THE UNOCCUPIED HEART

 Sir,

“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through dry places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.” When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first,” (Luke 11:24–26).
This parable is meant to teach us about how perilous it is to live with a spiritual vacuum in our lives. A demon possessed man is likened to a dirty house.

When the evil spirit was cast out the man’s heart became like a clean and orderly house. After some time, the evil spirit returned to the man and found the house clean, well-swept and orderly. The spirit entered the man and repossessed him along with seven other spirits. The condition of the man became worse than the former.

The same parable is also found in Matthew 12:43–45, and these verses provide us with more insight: When the spirit returned, it found the house not only clean and orderly but empty. “Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there.” The coming back of the evil spirit was not as a result of the cleanliness and orderliness of the house but rather of the emptiness of the house.

The entrance of Jesus into someone’s life drives out all evil thoughts and purifies a person. This is not enough though, the heart of an individual should be cleansed but not empty. The heart can be cleansed and put in order but, if it remains unoccupied afterwards, chances are it will still be repossessed. And the latter condition will be worse than the former. How can this dangerous state be avoided?

The simple answer is; do not leave the house empty, let Jesus dwell in it as a permanent occupant. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” (Col. 3:16). Read and listen to the word. We must be able to say together with the psalmist; “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you,” (Ps. 119:11). As Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord and firmly declared that he would not leave Him until he received His blessing, we should also struggle with the Word of God until we clearly see Jesus Christ and His purpose in our lives.

Dear Reader, to avoid the risk of leaving the house empty, the house should be filled with the word and the spirit. God’s presence should be an ongoing experience in our lives. If His presence is missing from our lives something else will take His place. We must replace wicked behaviors with righteous ones. We must not leave the time and energy we once used for sin to sit unused: sin will soon return, and in greater measure. It has been said that ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop’ and this principle is confirmed by the scripture. Fill your life with the works of Jesus, or don’t be surprised when sin returns sevenfold.

Bopoto Gwinyai
(7663 8191)

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