Dealing with the Demonic
1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) But resist him, firm in your faith
A manual to help believers effectively resist the demonic in their lives and the lives of others
Doug Kreighbaum
Dealing with the Demonic
2Co 2:11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Two errors God’s people fall into when approaching the whole issue of the demonic.
1. A liberal camp that either believes Satan doesn’t really exist and Biblical examples of the demonic are simply primitive man expressing myths.
2. The “charismaniac” camp that become extremely preoccupied with the devil. In their zeal they see “a demon behind every bush.”
We are often plagued by our western worldview
The western worldview tends to be a scientific, rational view of life that marginalizes the supernatural. In other places in the world, among people with a different worldview, there is a greater understand that there is a spiritual world containing both good and demonic powers that directly affect our natural world. The worldview presented in the Bible readily accepts the reality of a demonic realm that affects the natural realm we live in.
Demonic in the Old Testament
There is a clear assumption in the OT that demons existed and troubled God’s people. Satan was found to be behind the idolatry of the nations (Ps 106:36-37: 109:6). Satan worked, through the serpent, to cause man to fall into the grip of sin. From the fall of man came the basic foundation of God’s entire redemptive plan; that of Jesus Christ dying to triumph over Satan and draw man back into relationship with God. Throughout the Old Testament evil spirits are always seen as being in abeyance to the Father God. Satan appears, with the “sons of God”, to accuse Job and request permission to put Job to the test. It is interesting to note that God initiated the discussion about Job, and decided all the parameters in which Satan could work. One of the biggest lies that Satan has been able to perpetuate through the centuries is that there is a battle between good and evil. In reality Satan poses no threat to God and works completely within the boundaries set out by Almighty God.
Demonic in the New Testament
The existence of a literal devil, or Satan, is mentioned by every author of the New Testament. Nineteen books mention him by name and eight mention the existence of demons or evil angels. All together there are over 250 references in the New Testament to evil spirits or demons. There are 29 references to Satan in the gospels, and in 25 of these, Jesus is speaking about him as a personal being. Jesus both healed the sick and cast out demons (Mk. 1:32) Demonism is distinguished from both epilepsy (Mt. 4:24) and sickness and leprosy (Mt. 10:8). Jesus could command demons out with a word Mark 1:27 NASB They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
Christ Ministry and the demonic
Christ ministry of redeeming man back to God was also linked to redeeming man from the grip of sin and the demonic. Any attempt of thinking it is one without the others is deficient.
Mark 1:39 NASB And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
Mark 1:34 NASB And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
Mark 3:11 NASB Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!”
Later on in Christ’s ministry He sent out the 70 and the 12 to go and heal the sick and cast out demons. Luke 10:17 NASB The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Mt 9-11.
After Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension Peter describes the Lords ministry; Acts 10:38 NASB “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Isaiah 61:1-3 puts the entire ministry of Jesus into perspective:
Isaiah 61:1-3 NASB The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; (2) To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, (3) To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified
In this context we see a model for our ministry as we walk with Jesus
- Proclamation; 2) Counseling and praying for healing; 3) deliverance from enemies; 4) praising and worshipping; and 5) teaching.
Any ministry that leaves out any of these areas will eventually find itself deficient. The key to walking in it comes from Jesus words.
John 5:30 NASB “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge;
John 14:10 NASB The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.
The Christian and the demonic
Believers are not to be ignorant of the demonic
2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Christians are not to be ignorant of satanic schemes nor are we to be cowardly. We need to be able to recognize the enemy’s tactics. We are called to be soldiers, stationed behind enemy lines,
seeking to save those that are lost by sharing the good news of the gospel. Finding prisoners, we are to release them from the shackles of bondage to the enemy.
Revelation 21:7-8 NASB “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. (8) “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
The design of the demonic is to keep us from going forward in Christ. Many people who come to Christ realize that they seem to have more struggles since they became a Christian than before. This is often the shock of spiritual warfare. We were not much of a threat to the demonic kingdom before Christ. Now as we serve Jesus we are. Before Christ God reached out in love to woo us to Jesus. Since coming into Christ the enemy works as Jesus said, “to kill, steal, and destroy.”
John 10:10 NASB “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
The War concerning the demonic
We live in a world that due to the failure first with Adam and Eve lies under bondage to the demonic and evil. Romans 8:22 NASB For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. The Old Testament prophets all looked forward to, and anticipated a day when God would rid the world of evil and establish His kingdom on earth (Amos 9:13-15; Is 65:17).
Jesus came to usher in that age and the day in which the world will be rid of evil and the demonic. The heart of the work of Christ in reconciling man and enabling them to overcome is the destruction of the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 NASB the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
Jesus work on the cross was step one and the salvation of each Christian and their overcoming sin and the demonic are part of the steps leading to the final day of victory. Philippians 2:10-11 NASB so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 16:20 NASB The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
The demonic opposes everything that will lead to that final day in order to delay it.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 NASB The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, (25) with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, (26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Until salvation the enemy focuses on keeping people in darkness 2 Corinthians 4:4. He does by shielding the mind from the seeds of truth or chocking them out when they come Matt 13:3-20. The enemy also plants tares (false things) in the world to hinder and reduce the Kingdom crop’s yield Matt 13:24-30.
Believer, individually and corporately are opposed by the enemy because they are a threat. We are the body of Christ through which He acts in the earth. Persecution is another byproduct the enemy uses Jn. 15:20.
Another reason we are attacked is that we are vulnerable to it. There is a ground inside of us that is open to attack. It is the battlefield we fight on.
Ephesians 4:26-27 MKJV Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath, (27) neither give place to the Devil.
The idea of “place” literally means a definite specific place or territory. The word translated place, “topos”, is used 84 times in the Bible; in 81 of these the implication is a literal physical place. The place Paul is talking about then is a specific area that Satan can gain control of and use as headquarters to begin to attack other areas.
