A House of God or a House of Demons? Seung-woo Byun First 하나님의 집인가?

[v교포사랑v]

 A House of God or a House of Demons? 

 Seung-woo Byun          

Original Korean edition published in Korea by HolyPearl Publications.

First published in Korea under the title of 하나님의 집인가? 귀신의 집인가?

Copyright ⓒ 2017 by Seung-woo Byun

Published by HolyPearl Publications

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CONTENTS 

1.    Man Is Either a House of God or a House of Demons!   

2.   How Can I Know Whether I Am a House of God or a House of Demons? 

3.   How Can I Become a House of God, not a House of Demons?  

“When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” 

While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Luke 11:24-28

I was an old bachelor and got married late. I met my wife, four years younger than

I, at the age of 33 and married her. Getting married at 33 is not so late these days. Many are still single at the age of 40 and above. However, in those days, it was a relatively late age to marry. One of the reasons that young adults do not marry early is the difficulty in getting a house. 

On Nov. 28, 2016, KBS aired a news report with the title “The Generation in

Their 20s and 30s; It Takes over 40 Years for Them to Buy Their Own House!”  

“How long will it take for those in their 20s and 30s until they buy a house? It seems it will take more than 40 years to get a house for those in their 20s and 30s, struggling with relatively low incomes compared to the sky-rocketed house prices, without any help from their parents while living a normal consumer life. 

The data from the statistics office, the monthly average disposable income of household heads at the age of 39 and under in 3Q this year was 3.71 million KRW (equivalent to around 3,200 USD). According to the Korea Appraisal Board, the average sales price of an apartment in Seoul is 550 million KRW (equivalent to around 473,000 USD). 

This means a household head in his 20s or 30s can only purchase a house at the average sales price of an apartment in Seoul after saving his disposable income for 12 years and 6 months without spending even a penny from it. 

Worse, if a supposition is made that he tries to buy a house with the remaining income after his consumption spending - not an unrealistic presumption that this household doesn’t spend any money at all - the duration required until he can own a house will increase geometrically. 

The household surplus (disposable income minus consumption spending) rate is less than 30% in the 3Q disposable income, thus the household surplus is only about 1.1 million KRW on average per month. Provided that the household surplus is saved like this and used to purchase a house, it will take 42 years until he can purchase a house. 

Furthermore, if those in their 20s or 30s who earn the median income which means that their income exactly falls into the middle of the nation’s income distribution, not the average income, want to buy a house putting in their entire household surplus, it takes more than 50 years. 

In addition, if the inflation rate is counted in, the time required until they can own a house will increase unimaginably. It means those in 20s or 30s won’t be able to buy a house unless they get a loan. Moreover, if one buys a house bearing a debt, he will have to be saddled with the weight of the debt for all his life until he retires.

Furthermore, because the incomes have hardly been raised and only the house prices have been soaring, the time that one can purchase a house is being further delayed. At least, in Dec. 2013, the income of 11 years and 6 months was sufficient enough to buy a house but in Sep. 2016, it increased to 12 years and 6 months.”[1] 

It is not a little difficult for ordinary office workers to purchase a house. So, for many people, buying their own house is a lifetime dream. 

However, man is not the only one that is interested in getting a house. God and also Satan are very interested in finding a house. God and Satan want to make us their house. Thus, they have confrontation with each other over us.

Our body is a house where the spirit dwells. At the same time, it is either a house of God or a house of demons. This is a clear fact. And although this is very important, most people live paying no attention to this. Therefore, I’d like to challenge you today through this sermon with a shocking title, “A House of God or a House of Demons?”  

Chapter 1  

Man Is Either a House of God or a House of Demons! 

A Christian is a house of God. So, Paul wrote as follows. 

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. (2 Corinthians 6:16) 

However, man can also be a house of demons, not a house of God. 

In the main passage, the unclean spirit went out of a man. And it went through waterless places seeking rest. It said as below since it couldn’t find a place to rest. 

‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ (Luke 11:24) 

And it then goes, ‘When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order (Luk. 11:25, NIV). Here, ‘the house’ indicates a man. Like this, a man can be a house of God but also can be a house of demons where a demon can rest. 

Thomas Watson said “The sinner’s heart is the devil’s mansion-house.”[2] And Frank Hammond, a world-renowned deliverance minister, said the following words.     

Demons consider the body of the person indwelt to be their “house” ... 

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walkeths through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into MY HOUSE from whence I came out. (Matt. 12:43-44a) (EMPHASIS OURS) 

It is not uncommon for demons to speak through a person who is being delivered (see Mark 1:23-24). I have often heard evil spirits declare, “This is my house.”… When demons are being commanded out of a person they will sometimes contend “I have been here a long time” as though tenure of occupancy gives them title to a person’s body.[3] 

  Like this, a man who should be a house of God can become a house of demons. 

Man is either a house of God or a house of demons. No one stands in between. Oral Roberts said, “In your humanness you cannot live in a vacuum.”[4] Someone may ask, “In the scripture, the house was swept clean and put in order but empty, wasn’t it?” (Luk. 11:25) Dr. Yong-eui Yang said the following words which can serve as an answer to this question.  

