An Unoccupied House

Matthew 12:43-45 (New International Version, ©2011)

43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

When we go on vacation we always get someone to stay in our house because it’s dangerous having an unoccupied house. Thieves are crafty, they will stake out your house to study your patterns so they will know when no one is home so that they can break in and steal. That’s why I’m reluctant to pout on Facebook or Foursquare where I am because the enemy can read updates as well. You need to be careful using Social networks to give up your location both physically and spiritually. Many of us are broadcasting to our demons that my house is unoccupied. Our idle and empty posts about being sexy, angry at someone or being just plain ignorant in our posts gives room for the enemy to come in because he sees that there’s nobody in our house. Our house is unoccupied.

Jesus says that when an impure spirit comes out of a man it goes through arid places seeking rest and it doesn’t find any. When we were saved by Jesus and delivered from our impure spirit that spirit left us looking for somewhere else to rest. God made that impure sprit vacate your house that’s the peace you feel when you first come to know Jesus as your personal savior; you join the church, and head in a New Direction.

That Sprit is somewhere in your neighborhood staking out your house looking for a way back in your life. He doesn’t have to work too hard because you keep giving status updates. “Single, I’m mad; I hate you so much right now. Sitting at home bored…” He comes back to find your house swept clean unoccupied and pout in order. The key word here is “Unoccupied.” You’ve been saved but you haven’t been filled. You’re not in Bible study. You’re not in ministry. You stopped praying. You no longer come to church. You are unoccupied.

The evil spirit goes to get seven other friends and they move in your unoccupied house. Your condition is worse than before you met Jesus. The way we make sure this doesn’t happen is that we have to make sure our spiritual house is occupied. The word Occupied means:

1. To fill up (time or space) make sure you fill up your time and space with the Holy Spirit. Fill your time and space with Holy pursuits.

2. To dwell or reside in. Make sure Jesus lives in your house through a relationship.

3. To hold or fill (an office or position). Every believer should have a position in the body of Christ. We each have a gift we are supposed to use in saving others. The greatest position is to be a servant.

4. To seize possession of and maintain control over by or as if by conquest. Paul said, “I beat my body to make it my slave.” We must be disciplined so we can maintain possession over our house.

5. To engage or employ or concentration of. Study to show yourself approved. Enroll in New Direction University, our online bible study classes so the devil will not find your house unoccupied. Get in a bible believing church and become an active part of the ministry there. Go back to school and finish your degree.

Dear God,
Thank you for cleaning my house. Now help me to fill it with good things. Help me to work out my soul’s salvation. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. He can’t come back to my house because I’m occupied. Jesus is in my house, and the vacancy sign has been removed. Today, I will be occupied with pleasing God. Sorry devil there is no vacancy for you.

In Jesus name,
Amen