Influence of the demonic in the life of the Christian – a systematic approach
Consider some of the implications from the word of God regarding the demonic and the believer. This is a systematic approach (take all the facts from scripture then determine what it says about a subject) to the potential relationships between the demonic and the believer.
1. The Greek word translated “demon possessed” throughout the New Testament “daimonizomenos” does not mean owned by a demon (possession), but simply “demonized” or exercised by a demon. The phrase “ daimonizomai “ can be most accurately translated “to be under the power of a demon” (Thayer), “to be exercised by a demon” (Strongs),” or “to be demon possessed” (NASEC). In that sense it basically describes the condition of a person who is inhabited by demons, or be under the control of to various degrees resulting in a range of symptoms.
2. James 4:7 NASB Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. What happens if the believer fails to resist the devil?
3. In 2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.- what happens if Satan “gets an advantage of us?” What happens if we are ignorant of the devil’s devices? Does he ignore our ignorance or does he indeed take advantage of us?
4. Moses warns in Deuteronomy 18:10-14 NASB “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, (11) or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. (12) “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. What happens if God’s people ignore these warnings? There is a control and influence from the demonic.
5. 1 Corinthians 12:3, 1 John 4:1 NASB Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. The testing of the spirit involves a verbal confession affirming or denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NASB But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (4) For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. What is the result of being deceived and believing a false spirit or receiving a different spirit?
6. Ephesians 4:27 NASB and do not give the devil an opportunity (KJV place). What is the result of giving place or ground to the devil? In John 14:30 NASB “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; Christ was the only sinless man who could make such a statement. We are positionally free from sin (Rom 6:18) but do continue to sin and have the remaining effects of sin (Rom 7:17,23; Gal. 5:17; I Jn 1:8).
7. In 1 Peter 5:1-9 NASB Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder… (6) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, (7) casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (8) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world Christian elders are to tend God’s flock and protect them from Satan - who is as a lion “seeking whom he may devour.” How are Christians devoured? Are not demons spiritual beings that attack us at a spiritual level? Would not a spiritual lion devour spiritual meat?
8. Galatians 3:7 NASB Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. In Luke 13:10-16 a woman who is called “a daughter of Abraham had a spirit of infirmity … whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years…” Jesus laid His hands on her and she was made well. Can a child of Abraham be bound by a spirit?
9. In Luke 22:31-34 NASB “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; (32) but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (33) But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” (34) And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” What is meant by being sifted like wheat? Obviously Satan had gotten through to Peter before (Matt:16:23) for, while Peter was talking, Christ commanded Satan to get behind him.
10. Acts 5:1-11 3NASB But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?…(9) Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test. Satan filled their hearts. These were believers who tested the Lord and Satan filled their heart (inside of them) with something bad. Can Satan continue to fill the hearts (inner thinking) of people to do things like lying?
11. James 3:14-16 NASB But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. (15) This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. (16) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. This passage implies that if we open ourselves to jealous and selfish ambition, we may become open to being controlled by wisdom that is “earthly, natural, and demonic”. Where is the jealousy and selfish ambition? Can we be subject to the demonic when we give way to jealousy and selfish ambition?
12. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 NASB But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, (2) by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron. If we are to be deceived in our minds would there not be an inside problem?
13. I Corinthians 5:1-13 it records how a man, so deceived and controlled by Satan, was flaunting his illicit relationship of incest with his father’s wife before the whole church. Paul “decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (vs 5).” How is the flesh destroyed, from internally, externally or both?
14. In II Corinthians 10 and 11 Paul talks about the spiritual warfare which believers are waging. Neither the weapons nor the warfare are fleshly (10:3, 4; Eph 6:12). The warfare involves breaking down strongholds and casting down imagination and every high thing against the knowledge of God. There is a correlation between, bringing our thoughts captive, and breaking down strongholds. Where are these strongholds? They are inside of us in our thinking.
15. Deuteronomy 27 and 28 describes blessings and cursing that are passed from one generation to the next. Deuteronomy 5:9 NASB ’You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, Cursing and sin seems to be passed onto generations.
16. I Corinthians 3:16-17 states: “Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” How is it possible to defile the temple? Let’s look to the Old Testament. In II Chronicles 33:5 the king Manasseh “built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.” Years later, after Israel was carried off into captivity, Ezekiel was taken by the Lord from Babylon back to the temple where he saw idols and demons in the temple (Ez. 8:3-13). There were also people there “weeping for Tammuz” (vs 14). Tammuz was a demon god, part of Babylonian worship. In verse 16 we find that, in the inner court, 25 men are “worshipping the sun toward the east”. This practice too was part of the Babylonian worship of the sun god Osiris. Off and on for the last 100 years, such practices had been going on inside the temple, but God’s spirit remained there (9:3). Chapters 9 and following record the judgments which fell upon the inhabitants of the land because of this defilement. II Corinthians 6:16 says “Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,…” How do we have agreements with idols, without being involved with the demons behind the idols?
2 Corinthians 7:1 NASB Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
17. Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh” which was “a messenger of Satan” (2 Cor 12:7). Paul prayed 3 times that the Lord would remove it but the Lord allowed it to remain so that “His power could be perfected in weakness”(vs 9). Where was the thorn?
18. Luke 11:35 MKJV Therefore take heed that the light in you is not darkness. The light which is in us is our spirit for “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord…” (Prov 20:27). When we sin, our light falls into darkness. Where does Satan dwell - in light or in darkness? Can we have darkness in us?
19. Philippians 2:12-13 NASB So then, my beloved,… work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. The Greek word here translated “salvation” is “soteria.” The primary meaning for this word in Thayers Lexicon is “deliverance from the molestation of enemies.”
