OUT OF THE WOODS

by J.F.T. Woods

Q. If Christians are eternally secure and can never be lost, how are we to understand Luke 11:24-26?

"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds (it) swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with (him) seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last (state) of that man is worse than the first." NKJV

A. As always, the passage should be studied in its context. Christ raised people from death without any exercise of faith on their part. He cast demons out of those who were demonically controlled and, so, not exercising faith. All of the people delivered by Christ as He wrought Kingdom signs were not saved folk--some, perhaps many, were unsaved. And some may have remained so even after deliverance, as miracles did not always produce conversion.

The passage refers to people under the Law, not under Grace. No demon could possibly enter today's believer---a member of the body of Christ. The demon would have to evict, or at least to bind, the Holy Spirit Who is stronger than demons and Who has promised never to leave us (1 John 4:4, Ephesians 1:13-14).

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