Just some thoughts to ponder for an answer to the question….
In Luke 11, we find this parable about the unclean spirit in response to those who said that Jesus was casting out devils through Beelzebub….an evil, false accusation.
Luke 11:15 KJV
(15) But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
For me, the “house” is ourselves….our mortal bodies….and what comes out of the mouth defiles it. Some were falsely accusing Jesus with their evil words.
This is about not rendering evil for evil when a person speaks evil of us. An evil slant upon our character shall not come to rest upon us if we do not return evil for their evil…. ”railing upon railing”. Rather than returning evil for evil, we are to bless our enemies and not curse them.
1 Peter 3:8-11 KJV
(8) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (9) Not
rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit
a blessing. (10) For he that will love life, and see good days, let
him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no
guile: (11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and
ensue it.
We see in Proverbs 26 that a causeless curse (vilification of our character spoken by another) will not come to rest on us….if we do not return evil for evil. It wanders around aimlessly and flies by us not coming to “rest” upon us when we do not engage them in their evil words. Bless and do not curse our enemies. There is real power in this.
Proverbs 26:2 KJV
(2) As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
There is real power in this. By not returning evil for evil of those who speak evil of us (overcoming evil with good), then we give place for the judgment (wrath) of God upon those who do speak evil of us. We are to suffer for good rather than for doing evil in return for their evil.
Romans 12:17-21 KJV
(17) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in
you, live peaceably with all men. (19) Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (20) Therefore if
thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not
overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
When the unclean spirit (breath) comes out of a man (by him speaking outwardly evil words of us), then we are not to return evil for their evil thereby not giving his evil spirit “rest” upon us.
We share in that man’s evil spirit when we return evil for evil and it gives the original speaker satisfaction/rest to hear it. The evil spirit (breath) finds a new home within us when we engage in their evil.
If we do not render evil for the original speaker’s evil words, then the “unclean spirit” that came out of his mouth walks about through dry places seeking rest and finding none upon us. When we do not return evil for their evil…. our mouths are “dry” of evil words.
What happens then is that the causeless vilification goes back to the original speaker who has not kept the Word in his heart who then waxes worse and worse in evil speech as judgment. There is no rest for the wicked when his evil words do not find a receptive audience for them. We “cool” their tongues so to speak by returning evil for their evil as they are satisfied by our evil response.
Luke 11:24-26 KJV
(24) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will
return unto my house whence I came out.
The unclean breath comes back to the original speaker of evil words and the Word of God is not found within that man’s heart (swept of the Word) and he is not being remembering to do the Word (the light is snuffed out in his heart). The heart of the man who spoke evil is prime real estate for more evil to come and fully occupy it. He is in “darkness”.
“Garnished” from Strong’s:
Strong's #2885: kosmeo (pronounced kos-meh'-o)
from 2889; to put in proper order, i.e. decorate (literally or figuratively) ; specially, to snuff (a wick):--adorn, garnish, trim.
(25) And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. (26) Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than
himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of
that man is worse than the first.
The lamp of the wicked is extinguished out as they forget to do His Word. If we remember to do it, then the light is still burning within us. There is no willing repentance for the evil speaking of those who are in darkness as they do not see that what they do or speak as evil.
Proverbs 13:9 KJV
(9) The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Those who suffer for good (doing good in face of other's persecutions of us) live godly in Christ Jesus. Yet, evil men shall wax worse and worse. The last state of them is worse than the first.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 KJV (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
thanks for reading and considering.