Matthew 12:27-31

Rachel Workman: 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. As hard as it is to see, Jesus Christ is in control. He does have authority over evil. It may not always feel like it. Jesus is the only one I know that can make beauty out of ashes. As much as it hurts to see bad things happen to good people just remember that Jesus sees it too. And like he said here he is plundering the goods of Satan.

30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Being on the fence or not having an opinion on God is the same as working against him.

31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.

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John Burnett: ²⁷ If I by ^[a]Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. ²⁸ But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²⁹ Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

The Unpardonable Sin

³⁰ He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

³¹ “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.  It is the Holy Spirit that illuminates our need for a Savior by showing us our sin and the consequences that come with it.  By resisting this call, one calls the Holy Spirit a liar,  doesn’t repent and sees no need to accept the free gift of grace.

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Allen Michael: ²⁷ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁸ But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

²⁹ “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

³⁰ “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ³¹ And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Jesus makes another simple observation: How can a strong person be defeated except by someone who is stronger? Jesus asserted his authority to cast out demons as a clear demonstration of God's reign and power to rule in peoples' lives. God's power is clearly at work in the exorcisms which Jesus performed and they give evidence that God's kingdom has come. Do you want to experience the Lord's victory and protection over sin and oppression in your life? If you obey him and submit to his rule, you will certainly know and experience his kingly peace, presence, and protection.

What is the point of Jesus' grim parable about a strong man's house being occupied by an evil force? Our foe and the arch-enemy of God, who is called "Satan" and the "father of lies", is very powerful. Unless we are clothed in God's strength, we cannot overcome Satan by ourselves. Satan seeks to rule the world in place of God. That is why he uses whatever means he can to get us to obey him rather than God. Satan wants to take from us our faith and confidence in God and our submission to his kingly rule. Satan can only have power or control over us if we listen to his lies and give in to his will.  Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties in this world. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against it. Scripture tells us very clearly that there are ultimately only two kingdoms in opposition to one another – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness under the rule of Satan. If we disregard and disobey God's word, we open the door to the power of sin and to Satan's deception and control. If we want to live free from sinful desires, and from Satan's oppression, then our houses must be occupied by Jesus, who is enthroned as Lord, Master, Savior, and Shepherd of our souls. Do you know the peace and security of a life fully submitted to God and to his word?