Christendom and Western civilization are entering their final warfare before Armageddon. In these deliberate studies of principalities and powers, we are exposing the occult and revealing the doctrines, words, rites, and definitions that demon worshippers use. The only intelligent way to interpret our times is through a biblical perspective. Jesus prophesied that His church shall prevail. In Matthew 16:18, He said, "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
We live in a world today where much is said about exorcism in television, radio, and books. There are people trying to practice exorcism who have no capability of doing so. Jesus said a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand; the unholy cannot cast out the unholy. We are talking about God's people casting out the devil's people.
In the Great Commission (Mark 16:17), the Lord Jesus said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..." Exorcism is not for a peculiar few. Every Christian in the world has the right and power to be involved in setting people free from the devil's power.
Many times, people request private sessions of exorcism because they are afraid the individual might be thrown to the ground or scream out, and they feel ashamed to have that happen publicly. However, in studying the New Testament, we see that a private session is not a necessity. Jesus cast out spirits in the synagogue, on street corners, and in open-air services, often surrounded by both believers and unbelievers. The people saw it and marveled at what Jesus had done. We must never attempt to hide or conceal what God is doing. Deliverance is a tender mercy of God, and we should never be ashamed to publicly declare the great things Jesus has done.
In Mark 16:17, Jesus said, "them that believe" shall cast out spirits. He made it open to all who have faith. He gave power to the twelve disciples, later to the seventy, and we see the Apostle Paul casting out spirits by God's mighty power.
Any living, spiritual believer should become involved in helping those who need release from satanic forces through prayer. The only hope in today's world against the awful tide of supernatural demon manifestation is for the total church to rise up and set men free. A few men alone will never accomplish it; the whole body of Christ must do it. To do this, a person must have a right relationship with God. If you are going to come against the powers of Satan, you must wear the Christian uniform—clothed with the power of God.
Demons are disembodied, fallen spirit beings seeking human or animal habitation because they desire physical manifestation to carry out Satan's objectives: to defile, destroy, and hinder God's plan. To a demon, a human is merely an "apparatus" to be used and discarded.
Generally, individual spirits seem to have one primary function or ability, which is why a person is often possessed by multiple spirits—one spirit opens the door for others to enter.
Whatever the demon is, believers have the authority to cast it out. When a spirit is cast out, it cannot be sent to hell because the time for their final judgment has not yet come. Jesus indicated in Luke 11:24 that they are driven into "dry places" or uninhabited areas.
When ministering deliverance, keep these realities in mind:
Why should you involve yourself in exorcism? First and foremost, you are following Jesus. Jesus spent a large portion of His ministry setting people free from the spirit world. In Luke 9:1, He gave His disciples authority over all demons—there is not a single evil spirit on earth that can stand against that authority.
Acts 10:38 states that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." This is the ministry God desires for the entire body of Christ today. As we prepare for the greatest hour the church has ever known, let us step forward in victory, using the Word of God and the power of His Spirit to set the captives free.