"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
How to Cast Out Demons
Satan torments both believers and unbelievers with physical and mental illness. All believers, however, do have the ability to cast out demons. Both in your own life and in the lives of other believers.
Some cautions before continuing:
- Never try to cast out demons unless you first get saved. That is potentially dangerous (Acts 19:13-17).
- Christians can create serious problems for themselves by exceeding the authority God has given them. Never try to bind or cast out demons except in regard to Christian believers who want to be free. Video: Don't Engage in 2nd Heaven Warfare.
- The Bible says: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." {James 4:7 NKJV}
- Confess and forsake sin. You cannot cast out demons, or otherwise successfully resist the devil, unless you are being obedient.
- Unforgiveness and fear, in particular, will sabotage your efforts. Confidence in your authority in Christ, on the other hand, will make you more successful.
- If you've been involved in the occult, be sure to renounce any satanic agreements. And get rid of any occult objects.
- Both physical and mental illness may be the result of legitimate medical issues. The cause is not always spiritual.
Physical illness cured by casting out demons:
"When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 'Lord, have mercy on my son,' he said. 'He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.'
'You unbelieving and perverse generation,' Jesus replied, 'how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.' Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, 'Why couldn't we drive it out?'
He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"{Matthew 17:14-20 NIV}
Mental illness cured by casting out demons:
"Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, 'What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.'
For He said to him, 'Come out of the man, unclean spirit!' Then He asked him, 'What is your name?'
And he answered, saying, 'My name is Legion; for we are many.' Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, 'Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.' And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, 'Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.' And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled."
{Matthew 5:1-20 NKJV}
Outside vs. inside demons:
Outside demons: Demons will try to harass you and cause problems for you. They will, if they can, get inside of you.
Inside demons: Once demons get inside of you, they are much more problematic. Anxiety and depression are the most common consequences. They can also cause more severe mental disorders as in the Scripture you just read.
When this happens, it is referred to as a spiritual stronghold or spiritual foothold. Some of these are stronger, and more problematic, than others.
Let's review some Scriptures that document the authority believers have to cast out demons, or impede their activities:
"And He (Jesus) said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons . . .'" {Mark 16:15-17 NASB}
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." {Luke 10:17 NKJV}
You have the ability, as a believer, to cast out demons, both those who torment you and those who torment other believers. But only in the name of Jesus.
Demons have to obey you when you give them commands—in the name of Jesus. Both those who torment you and those who torment other believers.
Prayer is also effective and can be used to overcome a spiritual foothold. Pray, in faith, without doubting, and believe your prayer has been answered (Mark 11:24).
Fear of demons will sabotage your ability to cast them out. The bible says not to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6).
Sin gives demons a legal right to continue to torment. Especially such sins as unforgiveness, fear and involvement with the occult.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." {James 4:7 NKJV}
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." {1 John 1:9 NIV}
The Bible doesn't provide detailed instruction. Casting out demons is really simple; this was common knowledge when the New Testament was written (Matthew 12:27).
OK, so how do you do it?
The basic process is really simple:
- Address sin issues.
- Apply Scripture.
Some things to try follow. This constitutes a quick synopsis—and nothing more.
By a command or rebuke. Must be audible.
Some options:
- "Satan, I command you to leave in Jesus' name."
- "Satan, I command you to leave and never return by the authority of the name of Jesus."
- Rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus.
- Forcefully rebuke the devil, out loud, in the name of Jesus. Command him to leave. Five to ten sentences long.
Speak with confidence and authority; you will have more success that way.
Sometimes, a forceful rebuke of the devil is necessary.
The word 'Satan' works just fine. You don't have to also say 'demons.'
By declaring truth: "Satan, I am a child of God; you have no power over me."
By renouncing fear.
Example:
- "Satan, I'm not afraid of you."
- "I'm not afraid of that."
By reciting and applying Scripture.
Example:
- "Be anxious for nothing . . ." {Philippians 4:6 NASB}
- Be anxious for nothing.
By prayer: use prayer to break free. Sometimes, only prayer will work (Mark 9:29).
- Pray, in faith, without doubting, and believe your prayer has been answered (Mark 11:24).
- Praying with another Christian is especially recommended.
More information is available in the series entitled Stopping Spiritual Attacks.
By a group: Same as above but have a group of Christians pray for you and command demons to be cast out—and never be allowed to return—by the authority of the name of Jesus.
"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." {Matthew 18:19-20 NASB}
One pastor used to go into a rampage, breaking furniture around the house. This would be followed by amnesia about the event. His wife would have to tell him what had happened.
He said he was able to break free as a result of his church's Freedom Ministry. Several people prayed for him and commanded the demon to depart.
One caution: Be careful when selecting a group of Christians to pray for you. Some Christians are just fine with praying for physical healing, but will react negatively when asked to pray about mental health issues.
Add fasting: "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." {Matthew 17:21 NKJV}
Try one or more of the above options with fasting. Refer to my article entitled Prayer and Fasting.
Clinical examples:
Successful: I had a client, about 12 years old, who presented with visual hallucinations. I had the privilege of getting him saved, in therapy. In a later session, he had a visual hallucination of another person sitting in a chair in the room. I told him to rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus. He did. The result: "Poof, he's gone. That was really cool!"
Unsuccessful: Refer to the article entitled The Occult.
Personal examples:
Successful: I had a severe spiritual attack that went on for hours. And nothing I tried was working. Then, I simply commanded Satan to leave, and never return, by the authority of the name of Jesus. Immediately, the spiritual attack ceased and my peace returned
Successful: Refer to the article entitled Sleep Paralysis.
Successful: Refer to the article entitled Getting Rid of Anger (Part 4).
Successful: I had an ongoing spiritual attack, that went on, in varying degrees of intensity, all day. I experienced ongoing anxiety. Nothing I tried really worked. Including giving commands to demons.
The attack continued due to unforgiveness—and fear—since nothing was working.
I had several people pray with me, during the day. No immediate change.
Then, I simply declared as follows: "I choose to forgive her. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Satan, you have no power over me!"
The attack ceased; I felt immediate relief.
The demon(s) had a legal right to torment me due to my sin of unforgiveness. Even though I was trying to forgive the person. From this, I learned to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit; I couldn't forgive her in my own strength.
I don't have these lengthy, severe attacks anymore. I've learned how to break free much faster. And you can too.
Forgiveness is discussed in my article entitled How to Forgive.
Commentary:
- The orders you give to demons must be consistent with God's will.
- You can't, for example, order all demons to leave you alone for the rest of your life.
- Demons can also be cast out by prayer, as discussed previously.
Internationally renowned speaker Derek Prince stated that he found deliverance from his long-standing depression as a result of two bible verses:
Two things were needed to break free of his depression:
- A demon, which he referred to as a 'spirit of heaviness,' did need to be cast out. He prayed, in Jesus' name, for deliverance and could tell, immediately, that his prayer had been answered.
- He needed to get rid of his habitual negative thought process and substitute a positive, biblical perspective. This "garment of praise" was also necessary to prevent the depression from returning.
If this seems applicable to your situation, do this internet search: "Derek Prince, depression."
Videos of Christian testimonies are also available, both on this website and elsewhere. Some of these involve the casting out of demons. Look for testimonies that are relevant to what you're dealing with.
This article represents the limits of my knowledge and experience. Much more, however, may be needed to address your particular issues. If such is the case, I recommend checking into deliverance ministries.
The following are recommended:
1) You will be directed to another website.
2) Click on the DELIVERANCE link.
3) Click on "deliverance tools."
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