-------Casting Out Demons------

Much of the world believes that only Catholic priests are qualified to cast out demons. From an article printed by www.telegraph.co.uk March 11, 2010, we find that Don Garbiele Amorth is the chief exorcist at the Vatican. According to Father Amorth, the way an exorcism was depicted in the movie "The Exorcist" was a fairly accurate depiction. People possessed sometimes had to be restrained by half a dozen people while being exorcised.

Reality shows such as SyFy's "Fact or Faked", "Destination Truth", and "Ghost Hunters" have the investigators sometimes trying to make contact with the so called spirits they are investigating. For arguments sake, let's assume spirits are really present at these investigations. Is there any real harm or danger trying to contact these unseen entities? According to Scripture, the danger is very real.

Leviticus 18 verses 10 and 11 warn agains being involved with the following: "10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer . 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee."

Necromancer is defined as someone who interrogates the dead. Why would God warn against anyone participating in this activity? I believe God knows this is a door that opens the world to evil demonic spirits. If a person believes his or her residence is haunted, the last thing they should do is consult a medium or an investiagation team who tries to make contact with the spirit or spirits as the case may be.

I'm sure the Catholic exorcists would agree these people are playing with fire. Does this validate these priests as the only people who can participate in an exorcism?

Did Jeus cast out demons? Yes He did. How did he do it? He simply commanded the evil spiritual presence to leave. He simply spoke His word and the demon had no choice but to obey. Jesus never had to have anyone restrained.

Since Jesus is the son of God, it seems natural that He would have the power and authority over demonic spirts but does that mean we believers, whom the spirit of God indwells, cannot do the same? Why do we have to bring in priests that bring in crutches such as Holy Water to effectively cast out demons? Why can we not simply command a demon to leave? James said, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Were the disciples able to cast out demons? They were but it was the authority of Christ that caused the devils to flee, not anything the disiples did other that acting in faith on the word of Christ.

However, there was one demon they were unable to cast out and they were puzzled by it so they asked Jesus about it: "19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart , and said , Why could not we cast him out ? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove ; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17

Jesus said their were two reasons for their lack of success. One was the unbelief of the disciples and the other was that this demon was stronger than others. Jesus said prayer and fasting were required before a demon of this nature could be cast out.

According to scripture, to cast out a demon there are three essential tools. The first tool is to speak the Word of God. Satan and his dominion hates the word of God and tries to have it destroyed.

The second tool is prayer. Prayer brings a person closer to God and more attuned to the will of God. God answers prayer.

The third is fasting. Fasting is simply giving up something such as food for a predetermined amount of time so the spiritual self becomes stronger than the physical self. A person who stands on the word of God, prays, and fasts should be able to perform an exorcism simply by commanding the demon to flee in the name of Christ.

Restraints and the theatrics you see depicted in movies when an exorcism takses places should not be needed. The demon should simply depart.

The correct and prescribed way for casting out demons has been outlined for us by Jesus. Is there another way to cast out a demon?

Matthew 7:22 states, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"

Here is a group of people standing before Jesus being judged. They are protesting that they have cast out devils or demons in the name of Jesus. Why are they being judged?

Jesus answers in verse 23, "And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Not only did Jesus say He has never had a relationship with them, but they were also workers of iniquity which is sin.

Which brings up the question: does a Catholic exorcist truly have a relationship with Christ or is he just simply a pawn of the devil?

In warfare, you have to camouflage yourself in order to penetrate enemy territory. Satan sends in his disguised troops into the church. Is the Exorcist truly a man of God or a disguised emmissary? Jesus knows.

Copyright 2011 by Gary Goodworth