20. Caught in the snare of the devil. 2 Timothy 2:26 NASB and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. The passage here is speaking directly to the Christian, not the pagan. What does it mean to be caught in the snare of the devil? The context is referring to the “bondservant of the Lord”(vs 24), and follows instructions regarding the cleansing of one’s own vessel (vs 21) so that one will not be led astray (vs 18). Being caught in the snare of the devil speaks of “being held captive to do his [Satan’s] will”. When we are cleansing our vessel, the reference is to removal of that which dishonors [abstain from wickedness (vs 19)]. In context, we are to remove that which is within’ the house.
21. The undetected demonic. Mark 1:23-24 NASB Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, (24) saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!”
This man was worshipping along with everyone else. We don’t know how long he attended public worship. It wasn’t until he was confronted by the power of Jesus that the demonic was manifest. Is it possible for someone who regularly worships with others in the house of God to have an unclean spirit that is not detected?
The issue of our standing/place in Christ and the demonic influence
As believers we have a new place and standing in Christ. As we walk in that place and see what we have in Christ walked out more and more in our life the result will be to take away the places that have been given to the demonic.
Joh 14:30 “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;
Luke 4:13 NASB When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
Ephesians 4:27 MKJV neither give place to the Devil.
At conversion we receive positional victory over Satan and his kingdom (Col 2:15; Rom 8:37-39). Nothing can ever again separate us from the love of Christ; but, though we are positional conquerors, we must resist experientially from that position (Eph. 6). In the same way that we are positionally free from sin (Rom. 6) each of us is in a continual battle to “reckon” ourselves dead to sin, and walk in complete freedom from sin’s power.
Just as we all continue to sin, we also continue to fall prey to the devil. There will be a day (when the Lord returns) we will experience the fullness of our victory through the transformation of our physical bodies and be totally free from temptation and falling. Philippians 3:20-21 NASB For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; (21) who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Until that day we fight and overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Romans 16:20 NASB The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
Things that hinder us walking in a complete release from darkness
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We continue to sin and give foothold to the devil.
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There are patterns of sin and behavior from family lineage (cursing) that carry down to us and hinder us.
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We fail to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm.
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We fail to walk with God under His glory and protection.
Three places we are attacked
Experientially we are attacked on three fronts, the world, the flesh, and the devil. All three will lead to bondage ultimately to the demonic when we give way to sin.
1. Our flesh (the war within)
We have a problem with the flesh which is bent towards evil, and will remain that way until it is crucified experientially. The completeness will not happen until Jesus returns (or we die) and we lose the mortal aspect of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-18 NASB But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (17) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
2. The world’s system (the war outside)
The world’s system is under the control of the devil.
Joh 16:11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 1 John 2:15-17 NASB Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (17) The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
3. The organized demonic realm (Satan, demons, principalities, and powers)
Satan oversees a vast kingdom that includes the demonic as well as a world that cooperates with them. Ephesians 2:1-3 NASB And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, (2) in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. (3) Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Sin holds fallen man and all of creation in bondage through the three fronts; the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Overcoming the three fronts
When we are in Christ and walk with Him we can overcome on all three fronts
*We overcome sin with sanctification (Rom 6:6).
*We overcome the flesh with crucifixion and submission (Gal 3:20; Ro 12:1,2).
*We overcome the world by not becoming entangled in it and not loving it (I Jn 2:15).
*We overcome Satan by resistance (James 4:7), by the armor (Eph 6), and by deliverance (Acts 10:38).
The way in which the demonic gains a place of operation in the lives of believers
We need to consider a systematic approach from the New Testament (take all the facts from the Bible about a particular subject then determine what it says about it) towards how the demonic comes into the lives of Christians. This will enable us to better know how to live and resist.
The following are the clear New Testament passages in the letters to the churches and the things that allow the demonic to set up a base of operation in the life of Christians and the church.
*Ephesians 4:25-32 NASB Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. (26) BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (27) and do not give the devil an opportunity (KJV a place). (28) He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. (29) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (30) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:25-32 MSG What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. (26) Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry–but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. (27) Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. (28) Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work. (29) Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (30) Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. (31) Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. (32) Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
The implication: The context of this passage in Ephesians 4 is the whole design of God to walk in our corporate call as the body of Christ. We walk together in a way of life as the church like a human body with every part functioning. “Every joint” is designed to supply into the body if the church is to function the way He intends. When we allow relational sins such as falsehood, stealing, unwholesome words that do no edify, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice, unforgiveness, or a lack of tender-heartedness and kindness, then we give the devil a place of operation in our lives and the church.
*2 Corinthians 2:6-11 NASB Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, (7) so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. (8) Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him…(10) But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, (11) so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
The implication: When we fail to forgive, restore, and comfort repentant brothers and sisters we open a door to demonic schemes. Unforgiveness, judgmentalism, hatred, and bitterness are all places where the demonic will come in and find a place to operate.
*1 Peter 5:5-9 NASB You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. (6) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, (7) casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (8) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
The implication: Walking in submission and humility towards one another (which is the opposite of pride which is the nature of Satan) and not being anxious about the future is important to having a sober spirit and being alert. Peter knew this when Jesus ask him and the others to watch when they were in the garden of Gethsemane. Wesley commented on this passage, “There is a close connection between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of watching! Be vigilant - As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this your care.”
*James 3:13-4:11 NASB Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. (14) But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. (15) This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. (16) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (17) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (18) And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (4:1) What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? (2) You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel….(5) Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? (6) But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” (7) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you….(10) Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (11) Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law;
The Implication: There is a demonic atmosphere that comes among God’s people when we are jealous, selfish, impure, rough, not gentle, lacking mercy, fighting with others, envious, and full of pride, and speaking against and judging brothers. It is only as we humble ourselves before God and turn away from these things that we will be in a position to resist the devil so that he will flee from us.
