Matt. 12.29 All spiritual works are public spoiling, not secret stealing.

This holds true toward Satan.

“Goods” is a term that, strictly speaking, refers to all who are demon-possessed. Broadly speaking, it applies to all unbelievers. The “strong man” is Satan (cf. 1 John 5.19).

Every demon-possessed person or unbeliever is in the hand of Satan, who guards him as his goods.

Seeing the influence of Satan, the Lord comes to snatch publicly from Satan’s hand the unbelievers, the demon-possessed, and the sick so that they may be liberated and healed.

“And then he will spoil his house”—Whatever is in his house will be taken as spoil by the Lord. In order to cast out demons, the first thing which must be done is to bind the strong man. “Spoil” is a verb which implies a taking by force against the will of the strong man. If it is a casting out by Beelzebub, it would be by peace talks and not by spoiling.

Binding the strong man is done through the Spirit of God. The power of the Holy Spirit is needed in casting out demons. They are cast out in the name of the Lord because the Holy Spirit is the power of that Name.

One great principle in the Lord’s work, then, is first to bind and next to spoil.