CASTING OUT DEMONS

People often question the ministry of casting out demons: • Why do it when we have counseling, prophecy, and the laying on of hands? Isn’t this enough? •We have all these other methods in ministry which everyone seems to prefer, do we really need to cast out demons? •Can’t people get help by going to a meeting and being slain in the spirit or laughing? Many say they are really helped by this. •If people can get all the help they need without it, why stir up things by casting out demons? Obviously God’s people are not receiving all the help they need; otherwise, there would be more victorious Christians. Beyond the argument of need, there are strong Scriptural reasons we should cast out demons. The Bible presents this ministry as normal Christianity, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was the main proponent it.

The first and foremost reason we cast out demons is be- cause Jesus did. If we had no other reason, that would be enough. He cast them out of His people, the Israelites — the sons and daughters of Abraham — not out of the Gentiles or unbeliev- ers. “At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him

 (Jesus) all who were sick and those who were demon-pos- sessed.” –Mark 1:32 “And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, ‘Everyone is looking for You.’ But He said to them, ‘Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.’”  –Verses 36-38 “When evening had come they brought to Him many who were demon possessed and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick that it might  be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness.’”  –Matt 8:16 If we believe Jesus is our perfect pattern, then to follow Him we must do as He did, and He cast out many demons.

REASONS FOR CASTING OUT DEMONS

1.    CASTING OUT DEMONS IS THE GREATEST EVIDENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Now go to Luke 11 to find another reason we cast out demons: “But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” —Verse 20 Another reason we cast out demons is because it is the greatest evidence of the kingdom of God according to Jesus. Evidence is often visual when demons leave a person. I do not believe we should over-encourage manifestations, but we certainly shouldn’t suppress them or fear them.

People need to see the evidence of the power of the name of Jesus and of the true anointing when it stirs up demons, causing them to manifest and leave. This leaves no doubt that The Greater One has come. Now look at Mark 16:17. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons.” This sign that follows those who believe is not demons going out, but demons cast out. It is an action of will not some- thing passively received. It is a visible victory of the kingdom of God in believers’ lives, and can only be done supernaturally.

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”  –Matthew 10:7- 8 Jesus wanted His disciples to demonstrate a visible victory as they went out, so this was the first sign that followed — demons were cast out. People in the occult do not cast out demons. They deal with demons, but you don’t see them confront, overcome and cast them out. They are afraid to do it. If they try to overcome a powerful demon, they know it will retaliate and maybe even destroy them. Some have lost their lives dealing with demons. Yes, they do healings and other things, but you do not see them telling a demon to Come out. To confront a demon in the Name of Jesus Christ and tell it to go out of a person or to vacate its abode is an awesome miracle for a human to do. Here is undeniable evidence of the kingdom of God and its power on the earth. It may shock folks but what unique “advertisement” it is. We must do it. Someone recently told me, ”I now believe Christians can have demons because a part of my life is out of control.“ We did not discuss whether or not a Christian can be demon possessed, but this believer realized he was possessed, at least, in one area of his life. He was a Christian — an active, commit- ted Christian serving in ministry. Some let semantics stumble them with words such as pos- session, oppression or demonization. Do definitions really matter if you are tormented or afflicted? The bottom line is: if demons are exercising me, I want them out!

2.    DEMONS DO NOT LEAVE BY THEIR O DEMONS CHOICE

This is another reason we cast out demons: they do not leave of themselves. As in the situation with the Gadarene in Mark 5, the demons didn’t leave the man — they grew stronger

They cried out when Jesus came, but they did not go out until He cast them out (and with some difficulty). Some demons may leave during strong spiritual experiences. We call them surface or butterfly demons. We have seen them leave at the point of the new birth or the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The spirit of profanity left me when I was born again. My conversation was cleansed immediately. I now know this was a demon that left me, and I praise God for this. Mostly, though, believers require much deliverance following new birth and Holy Spirit baptism regardless of how powerful the spiritual experiences. People say time heals everything. The truth is, time does not heal anything. Jesus heals and casting out demons makes the way for His healing. A demon will stay with you as long as no one tells him to go. Time won’t make him go away. In fact, if you allow him to stay, he will invite his friends into your house (your body) also. If you try to deal with demons by waiting them out or ignoring them, they will get stronger and meaner in your life. Satan wants to work in secrecy and camouflage. If we have demons in our life and can’t or won’t see them, then the demons have tremendous power in our life. We won’t even realize their influence flowing through us. We may bruise and hurt others or leave a trail of broken relationships. Bitterness may be pouring through us to others, and we will not see it. Until it is confronted as a personality and cast out, it will abide in us. The deeper residential spirits like rejection and rebellion re- main more hidden and resist leaving even more. Some say if you just praise the Lord they will leave; or if you get a prophecy, they’ll leave; if you read the Word or memorize the bible, deliverance will come. Not so! They must be cast out. Jesus did not tell us to sing them out, praise them out, laugh them out, read them out, wait them out or sweat them out. He said, “Cast them out.” “In My name you will cast out demons

