Exorcisms are dramatic events in the Bible. Today, we’ll explore what Scripture says about casting out demons and the authority believers have in Christ.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Cleansing
What Does The Bible Say About Exorcisms
Matthew 8:16
“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
This verse showcases the power of Jesus in driving out demons with just a word. It highlights His ability to heal the sick and deliver those who were possessed. Jesus’ authority over evil spirits demonstrates His divine nature and His ability to set people free from spiritual bondage.
Jesus’ exorcisms were not only physical healings but also spiritual victories, illustrating His victory over the forces of darkness. This verse emphasizes the compassion and power of Jesus in setting people free and bringing healing to their lives.
Mark 16:17
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;”
This verse indicates that believers who have faith in Jesus will have the authority to drive out demons in His name. It suggests that supernatural signs and wonders, such as casting out evil spirits, will accompany those who truly believe in Jesus.
Through this verse, we can understand that believers are not defenseless against demonic forces but have been given spiritual authority to combat them. It encourages Christians to rely on the power of Jesus’ name and operate in the spiritual gifts bestowed upon them by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:11-12
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”
This passage highlights how God worked through the apostle Paul to perform extraordinary miracles. The handkerchiefs and aprons that touched Paul became instruments of healing and deliverance. This demonstrates the immense power that God can manifest through His chosen vessels.
It is important to note that it was not the objects themselves that held power but the faith and channeling of God’s power through Paul. This verse encourages believers to recognize that God can work through ordinary means to bring about supernatural results.
Acts 16:18
“She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.”
In this account, Paul confronts a slave girl who had a spirit of divination. Paul, moved with annoyance, commands the spirit to come out of her in Jesus’ name, and instantly, the spirit leaves her.
This verse illustrates that believers can exercise authority over demonic spirits through the power of Jesus’ name. It also highlights the importance of discernment and addressing spiritual issues in a timely manner.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James urges believers to submit to God and resist the devil. The promise is that when we take a stand against the devil, he will flee from us.
This verse emphasizes the importance of aligning ourselves with God and actively resisting the influence of evil. It reminds us that we have the authority, through our relationship with God, to overcome the strategies and temptations of the enemy.
Luke 10:17
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
After being sent out by Jesus to heal the sick and drive out demons, the seventy-two disciples return full of joy, testifying that even the demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name.
This verse demonstrates the delegated authority and power that Jesus has given to His followers. It reinforces the truth that the name of Jesus is powerful and can bring about deliverance from demonic oppression.
1 John 3:8
“The one who does what is sinful is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
This verse reveals that Jesus came to earth with a specific purpose: to destroy the work of the devil. It acknowledges that the origin of sin is rooted in the devil’s influence.
By recognizing Jesus’ mission to defeat the works of the devil, this verse encourages believers to resist sin and pursue righteousness. It also reminds us of the ongoing battle between good and evil, with Jesus being the ultimate victor.
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
This verse highlights the spiritual nature of the battle faced by believers. It reveals that our fight is not against fellow humans but against the spiritual forces of evil that operate in the heavenly realms.
It serves as a reminder to Christians that they are engaged in a spiritual warfare and need to put on the whole armor of God to withstand the attacks of the enemy. This verse emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment and reliance on God’s strength to overcome the forces of darkness.
Matthew 12:43-45
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean, and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
In this passage, Jesus uses the illustrative story of an impure spirit leaving a person but returning with even more wicked spirits. He emphasizes the importance of not only casting out evil spirits but also filling oneself with the presence and truth of God to avoid further spiritual harm.
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder for believers to guard against spiritual emptiness and to continually fill their lives with the presence of God. It reminds us that deliverance from evil spirits is not the end but a starting point in pursuing a deeper relationship with God.
Matthew 10:1
“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
This verse recounts Jesus empowering His twelve disciples with the authority to drive out impure spirits and heal diseases and sicknesses.
It demonstrates that Jesus not only performed exorcisms Himself but also delegated this authority to His followers. This verse emphasizes the fact that believers have been given spiritual authority to confront and overcome the forces of darkness.
Acts 8:7
“With shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.”
During Philip’s ministry, impure spirits were cast out of people with shrieks, resulting in healings of the paralyzed and the lame.
This verse showcases the power of deliverance from demonic oppression and its direct impact on physical ailments. It affirms that the authority to cast out evil spirits is connected to divine healing, highlighting the holistic nature of Jesus’ redemptive work.
Mark 5:18-20
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
After Jesus healed a man who was possessed by a legion of demons, the man wanted to follow Jesus. However, Jesus instructed him to return to his own community and share the testimony of God’s mercy and deliverance.
