The words of Hebrews 6.1-8 are worth reading as we enter into meditation on today’s passage in Luke.

1Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Let us read, meditate, and consider.

[Luke 11.24-26]

24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings 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.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ The devil earmarks unclean spirits (demons) to people, to oppress them and to draw them to the flame of sin. Why would an earmarked and familiar spirit assigned to a person go out of them? [v. 24]

+ Why would the prospect of leaving a person give these on-a-mission-spirits “rest”? What conditions do you think make them want to leave? [v. 24]

+ In v. 25, it says of the “house”... “It is empty, swept, and put in order”. This seems to be referring to a person who had been restored to a right mind but still displayed a heart seeking to be its own God. Why would spirits want to inhabit a heart and person such as this?

+ You rejecting God and the pure and perfect love He is and offers is the devil’s one and only goal. Do you see in v. 26 an aspect of increasing forces coming to “finish the job”. Why does this give those spirits rest?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ For those of us who have tasted the Holy Spirit of God and have not fallen away but have fallen, broken, empty and asking for Christ to override our flesh and to dwell in us, we are secure. What should we do with that grace? Only God knows who is -- as Hebrews says -- beyond restoration. To us, this means that these spirits may be trying to make a home, but only God knows who is beyond restoration. Knowing this, are you pressing into the rescue mission hard enough? What steps can you take to press harder?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ In both my and Amy’s family and circle of friends, there are people who have tasted the goodness of the Lord, yet have rejected his Lordship over their lives. We need to pray for them much more fervently because they are under more spiritual attack than we might know. We are committing to putting them before the Lord and asking for a rescue. Are there people in your family, friend circle, or lives who you can commit to prayer? Let’s intercede and drag these spirits to the foot of the throne to face the Most High God.