Most ministries are reluctant to approach the topic of demons or unclean spirits but Jesus did not shy away from this ministry for it is one aspect of “setting the captives free”. Hollywood has attempted to glorify the devil and demons by portraying them as supernaturally powerful. Jesus could cast them out with as little as one word- “GO!”. We must not be intimidated by the Hollywood’s portrayal but instead focus on the facts provided us in Scripture. Casting our demons was just one part of Jesus’ ministry but we should not omit it in our pursuit to prepare for a ministry similar to His example.
In Mark chapter 3 it is written by THE SPIRIT:
10 For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.
11 And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.”
12 But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.
In order for demon spirits to communicate, they must use the vocal chords of a human. They are well aware and recognize those who are used of THE FATHER. In this passage they recognized Jesus for who He is and proclaimed it. In response Jesus sternly warned them to be quiet. This short passage reveals the power and authority over demon spirits thus we should not be afraid when confronting them.
In Luke chapter 4 it is written by THE SPIRIT:
40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.
Both of these passages reveal the demons will speak through the person whom they possess and talk to the person casting them out. They know who is of The Kingdom and who isn’t. They know Scripture as well for the devil used various Scriptures in an attempt to convince Jesus to compromise His calling.
In Matthew chapter 8 it is written by THE SPIRIT:
28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.
29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
30 Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”
32 And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
Jesus was recognized by the legion of demons in the two men and they addressed Him appropriately. They knew of His power and did not try to confront it but instead because of their fear they were ready to strike a deal with Him. They yearn to possess some life form and they knew Jesus would not allow them to enter another person so they chose a herd of swine close by. Immediately the swine were led to their death. The demons were true to form when they carried out the mandate of satan to kill, steal, and destroy.
By THE SPIRIT it is written in Mark 7:
24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.
25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.
26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”
29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”
30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.
In this case Jesus did not lay hands on the girl or directly address the demon. In THE SPIRIT He simply spoke The Word and the demon submitted to His power and authority. We need not attempt to create “deliverance” formulas or methods but instead we need to hear FATHER’S Voice and respond appropriately. Neither the devil nor his demons have any true spiritual power when confronted with the anointing given by FATHER. As we mature to the point of desiring to set the captives free, FATHER will impart the necessary anointing for whatever issue we confront.