Many demons are homeless because Christians, using their God-given authority, have evicted them from people and neighborhoods where demons had made their homes. One might think that there are many other places for these demons. Yet sometimes demons fail to find a resting-place (Lk 11:24). Then they check their former residences or any other person or place which is "swept and tidied," that is, inhabitable by demons' standards (Lk 11:25).

Would demons consider your life inhabitable or even ideal for occupancy? Would seven demons consider you a prime location? Most Christians admit that they have some things wrong in their lives. Yet they hardly consider themselves so bad that demons would love to dwell in them. Nonetheless, this perception of ourselves may itself be a work of the devil, "the father of lies" (Jn 8:44).

Just as an interior decorator may see an old, ramshackled house as having potential to become beautiful, so the devil may see a somewhat good person as having the potential to become evil. Thus, the devil may try to possess that person or at least harass him. The only way to be safe from potentially severe demonic activity is to be filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of holiness, from Whom all evil spirits flee. Therefore, be holy and uninhabitable for demonic occupation.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002