Read Luke 11:14-23
I’d Rather Gather Than Scatter!
Jesus drove out a demon that caused a man to be mute. When the demon left him, the man began to speak. The people were amazed. BUT some said by Beelzelbul (the Prince of demons) Jesus drove out the demon. Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.
Jesus responded by saying any kingdom or house divided against itself will fall. So if Satan used demons to drive out demons, they are destroying the powers of their kingdom. It’s foolish to even think such a thing. Why would Satan want to destroy himself and his kingdom?
So Jesus drives out demons by a power greater than any demon and that’s the power of God / Holy Spirit. Therefore, this is evidence that the kingdom of God is upon them, however the people could not see it because their hearts were hard or ignorant of the truth.
Jesus goes on to say, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” In other words, if we are not operating under the power of God, but instead on the power of self or others, then we are against the Lord. We’re fighting against him. If we aren’t gathering or being intentional in reaching people for Jesus, then we are helping scatter them – we are helping point them away from Jesus.
God gives his Holy Spirit to all his followers. The power of the Holy Spirit is the evidence that the Kingdom of God is present. The Holy Spirit gives us all power and authority to overcome and defeat the demons and lies and deceptions of this world. It’s the Holy Spirit that will set us free from the bondage of sin and lies.
God, help me operate under the power of the Holy Spirit so I can help point others to Jesus. I want to be one who gathers for Jesus, rather than scatter for the enemy.
