© 06 Colin Melbourne
Read Parts 1, 2 and 3
Beware of Fascination
When genuine demons manifest there’s a danger that you, or the gathering crowd, may become fascinated by the supernatural event unfolding. Demonised people say, and do, all kinds of strange things as a diversionary tactic. Don’t allow this to happen, either take the subject away to a more private place, or cut the process short.
No Deals with Demons
When they realise that you have authority over them demons often try to bargain with you, like they did with Jesus. Send us into the herd of swine.
Christ sent them into the pigs, destroying the swine along with the demons. Because Jews under the Law should not have been breeding unclean animals (no doubt as lucrative trade with their Roman occupiers).
This was a special illustration of His authority and Judgment, not a precedent for bargaining with demons.
Fasting and Prayer
The disciples failed to drive out the demon from the epileptic boy, (most epilepsy is due to demons), when they asked Jesus why, He replied:
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Mtt. 17:21 KJV
Based on this some people feel that they have to go through a process of praying and fasting before they can drive out a demon, but that was not the point of Christ’s remark. The reason the disciples failed was simply lack of faith:
Why could not we cast him out?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: Mtt. 17:20 KJV
They didn’t believe that, when they gave the demon the command to leave, it would obey them.
Jesus rebuked them, and cast it out with a word, pointing them to prayer and fasting as the means of developing stronger faith in their ability through Him.
Praying in Tongues
Spirit-filled believers confronted with a demon often reflexly begin praying in tongues. This can help because it allows the Holy Spirit to pray through you for the saints, charges you up, and can facilitate faith and words of knowledge. But understand that tongues don’t drive out demons.
How to Drive out Demons
To drive out evil spirits simply command them to leave in Jesus’ Name, and have faith in your God given authority to do this.
If you are born of God, and filled with His Spirit, you have the power; just use it, and believe!
Don’t waiver in unbelief, wobbling in doubt.
Accept your perfect righteousness through Christ, stand in your divine office, and command it to go in His Name.
You have the same authority to use the Name above all names as Paul had when he said:
I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Ac. 16:18b KJV
All demons have to obey you because He has ordained, and commanded you to cast them out.
Don’t do it twice. Just once in faith is enough, and it has to go.
As you believe in your authority to use Jesus’ Name you can stand your ground and see the deliverance God brings.
He said it, that is enough. His Name is enough. His power is enough.
Once the demon has gone, build the person up in Christ, and ensure they get saved and Spirit-filled or else they will become worse than before. Jn. 5:15, Mtt. 12:43-45
© 06 Colin Melbourne