HELEN SANDERS

11-28-2023

A DIVIDED HOUSE

In Matthew chapter 12 a man was brought to Jesus that was possessed with a devil. He was blind, and dumb and Jesus healed him. All the people were amazed at this when they saw it happen. All but the Pharisees, that is. They accused Jesus of casting out the devils in this man by Beelzebub, the prince of devils, or Satan.

Jesus responded in Matthew 12:25, “and Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?’”

He then asked the Pharisees “and if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.” He was indicating that they were children of Beelzebub and not himself.

One thing we can learn from this encounter is that a “house divided against itself shall not stand.” In Amos 3:3 it says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” This scripture was speaking of the covenant with Israel. They were not walking with God because of their idolatry. God was specifically saying that he could not walk with them if they were not in agreement with his word.

No matter what the relationship may be as employer and employee, Mother and daughter, Husband and Wife, Shepherd and his Sheep, if there isn’t agreement based upon God’s word then that “house” can not stand.  

Unity is based on learning what God says in his word, and not man’s opinion. In any relationship, specifically marriage, where one is a Christian and the other isn’t, it will not be easy to have unity. This is why we are told not to marry an unbeliever. If one does, then we must live a lifestyle before them that draws them to God. We can’t “beat them up” for not being a believer because that will push them away. That attitude is Pharisaical. Only through much prayer will that relationship change.

An unequally yoked relationship is the same as it was with idolatrous Israel. It just doesn’t work. You can’t serve God and serve the devil. In Joshua 24 Joshua tells the children of Israel in verse 15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods (pagan gods of Egypt) which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites (pagan gods in Canaan), in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” 

Choosing to go with God and his word will bring unity, while a divided house will not stand.