Pastor Scott Andrews | August 24, 2025
Watch
Listen
Read
Luke 11:21-26
The dictionary defines recidivism as “the tendency to lapse into a previous condition or pattern of behavior; especially, a relapse into prior criminal habits.” Stated simply, recidivism is the tendency to relapse into sinful or criminal activity.
So, the recidivism rate is a percentage prisons use to identify repeat offenders – the percentage of people who, having been released from prison, end up back in prison. According to numbers published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the national recidivism rate in the U. S. – which, let me stop right there. The United States has the highest incarceration rates per capita and the highest recidivism rates of any country in the world. That is both stunning and embarrassing. Anyway, the recidivism rate in our country is about 66% within 3 years of release, but an alarming 82% of people re-arrested and many re-imprisoned within a decade of their release. That should tell us there is something wrong with our rehabilitation programs.
There was a study done in two prisons in Brazil, starting in 1994, where the national recidivism rate was similar to ours. One of the prisons used a vocational rehabilitation program, while the other used a faith-based program run by Prison Fellowship Ministry. You may know Prison Fellowship Ministry was founded by Chuck Colson in 1976 after his stay in prison for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. The ministry is still quite active, even internationally today. Well, in this study in Brazil, the recidivism rate dropped to an encouraging 35% in the vocational program – only one in three ended up back in prison within three years of their release. But, the rate dropped to 16% – less than one in six – in the faith-based prison.
All that to say this: it only took 2000 years to figure out what Jesus said in our text this morning is true: that transformation is the key to lasting life change, not reformation. Any attempt to reform the outside without transforming the inside will ultimately fail. Any attempt at self-reformation will not succeed. Any attempt to polish the outside of the cup without cleaning the inside will accomplish nothing.
I fear we have lost sight of that truth in our country, and even in the evangelical church. What do I mean? We have begun to think the solution to the ills in our society is through passing the right laws or political activism – even on the so-called right. It’s called the social gospel. In the last few decades, there has been a great resurgence of interest in morality and ethics – of returning, if you will, to the religious and moral standards of our nations founding fathers. And that’s a good thing. But it cannot be forced, it cannot be legislated, in short, it cannot be externally motivated.
Many, to include special interest groups, political parties, and even churches have become vocal in their national, and sometimes international efforts to promote or oppose certain laws or practices – things like civil rights, capital punishment, abortion, homosexuality, and family values. Churches across our country rage against the evils in our society and have promoted patriotism and loyalty to traditional American values – moms and apple pie. We’ve seen the rise and fall of groups like the Moral Majority, the Christian Coalition, Americans for Family Values, Operation Rescue, etc. All, I suppose to answer groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, which is neither American nor civil, the National Organization for Women, which is not for women, and Planned Parenthood, which is really planned un-parenthood. I understand political and social leanings, but are they the ultimate answer?
And you say, well, we should have laws promoting biblical principles. We should have laws against abortion and adultery and divorce and homosexuality. Yes. But let me ask you, would they work? Think about it – when God gave Israel His law, the perfect law, did it work? He wrote it out for them with His own finger in tablets of stone – it was flawless – it contained a perfect righteousness – but could they keep it? No, why? Because the law was weak in the flesh. Sinful people are unable to keep a moral law. So we can post the Ten Commandments in every courthouse and school across the country, and people will still break them.
And so, if we spend our time focusing on making laws that people can’t keep anyway, we’ve missed the whole purpose of Christ’s kingdom found in the New Covenant. We cannot change society from the outside in – and even if we could, what would we have? A country full of law-abiding citizens on their way to hell. You’d have a country full of rule keepers, but full of dead men’s bones on the inside. It is not the ultimate answer to society’s woes.
To be sure, the Scripture is clear about moral issues. But it is also clear that morality without a right relationship with God is impossible and further, in many ways just as dangerous as immorality. The Pharisees are a case in point. They were your classic moralists. No other Jews or Gentiles were more committed to such rigid standards of religion, morality and ethics in their daily living. But those man-made standards of righteousness, supposedly based on God’s word, led them further from God. They were self-sufficient, self-righteous and self-reliant, so when God showed up, they rejected Him, resented Him, and ultimately crucified Him. They had so thoroughly convinced themselves they were okay that when God arrived offering forgiveness, they didn’t think they needed it. He was the problem.
