The spiritual world is real. All physical problems have their roots connected to the spiritual realm. Demons wage war against humanity. We feel the pressure of that warfare everyday by the evil we see in the natural world. When it comes to spiritual warfare, demons and deliverance, Jesus is the best authority on this topic. I want to break down the misconception about demons coming back after deliverance with seven more wicked demons. 

Let’s look at these verses more closely.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man.” Matthew 12:43

Have you noticed it does not say, when the unclean spirit gets cast out of the man? Demons are not everywhere at once therefore, they move in and out of a person. That means the person mentioned in the scripture was not delivered. He was relieved from a demon. A person experiences a relief, not repentance. King Saul had that happen to him when demons came and left. When the demons would come back, his friends suggested to invite a musician to help him feel better. They should have invited a prophet or an exorcist to help him bounce back.

“Goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.” Matthew 12:43

Demons do not live in dry places, but they do go through them. They live in wicked, defiled, or empty places. If you are dry spiritually or you are currently in your spiritual wilderness – don’t despair. Maybe, like Jesus, you feel tempted by the devil in your wilderness – don’t lose hope. The devil cannot stay in the dry place. He will go through it. He will pass through it. He is seeking for rest, so be aware and leave him no room by praising God, seeking God, and standing on his word even when you do not feel like it. You may feel tired, but remember the enemy is worn out. Continue to press in until you make the enemy restless by resting fully in God’s promise and love despite your current situations and feelings. 

“I will return to my house from which I came from.” Matthew 12:44

This indicates that the person whom this demon left, was the demons place of rest.  For example, when I travel, I leave my house for days or at times for a week. I always have a place to come back to, because it’s MY house. I am the owner of it. This is why I believe this person was not delivered and saved in Mathew 12, because a saved person is the property of Jesus. Demons do not have the authority to claim ownership or say “my house.” A saved person is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I do believe that demons can torment or oppress a believer, however, they cannot own them as I own my house. 

“And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.” Matthew 12:44

This section, again, confirms that the person was not delivered and saved. The house is empty, swept, and put in order like, behavior modification. An external decoration is what human efforts and religion does by putting a suit on a corpse. Jesus came to bring resurrection and carries internal transformation. He fills us with his spirit. He occupies our house. Instead of sweeping our sin, he removes them. Salvation deals with a man’s heart first, not his behavior. Applying self-discipline to put your life in order will only work until the devil comes back. Your self-discipline has no power to withstand against his vile setups – only the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus can do that. 

“So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:45

Demons coming back with 7 more demons happened to who? Read verse 45 again. The wicked generation is who it affects. No where did Jesus indicate that this happens to those who have been delivered and saved. It’s for those who have had demons leave them without complete expulsion. It is for the person who is not surrendered to Jesus and instead decorates their behavior. Demons come back worse than before, because at the core of that persons life there is wickedness. Wicked demons are drawn to wicked people. In Christ we are a new creation, a royal priesthood and children of God – not wicked. 

I believe when a person gets delivered, demons do come back to try to bind that person again. It’s like when Israel was set free from the Pharaoh and he returned to trap them back into bondage three days later. Israel was terrified. They thought that their freedom was not going to last. In fact they doubted that God had truly set them free after seeing the Pharaoh again. Nevertheless, God told them to march forward despite their fears and the Pharaoh coming close behind them. As they did so, Pharaoh drowned in the sea. That’s the future of every demon you have been delivered from that tries to regain control of your life. They will drown as you walk by faith. Don’t let the devil make you doubt your deliverance just because you are being tempted by the same issues as before. It does not mean you have not been set free. Even if you have fallen into the same sin – repent and get right back up. You are still righteous. You are still free. You are still victorious. Move forward to your promise land. 

The verses in Matthew 12 deal with people who have not been delivered and saved, but for those who are at the inability of demons and/or have experienced relief. They never let Jesus be the Lord of their life. They have provided change in some behavior, but have not experienced change in their heart by the work of Holy Spirit. At the root they are wicked and need total repentance and must put their faith toward Jesus. 

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This blog was written by Vladimir Savchuk.

Pastor Vlad is the lead pastor of Hungry Generation Church, an author of “Break Free” and “Single, Ready to Mingle” and a founder of free online school “Vlad’s School.” To download free e-books, sermon series, small group study guides go to vladimirsavchuk.com