Matthew 12:43-45 NKJV
[43] “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. [44] Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. [45] Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
Beloved,
When God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, His first instruction to them was to “tend and keep” it (Genesis 2:15, ESV). When it comes to deliverance, it is not enough to be delivered alone. We must be able to keep it. As we see from the scripture above, without structure in place, a life can easily become a disgrace.
Let’s look at some of the things we must have in place in order to maintain the freedom God has granted us. The first is gratitude. Beloved, you must make it your priority to return to give God the glory. When you do, you will be made whole (Luke 17:11-19).
The second thing we must ensure we keep in place is a righteous lifestyle, that is, a lifestyle that allows the Holy Spirit to keep you filled with what keeps the devil out. Fill your life with right living or that devil will return (Luke 11: 24-26). Therefore, the same thing you did to eject the devil is what you must keep doing to keep him out.
What are the structures for righteous living? Fill your life with God’s word. Read it. Meditate on it. Believe it. Declare it!
Keep in mind the benefits of your salvation and deliverance and live for God! Make prayer your lifestyle. Surround yourself with right people for accountability sake. Such people can be your pastor or discipler, your church family, those who care about your spiritual health and well-being and help you move forward in life.
You must also set protective measures in place and yield to those measures (Psalm 144:11-15). Flee from every appearance of evil and guard against every form of disobedience (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Apostle Paul summed everything up for us in His letter to the church in Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 KJV
[16] Rejoice evermore. [17] Pray without ceasing. [18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. [19] Quench not the Spirit. [20] Despise not prophesyings. [21] Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. [22] Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.
I call you BLESSED. I call you NATIONS.
