The Devil's Workshop

Luk 11:24 — Luk 11:26

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

This account probably gave rise to the old saying - the idle mind is the devil's workshop! 

In Matthew's account (Matt 12:43-45), the word "empty" was added before "swept and garnished".

Indeed, it is so important for us to be busy with the Lord's work and busy with shaping our godly selves. Otherwise the worldly stuff that we had put away (supposedly) would come back and often with a vengeance!

It is particularly interesting that this passage comes after v.23 - "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth."

If we are not diligent in taking care of our spiritual houses, it is not merely a "personal" matter, but an attack on Christ Himself! And when we are not productive, it is not merely "status quo" but indeed destructive to the Cause!

Wherefore let us not be nonchalant and slothful, but realise the great responsibility that has been given to us and apply our lives diligently to improve ourselves and our service to God, lest we be found in a worse state than before...(cf. 2Pe 2:20-22)