Read Luke 11: 21-26 Part 1 Protecting my house

The context of this passage is an accusation that Jesus is casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (see v14-20).  It’s good to have that backdrop, but I want to focus on the other two sections of this discourse, being (1) the strong man guarding his house and (2) the empty house.

I had a long and not very good week.  It started off with an argument with my spouse.  Even though we had ‘made up’, I really wasn’t sure it was over.  It seemed like anger boiled just under the surface in every look, word or action.  I found myself getting more and more aggravated until, by the end of the week, I began to notice things about myself, especially at work: pushing my weight around and using my authority as a club; my words were sharp and harsh, meant to shut down or push the person away; my thoughts were unkind; my jaw was hardened and my personality was firm and unyielding; I took the posture of ‘don’t even think about it’; I was increasingly angry, mainly because fear was lurking; I felt restless, like I was ready to run.  I was even like this with the Lord.  ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ I seemed to say; ‘this far and no farther, because I really don’t trust You either’.

When I read v 21&22, I knew God was dragging my sin into the light.  I felt His gentle nudge to read slower, think more deeply.  I recognized what I was feeling and that God was trying to show me myself in these verses. I had always read Luke 11:21 as if Satan was the strong man but Jesus is stronger.  That’s an appropriate interpretation; but I never saw myself as the strong man.  The truth is, I’m not strong.  But I’ve taken on that posture, literally, and been prepared for battle with everyone using my own armour. I want my ‘possessions’ to be safe.  Everything I think about myself, my feelings, my reputation, my heart.  So, I slipped into defensive mode, and loaded on the armour of my own making.  I see it: deception, self-righteousness, restlessness – all the things I listed above.  I even attempt to stand against the Lord.

But the Lord is stronger.  Jesus, You are the ‘someone stronger’ of v22.  You come, attack and overpower the enemy in my life.  You strip me of the armour in which I trusted.  It’s like I’ve been locked in my ‘house’, in a room of my heart where I felt safe as long as no one could get in.   I see myself huddled in the corner, all my ‘stuff’ that I find so valuable around me, safe as long as no one can touch me.  Jesus, You’ve been knocking but I haven’t been opening the door; in fact, I’ve been telling You to go away.  But now that You show me what I’m doing, I let You open the door.  I’m afraid of what You’re going to show me.  ‘Be merciful to me O God, according to your unfailing love’ (Ps 51:1).   And You are merciful.  I confess my sin and watch as You take back the ‘possessions’ that rightfully belong to you.  I willingly give You my life, my heart, my reputation, my family.  You have armour for me, the armour of Ephesians 6:13-17, but first I have to take off my armour that I put on to try and protect myself.  I take off my deception and You give me the belt of truth.  I put down my self-righteousness and put on Your righteousness in its place.  I take off my restlessness and You give me the shoes of peace.  I submit all of my own thoughts, my self-sufficiency, my agenda and put on Your helmet of salvation.  I lay down the sword of my mouth and take up the sword of Your Spirit; Your Word in place of my harsh and self-serving words.  I lay down my anger and pride and take up the shield of faith.

Wash me clean, O Lord.  Rid me of my idols, the things I cling to, all filthy rags.  Shine Your light into my dark dungeon, throw open the door and throw away the key.  I want to walk in Your light.  Lord, come in to my house and make it Your home.

To the reader:  Search your own heart.  Are you hiding from the Lord, guarding yourself in your ‘house’ with armour of your own making? When Jesus comes, will you open the door and relinquish your possessions?  What are you waiting for?