There has never been a group of men more committed to a demanding and moral code than the Pharisees – and there has never been a group of men so far from God. By itself, morality leads to self-righteousness and condemnation. Listen: a person is actually better off being grossly immoral and recognizing his need than being highly moral and admitting no need. You say, you sound like you’re against moral laws. Oh no, I’m not. Make them – but when people break them, and they will, the answer may be incarceration for society’s good – but the ultimate answer is and has always been the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I believe we have an incredibly important text today. One that at first glance is confusing. But, we’re going to talk about reformation versus transformation. You see, many, even some of you, have tried, over and over, to reform your lives. To live by a moral code. To reform or modify certain behaviors. There have been things in your life you’ve tried to stop doing – some sin in your life – an addiction or immorality – and it may have worked for a while.
But before you knew it, you were gripped again with the deadly pull of sin. Like a whirlpool – there was nothing you could do to escape – you found yourself being drug down, and found yourself drowning in the cesspool of sin, again. All your best efforts have only found you more immersed than you were before. This message is for all of us who have tried to reform ourselves, to escape the deadly tentacles of sin, but have failed. True reformation takes place through regeneration and transformation, not our efforts at moral renewal – reformation alone. Apart from God’s Holy Spirit, our best efforts will come to nothing.
Turn in your Bibles to Luke 11 in our continuing study of the book. We arrive at the conclusion of the story we began last week, and again, at first glance, it seems a bit disjointed. You may remember, the Pharisees reached their final conclusion about Jesus – He is demonic – He does what He does, casting out demons, by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Jesus responded to that accusation: what you say is untenable and unpardonable. It is irrational, inconsistent, and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, for which there is no forgiveness. And to wrap up His defense against these ludicrous accusations, Jesus gave two parables, found in Luke 11:21-26.
Again, upon first reading, it seems disconnected, but remember the context. Jesus is defending Himself against the charge of being empowered by Satan – on the contrary, I am plundering Satan’s kingdom. Further, He’s placing His accusers in opposition to Himself – you’re either for Me or against Me. And He’s also reminding them transformation does not come through their moralistic reformation. You can try to make the house tidy by your own efforts, but in the end, it will fail. All that forms our outline:
- The Parable of the Strongman and the Stronger Man (21-22)
- (applied) The Division of all Humankind (23)
- The Parable of False Reformation (24-26)
And it all goes together and follows the accusations of the religious elite. See it – you’re wrong about who’s power is supreme here, you’re therefore standing in opposition to Me, and by the way, you’re attempts at self-reformation will ultimately fail.
Now, as we begin, understand Jesus is not primarily giving us teaching on demonology or exorcism. There are some truths we can learn about demons in this passage, but in these stories, Jesus is illustrating a couple truths: First, those accusing Him of being in league with Satan have it all wrong; and second, they also had it all wrong in their pursuit of tidying up their houses, their attempts at self-reformation, which leaves them in a more precarious and dangerous state.
One of the main characters in this story is a blind and mute man possessed by a demon. You see, that’s what demon possession does – it makes life miserable for the possessed. By the way, let me suggest we see increased demonic activity when Jesus walked the earth for that very reason – Jesus had come to destroy the works of the devil. So, the demons localized and increased their destructive activity. It’s taught all over the NT – we should not assume demons to be the subject of ancient myth – they are as active as ever, seeking to destroy the people of God.
Jesus had just driven a demon out of a mute and blind man – made so by the demon. At once, as proof of successful exorcism, the man began to both speak and see. Now remember, back in Matthew’s parallel account, this caused the crowd to begin wondering if Jesus could be the Son of David – that is, could Jesus be the Messiah? This was too much for the scribes and Pharisees who then leveled the accusation that Jesus was doing what He was doing – namely driving out demons – by the power of Beelzebul, or Satan, the prince of the demons. So, Jesus told them their accusations were untenable – irrational and ludicrous – a house divided against itself cannot stand. If I drive demons out by Beelzebul, his kingdom won’t stand.
Bringing us the first illustration in verses 21-22. Not only are your accusations untenable, but they’re completely wrong – let me tell you what is actually happening. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. This is Satan, who rebelled against God; the one who holds people captive – his possessions, especially those who are demonically possessed, as this mute man was. But he holds all captive, blinding them to the truth of the gospel. So, his possessions, as the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air are the ones whom he blinds to truth, holding them captive to do his will. He’s undisturbed in that no one is strong enough to resist him. You can’t do it. Oh, you may occasionally, successfully say no to sin – but if you don’t know Jesus, the overall character of your life is sin.
But the parable goes on – but when someone stronger attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all his armor on which he had relied and distributes the plunder. This is Jesus, the Son of God, the infinitely strong one who came to destroy the works of the devil. That’s what Jesus did every time He drove out a demon, to include this one. He was plundering the kingdom of darkness. Paul says in Colossians 2 that Jesus canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us nailing them to His cross, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, [that’s speaking of the demonic forces of evil] He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them.”
