July 29, 2012 Jesus-Filled

Jesus-Filled Matthew 12:43-45 “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it 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. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” JESUS’ words disturb me. Look at what happens when God does not occupy one’s soul. Evil spirits fill the emptiness. One comes and more enter to fill one’s soul with evil. I am disturbed by this today because I see people come searching and looking for something different in their lives, looking to learn more about that inner knowledge of God that rustles within each one of us. They come for a time, seem to enjoy the experience and show an interest in knowing more about Jesus. Then they go away. What happens after they go away? I believe sometimes Satan takes a greater hold on them. I sense in them evil spirits have formed in them a mindset to make excuses and be satisfied in those excuses avoiding church, Bible study and fellowship. They come so close to knowing Jesus, the Savior—just as the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus’ day. Those men stood with him, heard directly from God; yet, they did not believe. And afterwards, as the parable says, they were more filled with evil than before. My heart weeps for the people who spiritually run from Jesus. Seek Jesus. Help others seek Jesus. He is Savior. It’s True! A soul filled with Jesus has no room for evil.