They Will Cast Out Demons pt4

INTRODUCTION

We have been speaking to you for some time on this subject. Most of our discussion up until this point have really been on: (1) understanding demons and their behavior, (2) realizing that casting out devils is really our responsibility and not God’s, (3) what happens if we don’t cast them out (oppression, possession).

I want to focus this lesson on how do we cast out demons and have deliverance over the devil?

REPENT

James 4:7-10

Notice, we can effectively resist the devil by ‘drawing nigh to God.’ Moreover, drawing nigh to God is a form of repentance. But, in order for repentance to be effective at resisting the devil, it must be true repentance (2Corinthians 7:9, 10).

This ‘sorrow’ is simply regret over what has happened or what one has done. It is not true repentance or a change of mind (Hebrews 12:17).

Esau had sorrow/regret, but he didn’t have repentance (a change of mind). The reason people cannot find a change of mind (repentance) is because they will not take responsibility. It’s always somebody else’s fault.

Esau was probably still blaming the fact that he lost the blessing on Jacob. Jacob stole my blessing! But, instead of being angry over Jacob stealing his blessing, Esau should have taken responsibility over selling his birthright! Similarly, we complain about how the devil (demons) have taken our health (blessing), but we take no responsibility for giving them room by walking in sin!

Don’t ask God (His ministers) to do something about the devil if you’re not willing to repent for giving him authority by your disobedience! Be willing to take responsibility for giving authority to the devil by your sin.

WALK IN THE LIGHT

1 John 1:7

When we talk about removing sin and taking away the devil’s access in our life, nothing is better at accomplishing this as walking in the light or our obedience. When we ‘walking in the light’ we crucify (sanctify) ourselves of the flesh and take away the devil’s power (place) of operation (Ephesians 4:25-27).

It’s our disobedience, and consequently our sin, that provides space for the devil in our life. Therefore, we cannot talk seriously about being delivered of the devil without also dealing with his place of operation, which is the flesh! If we’re gonna deal with the devil, sooner or later we have to deal with the flesh! Trying to cast the devil out of people that won’t obey is a total waste of time.

2Corinthians 7:1

Here we are told to cleanse ourselves of both the flesh AND the spirit. You simply get rid of spirits (demons) without also getting rid of the flesh! Also, I want us to notice HOW we are to cleanse ourselves of the flesh and spirits—by performing holiness (2Corinthians 7:1)!

You cannot expect to stay free of the flesh and evil spirits if you’re not willing to perfect (bring to completion) holiness! Again, if we’re not sanctifying and perfecting our house, we’re providing space for the devil (Matthew 12:43-45).

EXERCISE AUTHORITY

Sometimes the only way to overcome the devil is to take a more direct approach and command him to come out! We do this by exercising authority. Exercising authority (over the devil or really anything) requires faith (Mark 11:20-23).

Peter was surprised at the extent of Jesus’ authority. However, Jesus informed Peter that this authority can be exercise by anyone, but it takes faith to do it.

“What if I try to command the devil and nothing happens?” This is why I said that it requires faith. If exercising authority did not require faith, then all we would have to do is say, “in Jesus’ name” and things would happen.

No, these things require faith. And because exercising authority requires faith, we should not wait around to see if it’s going to work. But if we do, then we’re not in faith (Mark 11:12-14, 20).

Listen folks, don’t let the fear of failure keep you from engaging with the enemy. Fear will keep you from the fight. In fact, the devil know that if he can keep you in fear, he can keep you from the fight (Luke 11:21-23).

If you are not ‘gathering’ (fighting) with Christ, then you are being ‘scattered.’ ‘Scattered’ is a word that describes someone in fear. So, if you’re not fighting (gathering), then you are running in fear. The reason some of us are so afraid of the devil is because we refuse to contend with him. The more appearances you have with the devil in the ring, the less afraid you’ll be to fight!

Also, notice that Jesus says, “He that gathers with me” (Luke 11:23). This tells us that we’re not in this fight alone. Jesus is with us in the fight...

“Lo, I am with you always even until the end of the age!”

You and Jesus make an unbeatable pair. In fact, when Jesus pairs up with anybody they because unbeatable (1John 4:4)!

CAST DOWN EVIL THOUGHTS

2Corinthians 10:4, 5

Another way we deliver ourselves from evil spirits/demons is by casting down evil thoughts. When we allow evil thoughts to enter our minds we give access/entrance to the devil and evil spirits! Therefore, we contend against the devil and we resist the devil by casting down his wicked thoughts.

Our greatest weapon to defeat evil thoughts is the word of God. The Israelites fought against their enemies by taking up physical weapons. We fight against our enemy by taking up the word of God. This is what Jesus used when He battled with the enemy in the wilderness.

Hebrews 4:12

The sword is double-edged because one edge is for us (the flesh) and the other edge is for striking down the enemy’s thoughts and suggestions.

These are the weapons that are at our disposal to deliver ourselves (and others) of the devil and evil spirits: (1) Repentance, (2) Obedience, (3) Our authority and (4) Our ability to cast down evil thoughts.