CHAPTER 3. THE WORDS USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXORCISM OF DEMONS.
The Greek words which are used in the New Testament in connection with the expulsion of demons.

1. Demons are "COMMANDED."
a. In Luke.8v29. "paregellen gar" is used by our Lord.
"Paregellen gar," is the imperfect active of "parangello," which is especially used of the orders given by a military commander. Our Lord was commanding and giving orders to the demons; during this ordering, and as a result of it, the man who was possessed cried out, "What have I in common with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you do not torment me." The evil angels did not want to be confined in the Abyss, they feared the everlasting chains of darkness reserved for the wicked. v31. 1Sam.2v9. 2Pet.2v17. Jude.v13. In Rom.2v8. "thumos kai orge," tells us of the blazing wrath and judicial anger of Divine justice; and in v9., "Tribulation and anguish," is "thlipsis kai stenochoria," which means, "pressure and confined space;" these strong words speak of the eternal confinement of the wicked by Divine justice; and it is the pressure and confinement of imprisonment in the Abyss and Gehenna that demons fear.

God will preserve the eternal happiness of the righteous creation from the evil and malice of the wicked, by confining these evil doers in Gehenna. In Mk.1v24., the demons said, "What have we to do with thee?" "ti hemin kai soi?", the same idiom as Mt.8v29., "What have we in common with thee?" They have nothing in common with the kingdom and God of love; they are devoid of love and hate righteousness, and are filled with evil; and this is the reason for their confinement in Gehenna.

Why did Jesus allow these demons their freedom, when He knew they would go on doing evil, and knew that they would stop His ministry in the next town by killing the pigs? It is obviously put in the Scriptures as a lesson to us, to show us that we must never allow demons liberty to do evil; we should confine them in the abyss, when they are exorcised. We may not be able to confine Satan in the Abyss before his time; but we can make him flee with the mighty spiritual weapons that God has given to us. James.4v6,7. 2Cor.10v1-5. Eph.6v10-22.

Though Lk.8v29. is the only recorded case where our Lord uses the word "parangello" against demons; He does use it as a word of command to His apostles and others in Mt.10v5. Mk.6v8. 8v6. Lk.5v14. 8v29,56. 9v21. Acts.1v4. 10v42. 17v30. and 1Cor.7v10.. Paul uses "parangello" in Acts.16v18., when he commanded the spirit of divination to leave the girl. Paul also uses "parangello" to command Christians in 1Thes.4v11. 2Thes.3v4,6,10,12. 1Tim.1v3. 4v11. 5v7. and 6v13,17.. However, Paul usually appealed as a spiritual father, rather than insist that Christians should recognise and submit to his spiritual authority as an apostle; he preferred to use gentle words of appeal, rather than command. "Deomai;" "beseech, request." "Acts.21v39. 26v3. 2Cor.5v20. 10v2. Gal.4v12. "Erotao;" "beseech, entreat." Phil.4v3. 1Thes.4v1. 5v12. 2Thes.2v1. "Parakaleo;" "beseech, entreat." Acts.14v22. 15v32. Rom.12v1. 15v30. 16v17. 1Cor.1v10. 4v16. 16v15. 2Cor.6v1. 10v1. Eph.4v1. Phil.4v2. 1Thes.4v10. 5v14. 2Thes.3v12. 1Tim.2v1. 6v2. 2Tim.4v2. Philem.v9,10. Heb.13v19,22.

b. Jesus authoritatively commands, "epitasso," demons in Mk.1v27. 9v25. and Lk.4v36.
In Mk.1v27. and the parallel passage Lk.4v36., "epitassei" is used by the astonished and excited crowds to describe our Lord's authority over demons; it is the present active of "epitasso," which is a military term meaning, to command, to marshal, to draw up in array. The crowd was saying that Jesus made the enemy demons line up in their ranks and obey Him. Our Lord's authority over demons was a present continuous fact. Our Lord commanded the demon, "Hold thy peace, "phimotheti," the first aorist passive of "phimoo." It means more than, "Be quiet," it is a very strong word that is better translated, "be muzzled," like an ox, which is the exact meaning in 1Cor.9v9. Deut.25v4. 1Tim.5v18. This is an important point, and we should instruct demons to be quiet and shut up, and not encourage them to talk.

