“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”--Matthew 12:43-45
Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,
This one is about heart changes. Jesus is speaking here primarily to Israel who had cleaned up their nation from the idolatry that plagued them in the Old Testament. They had experienced reformation but not regeneration. Jesus is saying that because they were now rejecting Him their last state would be worse than the first. We do the same thing. We try to clean up our lives without Jesus. As a non believer I tried it many many times. It never lasted and it never worked. I was still me. Okay...I was despicable me...like the movie.
Reform apart from regeneration is never effective. You eventually go back to your pre-reform behavior.
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:22
Most of us have learned about Christ and how to be saved, but the majority will reject the truth and return to their sin. These people are worse off than before because they have rejected the only way out of sin, the only way of salvation. Like someone sinking in quicksand who refuses to grab the rope thrown to him, or take the medicine that will make him well, the person who turns away from Christ rejects the only means of escape.
The Pharisees were concerned about the outward and not the inward. Their outside looked good but their hearts were filled with emptiness. We need Jesus not reformation. Whatever else you think you might want, it is Jesus you really need. He fills us and does His work in our hearts from the inside out. I love what Warren Wiersbe says here. "The house had been swept clean, but the right tenant was not invited in. When I invited Jesus into my heart, my life changed. I was amazed...one step of faith and the next moment...A new me! I saw the world with different eyes and the best part of it was I knew that it was not going to change...I was now on solid ground...not sifting sand. I was alone when it happened and remember so vividly the joy that bubbled up in my heart....I have gone through difficult times since then, but that joy is always there. He is always with me...nothing can separate me from His love. My life is His and my future assured.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.--Revelation 3:20
Love
Mom
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