Everyone has only two choices. Either they choose to be bound by demons or to be reigned by Jesus, confessing Him to be the Messiah. There can’t be a middle ground between these two (Ref. See Mat. 12:30). Whoever wants to maintain his stance in the middle cannot but be bound by a demon again.[5] 

Indeed, the empty house in the main passage became a house of demons in the end. Therefore, man is after all either a house of God or a house of demons. 

By the way, a believer can also be a house of demons, not of God. And this will astound you but among believers, those who are a house of demons are far more [than those who are a house of God]. For instance, the following words are found in Matthew 12:45, a parallel text of the main passage. 

Then it goes and takes along with it seven spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation. 

Here, ‘this evil generation’ refers to the Jews who believed God in those days. It means the believing Jews such as the high priests, elders, scribes and Pharisees. Namely, most of them are a house of demons en masse.  

However, Christianity of today is not greatly different from it. Too many among pastors and believers are a house of demons although they say they believe. A majority of believers is in fact a house of demons. This is well shown in Pastor Sun-young Kim’s testimony that was shared at Juan Presbyterian Church. 

One day, I prayed this prayer before God. 

‘God, believers listen to sermons a lot but they are not changed. They listen to many powerful and great sermons but why aren’t their lives changed?’ I thought, ‘What kind of sermons shall be preached to make them change?’. I prayed before God with this question. 

Then, God showed this to me. In a vision, I walked into one large church and I looked from the back. The people were wearing a white robe with a red stripe on. I

thought, ‘The people are wearing clothes that look like a choir robe!’ This robe means they are confident in themselves; ‘I am a believer, a Christian.’

Then, God told me, “Go and look at them from their front.” I went in front of one elder and looked at him. He seemed decent from behind but when I looked at him from the front, he was a mannequin. No life. And another one was just made of straw like a scarecrow. It wasn’t a mannequin and wasn’t made of plastic but was made of merely straw with just a robe placed on. It seemed as if it were going to fall soon with just a slight touch. Some other one didn’t have a life in it either but was filled with red worms that had a long body and long legs. [God said] ‘It means that it is full of things of the world.’ And other one was rotten, reeking of such horrible odor. Some other had worms crawling out from its inside. So, it tried to cover itself to keep the worms from crawling out. And another one was trying hard to cover itself in order to stop its stench from leaking out but the smell was very strong when I came close.  

God said, showing this to me, ‘In this large church, few have a life in them. You know, there are many people in the church today but so many of them have no life in themselves like this.’ 

I could see that in the church, few had a life in themselves, indeed. One in some row, two in another row, three in some other row or not even one in some row at all. So, beloved, examine yourself whether you have a life in yourself. Let’s check ourselves whether we have really met the Lord and we are really confident that we can go to heaven if we die tonight although we are sitting in the church. Please examine yourself to see if you are full of stench, filled with things of the world although you are wearing a garment of a ‘believer’ on the outside or if you give out a terrible odor and have worms crawl out from your inside although you pretend that you are not of this world and do not stink when in front of others. 

Someone asked me over the phone, ‘Pastor Kim, please pray for me.’ I asked, ‘What shall I pray about you?’ He responded, ‘My business is having a hard time. Please pray that it will go well.’ ‘OK. Then, let’s pray together on the phone.’ And as I said this one word, ‘Father God’, God showed me that there was one jar in his stomach swarming with red worms. And God spoke to him. 

‘You say with your lips that you are a Christian and a child of God who has the Holy Spirit inside. If you have the Holy Spirit inside, you are a holy temple. But you have this sin of not keeping your body holy.’ 

God said this. And He told the man to vomit everything out of his inside and repent.  

If you have received Jesus as Christ, you are not your own. And if the Holy Spirit is in you, you are a holy temple. How strictly do you manage yourself spiritually as a holy temple before God? How hard do you strive to live holy and truthfully, obey His word before God and live a life that is pleasing to God? 

Terrifying, isn’t it? Thus, we have to stay wide awake. So, we must become a house of God, not a house of demons. 

What is salvation? 

As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12) 

Salvation is to become a house of God by receiving Jesus. That’s why John said, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” (1 Joh. 5:12)  

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5) 

As seen in these words, if man doesn’t become a house of God where the Lord dwells, he will be abandoned and go to hell at the end. Thus, I hope you all become a house of God at any cost.   

Chapter 2  

How Can I Know Whether I Am a House of God or a House of Demons?  

We shall become a house of God. Jesus spoke of God’s house as follows. 

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. (John 14:1-2) 

Here, what does ‘My Father’s house’ mean? It’s heaven. Yes. God’s house is heaven. Therefore, when we become a house of God, our heart becomes a heaven. Heaven comes into our heart. In other words, it becomes a place where the Lord reigns. That’s why the Scripture speaks of a believer to be a kingdom of God. 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. (1 Peter 2:9) 

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth. (Revelation 5:10) 

John described heaven, the Father’s house in Revelation. Heaven is where the throne of God and 24 elders are, the river of life flows and on either side of this river is the tree of life yielding its fruit. However, although Paul had an experience of being taken up to the third heaven, he didn’t write about heaven in detail. Instead, he precisely depicted the heaven of a heart. 

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) 

When this verse says, ‘the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking’, it doesn’t mean that ‘the kingdom of God is not a paradise seen in movies,’ as commonly said. For ‘eating and drinking’ is not about eating and drinking well but it refers to the dietary law on what can be eaten and what must not be eaten. Therefore, this text doesn’t mean that one’s heart will be a heaven if he observes the Law but cannot be a heaven if he doesn’t. It means no flesh can be declared righteous by the works of the Law (Rom. 3:20).   