2. Demons are "REBUKED." "Epitimao."
In classical Greek "epitimao" speaks of severe strenuous reproach for unworthy deeds or acts, in the New Testament it also means, to chide, to tax with fault, rebuke and severely censure. Jesus used it in Mt.17v18. Mk.1v25. 3v12. 9v25. and Lk.9v42., to speak of demons being rebuked. This is most appropriate as "epitimao" can carry the thought of a rebuke that does not bring a person to see their sin and confess it; "elencho" in contrast, speaks of a rebuke that is followed by conviction and perhaps confession, and a resulting change of life. As demons are incorrigible and unrepentant, "elencho" is not used when they are rebuked, "epitimao" is used instead. In the New Testament, "epitimao" can also mean to admonish, or charge sharply, whether unjustly, as in Peter's rebuke of our Lord in Mk.8v32., or justly, as in our Lord's rebuke of Peter in Mk.8v33.. "Epitimao" is used in Mk.8v30., of Jesus strongly charging His apostles to listen to His warnings about His death; in Lk.9v21., of Jesus charging the apostles not to tell anyone He was the Christ; in Mk.10v13. when Jesus rebuked the apostles for hindering the children from coming to Him; and when Jesus rebuked the wind in Mt.8v26., and the fever in Lk.4v39..

3. Demons are "CAST OUT." "Ekballo."
The word "ekballo," means "to cast out of, drive out of;" it is used in Mt.8v16., of demons being cast out by Christ's word. See Mt.9v33,34. 10v1,8. 12v24-28. 17v19. Mk.1v34,39. 3v15,22. 6v13. 7v26. 9v18,28,38. 16v9,17. Lk.9v40,49. 13v32. 11v14-23. Note Lk.11v20. Where it states that Jesus cast out demons, "with the finger of God." The apostles and seventy were given authority to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. Mt.10v1,8. Lk.10v9-20. Authority over some powerful demons, can only be retained by prayer and fasting. Mt.17v14-21.

"Ekballo" is used in Mk.1v12., to say that Jesus was "driven" by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. God longed to deliver the multitudes from their sins and sicknesses and the power of the Devil; Jesus was the perfect instrument to fulfil God's lovely purposes; so our Lord was driven into the final examination of His faith and character, that preceded His ministry. Is.49v1-3. 50v3-6. Ps.40v6-8. Our Lord uses "ekballo" in Mt.9v37,38., when He implores us to pray that God will drive out apostolic labourers into the harvest fields. Let us obey our Lord and earnestly pray for miracle working apostolic labourers. "Ekballo" is used for the removal of a splinter in Mt.7v1-4.; of Christ's disciples being expelled from the synagogue in Jn.9v34.; and of Diotrephes casting out, and driving away, the envoys of the apostle John in 3Jn.v10.. Jesus will not cast out any who come to Him, no matter what their need. Jn.6v37.

See "exerchomai," "to come out, or go out". Mt.12v43. Mk.1v25,26. 5v8,13. 7v29,30. 9v25,26,29. Lk.4v35,36,41. 8v2,33,35,38. 11v14,24.

4. Demons and the Abyss.
The adjective "abussos" occurs in Lk.8v31. Rom.10v7. Rev.9v1,2,11. 11v7. 17v8, and 20v1,3. It is derived from the negative "a," and "bussos," "a depth," is akin to "bathos," "deep." It means "bottomless, unfathomable," but when used as a noun means, "a deep place." When demons met Jesus, they were terrified of being sent into the Abyss, before their time; Mt.8v29. Mk.5v7. Lk.8v28,31.; and Satan and his angels are fearful of Christians who humble themselves under God, and arm themselves with His power. James.4v5-7. Antichrist comes out of the Abyss, and starts the last 3½ years of his evil career. Rev.11v7. 17v8. Satan is going to be imprisoned in the Abyss for 1,000 years, at Christ's second coming,. Rev.20v1-3. Demons are let out of the Abyss for five months to torment the wicked in Rev.9v1,2,11. Jesus descended into the Abyss to pay the penalty of our sins. Rom.10v7. Christ's soul was made an offering for sin, to destroy Satan's power, and free God's people from Hades. Mt.12v40. Eph.4v8-10. 1Pet.3v18-20. Is.53v10. Heb.2v14,15.

