A reading from the gospel according to Luke 11:14-23

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
15 Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”
16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.
18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.
22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armour on which he relied and distributes the spoils.
23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Reflection: Spiritual Warfare

The gospel reading above reminds us of a reality that happens all the time within us. That is the war between good and evil. Every now and then, each man or woman is confronted with a choice whether to follow the dictates of satan or the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Every time we commit sin, we follow the devil and therefore we displease God.

Yet we are not at all hopeless. We have the great exorcist in Jesus and with all the angels who guard us when we call upon them, we are safe. We just have to believe in the power of God. Under His authority, the devil cannot possess us. Still, the devil is working 24 hours each day to lure us to his side. Let us put on the full armor of God to defeat the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18).

It is the devil’s plan to put division within us and the division that we see in the world is just a reflection of this division within us. That is why it is very critical to always pray for wholeness within ourselves. For when we are made whole then we can truly work for peace and unity in this world. This happens only when we abide in Jesus.

*****

The gospel passage above invites us to reflect on the nature of true power and the Kingdom of God. Jesus’s actions and words remind us that God’s kingdom is not one of division and strife, but of unity, peace, and the restoration of wholeness. The power Jesus demonstrates is not coercive or oppressive but liberating and life-giving, aiming to free individuals from the bonds of evil and suffering.

However, many people who witnessed the event of Jesus’ casting out the demon did not appreciate the miracle. Instead, they accused Jesus as an instrument of the devil. This gives us a great lesson. In our lives, we may encounter skepticism, misunderstanding, and opposition, much like Jesus did. Yet, this passage encourages us to persevere in doing good, standing firm in our convictions, and relying on the strength that comes from God. It calls us to be agents of peace, unity, and healing in a world often marked by division and discord.

Let us draw inspiration from Jesus’s example, striving to bring light into darkness, to heal wounds of the heart and spirit, and to embody the values of the Kingdom of God in our actions and interactions. In doing so, we affirm that “whoever is not against us is for us,” working together towards a world that reflects God’s love, justice, and mercy.

*****

Jesus performs a powerful miracle: He casts out a demon from a man who was mute. The crowds marvel, but not everyone responds with belief. Some accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Others test Him, demanding more signs. Jesus responds with striking wisdom: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.” He continues, emphasizing that if He casts out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon them.

This passage is more than an account of spiritual warfare. It is a profound call for each of us to examine which “kingdom” we belong to. It challenges us to reflect on our loyalties, our internal battles, and the state of our hearts.

1. A Divided Kingdom Cannot Stand
Jesus’ words are simple yet piercing: division leads to downfall. Whether it’s a nation, a family, a church, or a heart, division weakens and eventually destroys. The people witnessing the miracle are divided—some are in awe, others are skeptical, and some are outright hostile.

How often does this reflect our own hearts? We may outwardly appear faithful but inwardly wrestle with doubts, sin, or complacency. Our divided loyalty—serving God one moment, then allowing worldly desires to rule the next—leaves us spiritually unstable.

Jesus is inviting us to recognize that neutrality is not an option. In verse 23, He declares, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” It’s a sobering reminder that half-hearted faith will not stand. We either align ourselves fully with Christ, or we risk being swept away by the forces that oppose Him.

2. The Finger of God at Work
Jesus doesn’t shy away from addressing the accusations hurled at Him. He makes it clear: His authority is not demonic but divine. When He casts out demons, it’s by the finger of God, a symbol of God’s direct and undeniable intervention.

This “finger of God” still moves today. We might not see demons being cast out before our eyes, but God is constantly at work—liberating us from sin, breaking chains of addiction, restoring broken relationships, and filling us with peace. Yet, how often do we attribute these blessings to mere coincidence, human effort, or dismiss them altogether?

Recognizing God’s hand in our lives requires spiritual eyes. It calls us to be people who acknowledge His power and give Him the glory, instead of questioning or doubting His goodness. When we see God’s fingerprints all over our lives, our faith grows stronger, and our hearts become united in purpose.

3. The Call to Choose Sides
At its core, the Gospel passage above is a call to decision. Jesus isn’t asking for passive admiration. He’s asking for commitment. “Whoever is not with me is against me.” There is no neutral ground. In a world filled with distractions, competing ideologies, and pressures to conform, we are constantly faced with a choice: Will we stand with Christ, or will we allow the world to sway us?

Choosing Christ means allowing Him to rule every part of our lives. It means surrendering our will, our plans, and even our doubts to Him. It’s not always comfortable, and it may not always be popular, but it leads to a life of true freedom and unshakable foundation.

A United Heart in Christ
What does it mean to live with a united heart? It means deciding, daily, to be fully “with Him” — to gather, to build, to stand firm. It means rejecting division, both within ourselves and in the communities we’re part of. It’s living in the assurance that the kingdom of God is not some distant future event; it is here, active, and advancing through those who give their whole hearts to Jesus.

Today, may we allow the finger of God to move in our lives. May we tear down every divided wall within us and stand firm, fully committed, fully His.

For further reflection, go here.