Kingdom Awareness

"Jesus and the Prince of Demons"

(New Living Translation 2013_ Luke 11:14-28)

One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn't speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, but some of them said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons." Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He knew their thoughts, so he said, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings. "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me. "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before." As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, "God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!" Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."

Most people read this passage of scripture, but still remain ignorant of the truths declared by Jesus to the religious of his days. They are still being divided today over spiritual dynamics and operation of the kingdom, especially when it's not something they are use to seeing or experiencing in their religious circles. Jesus said, (1) "Any family, home, or kingdoms that is splintered by feuding will fall apart." (2) Satan and his host is not divided, else he and his agents and would not stand. (3) Satan has a kingdom! One he got through deception from humans when they sinned (Luke 4:6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). (4) Satan does not cast out Satan or devils. (5) Satan is fully armed and guards his possessions and captives. (6) Unless one stronger attacks and overpowers him and strips him of his weapons, no one can carry off his belongings. (7) Christ kingdom (that is established legally in righteousness) is superior to Satan's kingdom (that is established illegally in deceit and sin), and is always opposing each other! (8) We have to chose sides! It's either we are for Christ or against Christ (Antichrist _ for Satan). (9) That means, when one comes to the Lord, there was a military action taken from the kingdom of Christ for that person to come! See John 6:44. (10) When one comes to him, evil spirits were expelled! - Colossians 1:12-14. (11) After one comes to the Kingdom, one must seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit, because just having a clean heart will not keep the old habits and spirits from returning. Then, that person will become far worst than they were before they came. - (Proverbs 26:11; Luke 9:62; 2 Peter 2:20-22). (12) Those who hear and practise this gospel (the Word of God) is more blessed than Mary who miraculously gave birth to God's Son Jesus. - (Luke 1:26-38; James 1:22-25).