Matthew 12:22-37 (NIV)
[22] Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. [23] All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”[24] But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub,* the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
[25] Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. [26] If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? [27] And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. [28] But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
[29] “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
[30] “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. [31] And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. [32] Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
[33] “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. [36] But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. [37] For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
"By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" - WOW!! Reminds me of the little song we sang as kids "oh be careful little mouth what you say, oh be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up Above is looking down in love, oh be careful little mouth what you say"! Please Father, conviction not condemnation, Sylvia
ReplyDeleteGuard my heart and mind,Lord.
ReplyDeleteLouise
The people who witnessed the deliverance of the demon possessed man seemed to understand the kingdom of God for they said "Can this be the Son of David (Messiah)?" It was the religious leaders who didn't understand or want to admit. Did the religious people even drive out demons, for Jesus said "..by whom do you people drive them out?" Did Jesus say they blasphemed the Holy Spirit and were guilty of the unpardonable sin? Are religious people today who discredit the Holy Spirit's works also guilty?
ReplyDeleteGerry
RVWC family, I believe that this mornings' text is very timely for us. I have heard it said that our church is bleeding, and I take that to mean that a number have left our fellowship. Why? (Answer Matt 12:25) Are we divided against ourselves? How could that be? If our focus is not supremely on Jesus we will find lots of other things to be bothered about. Jesus is the One who unites us! If we seek to be held together by anything else, our church will crash and burn.
ReplyDeleteThe kingdom of heaven is centered in Him alone. Jesus says that the fact that he cast out demons signifies that the kingdom has come to you. Or, put another way, How can I rescue what Satan has taken into his house (kingdom), unless I first tie him up? By coming to earth as a man, Jesus did just that! Now mankind can be rescued ( taken as a spoil in the old language). If we are not engaged with him in his kingdom we will find ourselves against him (and against one another).
Sandra observed that Jesus freed a blind mute from an evil spirit. Are we as a congregation blind to something or for some reason mute (not speaking)? Are these symptoms of a house not united around Jesus?
Lord Jesus, reveal anything that is hindering us, and unite us to "Gather with You" ( as in verse 30).
Brian
...I can't see Friday's post
ReplyDeleteIs everything ok?
Dale Caines
We find a group of people who thought that had it all right. The teachers felt that they knew it right, that they di it right, that they taught it right. They were self assured that they had it all under control.
ReplyDeleteThe this young prophet starts doing things different. This guy starts teaching different. By what He does He proves Himself. The teaches unable to prove He is wrong, just question.
Sometimes we can be the same. We can think we have it all together and actually miss the Kingdom of God at work right in front of us because it is different than we do or are taught.
Careful we must be when we tell God how He must do things instead of Him telling us.