3.    JESUS DID NOT TEACH TO PRAISE OUT DEMONS

            Look at the story in Acts 16 about the girl who joined Paul’s ministry: “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, ‘These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.’ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour.” —Acts 16:16-18 The girl had a demon and, evidently, Paul did not discern it right away. If he did discern the demon, perhaps he was waiting for the prompting of the Lord. Regardless, there came a point of vexation and agitation where he could no longer tolerate the demon’s talk. The girl was seemingly in agreement with the ministry walking as a disciple for a period of time, but the demon did not leave her. It wasn’t until Paul turned and said, “I cast you out!” that it left. I like to have positive expectations for people, but when they go on and on and on with their problem (demon manifestation), there comes a time to say, “Okay, that’s it! It’s time for deliverance!” The person may be agitating or abusing others through their rude behavior. First you pray, “Lord, help them see what’s coming through their life.” We want to believe they are going to get free through their prayer or devotional life, but nothing happens until the demonic is confronted in them personally. Then comes the change. We cast out demons because they do not leave of themselves – they just do not. Let’s go back to Mark 1 where Jesus was teaching in the synagogue: “Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit and he cried out saying, ‘Let us alone, what have we to do with you Jesus of Nazareth, did you come to destroy us. I know who you are the holy one of  God.’ But Jesus rebuked him saying, ‘be quiet and come out.’” The Lord Jesus was present in bodily form. The demons manifested, yes, but they didn’t leave because the Lord was there. “Oh, if you just get in the presence of the Lord, the demons will leave.” No, even the Lord Jesus had to cast them out. “But, I have asked the Lord to cast my demons out.” some say. The Lord says, “I gave you the authority. You tell them to leave.” Demons don’t leave because you are in the Demons don’t leave because you are in the Demons don’t leave because you are in the Demons don’t leave because you are in the Demons don’t leave because you are in the presence of the Lord presence of the Lord presence of the Lord presence of the Lord presence of the Lord Demons don’t leave just because you are in the presence of the Lord. The presence of the Lord may cause them to manifest, but someone must cast them out. It grieves me to see meetings where there is a heavy anointing with people crying, laughing and  such, only to see that most of the manifestations are demons, and nobody has the discernment or courage to cast them out. What a time to do it! They should be cast out. In Luke 13 Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. There was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for 18 years and was bent over and could no way raise herself up. She had been going to that church for 18 years and was still bent over. It is so sad to have God’s people say they have had some infirmity or oppression for years and years. They have been trying to serve the Lord. They have been in church. They are baptized in the Holy Spirit, and here they are bent over spiritually by a demon and nobody has known what to do. This land is full of that kind of need — God’s people hurting be- cause of lack of knowledge, wrong understanding or unbelief. The demon did not leave the woman in the synagogue in spite of her devotion to the Lord. She was obviously devoted to the Lord, but the demon had her bent over. She couldn’t look up for 18 years, in spite of her devotion. Jesus walks in, sees this woman and has compassion for her in spite of the Pharisees. They didn’t want it to happen, but Jesus delivered her. Demons must be cast out, and that is what Jesus did. That’s what we’re called to do also. “Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, ‘Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!’ Then His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.’” —John 2:13-17

4.    ZEAL FOR THE LORD  COMPELS US TO CAST DEMONS

 The Spirit of the Lord Jesus compels us to go and drive out the unclean things in the House of God. Zeal for His house overrides the fear of man, the offense of the cross, and every other obstacle. This zeal says, “I must go and cleanse my Father’s house.” What is the Father’s house? We are. God’s people are Father’s house — the temple of the Holy Spirit. “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure dis- eases.” —Luke 9:1 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and noth- ing shall by any means hurt you.” —Luke 10:19

5.    WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN POWER AND AUTHORITY TO CAST OUT DEMONS

Another reason we cast out demons is because we have been given power and authority to do so. We are to trample on them – to cast them out. What the Lord has given, we must not neglect. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed with the devil, because God was with Him.” —Acts 10:38 He was given that power and authority and now He lives in us. What He is, He is in us. “For this purpose was the Son of God manifest that He might  destroy the works of the devil.” —1 John 3:8 The Son of God manifests in us to destroy the works of the devil and heal all those that are oppressed of the devil. We have the authority, the power and the anointing in us to destroy Satan’s works, and we are called to do it. This is the pur- pose of Jesus manifesting in the earth and in us. We are commissioned to do it, we’re commanded to do it, we’re equipped to do it, we’re empowered to do it and we have the authority to do it. God is waiting for us TO DO IT.

