Reformation or Regeneration: The Story of the Unclean Spirit

Introduction: Whose family do you belong to? God’s forever family, or Satan’s family? You are either a child of God or you are a child of the evil one. You are either a son or daughter of God or you are a child of the devil? Who is your father?

In this passage, Jesus is addressing the spiritual state of a generation that is resistant to God's message. The impure spirit represents evil or sinful tendencies that can inhabit a person. Have you ever heard people talk about their demons? When these evils are expelled, the individual is left in a vulnerable state, especially if the space remains unoccupied.

Jesus uses this story to warn His hearers about the dangers of spiritual emptiness. It is not enough to merely rid oneself of sin; one must also fill the void with God's presence and His righteousness. This teaching applies not just to individuals but also to the community and generations. We must not try and turn over a new leaf, but we must experience a new life.

Please hear what I am about to say:

· Reformation (turning over a new leaf) is not Regeneration (It is not salvation).

· Nature abhors a vacuum. Something will always fill space.

· Christianity is Christ in you transforming your life daily (2 Corinthians 5:17).

One writer penned, “What we don’t need is an empty religion consumed with outer reformation.

Now, let’s turn to our text and look at the danger of reformation without regeneration.

I. The Unclean Spirit Departs – 12:43

43“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

So, what do we have here in this verse? We discover the following:

A. When an unclean spirit goes out of a man

43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

The word “unclean” can also be translated, as evil, wicked, corrupt, and vile.

There are a lot of people today that are filled with all kinds of unclean spirits. One of the biggest is alcohol – why it is even called, spirits. And here in Spirit Lake, we have a local store that sells hard liquor called, Spirits.

Paul penned these words,

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

(Note: dissipation can also be translated, Riot, excess).

What do you want in your house (body) wine which leads to dissipation (Riotous living), or the Holy Spirit which leads to a fruitful life? I choose the Holy Spirit.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee explains that the unclean spirit's departure from a person symbolizes a temporary improvement or reformation. However, without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, this state is unsustainable. The house (person) remains "empty," which makes it vulnerable to even greater spiritual attack.

B. He goes through dry places

43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

The evil spirit doesn’t thrive in dry places but thrives within a human body. Are you aware that the human body is made up of about 60% water?

I have read that dry places are talking about waterless places or parched lands. Deserts were thought of as being devoid of the blessing of God that came with rainfall and abundant crops.

There are Bible teachers who say that this is a reference to fifth-century demonology, in which evil spirits were divided into various classes, according to the different regions of their abode, or places in which they delighted. These classes were divided into five areas:

1. Celestial demons – in heaven.

2. Aerial demons – in the sky.

3. Aquatic demons – in the water.

4. Terrestrial demons – on the earth.

5. Subterranean demons – under the earth.

The demon we are reading about here is a Terrestrial demon.

C. And finds no rest

43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

Evil spirits are on the hunt. They are like winged birds looking for a place to land. The goal of the believer is not to allow them to land on us.

Years ago, Randy Stonehill wrote a song entitled, Shut the Door Keep Out the Devil. I have printed out the lyrics, but I want you to listen to this song. It is a good reminder for all of us to shut the door and keep out the devil (Play Song).

[Chorus] Shut de do, keep out de devil Shut de do, keep de devil in the night Shut de do, keep out de devil Light de candle, everything is alright Light de candle, everything is alright [Verse 1] Oh, when I was a baby child (Shut de do, keep out de devil) Good and bad were just a game (Shut de do, keep de devil in the night) Many years and many trials (Shut de do, keep out de devil) They proved to me they're not the same (Shut de do, keep de devil in the night) You better listen to me

[Chorus] Shut de do, keep out de devil Shut de do, keep de devil in the night Shut de do, keep out de devil Light de candle, everything is alright Light de candle, everything is alright [Verse 2] Oh, Satan is an evil charmer (Shut de do, keep out de devil) He's hungry for a soul to hurt (Shut de do, keep de devil in the night) And without your holy armor (Shut de do, keep out de devil) He will eat you for dessert (Shut de do, keep de devil in the night)

Listen to me

The Gaither Band changed that song and left out verse 2 completely. Look back and read verse 2.

People must not only get the devil out of their lives, but they must make sure that they shut the door. Don’t open doors to allow the devil a foothold.

Poole said, “The devil cannot be at rest where he hath no mischief to do to men.”

