[Jesus speaking]
When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid 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 unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 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 person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.

This is such an incredible truth that applies to our spiritual life. I am afraid it can be missed by the casual reader. And I was that reader for a time.

Jesus is telling us not to just rid ourselves of demons or sin. Sure, that sounds good. Many try this over and over in their lives. Addictions, evil behavior, and selfishness are all terrible. Demons can also give us special abilities.

If we try to rid ourselves of these things in our own power, thinking that something else we try will magically replace this space in our hearts, we are foolish. The hole in our hearts is a God-shaped hole and only God can fill it through Jesus Christ.

We must seek after what is of God, his good qualities, his pure heart, and his self-sacrificing actions, to name a few of his attributes.

This goodness will fill us up and his power will protect us from the return of the demons and also the return of the controlling sins.

Lord, help me to fill up on you through prayer, study of your Word, fellowship with believers, and service. As I do these things, I protect my heart from an invasion of evil.