Luke 11:15-23 NRSVue

15But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?—for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. 19Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. 22But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. 23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
The casting out of demons was a particularly cultural activity of Jesus. Demons were the names given to what possesses us in a violent way in our lives. Maybe today it would be the obsessions that make for greed, violence and abuse of others in any way, or the self-torturing guilts which may fill us. We might name our demons in prayer and ask for help - the personal tendencies that lead us away from God and sometimes to harm others.