We don’t want to give the spirits a place in our lives. Spiritual transformation is the key. Reformation is not enough. You must be born again.

II. The Unclean Spirit Returns – 12:44

44Then 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.

A. I will return to the house from where I came.

44 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.

There is a constant danger of sin and temptation in the Christian life. There is not a day that goes by that the enemy of our souls isn’t trying to make headway into our lives.

Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:8,

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Now, think about what an unsaved person must face when it comes to temptations and sins.

Here in Matthew 12:44, the unclean spirit says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” Here we have a possessive sense of ownership.

Evil wants a house to dwell in.

B. And when comes, He finds it empty, swept,

44 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.

Someone wrote, “Here lies the critical lesson: cleanliness without occupation is insufficient. It's not just about removing evil but about replacing it with good. An unoccupied heart is an invitation for greater evil.”

The word “empty” means unoccupied. There is nothing there.

Remember I mentioned that nature abhors a vacuum. Something will always seek to take up space. This is why we cannot just clean up our lives, but we must receive Jesus Christ into our lives to be our SAVIOR and LORD. The Holy Spirit must fill the void in our lives.

C. And put in order.

44 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.

People who clean up their own lives may look good on the outside. They may even look healthier, but their appearance is deceiving. The place is furnished but vacant.

Have you noticed how people are trying all kinds of things to fill the void in their lives? Everything from meditation (emptying the mind), or various world religions. People fill their lives with other stuff that makes them just as empty.

I would submit to you that only JESUS CHRIST truly satisfies! You shouldn’t try to fill your life with poisons but with a person. You must come to know your CREATOR!

You don’t need a neat life, but a NEW LIFE! Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

III. The Unclean Spirit Inhabits – 12:45

45Then 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.”

A. Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than himself,

45 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.”

Again, Dr. J. Vernon McGee wrote, “The returning spirit, finding the house swept but unoccupied, brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, leading to a worse state than before.” This is not a pleasant picture – it is quite disturbing!

Demon’s cooperative with other demons. And as I read this it appears that demons have different levels of wickedness. Look at the words,

More wicked than himself.

This unclean spirit brings with him seven more wicked spirits, making the person's condition worse than before. This amplification of evil shows the severity of relapse and the compounded consequences of not filling the void with the Holy Spirit and godly living.

What do you know about the number seven? It is God’s number. It is the number of perfection and completion. Here the demon used God’s number. He takes with him seven other demons and returns to the empty house. These eight demons completely take over the man.

David Platt wrote, “Evil, when unrestrained, multiplies.”[1]

B. And they enter and dwell there;

45 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.”

There are a lot of people who are occupied by some very evil spirits. What we often call mental illness here in the States may be demonic disturbances. When people forget God or leave God out of the picture, they are opening themselves up to all kinds of demonic activity.

C. And the last state of the man is worse than the first.

45 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.”

How far have you fallen? And can you get up? Is your present state worse than what it was the first go around? Talk about relapse! This is just plain awful.

Warren Wiersbe emphasizes that “reformation without regeneration — external changes without internal transformation—leads to a worse state than before.”

There is a note in the ESV Study Bible that reads, “If this evil generation continues to reject Jesus even after witnessing His divine authority over demons, their condition will be worse than if they had never seen Him.”

D. So shall it also be with this wicked generation

45 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.”

Jesus was addressing a generation of people. Is this generation alive today? Is it a generation of people that are alive through the ages? Is this being addressed to every generation of people? I believe so.

There are a whole lot of demon-possessed and disturbed people today. They have rejected Jesus Christ. They want nothing to do with Him or His teaching.

Listen, either you are with God, or you are against God. There is no middle ground. Where are you today? Like I began at the start of this sermon, “What family do you belong to?”

Conclusion: What are the take home truths from this passage of Scripture? Here are seven to think about:

1. Demonic activity is very much alive.

2. A clean house is not necessarily a saved house.

3. Reformation is not enough. There needs to be regeneration. Every person needs to be born again (born from above).

4. An empty house is an open door for the devil and his demons.

5. The last state of a person can be their worst state. Demons will bring other demons.

6. What we call mental illness may be demonic disturbances.

7. A generation that say “No” to God belongs to the devil’s family.

[1] https://radical.net/podcasts/pray-the-word/guard-against-evil-matthew-1243-45/