Matthew 12:22-30 (NKJV)
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the [a]blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by [b]Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
- Jesus "son of David", a Messianic Title that Jesus is a descendant from David by adoption of Joseph.
2 Samuel 7:12-16
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the [a]blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before [b]you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
- Beelzebub - also called Baalzebub, the prince of the devils, the name given also to the god of the Philistine City of Ekron.
2 Kings 1:2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub,[a] the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.”
- Satan and his demons are real, strong and active and they are the strong man mentioned by Jesus.
8 Be [a]sober, be [b]vigilant; [c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
- Satan's agenda
Job 1:11-12
11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse[a] You to Your face!”
12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your [b]power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Luke 22:31 [a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- Satan will hinder a person from getting saved through Jesus Christ.
- Satan's goal for the believer, is to defeated in every way, to have a miserable Christian life.
- Jesus Christ is stronger than the "strong man", as He is able to bind him and get all his positions.
1 John 3:8
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Rev. 20:10
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
- Yes, God hates sin and loves the sinners, but if you don't repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ you will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone together with Satan (Lucifer) and all his demons.
Application:
1. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
If we claim to be a true believer/christian then we must side/stand for Jesus Christ and obey His word. In Christianity there is neutrality (or middle ground). Either you are a Christian or Not, A friend or Enemy of God, On-fire or dispassionate, Hot or Cold for God.
Revelation 3:15-17
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
2. Unity in Christ
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NKJV) 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
3. Engaged in Spiritual Battle.
- As a Christian our real enemy is not of the physical world, but spiritual.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Always ready for battle with the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
- Always remember that we can always win, because Jesus Christ is in our hearts.
1 John 4:4
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
If we claim to be a true believer/christian then we must side/stand for Jesus Christ and obey His word. In Christianity there is neutrality (or middle ground). Either you are a Christian or Not, A friend or Enemy of God, On-fire or dispassionate, Hot or Cold for God.
Revelation 3:15-17
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
2. Unity in Christ
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NKJV) 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
3. Engaged in Spiritual Battle.
- As a Christian our real enemy is not of the physical world, but spiritual.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Always ready for battle with the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
- Always remember that we can always win, because Jesus Christ is in our hearts.
1 John 4:4
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
