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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Whoever is not with me is against me

Whoever is not with me is against me

Published Oct 10, 2025 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY

When accused of being in league with the devil, driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul, Jesus declares emphatically, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (v 23).

In matter of the struggle between Jesus and the evil spiritual forces that seek the ruin of human beings, there is only one choice: either one aligns with Jesus or he aligns with the devil. To attribute Jesus’ power to the devil is blasphemy, a sin against the Holy Spirit because Jesus acts in the name and the power of God.

However, on previous occasion, Jesus also declares, “Whoever is not against you is for you” (Lk 9:50). This has also to do with exorcism, but in a different context. John, in the name of the disciples, tells Jesus that they saw someone casting out demons and they tried to prevent him because he is not of their group.

 Jesus tells them to let that person be, because the power could only arise from the faith of that man in Jesus’ name. His faith is exactly opposed to the view of people who attribute Jesus’ miracles to his association with Beelzebul.

Jesus is being generous to those who believe that his authority is from God. On the other hand, he severely warns those who would accuse him as some agent of the evil forces.

Gospel • Luke 11:15-26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 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. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’

But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
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