Unlimited: Is it God or the Devil?
Mar 5, 2024 1830
And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”
So, Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house” (Mark 3:22–27, NIV).
Jesus’ enemies are mainly based in Jerusalem. When they see Jesus driving out demons, they tell the people that he is able to do this because Jesus is possessed by the devil himself, and he is doing it to deceive the people.
The teachers of the law can’t deny what Jesus is doing; that he really is liberating people from the power of demons. And since they can’t deny it, they try to explain it away by saying that Jesus is doing it by the power of the devil.
Jesus applies some good sound logic to the situation. He asked the religious leaders, “How can Satan drive out Satan?” Satan can’t work against himself.
But notice what Jesus said at the end. He said, “No one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.”
What Jesus was saying was that Satan was the “strong man” and that he was the one plundering Satan’s house. But to do that, he had to disable the strong man and leave him helpless.
Jesus was saying that when people saw him driving out demons, it was because Satan was helpless before him.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: Sometime today, find a nice, quiet spot where you can pray and meditate on the Word of God. What is the one area of your life in which Satan attacks you the most? Do you realise that the devil lies bound and helpless at the feet of Jesus? Hand this area of your life over to Jesus and ask for his mercy and power.
Ketchakah
Mar 5, 2024
Hello, This is an important scripture and one that I believe Jesus had other meanings for. At first it seems very clear, but is it really ? I believe it to be one that is intended to make us think. It separates those who actually pay attention from those who just coast along. The fact is, history is full of evil governments who have sacrificed their own members. Are we to believe that Satan will not sacrifice one or two of his minions to gain the souls of 100 more ? Humans have been doing this for thousands of years. No, those governments do not generally survive, but some are still around even though they have little strength. Some that exist today just have not reached their point of collapse. Satan knows he will ultimately lose. I am sure he has read the book. So because of this, Satan is not concerned with his "House" standing, He knows it wont last. He is interested in what is happening right now and how much damage he can do before the end. We know the end has not come yet, as we are still dealing with his works. Satan does not value his minions anymore then he values our souls. It does not matter what happens to them, he only wants Jesus to NOT have them. It is quantity, not quality. If he can lose one and gain a hundred, it is a good deal. The other thing is, we do not know what happens to those evil spirit when they are driven out of a human host. Do they die ? Do they go home to hell? or do they just get reassigned to a new host? If Hell is the destination for evil, where does evil go when it is driven away from good ? This is the failing of the Pharisee's argument against Jesus which is probably the point of the scripture. Their argument against Jesus really caries no logic or substance. Ahoh
yangbeh alfred
Feb 7, 2023
This reading tell us how to be committed. Iam for Christ and not for the devil.To have Faith and be prepare to be condem.Thank you so much for helping in changing my Christian life Strong.
Jane
Apr 2, 2024
Satan bound me with his lies a long time ago. The world has no regard for a person condemned. It's true that if they did it to our Lord Jesus Christ then they they will do it to us too. I would never have believed it but I know it is true. People will turn away; shut doors and turn their backs, leaving the sheep to the wolf. But I know from experience that Jesus will not. He comes to save, to give life to the dead, sight to the blind. Satan is not piwerful in the face of Jesus. Jesus will always protect his children from the snares of death. He will not give Satan the victory. We humans (Christians) struggle against the wiles of the worldy system but God knows and sees all. He sent His Son to show us the way out, to strengthen us in the put and turn our backs in Satan. I once read that Hezekiah turned his face to the wall. When we turn our faces to the wall all we can see is God. I am reminded of this now.