(Matthew 12:43-45) (ESV) "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."
When we look at this passage in regard to humanity, we must associate the term "spirit" with motivating emotion, attitude, state of mind. Jesus said out of the heart come those things which defile us. In (Matt. 15:19) Jesus citedmurder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness (lying), and slander. In (Mark 7:21), we're told that greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness will also defile us.
When we look into all of these, we can see how they can be rooted in attitude, emotion, and state of mind. Somebody's at the end of their rope with a spouse's attitudes and behaviors (frustration), becomes lividly angry by his/her latest "escapade," and murders him/her. The state of mind is frustration. The motivating emotion is anger. The attitude is "I don't have to take this anymore!" The attitude is correct. You don't have to allow the other person's behavior to continue to harm you and/or destroy your home, life, family, etc. The state of mind and the motivating emotion are certainly understandable. But, when we give in to them, and act destructively on them, we are making ourselves victims of unclean spirits. Frustration and anger are unclean spirits. Jesus said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matt. 11:30) We're also told in the Bible to "be angry, but sin not." (Eph. 4:26) Anger is indignation; and there is a difference between righteous indignation and unrighteous indignation. For instance, Jesus was incensed by the money changers and those who sold pigeons in the temple. They were robbing people; making prey of the poor. (Matt. 21:12-13) That's righteous indignation. (Hab. 3:12) But, if you or I get angry because that woman in church has a new dress on every Sunday…and we can't afford a new one every week, well, that's not righteous indignation; it's envy.
We don't often take the time we need to discern some things correctly; especially in the heat of a moment. I used to try to eat my husband whenever I got angry at him. I still try to eat people at times; but I don't let them make me fat anymore. I eat salad! So there! LOL When we stop and check our state of mind and emotion(s), we can better discern whether or not our attitude(s) are lined up with the Word of God. We can sift out the unclean spirits more readily and easily. And, as often as we do this, we are strengthening our hearts, minds, and souls. The more we do that, the harder it will be for those unclean spirits to come back with a party crowd in tow.
I'll spend a little more time on this subject next week; but I think this is enough to get you thinking about some of the "party" guests in your house.
Love you from Café du Mondieu
Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 4, 2023, 12:04 p.m.
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