This verse underscores the transformative power of Jesus in an individual’s life. It emphasizes the importance of personal testimony and spreading the good news of Jesus’ deliverance to others.
Luke 9:1
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases”
This verse highlights Jesus’ commissioning of the Twelve disciples, empowering them with both power and authority to drive out demons and heal diseases.
It demonstrates that Jesus not only shared His authority but also delegated His power to His disciples. This verse speaks to the continuous empowerment of believers today, as Jesus’ commission still extends to His followers.
Mark 9:25
“When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,’ he said, ‘I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’”
Jesus encounters a boy who has been possessed by a deaf and mute spirit. He rebukes the impure spirit and commands it to come out of the boy, never to return.
This verse demonstrates Jesus’ authority over even the most oppressive demonic forces. It reveals His power to set individuals free from spiritual bondage and permanently banish evil influences through a simple command.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.”
Paul encounters a slave girl who has a spirit of divination. The girl relentlessly follows Paul, proclaiming the truth about him and his companions. While the message was accurate, Paul discerns the influence behind it and commands the spirit to come out in Jesus’ name.
This verse highlights the importance of discerning the source and origins of supernatural manifestations, even those that appear to align with the truth. It demonstrates the authority that believers possess to set captives free from deceptive spiritual influences.
Matthew 17:18
“Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.”
Jesus confronts a demon-possessed boy and rebukes the demon, resulting in the boy’s immediate healing.
This verse reveals Jesus’ authority and power over evil spirits, as well as His ability to bring instantaneous deliverance and restoration. It encourages believers to have faith in Jesus’ name when confronting spiritual oppression or bondage.
1 Timothy 4:1
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
These verses indicate that in the last days, some will turn away from the faith and be enticed by the teachings of deceiving spirits and demons.
It serves as a warning to believers about the prevalence of spiritual deception and the need for discernment. This verse calls Christians to remain rooted in the truth of God’s Word and to stay vigilant against the influence of false doctrines.
Luke 8:29
“For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.”
This verse describes a man possessed by an impure spirit who had been chained and kept under guard due to his violent episodes. Despite his restraints, the demon drives him into solitary places.
It highlights the destructive and overpowering nature of demonic possession. This verse reveals the freedom and liberation that Jesus brings to individuals who are under the control of such forces. It also underscores the importance of seeking help from Jesus, who alone can break the chains of spiritual bondage.
Matthew 12:28
“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
In response to accusations from the Pharisees that Jesus drives out demons by the power of the devil, Jesus affirms that He cast out demons by the Spirit of God. He attributes His ministry to the manifestation of the kingdom of God.
This verse highlights the spiritual warfare between the kingdom of God and the powers of darkness. It affirms that the authority and power displayed in driving out demons are signs of God’s reign and the arrival of His kingdom on earth.
Mark 1:34
“And Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.”
This verse shows Jesus healing many people with various diseases and driving out numerous demons. It also reveals that Jesus prevented the demons from speaking because they recognized His true identity.
It underscores Jesus’ authority over sickness and evil spirits. Additionally, it suggests that His timing and purposes were not aligned with the testimonies of demonic forces. This verse points to the humility and divine strategy of Jesus in His ministry of deliverance.
Mark 1:25-26
“‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.”
In this account, Jesus sternly commands an impure spirit to be quiet and come out of a man. The spirit responds by violently shaking the man and leaving with a shriek.
This verse demonstrates Jesus’ authority and power over demonic forces. It reveals the immediate and forceful response of evil spirits when confronted with the divine presence. It also illustrates the deliverance of individuals from the grip of darkness through the spoken word of Jesus.
Acts 5:16
“Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”
In this verse, people from neighboring towns and cities brought their sick and those tormented by impure spirits to the apostles. The result was that all of them were healed.
This verse affirms the healing power that was present in the early church through the ministry of the apostles. It showcases the holistic approach of addressing physical ailments and spiritual oppression. It serves as a testament to the ongoing ministry of healing and deliverance through the church today.
Mark 3:15
“He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”
This verse illustrates that Jesus appointed the twelve disciples, not only to be with Him but also to send them out to preach and exercise authority to drive out demons.
It demonstrates Jesus’ intention for His followers to continue His ministry by preaching the Gospel and actively combating the powers of darkness. This verse affirms that believers today have been given the same authority and commission to carry on Jesus’ work in the world.
Acts 8:5-7
“Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.”
Philip visits a city in Samaria, where he proclaims the message of Jesus and performs miraculous signs. The result is the deliverance of many from impure spirits and physical healings of the paralyzed and lame.
This verse emphasizes the demonstration of God’s power and authority through His servants. It shows that the proclamation of the Gospel and signs and wonders can bring about transformation and deliverance in the lives of individuals and communities.