READY FOR OCCUPANCY
"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, he roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest (release, refreshing, ease); and finding none he says, I will go back to my house from which I came" (Luke 11:24 AMP).
Many who read this passage interpret it to mean the unclean spirit was "cast out," but the passage says it "went out." That means it left the person under its own power. The person remained ready for occupancy, once again, for his spiritual and ethical condition remained unchanged. The unclean spirit is a morally defiled and impure being causing the person occupied by it to contend with the holiness of God. This contention leads to sorrow, distress, injury or calamity, moral perversity and corruption. However, a person who is possessed by an unclean spirit is not without hope of deliverance.
Not every person exhibiting morally perverse or unethical behavior is possessed by an unclean spirit. While a person who is not occupied by an unclean spirit may or may not exhibit moral character and ethical behavior, the concern of Jesus Christ has been, and is, the inner condition of the person. For what or who occupies that person will certainly effect his beliefs, morals and ethics. The prognosis for the person who occupies himself with the deeds of the flesh (See Galatians 5:19 and Colossians 3:5) is a worsening state of being, leading to eternal condemnation and the "second death" (See Revelation 21:8).
In conclusion, every human soul is "ready for occupancy." God intended for us to be occupied with Him because there is life in no other nor is there truth in any other. Think about it.
"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, he roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest (release, refreshing, ease); and finding none he says, I will go back to my house from which I came" (Luke 11:24 AMP).
Many who read this passage interpret it to mean the unclean spirit was "cast out," but the passage says it "went out." That means it left the person under its own power. The person remained ready for occupancy, once again, for his spiritual and ethical condition remained unchanged. The unclean spirit is a morally defiled and impure being causing the person occupied by it to contend with the holiness of God. This contention leads to sorrow, distress, injury or calamity, moral perversity and corruption. However, a person who is possessed by an unclean spirit is not without hope of deliverance.
Not every person exhibiting morally perverse or unethical behavior is possessed by an unclean spirit. While a person who is not occupied by an unclean spirit may or may not exhibit moral character and ethical behavior, the concern of Jesus Christ has been, and is, the inner condition of the person. For what or who occupies that person will certainly effect his beliefs, morals and ethics. The prognosis for the person who occupies himself with the deeds of the flesh (See Galatians 5:19 and Colossians 3:5) is a worsening state of being, leading to eternal condemnation and the "second death" (See Revelation 21:8).
In conclusion, every human soul is "ready for occupancy." God intended for us to be occupied with Him because there is life in no other nor is there truth in any other. Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
