Three principles of exorcism in the Bible
1. God’s kingdom is not divided
Jesus healed the sick, often by commanding demons to leave. In Matthew 12, the Pharisees accused him of casting the demons out by the power of “Beelzebub, the prince of demons.”
But Jesus’ authority comes from God, while those who do not believe and recognize Him as God’s son are mere hypocrites whose authority is not from Christ. (Matthew 12:25)
A divided faith in Christ disables a person from commanding demons to leave. You cannot serve two masters. It is not the saints, the Catholic Mary, or the “Virgin Mary with Christ.”
Matthew 12:22-28
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.“
2. We can forfeit our authority in Christ when idolatry is involved
Idolatry in Ephesus
In Acts 19, Jews in Ephesus who affirmed the preaching of Paul drove demons but were miserably unsuccessful, shamed, and attacked by the demons themselves.
The demonic powers in Ephesus were strong, with the goddess Diana at the top. Jews had mixed faith and would not give up their idols. A Hellenist pagan city of mysticism, they practiced magic. In short, there was rampant idolatry.
The idols of modern Rome
Elsa (not her real name) could see spirits and demons attending a mass. As the priests performed the rituals, she saw monsters on the altar. Dark and hairy beings were hiding behind the Saints and Mother Mary statues.
One shouldn’t wonder because even if Rome justifies these images as a “representation of God,” the Bible is clear; we should not make an idol even if the likeness is in heaven above. (Exodus 20:4)
Exodus 20:4
You shall not make a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven above, in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth.
3. Genuine faith and fasting are critical
Ultimately, our relationship with Christ and His Lordship in our daily walk allows anyone to perform a successful exorcism.
In Matthew 17:16-21, the apostles couldn’t heal someone. Most diseases in the Bible were caused by ‘demon possession,’ and casting demons out is the best way to heal someone.
Jesus took over and commanded the demon to leave. The disciples later asked why couldn’t they drive it out. Jesus said, “Because of your little faith. However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.”
MATTHEW 17:17-18
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
