Pentecost Week Sixteen - Day Five -

Friday Blog: Who’s Guarding the House?
New Testament reading: Luke 11:21–23

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. 23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Warning you now, it was longer than I expected.  But still only a teaser for Sunday!

It’s October, the time of year when the world leans into the spooky—haunted houses, creepy costumes, things that go bump in the night. It’s all in good fun, right?

Whoa – today, there’s a strong man guarding his house. He’s armed to the teeth, confident, and in control. He’s got his treasures locked up tight.

Any guesses who that is?  The strong man is - "Can you say... Satan?"

Historical Context:
But let’s pause for a moment. What does Jesus mean by this image of a “strong man”?

To His audience, it wasn’t just a metaphor—it was a direct challenge to the spiritual reality they lived in. In the ancient world, homes were fortified. People didn’t have bank accounts or secure vaults, so their wealth—jewelry, gold, food stores—was kept in their homes.

A “strong man” was the master of the house, someone who could defend his property from thieves or invaders. He’d arm himself with swords or clubs, post guards, and sleep lightly.

The stronger the man, the safer the house. Jesus flips this familiar image on its head.

Sounds a lot like modern times—Tim Taylor, the tool guy, euphoria —hruh hrunh! ??

Umm - nope - In His parable, Satan is the strong man.

He’s the one who thinks he’s in control, guarding what he considers his property.
 
Satan believes this world and its treasures belong to him.
Are you disputing this?  (please say yes - that was apop quiz).

Ok, by now I really, truly hope you are wondering – what does Satan think he is protecting?

But then, Jesus suddenly introduces Himself as the “stronger one.”
Jesus is the One who storms the house, overpowers Satan, and takes back what rightfully belongs to God.

Pause on the History:I now return you to your historical moment…

The people listening to Jesus would have understood the stakes immediately: spiritual forces were at work, and Jesus had come to confront them head-on.

Modern Context
This isn’t just a parable. It’s a picture of a cosmic battle that’s still playing out.
Satan has had millennia to craft his strategies, and he knows how to exploit our weaknesses.

His weapons are deception, fear, and distraction.  
They are social media and cell phones.  
They are pornography and alcohol.  
They are….  Wow - I’d get real tired writing all of these.

Let’s be honest—sometimes, it feels like Satan’s winning. (told you it was October).

Just look around. Fear and division dominate the headlines. Hopelessness is everywhere.
It’s easy to believe the strong man still has the upper hand. (And for most, he does!)

But here’s the truth: Jesus doesn’t just overpower Satan; He invites us into His victory.

Yet, He also gives a warning: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION - SERMON ALERT HERE

There’s no neutral ground. You’re either with Jesus, the stronger one, or you’re vulnerable to the strong man’s schemes.

What does that mean?  (Wow, I literally just let out the biggest sigh writing that!)

Here’s where it gets personal.

Satan’s strategy isn’t always loud or obvious. He works quietly, going after our defenses.
For example, have you ever noticed how easy it is to drift when you stop praying?

I mentioned this in my sermon last week.  "I was distracted by my busyness!"  

Or - get this - how doubt creeps in when you’re disconnected from God’s Word?

Maybe you’ve skipped church for a few weeks and suddenly feel isolated, like no one understands what you’re going through.  Sigh, maybe I will pick another place to go....  

That’s not random. That’s the strong man trying to disarm you.

Prayer, Scripture, worship, and community aren’t just nice things to do—they’re your armor.

They’re God’s gift to help you stand firm when the battle feels intense.

Reflection
This October, as the world leans into the spooky, don’t lose sight of the real battle happening around you. Satan may be strong, but Jesus is stronger.

Don’t let your guard down.

Stay close to Him. Pray. Worship. Dig into His Word.

Surround yourself with people (ahem, no more deferring small groups) who will remind you that you’re not fighting alone. This is how you stand with Jesus.

The strong man may still be prowling, but the stronger one has already won.
Are you with Him?

- I was going to stop here, but rereading it, it occurred to me to ask - "what if you are not?"

Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for being the stronger one in the battle for my soul. Thank You for breaking the power of Satan and reclaiming me as Your own.
Help me to stay vigilant. Guard my heart and mind, and give me the strength to stand with You every day. When I feel weak or distracted, remind me that the victory is already Yours. Keep me close to You, Lord, and teach me to trust You more.
Amen.