Making things worse

[B-A-C]

Matt 12:43 "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.
Matt 12:44 "Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order.
Matt 12:45 "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."

How is it this mans house got cleaned up? How is it that it got "messed up" again? It seems the last state was worse than the first stae when he only had one demon. We tend to ocncentrate on the state of the one man. But Jesus said it will be the same way for "this evil generation". It seems the majority of people
will end up worse than where they started. ( see Luke 11:24-26 )

John 5:13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."

Jesus healed this man. But He tells the man, don'tt sin anymore... so that nothing "worse" will happen to you. Why woulld Jesus say that?

2Pet 2:20 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.
2Pet 2:21 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.
2Pet 2:22 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."

Peter says much the same thing Jesus said. People get cleaned up, washed up, and escape the sinful ways of the world. But then they return to that lifestyle..
and "the last state" is worse than how they started off. Not just as bad... but worse.

This doesn't just happen at an individual level, but can happen at a church level.

1Cor 11:17 But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.
1Cor 11:18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.
1Cor 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

Christians don't come together to exalt, worship and praise God. They want to have divisions and factions.. disagreements.
This isn't for the better, it's for the worse.

 

[B-A-C]

Deuteronomy 28 (especially verses 15–68)​

This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The curses escalate in severity, showing that continued rebellion leads to worsening conditions—physically, socially, and spiritually.

“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a glad heart... therefore you shall serve your enemies... in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things...” (vv. 47–48)

• Key idea: Disobedience leads to progressive deterioration, not just a return to a neutral state.

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“But they did not listen or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels... and went backward and not forward.”

• This is a clear picture of spiritual backsliding—not just stagnation, but regression.

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“The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.”

• As Israel grew in prosperity, they grew worse in sin, and God promises a reversal of their blessings.

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“Where will you be stricken again, as you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint.”

• This is a vivid image of a people who are already wounded, yet continue in rebellion, making their condition progressively worse.

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“Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent... or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.”

• Jesus warns the church in Ephesus that if they don’t return to their first love, their spiritual influence will be removed—a worsening condition for a once-thriving church.

 

[Dave M]

2Pet 2:20 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.
2Pet 2:21 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.

those versus you posted literally put so much fear in me, they run through my veins and have been for years !! and just remind me how blessed I am to be set free from that type of enslavement thanks to Jesus.

I know if someone goes back to something that Jesus has set you free from,,, you open a spiritual door to enslavement again, no body wants to be enslaved, but you have no choice, and you will have no control either !! It's such a sad thing.