Written by Mark Driskill:
Monday, February 7, 2011
Read Luke 11:24-26

Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to keep a good change going? I mean every New Year’s Day you made a resolution to do something better this year and now look where you are, the same place you were last year. You’re kicking yourself because all those things you promised yourself, your loved ones, maybe even God have all but been forgotten. Like the morning fog on the mountains your new commitments have evaporated into thin air. This is especially true for those of us who are trying to quit bad habits.

On New year’s day you smoked your last cigarette and threw out all your ash trays and lighters. Or you cleaned out all that unhealthy junk from your refrigerator. You fired the shot heard around the house declaring your freedom from some form of bondage but one month later not only are you back in bondage you think you might be a little worse than you were in the first place. You may be wondering if you can ever be free. Jesus has some wise counsel about your situation that just may help you get free and stay that way.
In Luke 11:24-26 he tells about a man who got free of his demons but later on ended up in worse trouble than he started out with. Within this story we see some principles to living free.

Let’s take it apart and see.

• ” When an unclean spirit comes out of a person…” Principle number one: Most if not all bad habits have some spiritual root. This is why some people can go to rehab for years and still be addicted to drugs. It’s not because they don’t want to quit but because in many cases of addiction the person has been involved in some dark spiritual practices (Ouija boards, horoscopes, séances etc.) that have opened the door for demonic oppression and the demonic spirit has found a foothold in the person’s life. Until that is addressed the addiction can be medicated and domesticated, but not eradicated. Only Jesus can do that(Visit http://www.wisdominlivinglife.com/ to read about real life examples).
• “…it (the unclean spirit) passes through waterless places seeking rest and finding none it says I will return to my house from which I came…” Principle number two: When a demonic spirit is removed it will seek to recapture what it has lost. Satan does not just roll over and play dead when he loses control over someone. He will seek to recapture them. Once you have been set free from any form of bondage there will be temptations to return to it. You must be prepared to “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Freedom is a fight, not a picnic. Stop being surprised when you try to do good and are opposed for it.
• “Then it goes and finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and finds seven other spirits more evil than itself and they dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than before.” Principle number three: When you get rid of something evil in your life you must replace it with something better. If that evil spirit returns to the persons heart and finds it filled with the spirit of God it will have no place to set up shop again. Too often we get free, from smoking for example, but we don’t replace it with anything. We just go around all day trying to not smoke. Wanna quit criticizing people? Then start encouraging them instead. In that way the house of your heart is filled with something better than criticism. The best and most lasting thing you can fill your heart with is the presence of Jesus Christ. Anything less than him can eventually be removed by the devil. But once Jesus takes residence in your life and fills that once dark place with his power and love all the devils in hell cannot remove him. This is why the Bible says, “If the Son makes you free you will be free indeed.”

Why not hand your habits and your heart over to Jesus right now and let him fill the house of your heart? Then and only then can you be truly free. In other words stop making resolutions and let Jesus give you a revolution. Get free today.

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.