*1 Timothy 3:5-7 NASB (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), (6) and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. (7) And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (snare “trap or noose designed to suddenly catch a bird or animal etc)
The Implication: While the context of this passage is people desiring and being considered for church leadership it can have application for similar snares of the devil. The word “conceited” means “to raise up smoke (blow smoke about yourself), to make proud or puff up.” When a person is full of pride they will fall into a condemnation that is incurred by the devil. Pride was generated and created in the heart of Satan. That is why he is attracted to pride and bases operation in believers where it is found. Also there is a reproach and snare of the devil when people live hypocritically. They act one way towards people outside the church and then try to act “holy” when around church people. This is a form of lying and living in a delusion that they devil is attracted to and forms a base of operation to trap us.
*2 Timothy 2:26 NASB and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
The Implication: The context is false teachers that refuse to listen to correction from leaders about what they are teaching. Again this is probably a form of pride that is a ground of operation for the devil. People in this condition have given ground to the devil and have been trapped in a snare by him. They are often doing his will without fully realizing the extent of what they are doing.
Walking in the armor of God in our warfare with the demonic
The book of Ephesians contains the most detailed account of the eternal purpose of God upon us individually and corporately. In the book the first three chapters deal with the great call of God on our lives and the things we have been afforded by our position in Christ. In chapter 4-6 there is a shift of emphasis in which we are given clear instruction on how to live in practical day to day life in light of that great calling. The implication is that if we don’t live practically in light of that great call we will never walk in the fulfillment of it.
It is interesting to note that as Paul concludes his instruction he gives us great detail about spiritual warfare with the demonic and important perspectives on how we are to resist it.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NASB Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (11) Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (14) Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, (15) and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; (16) in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (17) And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
This passage shows us that the main issue in our struggles is against spiritual forces of darkness. It isn’t against people. We must understand that in the nature of our warfare we are struggling against the demonic that inspires people. In the same way that God inspires people to live in a manner that pleases Him (as they seek and walk with Him), the demonic inspires people to live against Him. In warfare we are seeking to overpower, disconnect, and help deliver people from the chains of that influence.
Be strong in the Lord
The first issue in warfare is to be strong in God. We can do nothing apart from God. This corresponds to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16 NASB that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. The wording is similar to OT examples of David strengthening himself in the Lord 1Sam 20:6, and Zech 10:12 “I will make them strong in the Lord.”
This is why in resisting the devil the first thing we do is draw near to God. By ourselves we have no power over the demonic. James 4:7-8 NASB Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
The Armor
Paul wrote this letter as he was imprisoned in Rome. God obviously used the armor of Roman soldiers he would have been well acquainted with to give the example of how we as Christians are protected. Greek word for “full armor” is “panoplia.” The only other time this word is used in the New Testament is in reference to the demonic. This is why in spiritual warfare we must see the importance of our armor.
Luke 11:20-22 NASB “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (21) “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. (22) “But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.
Stand Firm
The Greek word “histemi” means to stand in firmly in the presence of. It is a standing that is immovable. Some believe the Greek background is a military term in which you stand in front of your enemies with the view of opposing. This is an important key. We can have no sense of wavering if we are going to successfully resist.
Our Struggle
The struggle comes from a Greek word “Pale” which means “a wrestling.” It is a Greek athletic term. It was a contest between two in which the loser in a Greek wrestling contest had his eyes gorged out with resulting blindness for the rest of his days, we can form some conception of the Ephesian Greeks’ reaction to Paul’s illustration. Paul switches from analogy of soldier to wrestler, and back to soldier. Probably because a soldier in close hand to hand combat would have to wrestle with his enemy.
Our struggle isn’t against people but the demonic element that is behind them influencing them. In the same way the Holy Spirit influences and empowers God’s people to live for Him the demonic influences people to do his will. We must fight on a spiritual level with the spiritual armor and weapons.
Our Armor and weapons
*Belt of Truth
Think of the wide belt that the weight lifter wears to protect and strengthen him. “If you hold to my teaching,” Jesus said, “you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). When we don’t know any better, the “father of lies,” the “great deceiver” can hoodwink us and get the better of us. But when we hold firmly to the truth we are protected. We must put the truth to the forefront of our thinking. We need the truth in us lest we believe lies and become deceived by the demonic. For the Roman soldier the belt held a lot of equipment and weapons.
*Breastplate of Righteousness
The steel, leather, or coat of mail breastplate of the Roman soldier protected the torso in the thick of battle. Our protection is righteousness. This is two-fold. First, we have been made righteous by Christ’s death on our behalf (imputed righteousness). We are “holy,” “set apart,” we are “saints,” we belong to God now. His righteousness is our righteousness, and his blood covers our sins. We can often be fooled when Satan reminds us of our sins and weaknesses and leads us to believe that we are not righteous enough to be victorious. We must stand in the righteousness give us in Christ.
We are not only protected by imputed righteousness but also actively living holy lives of obedience to God’s ways. We progressively grow in this. The more we live righteously the more we take away footholds the devil has in our lives.
*Our Footgear
Isaiah 52:7 NASB How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Strong footgear is important in battle situations. They help us have good traction but also has an element of offensive ability. Some historians credit footwear as one of the greatest reasons why the Roman army was so victorious. The soldier’s footwear had spikes on the soles which provided them a strong stance and balance in rough terrain. They could also be used to defeat enemies with kicks etc. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. When it is shared at a moments notice it brings great light into darkness with the potential to deliver someone from the eternal clutches of the enemey.
*The Shield of Faith
The Romans had a long, rectangular, knees-to-chin shield which protected from arrows and spears and could be knelt behind during an arrow barrage. Groups of soldier who were besieging a town could form close together and hold their shields over their heads to make a huge circle to protect the group from fiery arrows. This has the element of both personal faith and corporate faith.
