The parable of The Strong Man Bound. Let’s explore an interpretation of this story where Jesus is the Strong Man. It teaches us to remain focused on Christ so we do not stumble and risk being bound by the enemy…
The Strong Man Bound
While Jesus was teaching a crowd of people on a mountainside, a man who was blind and mute was brought to Him. Jesus cast out the demons that tormented the man and healed him. Everyone around them were amazed at what had just taken place. People were asking “Is this the son of David?”
The Pharisees were upset and angry over the miracle Jesus had just demonstrated. They had been plotting and trying to discredit Jesus by saying that His healing powers came from Satan. How blasphemous! How ridiculous!
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.
Matthew 12:22-30 (KJV)
22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Jesus knew their thoughts. He asked them “How can Satan cast out Satan?” If a kingdom is divided how can it stand? It can’t, Jesus challenged them by saying “If I cast out demons by Beelzebub then how do your sons cast them out. ” Jesus was showing them how foolish their argument truly was. Jesus goes on to say if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
How can someone steal from a strong man? He has to first tie the man’s hands and make him unable to defend himself. What this is saying is that we as the “strong man” must remain steadfast and focused on Christ. If we fall the enemy can bind our hands and steal our joy and cause our faith to be shaken.
Mark 3:27-29 (KJV)
27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
Jesus said He who is not with me is against me, Many Christian fear that they have unintentionally turned their back on the Holy Spirit committing the Unpardonable Sin.
This is not possible the Unpardonable Sin is a conscious decision to deny Christ and never seek forgiveness never repent.
We all slip and fall but Jesus loves us and promises to forgive us if we seek his forgiveness and REPENT.
Being a Christian doesn’t make us perfect.
It makes us a sinner saved by Grace.
Working in Tandem:
God Bless You
Aglow
