CASTING OUT DEMONS

In the ministry of Jesus Christ, we often notice that 'healing and deliverance' went hand in hand along with the preaching and teaching. Jesus said to the Woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity" (Lk 13:11-16) and she was delivered from the infirmity. Jesus says that that woman was a daughter of Abraham. (vs.16) In other words, she was a believer.

Jesus said, "cast out demons":

Jesus never sent any one to do the work of God without giving them the authority to cast out demons. Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him; He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (Matt 10:1) Jesus said, 'And as you go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is at hand...cast out demons... (Matt 10:7,8) Jesus said, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth' (Matt 28:18)

All the above scriptures tell us clearly that Jesus gave his disciples "power" over the enemy. Jesus gave us the authority over "all the power of the enemy", not just some. Behold, 'I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall be any means hurt you' (Lk 10: 19)

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My (Jesus) name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (Mk 16:17) Here we see two manifestations of the supernatural power which are to confirm the testimony of a Christian believer. The casting out of demons should take place first. People shall first be fully delivered from demons before they seek the baptism in the spirit and speaking in new tongues.

If you have been seeking and asking God to run the devil out of your life, STOP! The Bible says that you are the one, who is supposed to overcome the enemy.

The Apostles cast out demons:

Peter: A multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 5:16)

Philip: For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice came out of many that were possessed: and many that were paralyzed and lame were healed. (Acts 8:7)

Paul: A certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met Paul. 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 the very hour (Acts 16:18). Even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from Paul's body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. (Acts 19:11,12)

The above examples clearly show that the apostles 'exercised the authority', which Jesus gave them. They cast out the demons in the 'name of Jesus'. They were not afraid of the devil. On the contrary, the devil was afraid of these Spirit filled men of God.

You too can cast out demons:

Do you cast out demons? If yes, thank God! If no, you have to understand that you too can drive out demons in the "name of Jesus" if you are a child of God. Begin exercising the authority you have been given. Don't accept defeat. Rise up in faith. Stand up on the Word of God and fight the enemy out. Rise up and receive the deliverance of the Lord.

Keys for deliverance:

1. Authority in the name of Jesus:

If you've been standing there wringing you hands and worrying about what the devil is doing, it is time for you to put the devil under your feet. You have been given the power of attorney that enables you to use the powerful name of Jesus. A name that is above every name. (Phil 2:9,10) David says, "I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them...they are fallen under my feet."(Ps 18,37,38) Bind the evil spirits that are trying to destroy your home, your marriage, your finances, your church and your nation.

2. Power of the Holy Spirit:

Jesus said He casts out the demons by the power of the Spirit of God...(Mt 12:28) Jesus said, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor...to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Lk 4:18). God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38) The 'ability' to cast out the demons comes from the 'power' of the Holy Spirit. Therefore be filled with the Holy Spirit. You will be able to cast the demons out.

3. The blood of Jesus, Word of our testimony and the willingness to fight:

And they overcame the enemy by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Rev 12:11). We have to plead the blood over our situation. Watch the words that come out of your mouth. You cannot talk defeat and expect victory. You should have the 'bull dog' faith. Never give up.

4. Faith-filled prayer and fasting:

When a father brought his son who was an epileptic, to the disciples, they could not cure him. The boy was then brought to Jesus. Jesus rebuked the demon (vs. 18) and the boy was cured the very same hour. (Matt 17:15-21) When asked the reason, Jesus said,'This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. (Vs. 21) Fasting should become your lifestyle. This passage also shows that the disciples did not have the faith. Jesus says, O faithless and perverse generation (vs. 17)

May your life be a 'victorious Christian life' in Jesus' name. Amen.