Matthew 12:25 “And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, ‘Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.’”

People will go to extraordinary lengths to discredit someone they don’t like. Nowadays Google ratings govern people’s opinion of almost everything. Shoppers check out what people say about products and businesses before they buy in. 

The Pharisees had decided to get rid of Jesus and nothing He did would pass their test. They created reasons to smear His name and invalidate every miracle and act of mercy despite the fact that their review was untrue, malicious, and just plain ridiculous. 

After Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees over healing a man with a crippled hand on the Sabbath, the religious leaders conspired together about how to destroy Him. This was going to be a difficult task with all the good things Jesus was doing. So they would have to find a way to discredit His kindness and power. 

When a blind and mute demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus, these Pharisees paid careful attention to Jesus’ response. When He healed the man, restoring his sight and voice, they quickly jumped in to distract the amazed crowd’s attention. 

“This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons,” they accused. If Google had been a thing back then, these men would have been giving zero stars and writing scathing reviews. 

 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts and purposes, countered back. “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste,” He said, “and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.”

Pointing out the ridiculousness of their accusation, Jesus asked how Satan’s kingdom would stand if he was the one casting himself out. This would be a foolish civil war. Besides, He continued, “If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” 

Further illustrating His point, Jesus said that no thief could enter a strong man’s house unless he first bound up the strong man. Yet Jesus had released the demon-possessed man from Satan’s clutches, thus revealing His ultimate authority and overriding power of Satan’s kingdom. 

More than just writing a scathing and untrue review on Google, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for committing the unpardonable sin. By attributing Jesus’ mighty work done in the power of the Holy Spirit to Satan, they forfeited forgiveness and separated themselves from God’s saving grace.

You can’t always believe every review you read on Google and you can’t always believe everything you hear. Satan, who masquerades as an angel of light, will go to extraordinary lengths to discredit Jesus and turn people away from the truth. 

So, shoppers, beware lest you fall prey to the devil’s false advertising.