Jesus said, “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation” (Mathew 12:43-45).
Notice Jesus is speaking of two victims. One is a man; the other is a nation.
Knowing the truth and then turning from it only embitters a man. Peter says it would be better if they had never believed the truth in the first place (2 Peter 2:20-21). The writer of Hebrews wrote that living sinfully after having once tasted of God’s goodness results in living in dread and fear that the judgment of God is true (Hebrews 10:26-31).
Turning away from truth is not a viable option for us who know God. Remaining dependent on his grace and mercy to give us strength to withstand trouble is the only logical choice for us (1 Corinthians 10:13).
