RETURN OF AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT

Reading from ch 12 vs 43 – 45

Ever wonder why when you change or try to stay repentant it seems to get harder with time? There’s always forces or spirits acting against our change or move to a life lead by Christ and his principles. Jesus himself explains the reason behind change being difficult or just why any of us relapse or return to sins we stopped or were trying to stop.

 Evil Spirits are possessive and territorial, they get comfortable where they know they have easy influence or any influence at all. Now, if you have accepted Christ and his spirit, an evil spirit cannot possess you but it can heavily influence you. And when you get rid of a bad habit, sin or just attempt to change, the evil spirits that influence you go away in search of another weary soul to attack or torment (basically their form of rest). Now the success of that is something else and if they it doesn’t find another person or ‘home’ it returns to its previous home or person that it used to influence to do some kind of evil.

 Now there you are trying to get things together, following Christ, trying to change and obey. Christ speaks or describes this as the house being empty, swept and put in order. You’re in a good place basically even though here and there it might be difficult. Now the real question is are you serious about the change? Are you seeking Christ and his word among other things to help you stay repentant and changed? This matters for when the evil spirit doesn’t find a place to go, it returns to its previous home and when it finds you making the progress, trying to get your life and freedom back it understands that just on its own with the influence it used to? It will not be enough.

It understands that there’s change and you’re stronger or harder to get through to but that doesn’t stop it from wanting its home back, you are convenient. And what do you do when you find something difficult? You seek help from those who have more knowledge or power than you do. Now think of this within a negative aspect, Jesus says the spirit goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself to come and dwell in your or influence you. Imagine the trouble you faced to just start that change and now there’s spirits even more evil than what was there before trying to make sure you fall and are tormented. Jesus says the last state of the person is worse than the first, and it only makes sense for if we struggle with one oppressor, what more seven worse ones?

Now this is not the end for us who believe and trust and keep seeking God. His spirit is present and always there to assist us, his word is full of testimonies and guidance on how to go about various issues and we can always ask for help from other believers or go to him in prayer and be open and honest about what we are struggling with. The enemy doesn’t want you to walk towards the light or to change and follow Jesus and he will make it difficult. He tries to make the change feel like it’s not worth it or like there’s no point to keep at the difficulty of getting your freedom.

But we are ever encouraged to persevere and endure, following and walking with Christ doesn’t mean you won’t fall or fail or even at some point get weak and do the things you used to, I’m not saying you just give in and continue. I’m saying God understands and that’s why we must stay in him for that’s where we really get true change, transformation and renewal. He is very interested in walking with you through the attacks and terrible feelings and thoughts you have, you just need to be open with him and be honest about what you truly struggle with and are concerned about and step by step he will help you change and live a free life with him. He love you always.