(Ryan Lestrange) It is sometimes wrongly taught and believed that the ministry of casting out demons is only for some people. I know that some people have a much greater passion to see God’s children set free. They may even have a strong faith or gift for deliverance but the reality is that casting demons out is a sign of believing! Deliverance is part of the believer’s ministry! Jesus Himself endued us with power and authority over the powers of hell.
1- Know who you are in Jesus!
Recognizing the position that you dwell in is key. You must rightly divide the word and recognize that Jesus’ work over the enemy was not partial but complete. When you got born again, you were translated from the kingdom of darkness and positioned in Jesus with full authority and power over the enemy!
Luke 10:19- Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
Colossians 1:13-For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son
Ephesians 2:6- and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
2- Have a personal relationship with Jesus.
This is vital. You can not enforce the authority of Jesus without having a personal relationship with Him! The sons of Sceva tried to take on the devil’s kingdom without having relationship with Jesus and they ended up beaten and stripped. Revelation of authority flows from a place of intimacy.
Acts 19:14-16- Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
3- Use your tools: the name, the word, the blood.
The name of Jesus is a legal power that subdues demon spirits. When casting the devil out or commanding him in any way it is the name of Jesus and faith in that name that enforces his position of defeat and the victory of the kingdom. We are to use our tools as offensive weapons. The name, the word of God (remember Jesus fought back with the word when the enemy tempted Him) and the blood! Demon powers hate the blood of Jesus because it is the tangible substance of their defeat. I love to loose the power of the blood over demonic foes.
Luke 10:17- The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
Mark 16:17-18- “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
4- Faith is essential.
When they brought an oppressed child to the disciples they were unable to get him delivered because of their lack of faith. Faith is the building block of heaven. It is the substance that secures the victory! It is not future tense but right now (Heb. 11:1). Faith unlocks authority and releases miracle power. To cast evil spirits out faith is a key ingredient. Faith sees the thing as complete and is not moved by the show that the enemy tries to put on. Faith has heavenly vision and eternal wisdom!
Luke 9:40-41- I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.” 41And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
