Scripture Post #467: *POSSESSED*

Luke 11:

24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 

25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 

26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. 

[Disclaimer: The image here (in its original form) was from an image search-engine. The original source of this image is unbeknown to me. I own no rights of this image.]

This Passage describes how unclean spirits (demons) work to possess people. 

"Dry places" is mentioned in verse 24 because unclean spirits can't function in water. JESUS cast devils out of a man and the spirits left the man, then entered a herd of pigs, which drowned in water:

Matt. 8:30: "And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding."

V. 31: "So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine."

V. 32: "And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters."

V. 33: "And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils."

In addition to the "dry places" reference—in the days of Noah there was a lot of evil activity involving spirits. The activity ceased because of the flood. This shows the incohesiveness, or opposition between water and evil spirits. 

But how do evil spirits possess people? Through sin. 

John 5:14: "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

"…A worse thing…" Sounds a lot like Luke 11:26: "Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

You see? Sin opens you up to evil spirits. Which is one of the reasons I believe JESUS said, "…Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." 

Also consider Mary Magdalene:

Luke 8:2: "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,"

When Mary Magdalene was in sin, she had 7 devils in her. But when CHRIST converted her, she was *POSSESSED* no more. A life in sin puts you at risk for demonic influence, bondage and possession. 

Let us heed to the words of JESUS and, "…sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto…" [us].  

Originally Published: Mon. 12/23/13