Wednesday Evening Bible Study

April 11, 2001

:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

casting out – ekballo – to cast out, drive out, to send out. Present participle

dumb – kophos – blunted, dull; blunted (or lamed) in tongue, dumb

wondered – thaumazo – to wonder, wonder at, marvel; to be wondered at, to be had in admiration

In the New Testament, demon possession was manifested in many different ways –

One person was blind and dumb (Mat. 12:22)

A child would have seizures and throw himself into fire or water (Mat. 17:15)

One man spoke with a loud voice (Luke 4:33)

Not everyone with a malfunctioning body is possessed by a demon.

It’s not odd behavior that proves a person is demon possessed, it’s the discerning of a demon that shows it.

:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

Beelzebub – Beelzeboul – “lord of the house”

“Beelzebub” was one of the names of the Philistine god Baal (2 Kings 1:1-3); it means “lord of flies.” A variant is “Beelzebul” which means “lord of the dwelling” and ties in with Christ’s illustrations in Luke 11:18-26. The Jews often used this name when referring to Satan (Wiersbe).

These people were having a hard time thinking that Jesus could be performing miracles, so they attributed His miracles to Satan.

There are some well-meaning Christians who have difficulty believing that God could be doing miracles today. And what they inevitably end up doing is saying that certain miracles are being done by Satan. It’s a shame.

:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.

tempting – peirazo – to try whether a thing can be done; to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself; in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments

sign – semeion – a sign, mark, token; that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known; a sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature; of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God’s

These people want more “proof”, they want Jesus to do more miracles.

They didn’t need to ask, Jesus had already done many “signs”.

(John 20:30-31 KJV) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: {31} But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

This was the backbone of John’s gospel, the “signs” that showed that Jesus was indeed the Christ.

There comes a point where you need to open your eyes and realize who Jesus is.

:17 But he, knowing their thoughts

thoughts – dianoema – a thought

Jesus knew what they were thinking.

:17 said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

divided – diamerizo – to cleave asunder, cut in pieces; to be divided into opposing parts, to be at variance, in dissension

brought to desolation – eremoo – to make desolate, lay waste; to ruin, bring to desolation; to despoil one, strip her of her treasures; from eremos – solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited; a desert, wilderness

Lesson

Don’t divide your home

I know that Jesus is talking about Satan’s kingdom, but the principle holds across the board as well.

(Eccl 4:9-12 KJV) Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. {10} For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. {11} Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? {12} And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

be divided – diamerizo – to cleave asunder, cut in pieces; to be divided into opposing parts, to be at variance, in dissension

Jesus is pointing out that their reasoning is ridiculous. If Jesus were empowered by Satan, why would He be tearing apart His own kingdom?

:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

Josephus speaks of many exorcists in his time, who had this power of healing; and he himself saw one Eleazar, in the presence of Vespasian, his children, officers, and soldiers, cure many that were possessed of devils: and his method was, by putting a ring to the nose of the possessed, under the seal of which, was a root directed to by Solomon, and thereby brought out the unclean spirit; and as soon as the man was healed, he adjured the devil never to return more; at which time he made mention of the name of Solomon, and rehearsed the enchantments written by him: the said Eleazar, to give a specimen of the efficacy of his art, set a cup full of water upon the ground, and commanded the devil when he went out of the man, to turn it over, as a sign that he had left the man, and the devil immediately obeyed his order:

Antiquities, Book 8; Chapter 2:46f

:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

finger – daktulos – a finger

no doubt – ara – therefore, so then, wherefore

is come upon – phthano – to come before, precede, anticipate; to come to, arrive at; to reach, attain to

Jesus didn’t have to perform elaborate rituals, He simply told the demons to leave.

:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

strong man – ischuros – strong, mighty

armed – kathoplizo – furnish with arms, “fully armed”

Satan is “fully armed”.  Be careful.

keepeth – phulasso – to guard; to watch, keep watch

palace – aule – among the Greeks in Homer’s time, an uncovered space around the house, enclosed by a wall, in which the stables stood, hence among the Orientals that roofless enclosure by a wall, in the open country in which the flocks were herded at night, a sheepfold; the house itself, a palace

goods – huparchonta – possessions, goods, wealth, property

The strong man is Satan.

When a person gives a part of their life to Satan, Satan will guard it. That person will have a “peace” because Satan will want them to feel good about what they are doing.

When a person has been dominated by Satan, and you as a Spirit filled Christian come into their life, they are going to be uncomfortable around you, probably going to get upset at you.

(Luke 4:33-34 KJV) And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, {34} Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

stronger – ischuros – strong, mighty; comparative form (“stronger”)

overcome – nikao – to conquer

armour – panoplia – full armour, complete armour; includes shield, sword, lance, helmet, greaves, and breastplate

spoils – skulon – a (beast’s) skin stripped off, a pelt; the weapons and valuables stripped off from an enemy, spoils

divideth – diadidomai – to distribute, divide among several; to give over, deliver

Lesson

Jesus is stronger

Do not be fooled into thinking that Satan is the opposite of Jesus.

Jesus is the Creator, God in the flesh. Satan is a created being, a fallen angel.

There is no comparison between the two.

Jesus has won the battle, winning it at the cross:

(Col 2:13-15 KJV)  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; {14} Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; {15} And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Lesson

Take ground

I think that sometimes I am so awed at Satan’s ability to exercise power over people that I give up. I think it’s hopeless.

Yet God has given to us the ability to exercise authority over Satan.

Our authority in prayer.

(Mat 18:18 KJV)  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The Holy Spirit in us is greater than Satan.

(1 John 4:4 KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

We have powerful weapons.

(2 Cor 10:3-5 KJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: {4} (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) {5} Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Weapons like prayer and the Word of God.

We need to be strong in the Lord.

(Eph 6:10-13 KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. {11} Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. {13} Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We have the privilege of setting the captives free.

(2 Tim 2:24-26 KJV) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, {25} In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; {26} And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

gathereth – sunago – to gather together, to gather; to draw together, collect; to bring together, assemble, collect; to join together, join in one (those previously separated)

scattereth – skorpizo – to scatter; of those who, routed or terror stricken or driven by some other impulses, fly in every direction; to scatter abroad (what others may collect for themselves), or one dispensing blessings liberally

Lesson

For or against Jesus

There is a war going on between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of Light.

There is no neutral ground. What do you think of Christ? Well, I don’t know, I think He is a good man. He was a pretty good philosopher.- Are you for Him? No, I am neutral. No, you’re not. Jesus said: “If you’re not with me, you’re against me.”

:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

is gone out of – exerchomai – to go or come forth of; of those who are expelled or cast out

walketh through – dierchomai – to go through, pass through; to go, walk, journey, pass through a place; to go different places

dry – anudros – without water

rest – anapausis – intermission, cessation of any motion, business or labour; rest, recreation

I will return – hupostrepho – to turn back; to turn about; to return

It seems as if demons have this need to possess some living being.

People are intrigued by the things of the occult, things that open the doors to demons.

:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

swept – saroo – to sweep, clean by sweeping

garnished – kosmeo – to put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare; to ornament, adore; metaph. to embellish with honour, gain honour

The picture of a person who has been delivered from demonic possession.

:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

taketh – paralambano – to take to, to take with one’s self, to join to one’s self; an associate, a companion

more wicked – poneros – full of labours, annoyances, hardships; bad, of a bad nature or condition; in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad; here it is a comparative form, “more wicked”

dwell – katoikeo – to dwell, settle; metaph. divine powers, influences, etc., are said to dwell in his soul, to pervade, prompt, govern it; to dwell in, inhabit; to dwell, settle, temporarily

Lesson

Fill the emptiness

It is a wonderful thing when a person can become free from the power of Satan.

But an empty house is a dangerous thing.

Fill the house with Jesus.

(1 John 5:18 NASB) We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him.