162 GOOD MORNING, HOLY SPIRIT
sinners erase the dreadful topic from their minds. It's like a
politician avoiding the subjects of drugs and crime,
thinking that somehow they will just go away. But Christ
addressed the issue without fear. He talked about how
demons are eager to invade your life.
Jesus said to the Pharisees: "When an unclean spirit
goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest,
and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house
from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty,
swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they
enter and dwell there" (Matt. 12:43-45). Listen closely to
what the Lord says next: "And the last state of that man is
worse than the first" (v. 45).
Satan's plan of attack is this: Every demon that has left
will pay a return visit—to see if the opportunity is still
available. And if he is given a chance he will bring others
with him. It's a frightening situation, but one that you can
avoid by staying completely, totally filled with the Holy
Spirit and never breaking your covenant with God.
Do you remember the story of the disciples who failed
in their attempt to heal a small child? It was while Christ
was on the Mount of Transfiguration being glorified. And
when the Master came down from the mountain, the father
of the boy said: "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an
epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire
and often into the water. So I brought him to Your
disciples, but they could not cure him" (Matt. 17:15-16).
But more than a physical healing was needed. Christ
said, "'Bring him here to Me.' And Jesus rebuked the
demon, and he came out of him; and the child was cured
from that very hour" (vv. 17-18).
The Lord not only wants to remove Satan and his