How do you deal with the unexpected? A centuries old effective (though incorrect) approach is called "poisoning the wells." The person presenting the information is attacked. The attacker tells people they should "consider the source." Commonly, no credible, in context evidence is presented to prove the source is unreliable. If the attacker succeeds in questioning the presenter's source, then everything the presenter says is suspect. If the presenter relies on the questioned source, then nothing he says or does is "to be trusted." Discredit the person's source, and you discredit the person without attacking him/her personally.
Jesus encountered a man who could not see or speak because he was possessed by a demon. Jesus did what many regarded as impossible by casting out the demon. A man who could neither hear nor speak because of an evil spiritual reason suddenly could both speak and hear. Jesus intervened, and the man both spoke and saw.
What Jesus caused to happen could not be denied. Many (multitudes) saw what happened. These people were not only witnesses, but they were amazed witnesses who began to wonder about the obvious. "Is this man God's promised Messiah? Is this man the descendant of David we expected for generations?"
The Pharisees, who occupied the position of spiritual leaders for most common people, needed to do some damage control quickly. It would not do for common people to be wondering if Jesus was the Messiah! They responded by using the device we call "poisoning the wells." Paraphrased, they responded to Jesus' act by saying, "What did you expect? Surely he did a remarkable thing! However, that is not the issue. The issue is this: Where did Jesus get the power to do what he did? He got it from Beelzebul! Only the ruler of demons can control demons--Jesus could cast out this demon because Beelzebul who rules demons gave Jesus this power!"
Jesus knew what they were doing. He understood their real motives! They might appear to be protecting the people, but they were actually trying to discredit Jesus to preserve their place of leadership. Because he knew the Pharisees' evil motives, Jesus increased their difficulty by placing the obvious in the forefront. First, he said civil war is destructive in any situation. Internal division settled by violent acts will be destructive to a kingdom, a city, or a family. A certain way to weaken a kingdom, a city, or a family is for it to engage in hostile internal conflict. Second, if Satan is fighting against himself by authorizing me to attack his kingdom, he is sanctioning a civil war. How can Satan's kingdom endure if he sanctions internal division? Third, if I demonstrate superiority over demons because my source of power is God, God's kingdom has come to you. If God is my source of power over demons, then God's kingdom has come to you. If that is true, you should be embracing me instead of opposing me.
Fourth, consider Jesus' illustration. A thief cannot break into a strong man's house and carry his property off unless he first makes the strong man powerless. As long as the strong man is free in his home, the thief cannot plunder that home. If a power beside Satan enables me to cast out a demon, what I did for the man who could not see or speak should cause you to note who I am rather than oppose me. You are either with me or against me. It is no small thing to be against me.
Fifth, let me plainly note how serious it is to oppose me. Blasphemy (denunciation and rejection of) against people will be forgiven, but blasphemy against God's Spirit will not be forgiven. [Many are confused by Jesus' statement. Some are convinced they committed the "unpardonable sin" and are beyond forgiveness even if they repent. Consider: (1) John said God's kingdom was coming soon. (2) Jesus said God's kingdom was there. (3) God's Spirit ushered in God's kingdom (Acts 2 with focus on verses 2-4, 14-21) Jesus said people could reject John or his human testimony, but they dare not reject the testimony of God's spirit--FOR GOD WOULD NOT REVEAL HIMSELF AGAIN THROUGH ANOTHER MEANS. It was (is) extremely serious to attribute God's work to Satan. Beware of giving Satan credit for God's power.
Sixth, Jesus ended with an appeal to consistency for those who represent God. His illustration was agricultural. Then the value of a fruit tree was determined by the fruit it produced. Merely because a tree "looked good" did not mean it produced good fruit.
Jesus said the Pharisees he addressed were all looks and no good fruit. They were opposite good fruit. They were poisonous snakes. They "looked like" they sustained life (as good fruit would then) but instead they destroyed life (like poisonous snakes did).
Jesus' made specific application of his point to human words. A person's words reflect the internal treasures of his/her heart. If the internal treasure of the heart is good, the person's words produce good. However, if the internal treasure is evil, the person's words produce evil. The motive behind the word and how the word is used is part of the power of the word. Therefore, God attaches great significance to what we say.
Make your words consistent with who you are. Be God's person who speaks like God's person. Never be unaware of the power of what you say. Never let emotions choose your words.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 12