6.    DEMONS DEMONIZE  AND OPPRESS  PEOPLE

Another reason we cast out demons is a very simple, al- most ridiculous, but obvious. In Mark 9:25 the disciples had been trying to cast a demon out of a man’s son and couldn’t. Jesus arrived and the man appealed to Him. “When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!’ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, ‘He is dead.’ 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.” —Mark 9:25-27 We cast out demons because they are in people now. Pretty simple isn’t it? If there weren’t any demons in people, then there wouldn’t be any demons to cast out. It seems simple, but none the less it’s true. I believe we’ve missed splendid blessings because of mis understanding about doing this. In Acts 8, there is a wonderful aspect of casting out demons: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” —Acts 8:6-8 The ministry of casting out demons will bring the joy of the Kingdom to people. I have seen it again and again. So many times after casting demons out of a believer who’s been op- pressed, they will begin to weep and give thanks to the Lord. Their countenance takes on a new glow and great joy floods their soul. ”The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit.“

SYMPTOMS OF DEMONIC OPERATION

The subject of mental illness is very controversial in Christian circles. Inside the extreme schools of thought we find balance and a scriptural viewpoint. First, let me say clearly, all mental illness is not the result of demonic attack. Further, good psychological care from Christian professionals is vital and in order when an individual is struggling. Also, professionally administered medication may be necessary when chemical imbalances occur. When normal medicine and therapy do not result in a cure, then it is possible that these symptoms could point to demonic operation. Let me list for you fourteen symptoms of demonic operation. As these symptoms are listed, realize that some of them could also be caused by something other than demonic oppression. The first six symptoms on this list are extreme and are drawn from the account of the demoniac of Gadara in Mark 5. This man had been chained in a cemetery because of his erratic and violent behavior. When you look at Mark 5:1–15, you can see clear symptoms of demonic activity. Symptom 1: Incapacity for normal living (Mark 5:1–5) Just as the actions of Legion made him unsuitable for normal social inter- action with friends and family, an unusual desire for solitude, accompanied by a deep loneliness, will often set in. The person will often become very passive with no desire to change. Symptom 2: Extreme behavior (Mark 5:4) Violence will often be evident in the victim’s life. An explosive temper and extreme, uncontrollable anger are dangerous behaviors that control the individual and the people who love him or her. Symptom 3: Personality changes (Mark 5:9, 12) Multiple personalities exist in some of the most serious cases of demonic control. This man had a “legion” of spirits within his life. All cases of multiple personality may not be demonic, but in most cases demon activity is involved. Changes in personality, extreme or mild, may be evidence of demonic activity. Symptom 4: Restlessness and insomnia (Mark 5:5) In verse 5 we see this man crying in the tombs “night and day.” He could not sleep. Insomnia can be a sign of a physical problem or a sign of a spiritual problem. God has gifted His children with sleep (Ps. 127:2). So when you cannot sleep night after night and there is no medical reason for this disturbance, the devil may be tormenting you. Don’t forget; you have the right to rest in Jesus! David said in Psalm 4:8, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Sleep is God’s gift to all who trust in Him. Symptom 5: A terrible inner anguish (Mark 5:5) The man at Gadara was deeply tormented in mind and heart. Various levels of anguish are evident in those who are afflicted by demons. Grief and anguish

