Beholding and becoming light - Faatāua lou tagata ma avea ma moli

Scripture Focus: Luka 11:14-36

He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come to you. “When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe. But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his plunder. “He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters. The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!” But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.” When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet. For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will also the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater than Jonah is here. “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light.”
- Luke 11:14-36 (WEB)

Study:

In this passage from Luke 11:14-36, Jesus demonstrates His authority over evil spirits by casting out a demon from a mute man, leading to amazement and controversy among the crowd. Some accuse Jesus of using demonic power, but He refutes this logically, emphasizing that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus’s words teach about spiritual authority, the power of God’s kingdom breaking into the world, and the dangers of spiritual emptiness once evil is cast out without being replaced by God's presence. The latter part highlights the importance of being spiritually vigilant, likening the body to a lamp that should give off light. The eye is called the lamp of the body—when it is healthy, the whole body is full of light, symbolizing a life guided by God's truth. Jesus challenges us to examine if the light inside us is truly light or darkness, urging full commitment to the light of God’s kingdom.

Application:

This passage calls us to reflect on our spiritual state and where our authority lies. Just as Jesus casts out demons by the power of God, we too are called to walk in the light and resist darkness through faith and obedience. We must be aware of spiritual battles around us and recognize that true light cannot coexist with darkness in the heart. Jesus reminds us not to hide our faith or the light we have received but to let it shine openly, illuminating the lives of others. On this special day celebrating Samoa’s Independence, we are reminded to prepare ourselves spiritually—to be people who bear light, reflecting God's kingdom in our families, community, and nation.

Reflection Questions:

• How do I recognize the spiritual light or darkness in my life?
• In what ways am I allowing Christ’s light to shine through me to others?
• What distractions or doubts cause me to hide my faith instead of openly living for God?
• How can I prepare myself daily to be strong in the spiritual battles I face?
• What does it mean for me to be “full of light” as Jesus describes?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for bringing Your light into our lives and for Your power to overcome darkness. Help us to guard our hearts and eyes so that we may be filled completely with Your light. Teach us to walk boldly, reflecting Your kingdom to the world around us. Strengthen us to stay prepared and faithful, that we may never hide the light but share it freely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tags: Bible study, Luke 11, light of the body, spiritual authority, casting out demons, Kingdom of God, spiritual light, faith, Samoa Independence Day, Christian reflection, daily devotion