5. Our Lord's warning of Israel's repossession by demons because of their apostasy from God.
Our Lord was greatly disturbed to see Israel's children backsliding from God, and some of God's chosen people, possessed by demons. Lk.19v41-44. They were the seed of great men of God and had been given the covenants, promises, and oracles of God. Rom.3v1,2. 9v1-5. Why, then, were some of God's chosen people possessed by demons, when they had such wonderful promises of protection from God? Our Lord answered this question in Mt.12v38-45.; when He twice said that His generation was an "evil generation:" "evil," is "ponera;" many Israelites were apostates from the truth, and were filled with the worst kind of corrupting evil. Jesus also said that His generation was, "an adulterous generation;" whose immorality had closed their hearts and eyes to the truth, and caused them to resist the Spirit of God. Mt.12v39. 16v4. Mk.8v38. Our Lord told this "adulterous generation," who asked for a special sign, that it would not be granted. He knew another sign would do them no good, when they had already seen and rejected, multitudes of signs, wonders and miracles. Jesus told these unbelieving seekers after signs, that the people of Ninevah and the Queen of Sheba would rise and condemn them, for they had responded to the ministries of Jonah and Solomon, and a greater than either was amongst them.

Jesus warned the Jews that they were like a man, who after having one demon cast out of him, then got repossessed by seven even worse evil spirits, because he failed to respond to the mercy and love of God. See Lk.11v24-26. This kind of possession can only happen to an apostate and evil generation, like the Jews who had rejected Christ in the light of the mighty miraculous, in God's appointed "time of visitation." Any possession by demons, particularly this kind of repossession by evil spirits, can never apply to those who love the Lord. Our Lord warned the Jews that they were an "evil generation," who by rejecting His ministry, could expect the most fearful domination by Satan and his angels, and the most tragic events of their history.

CHAPTER 4. WHY DO CHRISTIANS PRACTICE AN UNSCRIPTURAL EXORCISM?

1. Because they have a genuine desire to help people with their problems.
Some Christians desire to help people with problems, and sometimes, because they really care for people, they help them, in spite of their wrong theology over demon possession. God has mercy on all preachers, if He didn't, who would stand?

2. Because they desire to prove that they have a ministry and power from God.
Some Christians are over eager to show that they have authority and power from God, and feel that the casting out of demons proves that they have real authority from God. However, we can only manifest God's power when genuine problems need to be met, otherwise we tilt at windmills like Don Quixote, and claim a false victory. It can take a great deal of self-discipline to wait, as our Lord did, for a genuine ministry from God, and the right time to manifest it. Is.49v1-3. 50v3-7. We need to watch our desires to prove and manifest our ministries; for a premature manifestation of ministry can be a disaster. God will reveal and open His ways for us if we trust Him and wait upon Him. Ps.37v4-9,23,24. 62v1-12. 81v13-17. 103v7. Is.48v18. 45v1-13.

N.B. Pride can be the motivating force behind a desire for the spectacular.
We need to carefully watch our motives, for a good desire to manifest God's delivering power can degenerate into a desire for the spectacular which arises from pride and a subtle temptation from the Devil. Many who practice the exorcism of Christians do not realise that they are being led astray by this same temptation to pride, they desire to prove that they have a real and powerful ministry like the early Church. The truth is, however, that they are practising something that was unknown in the early Church, the exorcism of Christians. Satan tried corrupt our Lord's ministry to needy mankind, by suggesting that a spectacular demonstration at the Temple was the way to start and prove His ministry. Satan, in effect, said, "Prove your claims by showing your ministry to the leaders of Israel, this will open doors for ministry among the people who count." Satan tried to get our Lord to operate His spiritual gifts in pride, and prematurely manifest His Father's power in His ministry, but our Lord entirely rejected this temptation to prove that He had a ministry from God, and use His spiritual gifts in a proud spectacular way. Mt.4v1-12.