These scribes and Pharisees had it all wrong. Jesus was not in league with Satan – by His coming and death on the cross, He triumphed over Satan, crushing the serpent’s head, defeating Him finally and fully at the cross, by His blood, Revelation 12 says. We overcome him by the blood of the Lamb. And Jesus has as His reward the souls He plundered from Satan’s kingdom – souls for whom Jesus died. And Jesus distributes gifts to those He rescues – the gift of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, the forgiveness of sin, adoption into the family of God, and eternal life. He’s the Stronger One, distributing plunder. Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world.
If you’re going to enter a strong man’s house and carry off his property, you’ve got to bind the strong man of the house. Contrary to your accusation that I am casting out demons by Satan, I am going into Satan’s territory, binding him and plundering his house. I’m bringing good news to the afflicted, I’m binding up the brokenhearted, I’m proclaiming liberty to the captives, I’m proclaiming freedom to prisoners. I’m demonstrating kingdom power and authority over Satan Himself. I’m plundering his house – I’m taking those formally his and bringing them into the kingdom of God. That’s what’s happening here – your accusation is untenable.
And so, verse 23, there is a sense in which the house, the world, is divided. You see, all of humanity is divided in two: those who are with Jesus, who gathers with Him and to Him; and those who are not with Jesus and who are therefore against Him, seeking to scatter rather than gather souls into His kingdom. There is no middle ground – there is no neutrality – there are no Switzerlands in this battle – you are either for Jesus or against Him. These who failed to recognize who Jesus is, attributing His works to Satan, stand against Him. Again, there is no neutrality. You cannot just ignore Him, be indifferent to Him – you must declare your allegiance. To fail to do so is to be against Him.
Which brings us to the second parable, verses 24-26. This unclean spirit, demon, left a man and proceeded to wander through waterless places seeking rest. That’s the desert, seen as the abode of demons. We don’t know why this demon left – perhaps he was exorcised, or he was bored. He looked for rest – perhaps he needed a little break from the mayhem and destruction he normally wrought. For whatever reason, he was unable to find rest – it seems demons are only at home when they embody another being, preferably humans, and are about the business of wreaking havoc.
Once the unclean spirit was unable to find rest, it said, “I will return to my house from which I came.” That’s an interesting way for a demon to speak of the person he indwells – his house, his place of abode. It speaks of access and control over the man’s life and indicates a strong sense of ownership and possessiveness.
Now, when this demon came back to the man, we find three very disturbing things:
First, upon arrival, the demon found the man unoccupied, swept, and put in order. The house looked good – in the real estate world, we’d say the house had good curb appeal. What does that mean? The man had been through some kind of moral reformation. He was clean and tidy.
Something had happened. Maybe he had faced some crisis in his life. Maybe he was a teen and had gone away to summer camp, had an emotional experience, and came back determined to live right. His parents were ecstatic – they could hear the sweet sounds of worship music coming from his room. He seemed to be a little nicer to his sister, and even showed them a little more respect. Things were alright – for a while.
Maybe he had gone to some treatment – spent some money, spent a week or two in therapy, got some counseling, group therapy – my name is John, and I’m an alcoholic – good, I feel much better now that I’ve gotten that off my chest. Maybe he got arrested, and it scared him to death, now he’s going to get his life right. He got his act together and now he’s starting to fly right.
Maybe the man’s wife had given him an ultimatum – get this right, or I’m outta here. And so, for a time, the man worked hard to get it right – he got his house all in order – everything looked good, clean, shiny – for a while. Maybe, he decided to quit losing his temper with the kids and his wife. He really was going to be nice. And maybe he succeeds, for a while.
Maybe he decided to get rid of the garbage in his life. He threw out the porn, quit watching shows he shouldn’t watch. He poured the Jack Daniels and beer down the drain – there was even room in the refrigerator. For a while. People at work began to comment on his changed behavior. Why, he’s not nearly the jerk he used to be.
Who knows why the house was all swept and put in order. It could even be this moral reformation caused the demon to leave. It’s even possible the whole thing took place because the demon left – he was exorcised by some well-intentioned exorcist, and for the first time in his life, the man had a desire to live right – to obey the rules – to get it all together – to look good. Just like the Pharisees Jesus was addressing in this story – who did everything just right – who obeyed all the rules and regulations, who looked holy.
