How to Drive Out Demons

Colin Melbourne

Part 3 of 4

© 06-08 Born-Again-Christian.Info

First please read Parts 1 and 2

In the first part of 'Demons, Jesus Christ, and You', we covered what demons are, where evil spirits come from, and what they do. The second section described how Jesus dealt with demons, and what this means for the believer in Christ. Now we get to deliverance ministry: The nuts and bolts of driving out demons.

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Lk. 10:19-20 NIV

Exorcism is Counterfeit

Many religions practice exorcism, where potions, incantations, charms, symbols, talismans, spells, blood sacrifices, and drugs of all kinds are used to 'exorcise' evil spirits from people, buildings, and animals. Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Animism, Spiritism, and Hinduism are replete with it, and it is all fake.

The victim is never set free from Satan's power, instead they are pulled deeper into bondage to the occult. Exorcism is not Biblical deliverance, it is a theatrical satanic counterfeit.

The demons put on a show, with much frothing, screaming, and drama, until the Bomoh, Witch-doctor, Priest, Monk, or Shaman 'sends it away' with his mumbo-jumbo, mantras, chanting, pepper-corns, chicken blood, lewd acts, or magic potions.

When the victim appears to have been helped, all that has really happened is one demon has replaced another, and the family and onlookers ensnared even more in the thrall of occult deception.

Christians have nothing to do with exorcism.

Biblical Deliverance

Genuine Christian deliverance employs no spells, incantations, symbols, sacrifices, charms, potions, or any of the paraphernalia used by Satan's priests of religion.

Instead, it depends entirely upon two things: The Word of God, and the Power of God.

Deliverance from all demonic power comes only through The LORD Jesus Christ: Faith in His Word, and His Holy Spirit are all that's needed.

Christians Only

As we have seen, any Spirit-filled born again believer in Christ can drive out all demons. God has given this authority to His children.

In my name shall they cast out devils. Mk 16:17 See also: Mtt. 28:20, Jn. 14:13-14, 20:21

Religious, make-believers have no power over demons, and risk being mauled if they try to drive them out. (Ac. 19:13-16) So it is a pre-requisite to be saved.

Spirit-filled: Power-packed

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is offered to all Christians to equip them to be ministers of Christ, with power to demonstrate His Lordship and resurrection.

Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Lk. 24:49

Clothed with power from on high: Meditate on what that means.

Essential

Healing the Sick
Four chapters of Dr. Osborn's classic on healing cover the topic of demons. They contain all you need to know about demonology.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth. Ac. 1:8

You cannot do the works of Christ without His power baptism, so get it, and keep being filled.

Discernment

When faced with a situation, ask the Lord for discernment of the cause of the problem, it may be demonic, or it may not. Some people pretend to be demonised as an attention-seeking device. You can't drive out a demon if the problem is not demonic. So let the Lord guide you, and you won't waste time with pretenders.

Oppression or Possession

Usually, the subject is simply oppressed, rather than possessed by demons. So ask the Lord what the cause of the oppression is, and what the subject needs to do.

The commonest causes of oppression are rebellion and unforgiveness. The Lord will give you insight, and then you can exhort the person to repent. If they are unwilling to repent of their sin, leave them until they are.

If the subject is possessed, completely bound by demonic power, there's little point in talking with them, you'll just be led on a wild goose chase by the demons.

Jesus spoke with the madman of Gadarenes (Mk. 5:1-20) in order to elicit the name 'Legion', thus showing his authority, rather than to gain information. Some people ask the names of the demons based on this, but it is unnecessary. Don't chit-chat with them, cast the wicked things out.

How to cast out demons continued in Part 4.