Do you ever wish you had the authority to cast out demons and set your family and friends free?
It’s a desire that many of us have, yet fear and frustration often go with this desire. And you give up on the idea altogether.
You may be afraid of the spirit realm.
Or you may lack confidence.
You may also doubt your ability to confront the forces of darkness.
It can be overwhelming.
But what if I told you that the authority to cast out demons is not as elusive as it seems?
In this blog post, we will delve into the Scriptures and explore the authority to cast out demons.
We’ll address the fears that hold you back from exercising that authority.
So, if you’re ready to unlock the power of God for you and step into your role as a spiritual warrior, then keep reading.
The answers you seek are within your reach, and the freedom of your loved ones is worth the journey.
What is authority and why do you need it when dealing with demons?
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines authority as “power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior” or “a person in command.”
When it comes to casting out demons, having authority is a must.
Don’t take demons lightly. They are vicious and malevolent creatures. They will not obey any person who tries to confront them.
They only recognize and submit to those who have true spiritual authority.
The authority to cast out demons is the power to influence and command these dark forces.
Without such authority, our attempts to confront and cast out demons would be in vain.
The book of Acts 19:11-20 shows how some people use and others abuse this authority.
Let’s read Acts 19:11-13 (ESV).
“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”
We see how the Apostle Paul’s authority worked miracles even in his absence by applying his handkerchiefs or aprons.
But here’s what happens to someone who has no authority,
“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 20:14-20 ESV)
Where does the authority to cast out demons come from?
Have you ever wondered how to get the authority to cast out demons like Jesus did?
Many of us share that desire. But fear often overwhelms us. We lack confidence and doubt our ability to confront demons.
The thing is that the authority to cast out demons comes from Jesus.
He delegated that authority to the first disciples. And He delegates the same authority to His children today.
Let’s take a moment to dive into Luke 10:17-20.
We see Jesus sending out His disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. When they return, they rejoice, exclaiming,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17, ESV).
Jesus responds by assuring them that He has given them the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).
Now, in Mark 16:17 (ESV), Jesus declares,
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons.”
Yes, you read that right. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you have the authority to cast out demons.
The concept of casting out demons in Scripture
Have you ever wondered what it means to cast out demons?
It’s a concept that can be both fascinating and intimidating.
Casting out demons may seem like a complex and mystical try. But it’s a practical demonstration of our spiritual authority as believers.
You see, as children of God, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome evil and darkness.
Like a police officer enforces the law of the state, we enforce spiritual laws of God’s Kingdom.
He called us to bring demons to justice for all their evil.
To better understand this concept, let’s consider the example of Jesus.
Throughout the Gospels, we see Him engaging in many encounters with demons.
In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons.
Despite the man’s violent and chaotic state, Jesus does not back down. Instead, He commands the demons to come out of the man and be gone.
Jesus demonstrates His authority over demons and sets the captive free.
This example may seem extraordinary, but it holds a valuable lesson for us.
Jesus didn’t hesitate or doubt His authority when faced with the demonic.
He spoke with conviction and boldness, knowing that His words carried power.
And as Jesus empowered His disciples to cast out demons in Luke 10:17-20, He has also equipped us with the same authority (Mark 16:17).
Now, you might be thinking,
“But I’m an ordinary person. How can I have the same authority as Jesus?”
It’s a valid question that many Christians wrestle with.
But here’s the counterintuitive truth.
It’s not about our strength or abilities but about the power of God working through us.
When we surrender to God and allow His Spirit to work through us, we become vessels of His authority and power.
It is not our might, but the power of God within us that enables us to confront and cast out demons.
How does the authority to cast out demons work?
This authority is not something we generate. It flows from our relationship with Jesus.
“As a branch cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the vine…” (John 15:4)
We can’t exercise authority over demons unless we remain rooted in Jesus.
When we stay connected to Jesus through prayer, Bible study, and intimacy with Him, we tap into His power and authority.
But remember, it’s the authority of Jesus’ name, not your name or my name.
When a police officer pulls you over, he doesn’t do that in his name, but in the name of the state that gave him that authority.
In the letter to the Philippians 2:9-11, it says,
“Therefore God has highly exalted him [Jesus] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
That’s why demons must obey the very sound of Jesus’ name when we command them to leave. They have no choice but to bow their knees before Jesus and confess His lordship over them.
This is not a theory. I’ve seen that many times in my ministry as an exorcist.
Jesus Himself said,
“Truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do” (John 14:12, ESV).
It’s a truth that might stretch our understanding.
But it’s a truth that allows us to walk confidently in the authority Jesus gave us.
The authority to cast out demons in the New Testament
I know church leaders who preach that only Jesus’ apostles had the authority to cast out demons.
But the truth is that this authority is not only limited to the first disciples of Jesus. It applies to all who believe in Him, according to Mark 16:16-17.
In the New Testament, we find a powerful example of this authority in Luke 10:17 (ESV). It was when the disciples returned from a mission and exclaimed,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
This verse reminds us that the authority to cast out demons is not a theory or a mere concept. It’s a reality that anyone who believes in Jesus and his saving power can experience.
But how does this authority work?
It’s not about wielding some mystical power or performing elaborate rituals.
Jesus is the highest authority in the universe.
When I confront stubborn demons, I usually make them pronounce this truth.
And when they admit that Jesus is Lord over them, they lose their power to resist.
Thus, when we stand in his name, we stand in his authority. We become vessels through which the power of the Holy Spirit flows.
To grasp this concept, let me give you an example.
Imagine you are in a dark room, filled with fear and uncertainty.
But someone turns on the light, and the darkness flees.
Likewise, when we invoke the name of Jesus, we bring light into the darkness of demonic oppression.
We are conduits of his power, driving out evil and setting captives free.
Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) reminds us to…
“be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might.”
So, if you ever face demonic forces, remember that the authority to cast them out is within your reach.
It is not limited to a select few.
It’s available to you if you believe in Jesus and stand in his name.
It’s your turn to accept and use the authority to cast out demons
Take a moment to grasp the power and authority you have in Christ.
It is not a mere coincidence or a distant concept, but a tangible reality that resides within you.
I understand that sometimes doubts may creep into your mind.
You may question whether you have what it takes to cast out demons, to combat the darkness that surrounds us.
It’s natural to feel a sense of inadequacy when faced with an invisible enemy.
But the authority to cast out demons is not about you. It’s about Jesus.
Demons may disobey you, but they must obey the name of Christ.
When you stand in the name of Jesus, you represent Him and His power.
You reflect His light that shines into the darkest corners of a person’s soul oppressed by demons.
You CAN drive out demons and set captives free in Jesus’ name.
This is because you’re a warrior of Christ, called to move in His authority to cast out demons.