10 Observations
There is much written and filmed on the subject of exorcism, or the casting out of devils (or demons or unclean/evil spirits). So-called “deliverance ministries” are all the rage, having sprung up at almost the same pace as “apologetic or discernment ministries.”
People are generally interested in the subject of evil spirits. Many have not bought the modern fables of psychiatry, psychology, addictions, egos, uncontrollable urges and the like. Many believe that there has to be something more behind someone’s sudden embrace of self-destruction than the ever-present excuse of drugs. (Though drugs could certainly be a symptom.)
Even the workers of iniquity know that supernatural power exists. A quick trip to any website catering to those working for the dragon will confirm this. They may be caught up in illegitimate supernatural power, but that is because they are deceived.
Since much of what is written is so unbiblical and comes from the imaginations of man, here are 10 observations on the subject of casting out demons (based on what the Bible has to say on the subject.
Surprisingly, there is quite a lot.)
1- Demons do not “haunt” places. They strongly desire to be in the BODY of someone. They constantly seek a host.
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.”
—Luke 11:24
2- Demons have such a strong desire to inhabit a body, they prefer the body of an animal over no body at all.
“And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.”
—Mark 5:9-13
3- With points #1 and #2 in mind, the constant media buzz over “haunted houses” and “most haunted places” is a distraction and a deception. There are no demons hanging out in abandoned houses waiting for someone to stop by.
When scanning articles about modern-day “hauntings,” the attentive reader will look for signs that the person who is the “victim” of the haunting or the attacks is involved in the occult or a witch.
Or any of the other practices forbidden by God.
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD”
—Deuteronomy 18:10-12
IF the reader looks for such clues that the person brought the trouble with them to the “haunted” house, they will almost never be disappointed.
4- Demons are cast out by God, not by elaborate rituals or religious props. No amount of “holy water,” or crucifixes or even Bibles will cast out a demon. No amount of gobbldygook read from a script (even a script prepared by one of the apostate churches) has any power over demons.
Demons are cast out by the power of God.
“But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”
—Luke 11:20
5- That being said, God has determined that demons will be cast out in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.
“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
—Luke 10:1,17
6- Those who believe and are born again have the power to cast out demons using the name of Jesus.
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;”
—Mark 16:17
7- However, those who are not saved apparently also can cast out demons (at least at times) using the name of Jesus.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
—Matthew 7:22-23
Notice that Jesus doesn’t tell these people “I don’t know you now” or “I no longer know you.” He says He “never knew” them.
Yet they were able to cast out demons in His name. Or at least they claimed to have cast out demons in His name.
PART ONE: Where do evil spirits come from?
PART TWO: Weapons of Our Warfare: END TIMES SURVIVAL
PART THREE: END TIMES SURVIVAL: We Fight Spiritual Battles, Not Physical Ones
PART FOUR: EXORCISM: 10 Observations on Casting Out Demons
PART FIVE: Spiritual Warfare: 10 Observations on Demons and Spiritual Warfare
PART SIX: SPIRITUAL WARFARE: The Explosive Power of the Prayers of the Believer
8- Which demonstrates that being able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name is no guarantee that the person is a Christian.
9- God can use the wicked and the lost to do His work.
Even though a person may not be a Christian and is casting out demons, he is still doing the work of God.
Even though he is not part of the kingdom of God.
“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”
—Luke 9:49-50
10- Unlike Hollywood movies, commanding a demon to leave a person in the name of Jesus may not occur immediately.
Like a trick performed by a magician.
“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”
—Acts 16:16-18
“And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.”
—Matthew 17:14-18
(Mark’s account in Mark 9:19-27 is more detailed and gives more a sense of an immediacy to the demon’s departure. However, both accounts agree the demon left quickly.)
The Bible has much to say on this topic.
At some point, another article will be added to this one.
Are you in the kingdom of God?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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1- ohmmy3d, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
2- piyaphon, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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