Under the Old Testament, people lived a believer’s life by learning and keeping the Law. However, now we have to live our lives of faith being empowered by the Holy

Spirit. 

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6) 

However, even today, many are still living a life of faith in the same manner as under the Old Testament. Those who put a taboo on the Holy Spirit while focusing on expository preaching and discipleship training are the very ones. They diligently write down what they hear. However, what we really need is not writing the Word of God down on a piece of paper but having the Word engraved in our hearts. Only the Holy Spirit can do this (2 Cor. 3:3). This is why Paul said this phrase, “in the Holy Spirit” in Romans 14:17. Therefore, a church that shuns the Holy Spirit while emphasizing the Word is not a right church. 

Again, the heaven of a heart is built in us not thorough the Law (on eating and drinking) but through the Holy Spirit. In other words, our hearts become a heaven as Jesus comes into us through the Holy Spirit and there are three characteristics for the heaven of a heart. We can know whether we are a house of God or a house of demons through it. So, I will explain these three. 

(1) Righteousness 

What is this ‘righteousness’? This is the righteousness not ‘in Jesus’ but ‘in the Holy Spirit’. That is to say, it is the righteousness which is fulfilled through the Holy Spirit. This is the righteousness that Ezekiel prophesied about. 

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:27) 

It is simply neither the forgiveness of sin nor the imputed righteousness but it is the righteousness appearing through one’s character and life. Namely, it is the righteousness that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 5:20.  

For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

  The ‘righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees’! This means to understand the Law properly and live by it. It means to keep the law of God not simply with body but with heart. It means to live uprightly before God who looks at the heart, not before a man who looks at actions (Luk. 16:15). We must observe the Word of God in this manner. For as words of parents are for their children’s happiness, all the words of God are for our happiness and good. 

And to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10:13)

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, 

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17)

 Even the words about offering are for our benefit. 

You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. (Philippians 4:1517)

Therefore, I hope that you will keep the law of God not just with your body but willingly with your mind and heart.

By the way, do you know what the characteristics of men who have become a house of demons are? They hurt themselves by committing sin that is harmful to them like the mad man in the city of Gerasa who was possessed by a legion of demons. Those who have become a house of God don’t live like so. They live doing the righteousness that saves themselves. Thus, examine whether you have in yourself this righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. Then, you can know if you are a house of God or a house of demons. 

(2) Peace 

If there is no ‘righteousness’ explained above, there is surely no ‘peace’. For God repeatedly declared, “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isa. 48:22, 57:21). Before Adam and Eve sinned, they waited for God to come. God has eyes like blazing fire and He sees through our minds and thoughts. However, they didn’t fear God’s visit at all.

Then after they sinned by eating from the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, they hid away at the sound of God’s footsteps. Peace was gone. Like this, there is no peace for the wicked. As a saying goes, “A guilty conscience needs no accuser”, there is no peace for the wicked.

People are mostly under the delusion that they are good. Do you happen to think so as well? If so, let me ask you this question. Is there peace in your heart? If not, you must know that you are not the kind of a person you think you are but a wicked person. Therefore, peace is important. 

Then, where does peace come from? ‘Peace’ is created in us by the Lord’s visit or His presence. A child feels at peace when he is conscious of his mother. However, there is someone we need more than our mothers! It’s Jesus. So, our spirits feel peace when Jesus comes to us. The Lord said the following words in a book, At the Master’s Feet written by Sundar Singh. 

The true peace which is born of My presence in the hearts of true believers they are unable to see, but, feeling its power, they become happy in it. Nor can they see that happiness of mind or heart through which they enjoy the peace of My presence. It is the same with the tongue and sweetmeats. The faculty of taste which resides in the tongue and the sweetness it perceives are both invisible. Thus also I give My children life and joy by means of the hidden manna, which the world with all its wisdom knows not nor can know (Rev.ii.7). [6] 

Beloved, do you know what is more important than seeing the Lord? It’s to feel the Lord. There are many people who say they have seen the Lord. However, there is no revelation in the words spoken by the Lord [to them] if we listen to what they say. They have neither divine wisdom nor depth. We don’t know whom in the world they have met. 

Someone says he met Jesus and Jesus told him that the ‘principality (Eph. 6:12)’ was a demon reigning over a city or a nation. Some other person says he also met Jesus and Jesus told him that the verichip (verification chip) was 666. What they know wrongly; Jesus also knows it wrongly like them. In this case, they didn’t really meet Jesus properly. 

In this respect, I think what is more important than seeing Jesus is feeling Jesus. One more reason why this is important is that the peace of a mind following when we feel Jesus is a piece of proof that Jesus is in us. In other words, peace is the proof that we are a house of God. 

God is a spirit. God is invisible by nature. I said this in my earlier sermon. Not just audible voices are true voices. In many cases, a thought is a voice of the Lord. Likewise, we don’t meet God only through His manifestation. As God can speak without an audible sound, He can also meet us without being visible. It means we might have met Him although we haven’t seen Him. It is well shown in the following verse.   