Sometimes we have devastating circumstances that come upon us like a flaming arrow and threaten to consume us, our family, and our whole position in life. We can react with fear and terror. Or we can put up the shield of faith and start to trust God when all hell breaks loose. Your faith helps you to stand in the intense battles within your mind as well as in your home and workplace. Trust God no matter what is going on, for he knows what he is doing. Put up the shield of faith; don’t let it hang useless at your side.
*The Helmet of Salvation
The Romans had the best helmet of the ancient world. Helmets protect the head. Most of the main battles we face are the battles of the mind. Biblical strongholds were wrong patterns of thinking that go on in our minds. None of us are immune of attacks in the battlefield of our mind. We must constantly draw near to God and live with an eternal perspective of the hope of salvation. It keeps our thinking right and keeps us aligned with God’s purposes as seen in such scriptures as Psalms 73 and 43.
*The Sword of the Spirit
The sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon. We parry our enemy’s blows with our sword, as well as thrust home when we see a weakness in his defense. Our sword is God’s Word. When we study the Bible for its principles and truths, we can stand against Satan’s lies. When Jesus was tempted during the 40 days he spent in the wilderness before beginning his ministry, he answered Satan’s half-truths with Scripture. The word is seen as sharper than any two edged sword Hebrews 4:12. A two-edged sword inflicted more damage because it cut in two directions. When we live by the word and speak the word we inflict blows in different directions.
*Prayer and petition in the Spirit
Prayer is both offensive and defensive. It is not just a summary of the weapons but it is a main way we fight. It is the way in which we come before God as well as pray for His influence into situations. Paul goes on to ask prayer for utterance so that he can make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19 NASB and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, This is a Kingdom advancing type of prayer.
Other important weapons seen in Scripture
Rev 12:11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
*Blood of Jesus
There is nothing that Satan hates more than the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We can always remind Satan that he is defeated because of Christ’s blood, and that we therefore are released from bondage to him. We should hold up the truth of the blood of Jesus in thinking and even in our speech in resisting the demonic.
*The word of our Testimony
Our confession is important. We belong to Jesus and we need to confess it in warfare. We were purchased and redeemed with His blood and belong to Him.
*The name of Jesus
Mark 16:17 NASB “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
Jesus name is powerful and throughout the New Testament we are instructed to do things in His name. Speaking His name has a power to it. Act 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
In our warfare against the demonic we must understand that we are constantly battling on different fronts that include both prayer and lifestyle
Goal of Spiritual Warfare
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Stimulate the activity of the Holy Spirit in a situation
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Hinder or eliminate the work of Satan in a situation
We hinder the work of Satan and stimulate the activity of the Spirit in our lifestyle when we
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
*tell the truth instead of a lie
*choose to stay faithful to our spouses
*Protect our children
*encourage people
*treat people with honor and respect
*serve instead of being selfish
*chose humility instead of pride
*children obey parents, people submit to authority instead of rebel
*forgive instead of staying bitter
*chose not to gossip or murmur
The demonic realm is relegated to realms of darkness - like cockroaches, they hide in dark areas
Jude 1:6 NASB And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,
Because of this we avoid living in darkness ourselves and help bring light into situations in both our lifestyle, words, and prayer.
Power encounters and truth encounters in dealing with the demonic
Power encounters are the acts of direct power confrontation with the demonic in which we cast out demons, bind their activity, or command them not to speak etc. Truth encounters are when people continue walk in the truth of God to such and extent that eliminates any base of operation or strongholds the enemy has in their life.
We must realize that both are important for freedom from the demonic. A good example of this is the warfare in the villages during the Vietnam War. America had superior might and firepower over the North Vietnamese and Communist. Most of the major encounters with the North Vietnamese army were decisively won due to the greater strength of America’s firepower.
In the villages however once the Americans drove out the enemies and left, the North Vietnamese and communist moved right back in and resumed their operation in the villages in concert with the villagers. With no ongoing governmental rule (living under Christ and His truth) or presence in the villages the enemies would come right back.
The same is true spiritually in the lives of Christians. Most of our problems with the demonic are more an issue of a lack of walking and continuing in truth under the rule of Jesus.
Matthew 4:4 NASB But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
John 8:31-32 NASB So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Truth is always important. The more truth that we bring into a situation the more power of delivering freedom comes. We must apply truth boldly through faith in our power and position in Jesus Christ.
The problem with power encounters without truth encounter
Luke 11:24-26 NASB “When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ (25) “And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. (26) “Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”
The inference from this scripture is that when the demonic is expelled from a dwelling it will eventually try to return. It seems that it schemes with other demonic forces to gain a place again and the corresponding attempts have more force with them. If a house is cleaned but not inhabited (filled with truth and God’s presence) the demonic will be able to overcome and the last state will be worse than the first. This is why backslidden Christians can at times seem in worse shape than unbelievers.
From this passage we can learn some important things about the way the demonic operates.
1 Demons can exist outside or inside humans.
2 They are able to travel.
3 They are able to communicate.
4 Each one has a separate identity.
5 They are able to remember and make plans.
6 They are able to evaluate and make decisions.
7 They are able to combine forces.
8 They vary in degrees of wickedness.
Truth Encounters
The example of Jesus in resisting (directly confronting) the demonic in the Temptation in the Wilderness Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus facing the enemy in the temptation gives us an important example of how to personally resist the temptations of the demonic. This example gives us insight into the ways in which the enemy attacks and the manner in which we can resist him firm in the faith.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
The first temptation was to elevate the needs from the natural real to the point that walking with and hearing from God takes a lesser place. Jesus resisted this by quoting the word of God, Matthew 4:4 NASB But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
The second temptation was about the desire for power and prominence (including financial gain) without considering the rule of God or His will as the most important issue (in doing so Jesus would have fell under the rule of Satan). Jesus resisted by quoting Luke 4:8 NASB Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
The third temptation was about tempting God and His word by exercising it outside the direction and design of God. Jesus responded by quoting Luke 4:12 NASB And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”
After the temptation the devil departed and waited for a more opportune time to tempt Jesus.
