Finding a Home

Do you believe in unclean spirits that roam around looking for a home?

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation." While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to 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." - Matt. 12:43-50

If we believe that the Holy Spirit finds a home within us to dwell in us and guide us, we might consider that there could be unclean, unholy spirits as well, right?

If we make room for one, there will be no room for the other.

So, perhaps, if we set out to make room for the Holy Spirit, we will be able to keep those evil unclean spirits at bay.

Makes sense to me.

What Jesus warns us about is leaving our souls empty.

We may manage to sweep the house clean of all bad influences, but if the space is left empty, it will be inviting for evil to take up residence.

The goal in life, therefore, is to invite God in, to make a place for God in our lives that can not be taken up by evil.

The goal is not to clean house and leave it empty.  It is to clean house and invite God in.

More to come...