All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. (2 Chronicles 15:15)

 And what we feel when God comes upon us and when we spiritually meet God is exactly peace. Beloved, be a person who wants God Himself, not special experiences such as His visit or manifestation. And pray. Then, anyone can spiritually meet and experience God. 

(3) Joy 

 Do you know why people want to go to heaven? For it is a place full of joy and happiness. 

For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

Then, what is the reason that there is fullness of joy and gladness in heaven? It’s because of the Lord. Paul wanted to go to heaven like we do. And Paul knew why heaven was a good place and why man would become happy when he went to heaven. He knew that it was because of Jesus. So, he confessed as follows. 

We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

The following words are found in Psalm 16:11. 

You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in

Your right hand there are pleasures forever. 

There is fullness of joy just being in the presence of the Lord. There are everlasting pleasures in His right hand. And what if that Lord came into my heart? Therefore, in the heart of a man who has become a house of God is joy. He is happy! 

However, a man who has become a house of demons is the opposite. Demons torture men in hell. Can anyone be happy by living with such demons? Of course, not. The heart of a man who has become a house of demons becomes a hell. No matter how many things he owns, he cannot be happy. We can find its example from Saul who was a king of one nation. 

Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.” (1 Samuel 16:14-15) 

 Saul was forsaken because he disobeyed God. Then, the Holy Spirit left and an evil spirit came upon him. From then on, his heart was full of agony and he was miserable although he was a king of one nation. His heart became a hell. Therefore, if you want to know whether you are a house of God or a house of demons, examine yourself whether your heart is a heaven or a hell. Then, you will know. 

Chapter 3  

How Can I Become a House of God, not a House of Demons? 

 This is most important and I will explain it to you in phases.  

 (1) We must receive Jesus as King and Savior (Joh. 1:12). 

We can find the following words right before the main passage. 

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. (Luke 11:2122) 

“A strong man” refers to a demon and “someone stronger,” Jesus. Therefore, if you want to become a house of God, you shall believe in Jesus. 

How come the man in this passage became a house of demons that seven evil spirits entered? It was because the house was empty although it was swept and put in order. The house being swept and put in order means that this man is different from evil ones in the world. He doesn’t drink or smoke. He doesn’t gamble or lives in debauchery and he doesn’t lie. This is what a religion does. There are many people who are externally changed through a religion but have not changed their master. Such people are also prey to demons. Evil spirits can enter them as they like. Therefore, we shall receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

Meanwhile, I say this often—receiving Jesus means not simply receiving Him as Savior but as Lord. Many people receive Jesus after hearing the gospel. However, they receive Jesus as Savior only, so Jesus is not in them as in the case of the saints in Laodicea (Rev. 3:20). They mistakenly believe that they themselves are a temple but they have become a house of demons. Thus, I encourage you to check yourself with the following passage. 

For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be

Lord both of the dead and of the living. (Romans 14:7-9) 

Beloved, please, honestly examine yourself and answer. Who do you live for? Is it Jesus? Or yourself? Are you Jesus-centered? Or still self-centered? Becoming a house of God cannot be done only by saying ‘Lord, Lord’ with lips. We must receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Hence, I hope you will be receiving Jesus as Lord with a sincere heart now. 

 (2) We must live a life of self-denial and obedience. 

Some may want to ask me like this. 

“I have received Jesus but why am I still feeling like I am not a house of God but a house of demons?” 

It is because they have not lived a life of denying themselves although they have received Jesus and been attending church. As we are not saved just because we repeat the sinner’s prayer with our lips, we are not living a life of faith just because we go to church. As the Lord said, we shall deny ourselves each day and follow Jesus by taking up our cross (Mat. 16:24). Only such ones as this can become a house of God. 

When a man truly receives Jesus, demons leave. However, in many cases, the demons left return back. It is because they don’t deny themselves every day and follow the Lord but they live sinning as they please. 

Jesus said after healing the paralyzed. 

“Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” (John 5:14) 

This is a prescription absolutely needed also by a person who is healed of illness of soul. 

Don’t be deceived. Once saved is not forever saved. The saved can also be forsaken. It means that a man who has become a house of God can be a house of demons again.

That’s why Francis MacNutt warned as follows in his book, Deliverance from Evil

Spirits. 

Spirits do not enter us simply because we have sinned. At times we all sin. But spirits of sin enter some people, mysteriously, for one of two reasons:

1.because these people have sinned habitually over a prolonged period of time; or

2.because they have committed a particularly intense sin (a violent act of murder, for example) that has opened the gate to let the spirits come in. 

When we sin over a long period of time, we are disregarding God’s will and moving away from the protection of His Kingdom. We are building a home for sin and eventually a spirit of sin may move in.[7] 

Therefore, after you are saved, do not ever take sin lightly. Especially, do not ever commit habitual sins. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23) even for the saved.

By the way, are there any people among you, who have already become a house of demons? Even if so, do not lose hope. Mary Magdalene in the Bible had been possessed by seven evil spirits. Worse, a legion of demons that couldn’t be counted had entered the mad man in the city of Gerasa. However, the evil spirits were cast out from both of them and they became a house of God. Thus, whatever your condition may be, you have hope. 

