Luke 11:14-15 (ESV) Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,”
The demon’s destructive effect on this man was that he was mute, he couldn’t speak. Demons can often cause what looks like physical ailments. Jesus took authority over this demon and broke its power over the man. After the man was delivered from the demon, he was able to speak. Some people accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan.
Luke 11:17-18 (ESV) But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Jesus basically said that the accusation made no sense. Satan has no desire to weaken his kingdom by setting people free from demons. There are two kingdoms at war in the world, Satan’s kingdom and God’s kingdom.
Luke 11:20 (ESV) But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
The finger of God is the power of the Holy Spirit that cast out the demon. This demonstration of kingdom power shows God’s kingdom is stronger than Satan. Jesus explains further in the next verses.
Luke 11:21-22 (ESV) When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
The strong man in this verse is Satan, who is armed and guards the people whom are under demonic influence. Jesus is the one stronger, who attacks Satan’s demons and sets people free. Jesus then explains more about deliverance from demonic power.
Luke 11:24-25 (ESV) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.
Jesus explains that deliverance from demonic oppression is not necessarily permanent. The demon can return to the person that it was cast out from. If it finds the man’s soul is empty and unprotected, then something terrible is going to happen.
Luke 11:26 (ESV) Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
We learn much from Jesus’ description here. A person can be oppressed by varying number of demons. Secondly, demons have different levels of evil and pain that they can inflict. If the person whom the single demon has been cast out of has not been filled with the Holy Spirit, then he will end up much worse in the future. So, let’s some more about the reality of demon opposition.
Demons are real and they are all around us. Most people think that demon possession is a rare occurrence, it is not. The word translated demon possession in the Greek literally means demonized. A demonized person can have different degrees of demonic influence from one to many demons that can affect every aspect of their life.
How can a person be protected from demons? Jesus gave the answer in verse 13, immediately preceding this passage on demons. The answer is to ask the Father to give or fill you with the Holy Spirit. Then your soul will not be empty, but filled with the Holy Spirit, who will protect you. That is how you can win this first battle in life and help others win as well. Let’s look at the next battle from people …