But there was a problem – which leads to the second disturbing thing we notice: the house was unoccupied. While the man had made efforts at self-reformation, while he had rid himself of immoral and unholy things – while the house was clean and tidy – there was nothing put in its place. He was empty. Bottom line: there was no new master ruling his life. There was no new heart, there was no fundamental new identity. He didn’t get transformed; he got reformed. He didn’t get regenerated, he got religion. He’d gotten rid of all the bad stuff, it was all swept clean, but there was no new life.
It’s important we understand what Jesus is saying. Remember, there can be no neutrality. Either evil rules, or Christ rules. There is no middle ground. They guy was living in no man’s land, between the front lines. You say, oh, but Scott, I know lots of nice people who aren’t Christians. Listen, I’m sure people thought the Pharisees were good people – but the fact is – all theirs and our righteousness is as filthy rags if it is not done in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Which brings us to the third, very disturbing thing. When the demon returned, it takes with it seven more demons more wicked, more vile, more violent than itself. We don’t know if there’s anything to the number seven, but seven in the Bible is the number of perfection. This man appears to be inhabited by seven wicked demons that perfectly sealed his last state.
In fact, notice Jesus says, “and the last state of the man becomes worse than the first.” Meaning, and we must get this, any attempts at self-reformation, tidying up the house, cleaning up the outside – making yourself look good – can have dangerous consequences. Not only is self-reformation ineffective, it’s also dangerous. In ways we don’t want to talk about, it’s possible self-righteous people open themselves to demonic possession, oppression, and control that is scary. Keeping in context with the text, Jesus is saying self-righteous people, who sweep the house and look good, may just be filled with demons. I know we don’t like that – leave demons out of it – leave the demons in Haiti, leave ‘em in Africa, leave ‘em in the jungle, but don’t bring them here. In ways we may not want to face, people who are relying on their own self-righteousness open themselves to demonic activity.
Jesus is making a point. Pharisees, religious people, you’ve tried to clean yourselves up – you’ve created a set of rules that will do nothing – in the end, you’ll be worse off than when you started. Because you’re counting on all the things you’ve done to make yourself righteous, and in the end, you’ll be even more wicked. And you won’t even know it.
Why? Because attempts at self-reformation do not work. I don’t know how many people I’ve talked to who try to put away sin – they try to put away the anger, the pornography, the alcohol, the chemical dependencies, the pride, the lust – and they’re unable to do it. Because our best efforts leave us short of the mark always. We can clean ourselves up, but we only open ourselves to more wickedness. Listen, the only way you’ll find victory over sin is if you get a new Master.
Jesus is illustrating the supreme importance of making a commitment – declaring your allegiance. As He said in verse 23, you cannot remain neutral about Jesus Christ. You must make a full and total commitment to Him, you must take up your cross daily and follow Him, you must surrender to the control of the Holy Spirit every day in your life – be filled by His Spirit – or you will never make it. You can never live a holy life. That’s the point.
Peter said it in this stunning way in II Peter 2:20-22, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,’ and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.’”
The reformed but unconverted person will eventually revert to sinful ways for the same reason a dog returns to its vomit and a washed sow returns to the mud—because in each case, the sinful nature has not been changed. You can’t hang out at church, with other Christians, get exposed to some truth, but if you don’t know Jesus, it won’t work.
Think about this: Jesus seemed to have no trouble reaching prostitutes, thieves, extortioners, murderers, sinners – the outcasts of society. No one had to tell them they were evil – they just knew it. Remember those demon-possessed guys back in chapter 8? Living in the tombs, naked, disfigured, running around screaming at the top of their lungs, unable to be subdued – they broke any chains that fettered them. Fact is, no one saw them and thought, “I wonder if they need help – wonder if they should be confronted about their behavior?” You could see it, they could see it, everyone could see it. And Jesus rescued them. Because they knew they needed rescue.
But Jesus had an almost impossible task of reaching the religious and moral people, because they refused to recognize their sin – they saw no need for a Savior, even though they may well have the same demonic activity in them as the crazy guys living in the tombs. And we hear that and think, now come on, the church-going guy who doesn’t know Jesus is closer to God than the raving lunatic on King Street – the vile, wretched person who lives in the stench of sin. No, he actually isn’t. Because he doesn’t think he has a need. My life is just fine. And maybe that’s the lie you believe.
I believe God has this truth for us today: some of you have been unable to find victory over your sin because you’ve been trying in the power of the flesh. You’ve tried everything to reform yourself, and it doesn’t work. Some of you are hooked on some vile sin that maybe no one knows about – or only just a precious few. And you hide it from the rest quite well. I tell you, you will never find victory without a new master. Further, you may be headed, in your attempts at self-reformation, to a worse state than you ever thought imaginable. There is only one answer to your sinful life – He is the Stronger Man, and His name is the Lord Jesus Christ.