I don’t want to tell people who have already become a house of demons to receive deliverance ministry. Instead, I want to strongly urge them to repent. There is a reason for me to say this. It is because deliverance will be like pouring water into a bottomless jar if without repenting of sin. Charles Kraft, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Intercultural Communication at Fuller Theological Seminary,  compared the relation between sin and demons to that between garbage and rats in his book, Defeating Dark Angels.[8] Rats are demons and garbage is sin that attracts them. If rats are driven away without dealing with garbage, rats come back. It is the same with demons. The meaning of ‘Beelzebul’ is ‘the lord of dung,’ ‘the lord of filth,’ and ‘the lord of the flies’. As flies gather around dung or filth, demons swarm to where filthy sins are. Thus, no matter how one drives out an evil spirit, it will come back again and again as long as there is sin. So, Francis MacNutt said as follows. 

The person should be taught to break the habitual behavior patterns that originally led to the demonic infestation.[9]

I have read the following testimony in one book.  

Several years ago, I did deliverance ministry on one deacon. During the ministry, I came across a ‘spirit of sorrow’ in him. I interrogated this ‘spirit of sorrow’ and asked if other spirits were also there. The ‘spirit of sorrow’ confessed that the other spirits were already gone out of the man. So, I asked for the reason and it answered, “This deacon is a devout believer who loves the Lord much and spends a lot of time in praying and reading the word. So, many spirits went somewhere else for there was no food for them anymore.” I asked, “Then, why haven’t you left, yet?” and it bluntly replied, “Someone has to command me to leave.”   

It’s an interesting testimony! Thus, do not just cast out demons but repent and do away with sin. Then, demons will not return and you can become a house of God. 

As the Holy Spirit left and an evil spirit came in when Saul disobeyed, a demon enters when one sins. And this is also true the other way around. When one repents, a demon leaves and the Holy Spirit comes.   

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (Acts 2:38-39) 

Therefore, repent. And then, you all become a holy and glorious house of God, not a house of demons which demons come in and out of.   

 (3) We must seek the face of God.  

To become a house of God instead of a house of demons, we must seek God and His face.    

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face—even Jacob. (Psalm 24:3-6) 

‘The hill of the Lord’, ‘His holy place’; both of these are expressions related to the house of God. Therefore, in order to become a house of God, we must seek the face of God. 

Do you know why so many people have become a house of demons? It’s because they have sought and pursued something else other than God. They have to turn back before it gets too late if they want to be a house of God. At least from now, they have to seek God and His face. 

Last week, when I was praying at home before coming to the church, the Holy Spirit gave me the following passage. 

Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. (Luke 2:41-45) 

And He gave this understanding. Mary went up to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of the Passover. Then, she lost Jesus there. Like this, we can lose Jesus not just in the world but in the church. We may diligently attend church and faithfully fulfill religious duties but can yet lose Jesus. As described in the main passage, a religion can clean a house and put it in order but it cannot fill up our spirits. One may be religiously zealous but can still be an empty house. For example, Mary was enthusiastic about her religious activities but she drew her attention away from Jesus and lost Him. What is more surprising is that she didn’t even know she had lost Him. Like this, many people diligently engage in church activities, but their focus is not Jesus any more. They have no interest in Jesus and have lost Him. However, they don’t know the Lord has left them like Samson. And this can be us. 

In the meantime, the other Mary in the Bible didn’t make such a mistake as this. 

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NIV) 

When Jesus came to her house, Mary was not distracted by a woman’s duty, comparable to a believer’s religious duty, which was meal preparation. She only focused on Jesus. She sat before Him and fellowshipped with Him by looking at His face and listening to His voice. At that, Martha, her sister, complained. Then, Jesus took sides with Mary, saying, “You are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary.” Jesus is always on Mary’s side, not Martha’s. And so am I. 

However, this word of Jesus is not easy to interpret. Particularly, the core question is what ‘many things’ and ‘one thing’ are and there are three views to it. 

①  The view that both refer to the number of foods 

In this case, we can understand Jesus’ word as follows. 

“Martha. You are busy as you try to make too many dishes. So, reduce the number or prepare only one dish since it will be good enough.” 

This seems natural and reasonable. However, it is not a right interpretation because it doesn’t come in tune with the words that follows, “Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” It’s because the word ‘the [good part]’ is related to ‘one thing’ that appears right before. Therefore, ‘one thing’ cannot be food. 

②  The view that both are spiritual things  

This is an interpretation that the ‘few things’ are a few important things including faith, obedience and reverence, etc. and ‘one thing’ means the one that Mary chose. This is not a right interpretation, either, because Martha was preparing food and the word of Jesus was apparently also related to food. 

③  The view that the former is a physical thing (food) and the latter is a spiritual thing. 

This view is that in what Jesus said, the ‘few things’ mean food and ‘one thing’ is what Mary chose. In this case, Jesus’ intention is to emphasize the importance of ‘one thing’, not [to say whether it should be] a ‘few things’ or ‘one thing’. Therefore, the meaning of what Jesus said will be as follows. 

“Martha, you just need to cook a ‘few things’ only or not even at all. That is not what is important. Food may not be prepared but this ‘one thing’ is important, which Mary has chosen to concentrate on me, fellowship with me and listen to me. This one thing is enough for me.” 

