power in it to deliver, heal and restore them. My Word is a powerful weapon. When you wake up daily ask God the Father to fill your empty cup as you read and meditate on the Word of God putting on the whole armor of God. God is strong, and He wants you strong. So, take everything the Master has given you, well-made weapons of the best materials, and put them to good use so you will be able to stand up to every fiery dart the devil shoots at you. This is not an afternoon athletic contest that you can walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This battle is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his cohorts. (Ephesians 6:11-12) Be prepared! You’re against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, use every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be standing on your feet. (Ephesians 6:13) Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for one another. The battle is real. Keep your eyes open. Encourage one another so that no one falls behind or drops out of the fight, defeated. (Ephesians 6:4-18) You are an overcomer by the blood of the lamb and the word of your testimony! (Revelation 12:11) Fill your gas tank up with the Word. Speak the Word only! There is power in the Word of God!