3. Because they confuse the works of the flesh with demon possession.
Some Christians confuse besetting sins and evil things that are in Christian's lives and demon possession, however, what they call demons, Paul calls "works of the flesh," in Gal.5v19-21.. See Chapter 5. 4. and Appendix. 2.

4. Because they desire to demonstrate God's power over Satan.
Some want to demonstrate Christ's victory over demons and problems in the Christian's life. This is a good desire, but we have to follow the practice of Christ and His early Church. Those who pretend that a person is possessed by demons when they are not, and try to expel a demon that does not exist, are creating a spiritual fantasy. Real conflict with very powerful evil principalities and powers is a totally different matter, and this can really test our spiritual resources and authority; as Christ's apostles, Daniel, the angel Gabriel, and Paul found out by very painful and trying experiences. Mt.17v14-21. Dan.10v1-21. 2Cor.12v7-9. Eph.6v10-20.

5. Because they do not realise that they are opening the door to Satan.
The Christians who practice this false exorcism do not realise that they are opening the door to Satanic activity, and are bringing defilement to Christians rather than deliverance. It is encouraging and aiding the manifestation of demons within the Church, and is an entry into the forbidden occult. These are murky waters, not the pure waters of our security and new life in Jesus, as Paul states in 2Cor.5v17,18., "Therefore if any one be in Christ, they are a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ."

6. Because they confuse sickness with demon possession.
The New Testament Scriptures prove that only a very small amount of sickness is due to demon possession. Evil spirits can cause sickness, infirmity, deafness, blindness, dumbness, madness and epilepsy. Mt.4v23,24. 8v28-34. 9v32-34. 12v22-24. 15v21-28. 17v14-21. with Mk.9v25. Lk.4v31-36. Yet it is obvious that Christ did not consider that all sickness was caused by demons, for as we see in Mt.4v23,24., and elsewhere, ordinary sickness is clearly distinguished from demon possession. Most sickness is due to natural causes and it is not caused by demon possession or oppression. We need to remember that it is an abomination to God to say that a person has a demon when they do not have one. Some people who are praying for the sick say that a person has a demon, just to cover up their ignorance of the true cause, because of their lack of the necessary Divine spiritual equipment, and the necessary Divine commission.

CHAPTER 5. WHY DO CHRISTIANS, WHO ARE NOT POSSESSED, ACT AS IF THEY ARE?
Some Christians are encouraged by their leaders to repeat the evil blasphemous words, to roll on the floor, to vomit, and act as if they are possessed when they are not. This supposed manifestation of demons happens for the following reasons.

1. Because they submit without question to the suggestions of their leaders.
Christians often submit to, and co-operate with, someone who they recognise and esteem, as a spiritual superior; and because they look upon their spiritual leader's authority and discernment as derived from God, they obey them without question. They sacrifice their own discernment with the words, "He is a man of God, he must be right." When Christians submit like this, the power of suggestion is enormous, and the co-operation can be complete. They say, "If this man of God says I have a demon, I must have a demon, I must co-operate with him and get it out, I don't want anything evil in me." So when they are told to speak as if they are possessed, they speak out as if they are possessed, repeating the thoughts that demons, which are OUTSIDE of them, put into their minds; and when they are told to vomit, they vomit. Paul warns us never to submit our judgement without question; he instructs us, "to scrutinise and test all things until you can approve them, retaining only what is good." 1Thes.5v21. David Duplessis said that this practice of suggestion and false exorcism is a psychological trick; but it can be worse than this, as we now see.

2. Because they are encouraged to submit to demon influence.
Christians are encouraged, by those they look upon as spiritual leaders, to speak out the thoughts that demons put into their minds, and when they do so it is looked upon as a proof of demon possession. Evil spirits rejoice in the havoc they cause when Christians give them authority to act in this way; for it denies the truth of our security in Christ. Christians are often attacked in their thoughts by demons, and God warns us that this is to be expected, it is certainly not a proof of demon possession.

