[Jesus said] "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and clean. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation." (Matthew 12:43-45 NLT)
Scientists tell us that nature abhors a vacuum; when we take all the air out of a jar, something else will rush in to take its place.
This is true not only in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual realm as well. Jesus reminds us of this with the parable of the person who cleared the house of demons, only to find they had returned in greater numbers than before.
Work on those positive actions.
It's not enough to teach our children what not to do, we have to teach and model the good we want them to do. We can't depend on warnings or threats to serve as a reliable guide. They want — and need — positive leadership in action. They need to be pointed in a good direction with a great mission to replace the bad influences the world offers.
So let's make the rest of the day work a little better by working on those positive actions to take the place of those negative influences that will rush in and capture our children if we don't.
About the Author
Dr. Faulkner was the very first person of note and influence who shared his content with us at
HEARTLIGHT.org beginning in 1996.
Paul Faulkner taught on the Abilene Christian University campus full-time for 35 years. He was honored in 1982 as the university’s Teacher of the Year. He has written several books and was a much sought-after speaker and seminar leader along with his Marriage Enrichment partner, Dr. Carl Brecheen. Dr. Faulkner mentored many ministers and church leaders, shared his loving homespun humor and wisdom through many channels, and endeared himself to thousands. Our dear friend and mentor went to be with the Lord in 2022, but his legacy lives on in the lives of those he touched and made better.
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