This interpretation seems to be most correct. For ‘what’ in this phrase, ‘Mary has chosen what is better’ points to the ‘one’ that Jesus spoke of. The ‘one’ thing Jesus emphasized wasn’t food but it was what Mary had chosen. It was to focus on Jesus, fellowship with Him, and spend time before Him. In other words, it was to pursue the Lord as a purpose. Therefore, this ‘one thing’ that Jesus said of coincides with ‘one thing’ that David confessed. 

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to mediate in His temple. (Psalm 27:4) 

Mary chose one thing of seeking the face of the Lord like King David and focused on it. So, she was able to know Jesus deeply and give the best worship of preparing the burial of the Lord by breaking the alabaster jar. Beloved, do you want to become a house of God? Get rid of busyness like that of Martha. And focus on one thing of looking at the Lord and seeking His face only, following the example of Mary. Then, you can all become a house of God.  

(4) We must be transformed from glory to glory in the imitation of the Lord. 

The house that God and demons are searching for is a comfortable person; in other words, a person whom they can comfortably rest in. 

“Mid pleasures and palaces 

Though we may roam 

Be it ever so humble, 

There’s no place like home. 

A charm from the skies 

Seems to hallow us there, which seek thro’ the world,  Is ne’er met with elsewhere. 

Home, home, sweet sweet home, 

There’s no place like home; There’s no place like home.” 

As a man needs a house to rest comfortably, God also needs a place to rest. This is well shown in the following passage. 

Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? (Isaiah 66:1)  Like this, God is searching for a place to rest. God is looking for someone in whom He can feel comfortable to be and, namely, in whom He can rest as the Holy Spirit didn’t ever depart from Jesus after descending upon Him like a dove. In other words, He is seeking a man who is after His heart like David.

It’s not just God. The devil also looks for a person in whom he can rest. 

Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. (Matthew 12:43) 

The demon driven out of a person went around seeking a place to rest from that day. It went through ‘waterless places’ like a wilderness or a desert seeking a place to rest. It’s not clearly known whether the places Jesus mentioned are really wildernesses and deserts or they have a spiritual meaning, or if He used the expression‎ simply because there were many wildernesses and desserts in Israel. However, it is clear what place demons are searching for. It’s a place where they can comfortably rest. Thus, the question we must ask ourselves after this question, ‘Am I a house of God or a house of demons?’ is ‘Am I a person with whom God feels comfortable or a demon feels comfortable?’ 

Recently, I met Pastor Geum-seong Kang. We hadn’t seen each other for long before then and my heart was very glad to see him. There are people we feel comfortable and enjoy to be with like this. On the contrary, there are people whom it is painful to be with. Most of the pastors I met over the matter of heresy accusation were like that. I met them because I had to, but even before I met them, I was already stressed out and my heart would get so painful and distressed when I met them. 

Then, is it like this only with us? No. There are people whom God would feel comfortable to meet with or feel distressed. Therefore, we shall seriously ask ourselves the following two questions.

 ① Am I a comfortable person to God? 

God looks for a place where He can rest in comfort. What kind of a person would God feel comfortable with? 

Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” “But he who kills an ox is like one who slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain offering is like one who offers swine’s blood; He who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations, So I will choose their punishments and will bring on them what they dread. Because I called, but no one answered; I spoke, but they did not listen. And they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.” (Isaiah 66:1-4)

Here, we can find a ‘place to rest’ that God is searching for. A man God seeks is not a religious person. There are so many people who go to church, attend services and serve in their churches but are wicked in the eyes of God. They cannot be a house of God. God is not in them as in the believers of the church of Laodicea. 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20) 

The characteristics of a person that God looks for as a house are three as follows. It is “being humble and contrite of spirit, and trembling at the word of God.” It’s to desire the word, repent of sin and act according to the word of God. God feels comfortable in such people only. He makes them His dwelling place. 

Then, what would happen if God feels uncomfortable after making them His house?

If so, He will grieve and leave as in the case of Saul. That’s why Paul warned as follows. 

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender—hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:29-32) 

 However, there are too many believers who don’t pay heed to Paul’s warning. So, there are too many people whom God departs from. If he is a believer, it should be normal for a demon to leave him as it cannot stand but there are too many believers whom God leaves from because He cannot stand. The reason He leaves them is that it is too uncomfortable for Him to be in them. Thus, I want to ask this. What kind of a person are you to God? Are you a person whom God feels comfortable in or uncomfortable in? 

② Maybe I am a comfortable person to demons? 

The Lord said that demons seek to ‘rest’. 

Now, when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. (Matthew 12:43) 

Francis Frangipane pointed out something very important in regards to this verse. 

The sense of rest they seek originates from being in harmony with their environment. In other words, when our thought-life is in agreement with unbelief, fear, or habitual sin, the enemy has rest.[10] 

Normal people don’t feel comfortable among gangsters. However, gangsters are comfortable being among gangsters. They together cuss and harass others, and they enjoy doing so, chuckling together. God has the same kind of people gather and live in heaven. It is to let them feel the sense of comfort as much as possible. Both animals and humans feel comfortable from their own kinds. In the same manner, demons feel comfortable with their kind of people. They are drawn to people who have the same characteristics as theirs and enter and settle down in them. 

What did Jesus call demons in the main passage? 