Luke 4:13 NASB When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
Here are some important points about the temptation in the wilderness.
*The nature of this and all demonic temptation is to get us to operate outside of God’s truth
*Jesus resisted by speaking to the devil and quoting God’s word. This is part of “resisting him firm in the faith.” It is not just enough to yell at or bind the devil. By speaking to the demonic with God’s truth we are resisting them, pushing them back, and putting up a fence of how we are going to live (by God’s word). It is identifying the falsehood the demonic is trying to sow into our life and establishing our intention to live by God’s truth.
As we continue to live in God’s word/truth/light the place of darkness where the demonic has a place of operation is removed. This leads to freedom.
Joh 8:31-32 NASB So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
When the Christian finds himself in the clutches and bondage of the enemy
Through our failure and sin we give place to the devil. Often the demonic bondage is experienced when we feel enslaved to patterns of sin. We feel spiritually weak and almost controlled by what is wrong. When we recognize this we must actively resist the demonic.
Principles in resisting the demonic in our lives
Jas 4:6-8 NASB But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” (7) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Steps towards freedom in resisting demonic
*Humility and absolute honesty with oneself and God – God and the enemy can see through phoniness
*Surrender to the Lordship of Jesus
*Confess, renounce, and turn from all revealed sin especially the ones the Lord mentions as specifically hating. Pro 6:16-19 NASB There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: (17) Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, (18) A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, (19) A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
*Forgiveness of all who whom you have not forgiven
*Renunciation of all the work of the enemy in your lives and the evil spirits that have been given ground
*Make any restitution as you can.
It is important to deal with sins of pride because pride was the issue that was created in the heart of Satan. It is the closest to his nature. This is why God is so opposed to pride.
Jas 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
Types of pride
1. Selfish Ambition Jas 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
2. Self-glorification
3. “Insubordination.” The attitude of rebelliousness finds a natural outworking in the defiance of God appointed authority.
4. Boasting
5. Hypocrisy
6. Stubbornness When you are proud, you hate to admit mistakes, and can cling to a position even in the face of opposing evidence.
7. Anxiety The fear of losing what we have accumulated for ourselves breeds anxiety.
8. Rebellion Rebelliousness is as the sin of witchcraft (I Sam 15:22). Civil government (Rom 13:1-5;I Tim 2:1-3;I Pet 2:13-16), Parents (Eph 6:1-3) , Husband (I Pet 3:1-3;Eph 5:22), Employers (I Pet 2:18-21)
Church leaders (Heb 13:17)
Confession and renunciation are an important element in deliverance from the demonic
Renounce means to abandon, relinquish, disown, and turn down, to reject and give up any claim. It is rejecting any place you have given to the devil (Eph 4:27) through your sin, deception, family lineage etc.
This renunciation is a form of releasing our faith through declaration and words. Mar 11:23 “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.
Ground or places can be given to the devil by sin, by dealing with false religions, sexual sins (many pagan cults had sexuality connected to worship because it was a strong tie and bondage), drug use
Some people confess their sins but do not renounce them, others renounce their sin but do not confess them. First confession is critical
1Jn 1:9 NASB If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jas 5:16 NASB Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Renunciation is part of confessing and forsaking. Pro 28:13 NASB He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
Renuniciation is also part of reclaiming ground given through sin, occult involvement, sexual sin, bitterness and unforgiveness etc. Again, according to Biblical patterns, our confession is the expression of our will and a releasing point of our faith.
The early church participated in renunciation in regular practice and baptism
By the early 200s baptism included renouncing Satan and all his works. A question was ask about renunciation. “Do you renounce Satan, and all his angels, and all his works, and all his services. and all his pride?”
“This exorcism, which at first only called on them to renounce the devil and all his works, was subsequently modified so as to include certain prayers; adjurations in the name of Christ, commanding the demons to leave the persons about to be baptized; and imposition of hands.” (Tertullian, Apology, 23, translation in ANF 3:37–38.)
“And a deacon shall take the oil of exorcism and stand at the left hand of the presbyter . . . And when the presbyter grasps each one of those who will receive baptism, let him command him to renounce, saying, “I renounce you, Satan, with all your service and all your works.” And when he has renounced all these, let him anoint him with the oil of exorcism, saying, “Let every spirit be cast far from you” (Apostolic Tradition 21.8-1O). Written about 215
Power Encounters
In the ministry of Jesus we see several examples in which He spoke directly to the demonic (casting them out, commanding them not to speak, telling Satan to get behind Him etc.). In power encounters we directly engage in the enemy bringing God’s power to bind, break his power, and dislodge him. Power encounters are often necessary where someone has so yielded their lives to the demonic that the demonic exercise a great amount of bondage and control in their lives.
Determining the control of the demonic in the lives of someone – A combination of the following symptoms can indicate excessive control of the demonic in someone
Confirmation from the Holy Spirit that a demon is present (discerning of spirits, word of knowledge 1 Corinthians 12:8-11) can be a very important asset. Jesus ask the name of the evil spirits in Luke 8:30 but there is no other cases in the NT in which this is done so be careful in making that a precedent. Most of the time when Jesus directly confronted the enemy, He told them to be quiet so they wouldn’t bring more confusion.
