Devotional Space for Grace | The Strong Man | 12.20

[Jim]

THE PARABLES | The Strong Man (Luke 11:14-26) ​

---

When a strong man armed to the teeth guards his own house,
his property is in peace. But when a stronger man comes and conquers him, he removes all the arms on which he pinned his faith and divides the spoils among his friends.


Luke 11:21-22, J.B. Phillips New Testament ​

---

Context: Jesus healed a deaf mute, but some alleged he did so by the power of the head demon Beelzebub, a euphemism for Satan. Jesus reasoned that the head of an army would hardly work with the enemy against his own troops. He related how an armed man protecting a palace was overcome by a strong man who invaded and took his spoils. The house must remain inhabited.




Meaning: There has been an agelong conflict between God and Satan, a war that was declared in Genesis 3:15. There is no neutrality, we are either with Christ or against him. “We know we originate with God, and the whole world lies in the power [in the lap of] of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) The ultimate and actual means of Jesus’ victory over Satan is the cross. “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out!” (John 12:31)


Application: What are some of the weapons Satan uses to keep his kingdom under subjection? They include: pride (1 Tim 3:6), fear (Heb 2:14-15), lies (John 8:44) and hatred (1 Pet 5:8). Jesus invaded Satan’s territory and took spoils - primarily people he sets free (Isa 53:12; Luke 4:18; Col 1:13). The parable of the empty house warns us against neutrality. Someone freed from the prison of religious captivity may “put his house in order” (vs 24) by making certain moral changes but may never personally know the indwelling Christ; reformation without regeneration. Saul of Tarsus was liberated from legalism but was forever captivate to Christ.

____________________________


Are you captivated by Christ? ​