When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest,… (Luke 11:24) 

 He called it the ‘unclean spirit’. This expression‎ often appears in the Scripture. This is the most representative expression‎ for demons. In addition, they are also called either an ‘evil spirit’ (1 Sam. 16:14) or a ‘devil’ (Psa. 106:37, AKJV). Their names are exactly opposite to the name of Holy Spirit. Through this, we can know what kind of people demons feel comfortable with and what kind of people they enter. The people that demons seek are unclean and evil ones. Namely, it is those who do the evident works of the flesh contrary to the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,... (Galatians 5:19-21)   These are the characteristics of those who have become a house of demons. Demons are attracted to such people and they go into them and make them their house. 

In other place of the Scripture, Paul warned, “Do not give the devil an opportunity (Eph. 4:27).” Here, the ‘opportunity’ is not just a temper. All sorts of sin are a passage for a demon to enter. When Saul became arrogant and disobedient, God left and an evil spirt came upon him. In the case of Judas Iscariot, due to his greed, a demon entered him. Ananias and Sapphira became filled with Satan in their hearts because of their lust for honor (Act. 5:3). And Peter heard a word of admonition, “Away from Me, Satan!” from Jesus as he was also self-centered and Satan had his way into him. Indeed, today, so many pastors work like a devil as they are self-centered and thus, fall into selfishness, caring only for their own churches and demons enter them! Therefore, if we don’t want to become a house of demons, we have to repent of sin. 

In the meantime, if we know what kind of a person a demon feels comfortable to be in, we can know the kind of a person whom a demon feels uncomfortable with. A man whom a demon feels uncomfortable with is a holy person. That is to say, it’s the kind of people who live bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit opposite to the evident deeds of the flesh. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) 

Demons really hate these people and find them agonizing. They feel so tormented in them that they cannot stand. They have to leave at the end. Thus, beloved, I encourage you all to be ones bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

Many people use the name of Jesus to cast out demons. Of course, we have to do so. However, in many cases, driving out a demon in Jesus’ name is not sufficient enough. For as written in the main passage, they return even though they are cast out with many efforts (Mat. 12:44-45). Therefore, we must be ones who drive out demons as well as whom demons find agonizing. 

Demons feel tormented when we read the Scripture. They feel terrorized when we pray. They also suffer when we praise God. Particularly, when we repent, they feel agonized. However, we cannot always do these things only, right? Hence, we have to become the imitators of Jesus. For it is Jesus that demons feel most afraid of and do not want to be with. 

In this respect, there is someone I want to introduce to you. It’s Brother Juniper, a disciple of Saint Francis. There is a Christian classic written by Ugolino titled The Little Flowers of St. Francis and in this book, we can find a life of Brother Juniper. And its second episode is ‘An Instance of Brother Juniper’s Great Power against the Devil’. Let me share it with you.  

The devils could not endure the purity of Brother Juniper’s innocence and his profound humility, as appears in the following example: A certain demoniac one day fled in an unaccustomed manner, and through devious paths, seven miles from his home. When his parents, who had followed him in great distress of mind, at last overtook him, they asked him why he had fled in this strange way. The demoniac answered: “Because that fool Juniper was coming this way. I could not endure his presence, and therefore, rather than wait his coming, I fled away through these woods.” And on inquiring into the truth of these words, they found that Brother Juniper had indeed arrived at the time the devil had said. Therefore when demoniacs were brought to St Francis to be healed, if the evil spirit did not immediately depart at his command, he was wont to say: “Unless thou dost instantly leave this creature, I will bring Brother Juniper to thee.” Then the devil, fearing the presence of Brother Juniper, and being unable to endure the virtue and humility of St Francis, would forthwith depart.[11] 

   Then, what kind of a man was Brother Juniper that demons feared him so much and got terrified? I will introduce to you one of several stories in which we can get a glimpse of his character. Read it carefully. This will be of a great help to you.  

HIS REMEDY FOR TEMPTATIONS OF THE FLESH 

One day as Brother Giles, Brother Simon of Assisi, Brother Ruffino, and Brother

Juniper were discoursing together concerning God and the salvation of the soul, Brother Giles said to the other brethren: “How do you deal with temptations to impurity?” Brother Simon said: “I consider the vileness and turpitude of the sin till I conceive and exceeding horror of it, and so escape from the temptation.” And Brother Ruffino said: “I cast myself on the ground, and with fervent prayer implore the mercy of God and of the Mother of Jesus Christ till I am freed from the temptation.” 

And Brother Juniper answered: “When I feel the approach of a diabolical suggestion, I run at once and shut the door of my heart, and, to secure its safety, I occupy myself in holy desires and devout meditations; so that when the suggestion comes and knocks at the door of my heart, I may answer from within; ‘Begone; for the room is already taken, and there is no space for another guest’; and so I never suffer the thought to enter my heart; and the devil, seeing himself baffled, retires discomfited, not from me alone, but from the whole neighbourhood.” 

Then Brother Giles made answer and said: “Brother Juniper, I hold with thee; for there is no surer way of overcoming this enemy than flight; inasmuch as he attacks us within by means of the traitor appetite, and without through our bodily senses; and so by flight alone can this masterful foe be overcome. And he who resists it in any other way, after all the toil of the conflict, rarely comes off victorious. Fly, then, from this vice, and thou shalt gain the victory.”[12] 

I am recently experiencing this in my life. So, I know well that the word of Brother Juniper is true. Let me explain this important truth a little differently. What was the reason that the demon could come back in the main passage? It was because the house was empty. Therefore, do not fight a demon when you are an empty house. Deeply fellowship with the Lord and be filled with Him. Fight your sins after you fill yourself with the presence of the Lord. Then, you can easily overcome sins, temptations and demons, and be victorious. 

