14 Jesus cast out a demon that called people to be mute. After the demon left, the mute man began to speak. The crowd was amazed, 15 but some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons.” 16 Others tempted Jesus by asking him for a sign from heaven. 17 He knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a ruin; every household divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? For you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19 If I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons drive them out? Then they will judge you. 20 If I drive out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 A strong man, fully armed, guards his house, and all his possessions are safe. 22 But a stronger one comes and overcomes him, taking away the armor and weapons he relied on, and dividing his spoils. 23 Those who are not with me are my enemies; those who do not gather with me are scattered.” 24 When an unclean spirit leaves a man, it wanders through dry places seeking rest. Finding none, it says, ‘I will return to the house from which I came.’ 25 When it comes, it finds the house clean and well-maintained. 26 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. The last condition of the man is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:14-26)
This passage is about Jesus casting out a demon from a mute man. After the demon left, the mute man began to speak. The man was mute because of the demon. However, some among them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons.” The parallel passages mention that the Pharisees and scribes saying this. Beelzebub, the prince of demons, is the devil Satan, a fallen angel. The Pharisees and scribes did not believe Jesus and said that he cast out demons by the devil. Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a ruin; if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? If I drive out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The kingdom of God means kingship of God, a kingdom with God as king. It is not something that will come in the future; it is coming now. The Bible says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8) Jesus came to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and make disciples to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus continued, saying that unclean spirit, once they leave a person’s body, returned. A couple from China attended our church many years ago, but later stopped attending because they moved far away. Afterwards, the wife practiced Qigong, a kind of Chinese meditation, later she was possessed by the evil spirit. She asked our preacher to cast out the demon, it was cast out, but it returned. Later, the preacher told her to be baptized and commit her life to the Lord. After her baptism, the Holy Spirit lived in her heart, and evil spirit never came again. Thank the Lord!
May God bless you and your family!
