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This Teaching concludes the series, Exposing the Enemy.

Demons is one of the topics that elicit the most responses from ears-2-hear subscribers and visitors to the website. It seems that some Christians are very apprehensive about this topic and feel that for them, casting out a demon in someone else is too far-fetched to believe. Other Christians have a very keen, God-given interest in this subject, yet do not realize that the gift of discerning of spirits has been operating in their lives and that the Lord wants to use them to set specific people free from evil spirits. While some other Christians are drawn to this topic because the Lord wants to open their eyes to the activity of the enemy in their own lives.

We need to clearly understand that Jesus revealed a lot about evil spirits, that they are among us, that they want to destroy us, and that we have power over all the power of the enemy to protect not only ourselves, but to break the hold evil spirits have over other people.

We who are strong are commanded to help those that are weak. You can change the course of someone’s life if when you recognize the presence of an evil spirit, you then set that person free.

We all want God to use us. Delivering someone bound by the enemy is something that all of us are called to do for His glory.

Recognizing Their Presence

A preacher made a comment about demons and how they are always following us and trying to cause us to stumble. When he said, “There’s a demon behind every door!”, someone in the congregation yelled out, “No! You’re wrong! There are seven demons behind every door!”

We are not called to be demon hunters. Nor should we be all caught up with wondering if every little odd thing that happens or every weird thought is from a demon. To do so, would open us to having a wrong focus.

Evil spirits are actually fairly harmless when they are not able to use a human. All they can do in the physical realm is maybe slam a door closed, make some noises, move some things around, and talk to those that are willing to listen. That’s about it!

This is a very important fact: demons have power and can manifest their evil only when they have person who is willing to be controlled.

Our focus should be on what we are called to do: spread the good news. In the process, we will encounter evil spirits.

There are many times in the gospels when those that were possessed screamed out when they were in Jesus’ presence. Sort of like the children’s game, Whack-a-Mole—when the demon surfaced in a person, Jesus took them out.

Other times though, demons aren’t quite as noticeable. When Paul and Silas were ministering in the city of Thyatira, a woman followed them for many days shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." What she said was true and must have drawn more people to listen to Paul and Silas. So what’s the big deal?

Well, the gift of discerning of spirits operated in Paul and he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her (Acts 16:17 –18).

Possessed or oppressed? All Christians who acknowledge the reality of evil spirits agree that an unsaved person can be possessed.

But when it comes to a Christian being possessed or oppressed, that question is a point of conflict between more than just a couple denominations. The arguments for or against one or the other does little more than bring division. We are not called to fight one another.

It is my belief that the issue of whether or not a Christian is possessed or oppressed is simply a diversionary tactic from the enemy. The issue is irrelevant. The real issue that we should discern whether or not there is demonic activity in a person’s life. And if there is, we need to set that person free.

If we pray for a Christian who is having problems with an evil spirit, and there is no physical reaction except that the person experienced a weight lifting off and God’s peace flooding their soul, that’s wonderful! And if when we pray for another Christian, that person suddenly falls to the floor, writhes around like a snake, vomits, and then stands up shouting praises to God, that’s wonderful too! 

Freedom

There are many Christians that have difficulty overcoming particular sins or bad habits. Since we have the power and the name of Jesus, the root of the problem really isn’t an evil spirit. In these situations, the root of the problem is our will.

When our desire for something ungodly is greater than our desire to please God, deliverance and victory is very difficult if not impossible.

But, there is freedom and deliverance for anyone who sincerely desires it.

After being set free, we need to fill that void with God and His Word. In Matthew chapter 12, Jesus explained that when a demon leaves a person, he will try to return. If there is an opening in that person, the demon will bring more evil spirits with him and enter that person. In the end, that person is worse off than before.

I’ll never forget what someone said that so clearly illustrates what Jesus revealed that chapter of Matthew. The person said, “It’s the strangest thing. Every time I quit smoking for a while and then when I can’t resist any longer, it seems like I’m more hooked than ever before!”

Freedom was purchased for all of us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Maintaining that freedom is critical to experiencing the full fellowship with Father that He wants with us. 1 John 1:7 gives us a key to maintaining our freedom: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Notice the second word of that verse, “if”—it’s our choice to walk in the light. And notice the provision if we fail: the blood of Jesus to purify us. God has provided all that is necessary to walk with Him, all that we need is to say, “Yes!”

Our Responsibility

If you are a Christian, you have within you the power to set yourself free and to set others free from the clutches of evil spirits. Whether a demon manifests in a person when they are in our presence or if the gift of discerning of spirits shows us that a person needs deliverance, you should move with faith, not fear, to cast out the spirit and give that person what Jesus died for: freedom from bondage and to experience abundant life in Christ.

It is my prayer for you that Father will continue to help you to hear His voice, and more and more frequently.

With God’s grace and in His peace,

Gary

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