The Danger of Neutrality

In this passage Jesus reveals to us the danger of being neutral.

Either we are gathering, or working “with” the Lord, or we are scattering; that is, working “against” the Lord. Whoever is not gathering men to Christ is necessarily scattering them from Christ!i

Therefore, we might say that being neutral...

Works To The Devil’s Advantage and Men’s Disadvantage

Being neutral works to the Devil’s advantage as much as being disobedient. If we are not actively spoiling (plundering) the Devil of his kingdom, then we are working against our brothers (i.e. scattering them, exposing them to fear).

,

The leaders of Reuben and Gad were content with the land east of Jordan. They asked Moses that it be given them as an inheritance. However, Moses understood that their neutrality and complacency would have an negative impact on the other tribes. The rest of the Children of Israel would become discouraged from pressing forward. Complacency is contagious.

This teaches us that personal contentment does not exclude us from our responsibility to war with others ().

In this parable Satan is cast out of a man, but upon his return he notices that the house is empty and unoccupied. Satan then goes and gets 7 other spirits and re-enter the house and the state of that man is worst than at the beginning. Therefore, because the man remained neutral it actually worked to Satan’s benefit.

Works To God’s Disadvantage

We have an obligation to God and others to keep gathering men to Christ. Your idleness and uninvolvement in God’s work can have a negative impact on His overall efforts ().

Not only does our neutrality work to the Devil’s advantage, but it also works to God’s disadvantage. As long as men are not being “gathered to Christ,” they are scattered or separated from Christ. We all know what happens to those who are separated from Christ!

It’s like in the game of Monopoly. A player can slow down the game by simply refusing to deal with anybody. The goal of Monopoly is to spoil your opponent (take their money). But, when players refuse to improve their property or sell their property to players who would improve it, it hinders the progression of the game.

It’s like people who drive in the left lane on the highway, but refuse to pass anyone. They are negatively affecting the flow of traffic by their refusal to pass the next car.

How do we avoid being Neutral?

,

In order to avoid being neutral, we must be actively working with Christ. What is Christ doing?

He is spoiling the Devil’s HOUSE

Jesus is displacing (or casting) Satan from his present house and claiming it for God (, ). Every time a soul is saved the devil is overthrown and God (the Kingdom) takes up residence in the body of some person. There are several signs that confirm this has happened within a person, like healing, peace, joy or righteousness.

This is why we pray for the sick, we pray for conversions and why preach the gospel—so that men might gathered/joined to Christ (). One translation says, “Anyone who is JOINED to Christ”. Pauls says that God has committed the ministry of reconciliation (gathering) to us!

He is spoiling the Devil’s ARMOR

Jesus is not only spoiling the Devil’s house, He’s also spoiling the Devil’s armor.

,

Spoiling an enemy of his armor is about preventing him from being able to regain his power. It represents a complete triumph ().

Now, is couched between two parables. The first, is one in which a burglar binds a strong man, AND takes from him his armor. The second, speaks of Satan being cast out of his house. But, because the house remains empty, he re-enters the house and the state of that man is worst than in the beginning.

Verse 23 is actually couched between two parables. The first, is one in which a burglar not only binds a strong man, but he also takes from him his armor. The second, is the reverse of this. It speaks of Satan being cast out of a house. However, because the house remains empty, he eventually re-enters the house.

Therefore, the second parable is actually an explanation on why it’s so dangerous to remain neutral. If we’re not spoiling the enemy of his armor, we’re working to the advantage of the Devil.

,

In other words, don’t just rejoice because Satan is cast out. Rejoice when he stays out! What causes Satan to stay out? He stays out when you take from him the armor he trusts in:

What cause Satan to stay out? He stays out when you take from him the armor he trusts in:

Possessions. One of the things that allows the Devil to retain his power is our trust in riches (, ).

Anger also allows the Devil to regain or retain his place in our lives (, ).

Unforgiveness (, ). Satan trusts (relies) on men’s tendency to hold grudges.

Ignorance is another device that allows the Devil to remain where he is (, ; , )!

A lack of commitment/steadfastness (, ).

Part 2

Who is the “strong man” and how do we “bind” him?