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Truth Has Inescapable Logic

Mark 3:23-27
So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: 'How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man's house. (NIVUK)

Although you cannot argue a spiritually blind person into seeing the light, you can use reasoned arguments to explain the weakness of a false position.  The essence of truth is that it all stacks up and makes sense from whatever angle you view it.  The hallmark of error is that inconsistency is exposed under cross-examination.  

Jesus had just been falsely accused of being able to cast out demons because He was possessed by a chief demon or Satan himself (Mark 3:22).  Culturally, had Jesus remained silent, it would be assumed that He had accepted the lie as being true.  So, He called them over and taught them as a Rabbi would.  As Jesus demolished their false assumptions, He defended the truth about Himself - His divine nature and authority - by examining their logic and finding it full of holes.  

How can Satan drive out Satan?  It is a good question.  His religious opponents assumed that there was a hierarchy of demons, those at the top of the pyramid being able decide the fate of those at the bottom. But which demon can depose Satan?  Once the devil is dethroned, all his power has gone.  The arguments of religious leaders were a nonsense.  As Jesus used an illustration about a thief breaking into and entering a house, it is obvious.  You cannot plunder the powerful resident unless you can take away his power.   

That was why Jesus came, not just to save those trapped by Satan (2 Timothy 2:26) but to demolish his power base (1 John 3:8).  Do you believe that?  Much of our defeated-ness comes because we forget that where Jesus reigns, Satan cannot.  Enter the powerful presence of Jesus, and exit the false authority of Satan.  That is what will happen when your family and colleagues receive Christ ... and what a release that will be.

Prayer 
Dear Father God. Thank You for this passage that assures me that Satan's power is bound in the presence of Jesus. Please forgive me when I forget that Jesus is the King and Satan is not. May I always trust my Saviour and not be intimidated by the supposed strength of evil. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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