Self-Deception – Luke 11:14-23

Self-deception is a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Self-deception involves convincing oneself of a truth (or lack of truth) so that one does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception….One deceives oneself to trust something that is not true as to better convince others of that truth. When a person convinces himself of this untrue thing, they better mask the signs of deception.

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  (Luke 11:14-23 ESV)

Opposition to Jesus is increasing.  People have begun looking for rationalizations for not believing in him, including this one, that Jesus is in collusion with the Devil, who is empowering him to cast out demons.  They know Satan is the prince of demons, who, as in the case of this man, can control a person’s body.  Though they claim they are seeking a sign from heaven to identify who Jesus is, they are already explaining away the signs given.

Jesus’ two arguments against them are:

1) If Satan were using him to cast out demons he would be fighting against himself.  Though no one offers that this just might be a ploy Satan is willing to use, the point is that the lives of these demon-possessed people are being transformed (though Jesus will after this have a warning for such people).  Besides, the sheer number of demons he has cast out is crippling to the kingdom of Satan.

2) Their own people cast out demons yet they don’t blame Satan for that.  It is inconsistent for them to single Jesus out for the same action.

Jesus has plundered the strong man, Satan, as one stronger and empowered by the kingdom of God.  If you are not for Jesus you are against him and against God and His kingdom.

Is the power of Christ to change lives evident in your life?  Has the kingdom of God come upon you?