Physical manifestations such as:
Sickness or disease (Luke 4:39; Luke 4:41; Luke13:10-13)
Unexplained bodily pains
Distorted voice
Distorted posture (Luke13:10-13)
Extremely fierce/hostile behavior (Matthew 8:28-32; Acts 19:13-16)
Unexplained foul odors in vicinity of the person (typically like sulfur or rotten eggs)
Obsessive/Compulsive/Driven behavior (Luke 8:29)
Seizure (being seized by the demon and driven to do something) (Luke 8:29; Luke 9:39-42)
Self-destructive behavior (throwing oneself into fire; suicide attempts, cutting the flesh; etc.) (Mark 5:1-6; Luke 9:39-42)
Nakedness in public (Luke 8:27)
Abnormal living patterns and behavior (Luke 8:27,35; Mark 5:5)
Difficulty reading Bible and worshipping God
Difficulty confessing and renouncing specific sin (especially occult sin)
Bodily contortions or convulsions (Luke 4:33-36; Mark 1:25-26); bulging eyes; contorted face; slithering like a snake; crouching like a cat; etc.
“Demonic” reactions (aversion to the word of God, aversion to worship of God, obeys authoritative commands in the name of Jesus, mockery, distraction, aversion to looking the deliverance minister in the eyes, etc.)
Foaming at the mouth (Luke 9:39-42)
Deafness and/or muteness (Luke 9:39-42)
Mocking (Luke 4:33-35; Acts 16:16-18)
Crazy or abnormal behavior (Luke 8:35; Mark 5:5)
Superhuman strength (Luke 8:29; Mark 5:3-4)
Hostility toward true followers of Jesus Christ (example: crying out with a loud voice) (Acts 8:6-7; Luke 4:33)
Severe phobias/fears
Addictions
Night visitations from evil presence
Recurring nightmares
Tormenting thoughts & voices in the mind
Cursing
Lack of peace
Important to note: Someone with mental disorders can also manifest some of these things so be careful to not just assume that a physical manifestation can be demonic. We need the discernment and leadership fo the Spirit in these matters.
Types of spirits identified in the Bible
*Familiar spirits
The word familiar is from the Latin familiaris, meaning a “household servant,” and is intended to express the idea that sorcerers had spirits as their servants ready to obey their commands. Those attempting to contact the dead, even to this day, usually have some sort of spirit guide who communicates with them. These are familiar spirits.
Leviticus 19:31 NASB ’Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.; 1 Samuel 28:7 NASB Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.”; Deuteronomy 18:11 NASB or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
*Spirit of distortion Isaiah 19:14 NASB The LORD has mixed within her a spirit of distortion; They have led Egypt astray in all that it does, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
Spirit of harlotry Hosea 4:12 NASB My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.
*Blind and dumb spirit Matthew 12:22 NASB Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw.
*Unclean spirit Mark 1:23 NASB Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
*Deaf and dumb spirit Mark 9:25 NASB When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”
*Spirit of sickness Luke 13:11 NASB And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all.
*Spirit of divination Acts 16:16 NASB It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
*Deceitful spirits 1 Timothy 4:1 NASB But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
*Foul spirit Revelation 18:2 NASB And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.
*Spirit of fear 2 Timothy 1:7 NASB For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
*Spirit of Antichrist 1 John 4:3 NASB and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
Let’s now look at some of the specific activities that are carried out by the satanic kingdom
*Inflict sickness Job 2:5-10; Mt 9:32-33 12:22-23; Lk 9:37-42; 13:11-13
Cause mental breakdown Mark 5:1-14
Influence people to do immoral activities Matt 12:43-45; Mk 1:23-27; 5:2-13 Lk 4:33-36; 6:18; 8:29; Acts 8:7
*Oppose God’s children Matthew 12:45 NASB “Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”; Eph 6:12
*Spread false doctrines I Kings 22:21-23; II Thes 2:2; I Tim 4:1
Accuse the child of God Rev 12:9-10
*Rob and steal God things in our lives Matthew 13:19 NASB “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
Possess humans and animals Matt 4:24; Mk 5:8-14; Lk 8:2 Acts 8:7; 16:16
*Wield supernatural powers 2 Thessalonians 2:9 NASB that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,; Rev 16:14
*Interfere with prayer Dan 10:10-14
*Fight angels Rev 12:7-8
*Torment men 1 Samuel 16:14 NASB Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.
*Promote error, immorality, disunity, conflict, doubt - Eph 6:10-16
There will never be found two exactly similar demonic strategies for any two individuals. The satanic kingdom is just as diverse as the human personality. We find, without an exception, that there will be a different twist to every situation that we encounter in deliverance.
Wisdom for power encounters
*Two are better than one in power encounters
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NASB Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. (10) For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
When Jesus sent out the seventy to bring deliverances from the demonic He sent them out two by two.
Luke 10:1-17 NASB Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. (2) And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest… (17) The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
*We need to seek the discerning of spirits in power encounters
1Co 12:10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
When the Spirit reveals a demonic spirit there is an important deposit of grace and ability that comes as the Spirit is initiating things. Paul had an experience like this in Philippi. For many days a girl with a demonic spirit followed Paul and his companions around saying things out loud about them. For some reason Paul didn’t immediately deal with it. Some believe that it was because he was waiting for the leading of the Lord an the disce Ephesians 4:32 NASB Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Acts 16:16-18 NASB It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who…(17) Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” (18) She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
Encountering the demonic in other people
Each time you confront the demonic in people will probably be unique. Here are some helpful suggestions.
*Beginning prayers, praise and worship, desiring God’s presence. Psa 36:9 NASB For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
*Binding and loosing type prayers
*Prayers of protection, proclaiming the blood of Jesus etc.
