And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "by the prince of demons he casts out the demons." And he called them to him and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"— for they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:22-30 ESV)
It is interesting how the scribes of the Pharisees respond to seeing miracles never before seen with fear and accusation instead of faith. Certainly it is good to test that spirits are good and of God. But that seems quite clear in the cases of people who Jesus sets free from demons.
The scribes are not concerned with the people they are concerned with their own power. Jesus is setting people free spiritually. Yet the scribes are concerned with their own power and influence. I understand how this can be hard. When I lead people in InterVarsity and they begin to leave the group it is hard. Sometimes I get mad or frustrated at the things that draw them away. But if they are becoming committed to a good Christian community then I can rejoice and
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