Cast Out Demons

 

The disciples were commissioned to do a number of things, including the casting out of demons.

 

And as ye go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

Matthew 10:7-8 KJV

 

The original twelve apostles were ordained with such authority.

 

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Mark 3:14-15 KJV

 

This was also lived out as an example for us by Jesus Christ.

 

And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1:33-34 KJV

 

Those who didn’t care for Jesus also recognized that He cast out demons, though they distorted where that power originated.

 

And He was casting out a mute demon; when the demon had gone out, the man who was previously unable to speak talked, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out the demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.

Luke 11:14-16 KJV

 

Jesus Christ also described what His disciples will do. Are we those “who have believed”, as described by Jesus?

 

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:17-18 KJV

 

Jesus was recognized by the demons. In this example the demonic obviously had no fear of man; they did recognize the power in the Son of God. We must ask ourselves, “Is there enough of Jesus in us that we will also be recognized as having such authority?”

 

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Matthew 8:28-29 KJV

 

The casting out of demons was a sign that the Kingdom of God had come near unto man.

 

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Matthew 12:28 KJV

 

The first scripture I referred to says we are to “go”, not sit and wait. We are not to wait for a rapture or something or someone to deliver us from our present circumstance. We are to be proactive and GO!

 

We are also to “preach”, that is to share the Word of God, give testimony to His glory, and inspire others to develop an intimate relationship with Him. We are not to remain silent as if to agree with those who would say faith is a personal thing. Though it is intensely personal, it is to be displayed and shared, for faith without works is dead, or meaningless.

 

We are to declare, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We must do so in faith as this is the message from our Lord. It is this faith that enables us to do the other things, for if the kingdom of heaven is not at hand, by what power would we be casting out demons or healing the sick?

 

And as ye go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

Matthew 10:7-8 KJV

 

We ought not look at this verse as a series of individual commands, but as one command, which is the mode of operation for those who believe. Thus, we ought not leave out the first steps of going and preaching. To ignore the first part may preempt the effectiveness of anything else. This is not to say that there is a formula per se, but we need to walk in obedience. Our faith must overcome our lack of comfort level in doing something for the Kingdom of God. A walk of obedience calls for us to step out in faith.

 

In a parable concerning a nobleman going to a far country, we are told to occupy, which is a word of action, not complacency.

 

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Luke 19:13 KJV

 

We are to occupy, be fruitful, and do the work of the Kingdom. We are to walk in obedience, and we are to do so in love. But what are we to occupy? Corporately, the Body of Christ ought to occupy the whole earth as we obey the command to take the gospel to all the nations of the world. Individually we are to occupy the space He has chosen to put us in. As an Ekklesia we are to occupy and govern the region we are in. Will we respond to the call?

 

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my [church Ekklesia]; and the gates of [hell Hades] shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

 

We are the Ekklesia the Lord is building. The gates of Hades, the power of sin and death, will not prevail against us. We are to walk in the victory which Christ Jesus has already procured over sin and death.

 

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Matthew 28:18 KJV

 

Jesus is in us and we are in Him as the Body of Christ. We are to operate according to His will and follow the mind of Christ, as He is the head of the body. And since He had been given all power, we are to simply walk in obedience by faith and in love as we are linked to Him and operate in His power.

 

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 2:9 KJV

 

Christ Jesus, our Lord, carried, and carries, the fullness of God.

 

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 2:10 KJV

 

We, the body, are in Him, the head.

 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

1 Corinthians 10:3-6

 

Our weapons are for the tearing down of strongholds. That is what we are called to do. That means we are to go and do it, not wait for things to come to our doorstep. We are to go and we are to preach, or declare by faith, and tear down the strongholds of the enemy. We are to do this in our personal lives as well as in the region we are to occupy until He comes.

 

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:19-20

 

He gives us the power to tread “over all the power of the enemy”. Our rejoicing for this is to be that we are in Him; just as our power comes from Him. So, who or what can stand against us?

 

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

 

This being the case, why would we sit back? For those who remain in fear and do nothing will fail to see the reward that is available to them. That reward will be lost and given to another.

 

And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

Luke 19:23

 

Be an overcomer: Go, Preach, Do. The Kingdom belongs to those who walk by faith and do the works of obedience to our Lord, our King, our Savior. There are many rewards for the overcomer. Are we the overcomers? Will we stand up and say, “Here am I Lord, send me”?

 

Go, and serve your King.