Luke 11:21-25. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil…24“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.’ 25And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 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.”
How does change take place in a person’s life? What is God’s process for spiritual growth? What gives us the power to be truly transformed from the inside out?
In the scriptures above, Jesus tells us that there are only two ways that people can change. One of them fails every time. But the other produces true, lasting transformation.
Jesus’ words in Luke 11 are hard to take. Here’s what he’s saying – any change in your life, even if it looks good, sounds good, and acts good, if it is not from the power of the indwelling life of Jesus, it is from the power of darkness, the kingdom of Satan.
Christian, many things in this life can help you “be better.” There are many ways to solve your problems. Most religions can turn you into a “good person.” Self-help. Behavior modification. Moralism. Coping mechanisms. Law-keeping. Traditionalism. All of these can make you look better, sound better, and act better. There are many ways to remove your “demons,” your unclean spirit. But if the source is not the power of Christ and his grace, then you’ve just used Satan to cast out Satan.
When we make commitments, resolutions, and re-dedications. When we make good choices, change behaviors, get therapy, and join a program, all in order to be better, to be acceptable, to overshadow our shame and guilt, and to improve our lives. When we do all of this apart from the unconditional love and acceptance of Christ, we are actually just clearing out space in our hearts and inviting seven more evil spirits to move in. Nastier spirits like pride and self-righteousness.
In the end, even though it looks like true change has occurred, it hasn’t. Not really. Maybe your lust is gone but legalism has come. Maybe anger left, but passivity took its place. Maybe you don’t argue with your spouse anymore, you just join them in judging everyone else’s marriage. Maybe you’ve stopped lying or cheating, but it’s only because pride moved in and convinced you that “good people” don’t lie or cheat.
Could it be that the vast majority of “Christian change” is actually this sort of false transformation? One demon out, seven new ones in? Clean cups on the outside, but filth on the inside (Luke 11:39)?
Jesus tells us that the only real way to change is to have the stronger man come in and defeat the strong man (Luke 11:21-22). What we need is a whole new master of the house. A stronger man to drive out the “demons.” We need a whole new source of power for transformation. We need the powerful unconditional love of Christ to take up residence in our hearts. We need the strength of his grace to bring true change. Change that comes from dependence upon his goodness alone, not from self-righteousness and pride. Change that comes from to live is Christ.
You: Have the “good” changes in your life been true gospel change or demonic self-righteous change?
You in Christ: In Christ, the Strong Man has moved in. He is actively fighting off the demons who come knocking. How does this encourage you in the fight?
Christ in you: What would it mean for you to let the Strong Man take control of your heart today?
To Live is Christ 