Thru the Bible-3

Thru the Bible-3 2022. 2. 27.

 

The Lord Our Master

 

◎ Matthew 12:43~45

43 When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none.

44 Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.

45 Then it goes and brings with it 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. So also will it be with this evil generation.

 

◎ Explanatory Notes

43 When the unclean spirit

☞ Our Lord draws a picture of the present apostate generation. (Whedon)

 

through waterless places

☞ Barren, dreary, desolate; or places not yet watered with the Gospel (Wesley)

 

44 the house empty, swept, and put in order

☞ empty - of God, of Christ, of his Spirit: Swept - from love, lowliness, meekness, and all the fruits of the Spirit: And garnished - With levity and security. (Wesley)

☞ empty - Unoccupied, empty of the former inhabitant, and ready to receive a new one: denoting a soul that has lost the life and power of godliness, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit. Swept - from love, meekness, and all the fruits of the Spirit. And garnished, or adorned, decorated - with the vain showy trifles of folly and fashion. (Clarke)

 

45 the last state of that person is worse than the first

☞ Evil habits are formed and strengthened by relapses and relapses are multiplied, and become more incurable, through new habits. (Clarke)

 

◎ Summary

“This evil generation” is compared to “unclean spirits” that multiply so as to bring about worse conditions. (WSB)

Just cleaning up one’s life without filling it with God leaves plenty of room for Satan to enter. Ridding our life of sin is the first step. We must also take the second step: filling our life with God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Unfilled and complacent people are easy targets for Satan. (LASB)

We believers therefore continually have to accept the Lord as our master in us.