Exorcism of demons

Jesus Christ understood exorcism as part of his ministry

Luke 13:32 NIV84

He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’

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He drove out demons from individuals brought to him

Matthew 8:16 NIV84

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.

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He drove out demons from individuals whom he encountered

Mark 1:23–26 NIV84

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

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Jesus Christ had power over demons

He was able to drive demons out at a distance

Matthew 15:22–28 NIV84

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

He used words of rebuke to drive out demons

Matthew 17:18 NIV84

Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

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Jesus Christ identifies the spiritual resources needed for exorcising demons

The Spirit of God

Matthew 12:28 NIV84

But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Faith

Matthew 17:19–20 NIV84

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Prayer (and fasting)

Mark 9:28–29 NIV84

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

The ministry of exorcism was an indication of the kingdom’s presence

Matthew 12:28 NIV84

But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

The results of being delivered from demon-possession

Visible transformation and healing

Mark 5:15 NIV84

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

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Devotion to Jesus Christ

Luke 8:1–2 NIV84

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;

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Loss of supernatural faculties

Acts 16:16–19 NIV84

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that 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. When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.

Demons seek to return

Matthew 12:43–45 NIV84

“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

The impact of exorcism on those who observe it

Amazement

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Fear

Matthew 8:34 NIV84

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.