February 8

Matthew 12:43-50 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

Return of an Unclean Spirit
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 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. 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.”

Jesus' Mother and Brothers
While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Observation

1) Exorcisms are useless if the evil spirit leaves a person and the void it leaves is not filled with the Holy Spirit. The demon will not only return to the person, but bring more demons as well.

2) Jesus' brothers and sisters may be those who were related to Him by parents Joseph and Mary, but Jesus considers those who are linked to Him spiritually as His true family.

Application

Those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. It is not possible then to have an evil spirit to live within a Christian.

We are then obligated when the opportunity arises, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him as their Lord and Saviour so they too can receive salvation, know the joy and peace of having the Holy Spirit, and become a member of God's family.

Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven,

We thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for our sins, that we may be forgiven and have an eternal home with you in Heaven. We thank you that once we receive your Son as our Saviour, that the Holy Spirit will then dwell within us and we should have no fear that an evil spirit could reside within us. Out of the gratitude that comes from our hearts, help us to reach out to just one individual today who does not know you as the mighty God, so he/she too can become a member of Your loving family.

Amen.

--Michael Hong