Expert: Edward Bode - 5/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Edward!

I came across such a passage today:

When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but not finding any, it says: "I will return to my house from which I came." When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.

I don't get something. If that person from within whom the bad spirit had been driven away, becomes better,"swept and put in order" why the condition of that person becomes even worse when the bad spirits come back. From this I conclude that it doesn't make sense to be too good, or otherwise bad spirits may come back and finish you off. Maybe it's just better to be a kind of lukewarm person, instead of a very holy one and nothing such horrible will happen. It all doesn't make sense to me. You try to be a good fellow and because of this your state may be even worse than before. If this is so, I see no point in striving to be a good, holy man, as I wouldn't like to experience something like this. I don't get it.

Thank you

ANSWER: Nice that you took the time to delve into your concern.
The short answer: When you clean out the junk [unclean spirits and the rest]in your spiritual house, you need to replace it with some good stuff [as elsewhere in the gospels and New Testament].
Explanation:
1- general:  All scripture is inspired by the same God, Who does not give contradictory messages.  So, when one finds a passage that seem to go contrary to what is said elsewhere, one needs to look carefully in order to solve the puzzle with a consistent answer.
2 - specific to the unclean spirits' return in Matthew 12 and Luke 11:
Mt presents Jesus' answer to His Jewish opponents.  Their emphasis on cleaning the spirits did not go far enough [not replaced with the good actions that Jesus was teaching -- faith, hope, love, doing right, etc.] Note the specific application to the current, evil generation.  Luke speaks in a smiliar vein -- one must listen to and fulfill the complete word of God with its emphasis on believing and doing.
So, the passages are not an invitation to remain stagnant or unresponsive to the teachings of Jesus but a salutary warning to move on to doing the complete will of God by believing and doing all the tachings of Jesus.
I hope these thoughts are of some help.
Best wishes, Luke.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Edward, you wrote: When you clean out the junk [unclean spirits and the rest]in your spiritual house, you need to replace it with some good stuff.

But according to the passage that man became more rightous, so he probably replaced it with some good stuff as you wrote it, he was "swept and put in order" which means that he changed, however the evil spirits returned and it was even worse than before (and this is what I do not understand)!? Since he becomes a better person, how do demons are allowed to enter him and destroy him....??

ANSWER: I am not sure that the Mt/Lk passage clearly indicates that the man did in fact replace the "junk" with "good stuff." At least, that is the opinion of scholars whom I consulted.
A general principle of bible interpretation is to concentrate on understanding a gospel passage in agreement with all New Testament scripture.  The story/parable in Mt/Lk was certainly not spoken by Jesus to contradict other teachings that He clearly expressed.
I do not think that you can press a restricted, literal meaning of an obscure detail in the Mt/Lk passage to contradict Jesus'clear message elsewhere.
I hope these further thoughts help, Luke.  If not, feel free to let me know.
Again, best wishes.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Edward. I think I understand now. You claim that either Luke or Matthew wrote something wrong or that the translation of this passage may be wrong.
You wrote that this passage may contradict Jesus' clear message elswhere. I'm not sure what He says elswhere, but I suppose He says that when you're faithful and righteous no evil spirits can do any harm to you. Am I right?
Thanks

Answer
I did not mean that Mt or Lk made a mistake or taught an error --  the one God who inspired all scripture does not make a mistake [teach error] in the New Testament scriptures.
What I meant is that Mt and Lk wrote something that might be understood in various ways.  However, to understand what they really meant, we have also to look at other passages that they wrote and that other NT writers wrote.  The correct understanding will be in agreement with what is said in the NT.  I believe somewhere in the letters of Peter he refers to those who have misunderstood some of what Paul had written.
What Jesus says elsewhere is the whole NT.  Essentially, He said that we must believe and act according to His teachings, which emphasize the need to act morally and progress in virtue/holiness by a life of good deeds in dependence upon His grace/help.
Jesus has promised His help to overcome any moral evil, whether by evil spirits or anything or anyone else.  So, no spiritual harm will come to those who are faithful in doing what is right.
I hope these thoughts clarify my position.  If not, let me know.
Again, best wishes.