Beloved, Jesus is our role model. Thus, we must become like Jesus. And Jesus has nothing to do with demons at all. 

I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. (John 14:30) 

And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time? (Matthew 8:29) 

Demons were not a threat to Jesus. They couldn’t cause any harm to Him for Jesus had nothing to do with them since He didn’t give any opportunity to them. You also want to be so! Then, fellowship with Jesus and emulate Him. And instead of a person being harassed by a demon, but be a person who rather torments a demon.

I will come to the conclusion. Our worth is not in our appearance, educational background, possessions or status. Our true worth is not in what we own but in the Lord who is in us. 

We have this treasure in earthen vessels. (2 Corinthians 4:7) 

We are delivered from hell and gain the privilege of becoming a child of God just by receiving Jesus (Joh. 1:12). Then, if we become more filled with the Lord, how much more remarkable things will we be obtaining? This is why Paul wanted to know and gain the Lord more so desperately, counting all things else as excrements. 

Jesus is already in us because we have received Jesus as Lord and Savior. However, the presence we experience is not the same. For example, God is everywhere in all the heavens and earth (Jer. 23:24). However, He dwells in those who believe at a different level (Joh. 14:20). And He comes in the midst of worship at yet another level (Mat. 18:20). He comes upon the scene of revival and heavens also at a different level (1 King. 8:11, Rev. 21:3). There are many phases and dimensions with the presence of the Lord. God can come into us more and more realistically and more and more powerfully. Therefore, don’t be complacent with the indwelling of the Lord. And also don’t be content with the filling of the Spirit you have already received, either. Seek the face of the Lord over and over again with a longing heart. I hope that you and I will therefore abound in the presence and glory of the Lord as was the case in the Holy of Holies and also at the time of Solomon’s dedication of the temple.

On that note, I want to close today’s sermon with a story concerning Smith

Wigglesworth from Bill John’s book, Face to Face with God, that I have recently read.   

This is one of my favorite stories in all history. It illustrates that there are different measures of the presence of God upon a life. This account of Wigglesworth’s life makes me hunger for more. 

There were eleven leading Christians in prayer with our Brother at a special afternoon meeting. Each had taken a part. The Evangelist then began to pray for the Dominion, and as he continued, each, according to their measure of spirituality, got out. The power of God filled the room and they could not remain in an atmosphere supercharged by the power of God. 

The author hearing of this from one who was present registered a vow that if the opportunity came, he at any rate would remain whoever else went out. During the stay in the Sounds a special meeting was called to pray for the other towns in New Zealand yet to be visited. A like position to the other meeting now arose. Here was the opportunity, the challenge, the contest was on. A number prayed. Then the old saint began to lift up his voice, and strange as it may seem, the exodus began. A divine influence began to feel like a heavy weight. With set chin, and a definite decision not to budge, the only other one now left in the room hung on and hung on, until the pressure became too great, and he could stay no longer, With the flood gates of his soul pouring out a stream of tears, and with uncontrollable sobbing he had to get out or die; and a man who knew God as few do was left alone immersed in an atmosphere that few men could breathe in. 

Remember that this remarkable experience happened to a most unlikely vessel, and let it encourage you to qualify to receive more of God’s Spirit because of your unrestrained hunger for Him. 

After this everything changed for Wigglesworth. He only had to walk past people, and they would come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and turn to Jesus for salvation. Increasingly miracles and healings occurred. The glory of God fell whenever he prayed or preached. 

Blind eyes were opened, deaf ears were healed, cancers were cured, and the wheelchair-bound began to walk again. Besides all that, people were raised from the dead, fourteen of them over the course of the evangelist’s ministry. [13] 

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[1] http://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3384946 (in Korean) 

[2] Thomas Watson. A Body of Practical Divinity: Consisting of Above 176 Sermons on the Lesser Catechism (London: Thomas Parkhurst, 1692) 461.  

[3] Frank and Ida Mae Hammond. Pigs in the Parlor (Kindle Edition). (MO, USA: Impact Christian Books, 1973,2010). LOC 9-11.  

[4] Oral Roberts. How to Get Through Your Struggles. (Chicago: Fleming Revell Company, 1977) 173. 

[5] Yong-eui Yang. How Shall We Read the Book of Matthew (in Korean). (Seoul: Scripture Union Korea, 2011) 228.  

[6] Singh, Sadhu Sundar. At the Master’s Feet. (London: Fleming Revell Company, 1922) 6.  

[7] Francis MacNutt. Deliverance from Evil Spirits. (Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books, 1995, 2009) 199. 

[8] Charles H. Kraft. Defeating Dark Angels. (Minnesota: Chosen Books, 1992,2011,2016)  

[9] Francis Macnutt. Healing (Kindle Edition). (Ave Maria Press, 1999) LOC 2211. 

[10] Francis Frangipane. The Three Battlegrounds. (Cedar Rapids, IA: Arrow Publications, 1989) 30. 

[11] Brother Ugolino. The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi. (Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library) 142. 

[12] Ibid., 150. 

[13] Bill Johnson. Face to Face with God. (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House) 154-156.