Luke 11:24-26 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he said… I. The first is the state of a man when the unclean spirit is gone out of him. All unconverted men are spiritually the slaves of Satan. II. "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: and when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished." 1. Amidst all his convictions he has had no sense of the evil of sin. He has never seen it in its true colours, nor hated it for its evil nature. He has felt his misery; but he has never heartily confessed his guilt. 2. He has given a farther proof that this is still the state of his heart, by the reliance which he has placed on his own strength and goodness. He has resolved, indeed, to forsake all sin; but he has made this resolution, trusting entirely to his own strength. He has had no fear of his own heart, nor any notion of its utter depravity. It is plain that his heart remains unchanged; the same impure habitation which it has always been. III. "Then taketh he unto him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there." These words describe the sinner's awful relapse under the power of Satan. Long-indulged habits call loudly for their usual gratifications. Unmortified lusts revive and renew their strength. Old companions in sin allure. IV. "The last state of that man is worse than the first." It is worse in three respects. 1. His guilt is greater. He has now more to answer for than he before had. He does not now sin in ignorance, as perhaps, he once did. 2. His misery will be greater. This consequence must naturally follow. They whose guilt is greater will justly receive a greater damnation. 3. His danger is greater. He may still be converted and find mercy. By turning to God in true faith and repentance, he may even yet be delivered from guilt and misery. But conversion is now less likely to take place than it formerly was. While you resist not conviction, beware of resting in it. You will not be saved by a conviction of your sins, but by a conversion from them. Mistake not one of these things for the other. (E. Cooper.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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