In response to some people who, after seeing the Lord Iesus cast out an evil spirit from a dumb man, accused the Lord of using the power of Beelzebul (Luke 11:15), the Lord rebuked them with a discourse on the kingdom of Satan being overcome by "one who is stronger" (Luke 11:22), ending with these words:
He who is not with me is against me . . .
Full text of the passage in Luke 11;17ff
17 Every kingdom in which there is division is made waste; and a house in which there is division comes to destruction.
18 If, then, Satan is at war with himself, how will he keep his kingdom? because you say that I send evil spirits out of men by the help of Beelzebul.
19 And if I, by Beelzebul, send out evil spirits, by whose help do your sons send them out? so let them be your judges.
20 But if I, by the finger of God, send out evil spirits, then the kingdom of God has overtaken you.
21 When the strong man armed keeps watch over his house, then his goods are safe:
22 But when one who is stronger makes an attack on him and overcomes him, he takes away his instruments of war, in which he had put his faith, and makes division of his goods.
23 He who is not with me is against me, and he who will not give me help in getting people together is driving them away.
Luke 11:17 - 23 Bible in Basic English
A parallel passage is found in Matthew chapter 12:
25 Every kingdom having division in itself is made waste, and every town or house having division in itself will come to destruction.
26 And if Satan sends out Satan, he makes war against himself; how then will he keep his kingdom?
27 And if I by Beelzebub send evil spirits out of men, by whom do your sons send them out? So let them be your judges.
28 But if I by the Spirit of God send out evil spirits, then is the kingdom of God come on you.
29 Or how may one go into a strong man's house and take his goods, if he does not first put cords round the strong man? and then he may take his goods.
30 Whoever is not with me is against me; and he who does not take part with me in getting people together, is driving them away.
Matthew 12:25 - 30 Bible in Basic English
When we compare the above passages to earlier accounts of the Lord Iesus' reply to his disciples in Luke 9 and Mark 9, we see that the converse is also true - that he who is not against the Lord is for the Lord:
49 And John, answering, said, Master, we saw a man driving out evil spirits in your name, and we did not let him do it, because he was not one of us.
50 But Jesus said to him, Let him do it, for he who is not against you is for you.
Luke 9:49 - 50 Bible in Basic English
38 John said to him, Master, we saw one driving out evil spirits in your name: and we said that he might not, because he is not one of us.
39 But Jesus said, Say not so: for there is no man who will do a great work in my name, and be able at the same time to say evil of me.
40 He who is not against us is for us.
Mark 9:38 - 40 Bible in Basic English
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus Anointed, are we with the Lord? Let us never be found to be against him.
