Unclean Spirits...I'd like your thoughts. (Earth, bible, bless, Satanist)

dawny0826 · #1 02-02-2006, 10:29 PM

I don't normally start a lot of threads but I just feel like discussing...

I want to know what you think about unclean spirits.

When you read scripture such as the scripture below...what's your personal interpretation of what you're reading?

And I'm not only interested in your intepretation...I'd like to know if you believe what you're reading here?

An Unclean Spirit Returns (NKJV) Matthew 12:43-45

"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; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. so, shall it also be with this wicked generation."

Lost Soul · #2 02-02-2006, 10:34 PM

Good luck with that one. That is why I don't know if I can ever be a Christian, the bible is full of that kind of talk.

dawny0826 · #3 02-03-2006, 12:01 AM

My, how quickly things are buried...bumpity bump bump bump...

jeffrey · #4 02-03-2006, 12:31 AM

To me, it means if you open your heart, get rid of the hate, but do not fill the void with love, the hate will come back stronger. And not the love like how you feel about your mate. But love for your family or friends.... or even your enemies.

Steve · #5 02-03-2006, 03:09 AM

To me it means what it says although im not sure what "dry places" means in the spirit world sense or if it is refering physical earth - either way i have seen people having demons/evil spirits cast from them so know that this is type of thing is a reality. Also there are plenty of people who have no problem admiting/talking about there spirit guides etc or even those in the occult/satanists (among others)that will freely admit they are demonized etc.

Terrywoodenpic · #6 02-03-2006, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffrey

To me, it means if you open your heart, get rid of the hate, but do not fill the void with love, the hate will come back stronger. And not the love like how you feel about your mate. But love for your family or friends.... or even your enemies.

That is a very good interpretation, not heard it before.
Was it an origional thought or based on something else?

Terry_________________
Blessed are those who bring peace, they shall be children of God

jeffrey · #7 02-03-2006, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrywoodenpic

That is a very good interpretation, not heard it before.
Was it an origional thought or based on something else?

Terry_________________
Blessed are those who bring peace, they shall be children of God

Original.

James the Persian · #8 02-03-2006, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffrey

Original.

Maybe, but it sounds Orthodox. As with much of the Bible, verses like that can be read on more than one level. I don't doubt that part of meaning is the literal one to do with casting out demons, but I also have no doubt that your idea with respect to casting out anger (though I'd broaden it to passions in general) is also part of the meaning and a perfectly valid interpretation. It actually sounds like the sorts of things you see written in the advice of the Desert Fathers to the more junior monastics. Just cleaning out the badness isn't enough, the void where the passion was needs to be replaced by love and prayer, and continuing self-vigilance. Are you sure you've never read the Philokalia?

James

ChrisP · #9 02-03-2006, 06:18 AM

Oh I thought this was about Tequila *slowly backs out without making eye contact and eases the door shut*

michel · #10 02-03-2006, 06:29 AM

I found an entire sermon on the web, just on this, but also a much shorter explanation:-

http://www.brow.on.ca/Books/Matthew/Matthew12.html
12:43-45 Matthew concludes this section about the judgment on the Jerusalem religious establishment in that generation with Jesus' words about the danger of legalism. There is a terrible outcome for people who clean up their lives like the Pharisees but fail to fill their hearts with the power of the Spirit.

So, in other words, conversion by 'looking good to outsiders' wont work unless you accept the holy spirit within you; being 'in Christ' can't be half-hearted.