When you hear the word “deliverance” to you, what comes to mind? We’re not speaking of the movie starring Burt Reynolds, we’re speaking of deliverance from demons. Many in our society don’t believe in the existence of demons or hell. Some in the body of Christ struggle with the existence of these things as well. But, if you believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, then it follows that you believe in demons and hell as well.

He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. /// Luke 10:18

How can we believe any other words of Jesus if we don’t believe these? Let’s go on:

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” /// Mark 16:15-18 

Casting out demons is a ministry of those who believe. As we go forth into the community to gather with the Lord, we will encounter people who are under the control of demons. For some listening, it’s just been settled for you; “I’m not going out to minister if I’m going to encounter demons!” The problem is we don’t have the option to say no because Jesus said, “Go!” Why are we afraid of demons? Notice what a legion of demons said to Jesus:

"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" /// Matthew 8:29

We shouldn’t be afraid of demons, they are afraid of us! Demons do things to torment people – to bind them to sin – to draw attention to themselves so that it is not on God. When we encounter them in the harvest field, we are to cast them out. Some may even come into the church and begin to manifest. It happened in Jesus’ day:

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!” /// Mark 1:23-24

When we encounter them, we deal with them according to Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you encounter a person under demonic possession, what should you do? Remember these things:

     1.     You can’t counsel a demon.

You can’t talk a demon into not being a demon. As a matter of fact, there’s little good coming from trying to have a conversation with one. Regardless of where they came from, we don’t need to hear their opinions. They lie so why converse with them? You also can’t change them through counsel.

     2.     Demons submit to power and authority.

 Jesus told us that demons are united in their purpose and are under authority of Satan: 

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? /// Matthew 12:25-26

 If demons are under the authority of Satan and Satan is under the authority of Jesus and you are partakers of Christ authority, are the demons subject to you?

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. /// Luke 10:19 (NIV)

     3.     When you cleanse a house, fill it.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” /// Matthew 12:43-45

Spirits seek to return to their original stronghold and make it impenetrable. Get a house filled with the Holy Spirit after a demon is cast out.

     4.     It takes a warrior to take down a demon.

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 a one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” /// Mark 9:25-29 

People who are casual about their relationship with God will find themselves struggling to cast out demons. But, people with love for Jesus evidenced by a life of prayer and death to self will find that power is flowing through them to defeat the enemy.

     5.     Demons in disguise.

The devil doesn’t always act that a raving lunatic. Sometimes, his presence is manifest in bondages that manifest as blindness, muteness, physical deformity (there are many reasons for physical illness.) The Spirit of God must reveal a spiritual root to disease if one exists. If you are not sure if you are dealing with a demon, ask the person to declare that Jesus is their Lord. Demonic presence will not allow such a thing.

Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. /// 1 Corinthians 12:3

Part of our ministry is to cast out demons. You don’t have to be a pastor to do so. You simply must be a soldier of the Lord!

Today’s Scriptures:

•   Luke 10:18
•   Mark 16:15-18
•   Matthew 8:29
•   Mark 1:23-24
•   Matthew 12:25-26
•   Luke 10:19 (NIV)
•   Matthew 12:43-45
•   Mark 9:25-29
•   1 Corinthians 12:3

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