DANGER OF AN EMPTY HOME

1. Matthew 12:43-45.

2. Jesus used this parable to emphasize the spiritual condition of many of the Jews of his day.

a) Described as an evil and adulterous generation (v39).

b) Would be condemned by the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba (v41-42). The queen of Sheba had traveled a great distance to hear the words of Solomon. The Jews had rejected one greater than Solomon.

c) Described as "this wicked generation" (v45).

3. However, there is a secondary application that can be made to us as individuals.

I. The reformation (v43).

A. A person’s heart is like a house.

1. Things that are harmful can reside in it. Matthew 15:19 – "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."

2. It can also be a source for good. Matthew 12:35a – "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things."

B. When we obey the gospel, our houses are cleansed.

1. For our hearts are cleansed. I Corinthians 6:11 – "But ye are washed."

2. We are purified as a result of our obedience to the gospel. I Peter 1:22 – "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth."

II. The return (v44).

A. Notice the unclean spirit said, "I will return into my house." He still claimed the man as his property. A person who has been converted belongs to Christ, not the devil. I Corinthians 6:20 – "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."

B. The unclean spirit found the house empty, swept, and garnished. The man’s condition was such that it was inviting to the evil spirit. Even Satan does not go where he is not invited or wanted.

1. James 4:7-8 - Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh unto you. Purify your hearts, ye double minded."

2. Ephesians 4:27 – "Neither give place to the devil."

C. It’s not enough to rid our hearts of evil; we must fill them with good.

1. In principle.

a. I Peter 3:15 – "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts."

b. Colossians 3:1-2 – "Set your mind on things above."

2. In practice.

a. Take advantage of every opportunity to study God’s Word. I Peter 2:1-2 – "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word." Ex: Bible classes, worship services, Bible reading, reading periodicals, listening to Bible on tape, etc.

b. Be selective about what you allow to enter into your mind. Ex: through what you read, what you watch on television, the kind of music you listen to, etc. Philippians 4:8 – "Whatsoever things are pure, think on these things."

c. Choose your friends wisely. I Corinthians 15:33 – Evil communication corrupts good manners. Also Proverbs 13:20 – "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

III. The result. If we do not replace the evil with good, our latter state becomes worse than the first. How is our latter state worse than the first?

A. Consider the example of those persons of whom Peter wrote. Read II Peter 2:20-22.

B. We are worthy of a much sorer punishment. Hebrews 10:26-29 – "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Notice verse 31 – "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

C. Our hearts become hardened. Hebrews 3:13 – "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

1. The only way to keep Satan from entering our hearts is to fill our hearts with Christ.

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