*Prayers for direction on how to proceed
*Confessions/renunciation/reclaiming on the part of the victim
*Commanding in the name of Jesus departures/binding etc. Mar 16:17 NASB “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons
*Prayer for healing Asking the Lord to heal any emotional, spiritual or physical wounds from the past that may be serving as footholds for the current oppression
*Prayer for cutting any demonic spiritual ties This severs any sinful connections of our soul with other people, spirits or objects.
What to expect -There are a wide variety of deliverance examples in the Bible. Some went quickly, and others were more drawn out. Some “classes” of demons do seem to offer more resistance than others. This may be demonic connected to sexual sins and abuse, occult practices.
There are indications that fasting and prayer may be needed in very difficult cases.
Mat 17:19-21 NASB Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” (20) And He *said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. (21) [“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”] Note: Some believe that what “goes out” in this case is the faith, others think it is the demon. In either case prayer and fasting are important.
Responsibility of the person attempting to cast out the demonic
*Do not allow fear to control you. Trust in Jesus and His authority. 2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
*Move in faith which is the key ingredient that will release God’s power in your life. Things to make sure you have faith in.
-You have authority over all evil spirits through your faith in Jesus Christ (Luke 10:19-20)
-The word of God is living and powerful; it substantiates your claim as an heir to the kingdom of God and the authority of Christ (Galatians 4:7)
-You have overcome the power of the devil through Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4-5)
-God will deliver you from evil and preserve you for his heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18)
-You have the Holy Spirit’s live-in help you (Romans 8:11,13)
-Don’t give up: Deliverance can be challenging, but with God’s help, you will be successful. Your resolve to continue through the session will be a great help
-There may be cases where you need more than one session to work through the deliverance. Don’t give up or get discouraged.
Other important principles to keep in mind to help build faith
God’s Kingdom is superior to Satan’s kingdom.
Every kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Luke 11:17-18)
Jesus cast demons out by the finger of God (Luke 11:20).
As adopted children of God, with the Holy Spirit residing in us (Romans 8:15-17), we too may cast demons out by the finger of God.
A fully armed “strong man” guards his palace. When a stronger man comes and overpowers him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoils (Luke 11:21-22).
In Christ, we are the stronger man that overpowers demons and takes their spoils from them (men’s souls). You must first bind the strong man before you can plunder his house. In Christ, we have authority to bind things in heaven and on earth (Matthew 12:29; 16:19; 18:18-19; Mark 3:27).
He who is not with Jesus is against Jesus. He who does not gather with Jesus scatters (Luke 11:23).
Bible references on casting out demons
The Bible features many examples of deliverance ministry. We can glean many helpful points about deliverance from studying these examples.
Luke 4:33-36; Mark 1:25-26 In Capernaum, a man with a demon cried out at Jesus. Jesus rebuked it, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” The demon then convulsed the man and cried out with a loud voice. It threw the man down and came out of him.
Mark 1:34 Jesus cast out many demons; He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Mark 3:10-12 Jesus sternly warned the unclean spirits that they should not make his identity known
Luke 4:38-39 Jesus rebuked the fever in Peter’s mother-in-law and it left immediately
Luke 4:40-41 Jesus laid hands on many people and the demons cried out and came out of them. Jesus rebuked them and did not let them speak.
Luke 9:37-42; Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29 The demon-possessed boy is delivered: This story has many interesting features. The evil spirit was able to seize the boy, cry out in a loud voice, convulse him, bruise him and cause him to foam at the mouth. The disciples were unable to cast the demon out, but Jesus was able to do so. Jesus said, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” (Mark 9:25). Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the child (Luke 9:39-42). Jesus later explained to the disciples that their unbelief kept them from being able to cast the demon out. Jesus also said that type of demon would not go out except by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:20-21; Mark 9:29).
Luke 9:49-50 Man casting out demons in Jesus’ name
Luke 11:14-15; Matthew 12:22-23 Jesus casts out a mute demon
Luke13:10-16 Jesus looses woman from a spirit of infirmity: She had been afflicted for 18 years and was bent over permanently. Jesus called her to him and said, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her and immediately she was made straight. Jesus mentioned that Satan had bound the woman (Luke 13:16).
Matthew 8:28-32; Luke 8:26-33; Mark 5:1-20 Gaderenes (or Gerasenes) demoniacs: These men were exceedingly fierce. They cried out at Jesus, and begged him to permit them to go into the swine. Jesus said, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” (Mark 5:1-20). He also said “Go” (Matthew 8:32). Apparently the spirits didn’t leave immediately, because Jesus then asked “What is your name?” (Mark 5:1-20). They told him their name was “Legion” and begged him to send them into the swine. Finally the spirits left the demoniac(s) and went into the swine.
Acts 19:11-12 Exorcism via handkerchiefs that touched Paul’s body
Acts 19: 13-16 Jewish exorcists attempt deliverance without faith in Jesus: These exorcists were likely spiritists/conjurers who used spells & oaths to bind spirits (see Strong’s #1845). They invoked Jesus’ name without believing in Jesus nor having a relationship with him. The demons recognized the exorcist’s lack of authority, jumped on them and beat them up!
Acts 8:6-7 Philip preached in Samaria to the multitudes. They heeded his teaching. Unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed.
Acts 16:16-18 Paul casts out spirit of divination from slave girl: The girl met Paul’s team as they went to prayer. The spirit harassed Paul for days. Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” The spirit came out that hour.
References for the Christian’s Authority over evil spirits
Matthew 10:1,7-8; Mark 3:15 Jesus gave the twelve disciples power to cast out evil spirits and to heal all kinds of disease, weakness and infirmity. Jesus sent the disciples out to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons.
Luke 10:17 The 70 disciples returned with joy, confirming that the demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name
Luke 10:19-20 Jesus gave his disciples authority over all evil: “19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” NIV
Mark 16:15-18 Jesus gives Christians authority over evil spirits: “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (NKJV excerpt).