- House Divided
Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. – Matthew 12:25
They accused Jesus of casting out a demon from a man by calling upon the prince of demons himself, Beelzebub. It was a ludicrous accusation by the Pharisees. The devil is master of division and chaos, but he would not allow or tolerate these in his own ranks.
What else happened when Jesus cast out the demon? The man who had previously been blind and dumb could now both see and speak. The Lord’s miracle brought wholeness and good to the man – he was restored to health. The Pharisees could have rejoiced with the man, but instead were consumed by their hatred of Jesus. They sinned by attributing to the devil what was accomplished by the power of God. Their own wickedness and self-centeredness blinded them to the truth of their long-awaited Messiah.
But there is more: Jesus allows for no neutrality when it comes to people’s view of Him. “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30). You cannot sit on the fence. If you commit to following Jesus, you take a stand against the enemy who opposes Him. It is so in the church as well as in this nation. You either stand for the truth of God and His Word, or you accept the lies of evil and the deception by those who seek power and control.
Stand strong for good, Beloved. Love your neighbor, as Christ has loved you “that all people will know that you are [His] disciples” (John 13:35). Intercede for voters to be discerning in their choice of candidates in the midterm elections next month. And plead in prayer for the truth to unite those who govern this nation.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Kings 18:20-26, 36-39
20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made.
36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