are normal emotions for us all. Yet persistent, unresolved anguish that will not leave after normal therapies of counseling, encouragement, and prayer could well be demonic. Symptom 6: Self-inflicted injury and suicide (Mark 5:5) Here we see the demonic man was cutting himself. If you read Mark 9:14–29, you will see the story of the man whose son was both deaf and mute because of a demon: “Wherever he [the evil spirit] seizes him, he throws him down.…Often he [the demon] has thrown him [the boy] both into the fire and into the water to destroy him” (vv. 18, 22). Jesus cast out the demon. “The spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead.…But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose” (vv. 26–27). Demons can cause people to injure them- selves. They even incite suicide. Symptom 7: Unexplained illness with no obvious medical cause When medical testing produces no physical cause for an illness, then we should look to the mind and spirit for answers. Sometimes illnesses are psychological, and good counseling can result in a cure. Other times the battle is with demons. There are physical illnesses caused by a class of demons known as “spirits of infirmity.” Symptom 8: Addictive behavior Addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, food, gambling, and other things opens the door to demonic influence and control. I am not saying demons cause all of these problems; certainly people are responsible for their own wrong choices. But anything that causes one to be out of control opens that person to infernal control. Symptom 9: Abnormal sexual behavior When Jezebel’s son inquired about peace, Jehu responded, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?” (2 Kin. 9:22). In Ezekiel 16:20–51 the spirit of harlotry is mentioned several times. This spirit infected the nation of Israel with the sins of Sodom (vv. 49–50). They even sacrificed their own children (vv. 20–21). Homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and even infanticide are all inspired by the spirit of harlotry. Hosea 4:12 says, “The spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, and they have played the harlot against their God.” Look at Hosea 5:4: “They do not direct their deeds toward turning to their God, for the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, and they do not know the LORD.” A nation and a people given over to sexual sins and abominations is governed by this spirit of harlotry. Nations and families are sold into spiritual bondage by the witchcraft of the spirit of harlotry. When we play around with sexual sin, we open ourselves to this demonic spirit. We must battle this principality that dominates our nation. Symptom 10: Defeat, failure, and depression in the Christian life Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” Notice this verse is preceded by an exhortation from Paul to forgive others “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (vv. 10–11). It is Satan’s purpose to take advantage of our situations and to rob us of the victorious life that is ours in Christ. This symptom is often manifested by an inability to praise and worship. Psalm 92:1–4 is a testimony to the power of praise. It culminates in verse 4, where David said, “For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.” Again he said, “Save us, O Lord our God…to give thanks…[and] to triumph in Your praise” (Ps. 106:47). Symptom 11: Occult involvement and behavior Deuteronomy 18:9–12 catalogs the works of the occult and witchcraft, including child sacrifice; fortune-telling; soothsaying; interpreting omens; sorcery; and the work of those who conjure spells, mediums, spiritists, and those who call up the dead. Then verse 15 instructs the people to hear the word of God from the prophet of God and order their lives accordingly. Occult involve ment is clearly a symptom of demonic control. Symptom 12: Speech difficulties In Matthew 9:32–33 Jesus rebuked a demon, and the mute man was able to speak. Speech difficulties may be physical, emotional, mental, and, in some cases, demonic. Extreme language and cursing may be prompted by the enemy. Symptom 13: Doctrinal error In 1 Timothy 4:1 we receive a warning that in the last days deceiving spirits will teach the doctrines of demons. Today religious cults and charlatans abound. The reason these deceivers draw many people is the power of the demonic that teaches them. Symptom 14: Religious legalism Galatians 3:1 says to the believer who is in danger of going back under the Law, “Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth?” The church at Galatia had forsaken a faith ministry that resulted in the miraculous (v. 5) for a law ministry of rules and regulations. Paul classified this error as witchcraft. Some deeply religious people are under the bondage of tradition, man-made rules, and outward appearances. Demons thrive in this kind of environment, especially demons of control. It is a lot easier to keep a ritual or list of rules than it is to walk by faith. Wherever there is any substitute for faith in the finished work of Christ, it is a doctrine of demons.*

 Mark 4:32

 14 a Matt. 13:18–23;    Luke 8:11–15 19 a Luke 21:34  b Prov. 23:5; Eccl.    5:13; Luke 18:24;    1 Tim. 6:9, 10, 17 20 a (John 15:2, 5;    Rom. 7:4)  1 receive

21 a Matt. 5:15; Luke    8:16; 11:33 22 a Eccl. 12:14; Matt.    10:26, 27; Luke    12:3; (1 Cor. 4:5) 23 a Matt. 11:15; 13:9,    43; Mark 4:9;    Luke 8:8; 14:35;    Rev. 3:6, 13, 22;

   13:9 24 a Matt. 7:2; Luke    6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6 25 a Matt. 13:12;    25:29; Luke    8:18; 19:26 26 a (Matt. 13:24–30,    36–43); Luke 8:1  1 sow

27 a (2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Pet.    3:18) 28 a (John 12:24) 29 a (Mark 13:30, 39);    Rev. 14:15 30 a Matt. 13:31, 32;    Luke 13:18, 19;    (Acts 2:41; 4:4;    5:14; 19:20)

 The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These like- wise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, 1accept it, and bear afruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”