Disciple: a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; a follower. If you are a disciple, you follow someone and their teachings. Those that are Disciples of Christ have great power and authority. (Luke9:1) “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” 

The power and authority was extended to everyone that believes. (Mark 16:17) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” Those that believe will cast out devils. Then why is it that many who claim to believe do not do this? It says they will. Why don’t they then? I think the answer is very simple. They are afraid and ignorant, or they never truly had a relationship with Christ in the first place. It is a sad state in the church that they do not embrace this huge part of what God is all about: Setting the captives free.

As Christians, there is nothing to fear in confronting demons. Demons are the ones who should fear us. Not the other way around. (James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The key here is to first submit to God. Submit: to give over or yield to the power or authority of another. This is where so many miss it. They try to do it on their own.

 Christianity is not about independence. It is dependence on God. It is coming to the realization that you cannot do it on your own. (IJohn 4:4) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” To finish the last part of James 4:7, it states that once you have submitted to God, the devil will flee from you. That word flee means to run in terror. If the devil is running in terror, the Christian doesn’t need to. Both need not be afraid: Just the demons.

All through the Bible we are made aware that we are to have dominion. (Ps.8:5-8) “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Heb.2:6-8)

“But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” 

(John8:32-36) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” We are to be free not afraid. That is not freedom, that is bondage. 

To do this work is a command of divine origin. It is most serious and must be taken as such. We are at war everyday. We must take it even more seriously than our enemies. (Mark16:15-17) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” 

Our commander in chief, Jesus Christ didn’t ask us to do this. He commanded it! If you do not obey his commandments, you do not love him! (John14:15) “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John14:21) “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 15:10) “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”

(IPet.4:10) “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” All Christians have a gift of some sort. If you don’t, ask for one! Or get saved and then ask for one! Too many Christians have forsaken the supernatural part of what they believe. We serve a supernatural God. More powerful than anything the earth has ever seen.

 We must return to Him and seek Him with all our heart, mind and soul! Most of you that call yourselves Christians, are way too much into the things of this world. Most of you would have a nervous breakdown if T.V. became nonexistent tomorrow! You know more about T.V. than you do about God! No wonder the enemy has gained so much ground and Christians have earned a bad name. We have forgotten who we are and to whom we belong.

Our authority will be challenged by the enemy. They want to see if you know who you are in Christ. Sadly, most do not. (ITim4:1) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Sadly, many in the church would not consider this scripture to be about them. (John 8:32) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” If this is true, and it is, then why are so many in the church in bondage? The divorce rate is just as high as those that are non-Christians, many are bound by drugs, alcohol and pornography.

Did you know that Anton Lavey, the founder of the church of Satan, and author of the satanic bible, turned to Satanism as a result of what he observed in Christian behavior? He use to play the organ at the carnival, they would have revivals in the day, and parties at night with all kinds of perverse behavior going on. He would see the same individuals at the parties as he did in church! He figured if man’s carnality will ultimately win out, then why try to be a Christian? Why not just be a sinner? In fact, why not be the best sinner that you can possibly be? This was his motto, and it was caused by Christians. It makes me want to puke!

If Christians are truly free, then why are so many in bondage? The answer may surprise you. Most of what is taught in Christendom is inaccurate! If the truth sets you free, then false truth keeps you in bondage. If truth really entered your heart, then freedom would come. But that is not what happens to most. They pray a prayer and think that is it. Real truth hurts.

 The word of God is a sword. (Eph.6:17) “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Heb.4:12) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Have you ever heard the expression the truth hurts? Here is a good example. Real truth when it enters you, doesn’t feel good by any means. This is needed so bad in Christendom. It will happen.

(IPet.5:8-9) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” If the truth is in you, faith will arise in you. (Rom. 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It is the word of God. Not the word of men, or, the word of God by men. He must speak it into you for it to be active. He will respond to the soul that is hungry and is seeking Him. This is the only way to resist demons.

Dominion over the enemy requires action. Dominion over demons and Satan is the divine right of every believer. We must follow Jesus’ example and use the word that Jesus used to exercise dominion. Jesus defeated the devil with the word. There is power in the word of God. The non-believer must be warned as they are not able to cast out demons. (Acts19:11-19)

“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”

I personally do not like the label of exorcist. (Acts 19:13) “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” The term exorcist is as follows: one who employs a formula of conjuration for expelling demons. It has to do with a formula. Much like the Catholic church has their right of exorcism ritual. (made by men) 

The word conjure here is alarming as well. Def. an incantation; magical charm. A supernatural accomplishment by invocation or spell. The vagabond Jews were just wanderers who saw what Paul was doing and tried to duplicate his efforts. Boy did they get a surprise! You see, there is a big difference between authority and rituals. Now, I do not in any way mean to demean the efforts of the Catholic church in reference to exorcisms. At least they admit that this stuff exists and are willing to help! I applaud their efforts tremendously.

I must provide another warning to those who would try to cast out demons by means other than God-given power. (Matt.12:26-27) “And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.” If two forces of the same side fight each other, then they are divided and cannot stand. Dark and dark do not cancel one another out. Light cancels darkness. Not the other way around. 

Follow Your Example

Christ And Demonic Warfare- (Matt.2:16) “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.” Indirectly, this as well as the following are times when the enemy tried to get rid of Christ. This time, it was before his birth.

(Luke 4:28-30) “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.” It is interesting that in one instance they were trying to thrust him out of the city, and in the next, he just slips by them. I believe that something intervened on his behalf.

(Mark 4:37-41) “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them,

Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” It is believed by many that Satan was the cause of this storm and created it in an effort to kill him. Job supports this theory. (Job 1:12,18-19) “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.

So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” We see from these verses that Satan was given power over Job, and was able to create a strong wind. Possibly a storm, that killed Job’s children.

(Mark 5:3-9) “Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.” This is the only place in scripture where Jesus allows the demons to speak. And when He lets them speak, it is only to tell Him their name. 

In every other case, you will find that Christ doesn’t permit them to converse with Him. Often, He would say, “hold your peace and come out of him!” Letting them speak seems to give sway to your authority. However, getting a name doesn’t seem important in dealing with demons. 

(Matt.26:3-4) “Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.” Demons will use those under their control to try to do away with those that oppose them. In the case of Christians, usually it is other so-called Christians that will be the ones to plot against you. As is the case for Jesus when the Pharisees (theologians of the time) plotted to kill Him. There is nothing new under the sun.

(Matt.26:14-15) “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” The enemy of a real Christian is those of his own household. (Matt.10:36) “And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.” 

(Matt.4:3) “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Christ was attacked or tempted in the area of self preservation.

(Matt.4:6) “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” He was tempted in the area of self flattery.

(Matt.4:8-9) “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” He was tempted in the area of self exaltation.

It is important to note that Christ beat the devil each time with the same weapon. The word of God. Many fail in this area because they do not have the word of God in them. They are too busy with other things and are not in the word like they should be. It cannot come out of you if it is not in you. The word of God must be rich within us in order to fight the onslaughts of Satan.