“Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation” (Matthew 12:43-45, New American Standard Bible).

Earlier in Matthew 12, Jesus had answered accusations that He was in league with Satan (vv. 22-32), described how our words reveal our true inner character (vv. 33-37), and confronted people’s demands that He perform more signs and wonders (vv. 38-42).

He was in a spiritual battle. Jesus frequently healed the sick and cast demons out of people. Despite His signs and wonders, people refused to believe. They wanted more: “Give us more signs and wonders and maybe we will believe in You, but we might more likely accuse You of following the devil!” Without the right attitude, they would not believe Him.

We continue to demand a quick fix. People come to some churches expecting a quick fix to our problems. The preacher will lay hands on us and pray for us, we will fall down, and when we get up our sinful habit will be gone, our sickness will be healed, and money will start appearing in our bank accounts. We want the devil gone and discomfort removed.

Some people will go to a 12-step program instead of church. They want to stop abusing drugs or alcohol. Some want a quick fix.

There is no problem with church or a 12-step program. The problem is when we think a quick solution will solve everything. AA, for example, guides its members through 12 steps. You do not just stop drinking. You confront character defects that might lead you to drink, and you build a new way of life to fill the voids left behind when the addiction is removed.

Likewise, Jesus brings more. He does not stop by casting out the demon. He wants to fill us with His Holy Spirit and build positive character in our lives, particularly as He produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives.

Jesus does not stop by casting out the demon or offering a quick fix for our sin problem. He replaces it with His presence, power, and Spirit so that we are ready to stand firm when the devil returns.

Have you ever sought a “quick fix” from God?

Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.