N.B. Jesus had His mind filled with evil thoughts for 40 days, when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, but He did not submit to them for a moment. Jesus would not repeat the lies that Satan put into His mind, and neither should we. Jesus fought Satan with God's Word, and we should follow His example. we should not allow evil spirits to programme us with their words and thoughts; for if we speak out what demons inspire us to say, then we are defiled by those demons. Paul tells us to reject the thoughts that demons put into our minds, and bring them captive to Christ. 2Cor.10v4,5. James instructs us to resist the Devil, not repeat his lies and blasphemy. James.4v7.

3. Because they use unscriptural phraseology.
Phrases such as, "infiltration by demons," or, "partial possession by demons," never occur in the Scriptures, so such terminology is false and any doctrine based on them should be rejected. We have to use Scriptural terms, or we go astray from the truth. We need to be delivered from unscriptural tradition. 1Pet.1v18,19. If they do not speak according to God's Word, then there is no light in them. Is.8v18-20.

4. Because they confuse the works of the flesh with possession.
Some books which say that Christians can be possessed by demons, have long lists in them of various kinds of demons, such as demons of lust, pride, anger, and so on; which they say Christians can be possessed by. However, what they call demons, Paul calls "works of the flesh," in Gal.5v19-21.. In the light of Paul's clear teaching, it is quite foolish to confuse the works of the flesh and besetting sins with demon possession; or victory over the flesh as an expulsion of demons. When the prayers of these "exorcists" help someone to get victory over the flesh, they look upon it as a proof that a Christian has had demons cast out of them, and they become even more entrenched in their views, and reject the Scriptures which prove that this is an incorrect practice.

We know that demons can exacerbate the temptations in the area of the flesh, but this must not be confused with demon possession. Peter had things in his life that Satan could use against him and the Lord Jesus; fear of persecution and death; pride and a feeling of superiority, and a reverence and respect for false tradition. Jn.14v30. with Mt.16v21-23. Acts.10v28,34,35. Peter fell very badly because of these bad things in his character, but our Lord never suggested that he should be exorcised; He said that Peter needed to repent and turn back to Him. Lk.22v31-34. God allowed Satan to test Peter, and the test and consequent failure, and the grace of God, produced a new and better Peter, with a more humble mind and gentler spirit. The bad things in Peter's character were not demons, they were the works of the flesh, false tradition, and fear of men; these cannot be exorcised; the cure is truth, repentance, prayer, God's grace and self-discipline.

5. Because they confuse soul travail with demon possession.
Some Christians fail to distinguish between soul travail for victory and demon possession. Christians can have a crisis experience over spiritual problems, when they are prayed for; the resulting travail and soul anguish for victory, are wrongly interpreted by some as demon possession. Those who confuse soul anguish with demon possession, demonstrate their lack of spiritual maturity and Christian discernment. In every revival Christians have agonised and cried out in pin of soul until they have won the victory over the works of the flesh, and the sins of the spirit mentioned in Gal.5v19-22. and 2Cor.7v1., This work and ministry of the Holy Spirit must never be confused with demon possession.

Travail of soul is essential if we are to receive a ministry that can bring victory and deliverance to others. Our Lord experienced great travail of soul throughout all His life, the pain and loneliness He experienced was truly dreadful. Ps.69v20,21. Is.53v11. Our Lord experienced this travail in the garden of Gethsemane; His great anguish of soul and "strong crying and tears" on our behalf, fill us with thankfulness, love, and worship. Mk.14v32-42. Lk.22v39-46. Heb.5v7. Acts.2v22-31. Paul also experienced great travail and conflict in prayer for Christians, his earnest prayers changed the characters of the people that he prayed for, and produced love and unity in the body of Christ. Col.2v1-5. 4v12. Phil.2v25. Paul tells us in Rom.8v26,27., that all Christians can pray effectively "with groanings which cannot be uttered," for the saints. Travail of soul can be a means for personal blessing and a means of deliverance for others, it is a tragedy if people try to exorcise as a demon, a divine means of intercession that God has put into the soul and ministry of a Christian. This Holy Spirit inspired ministry of travail of soul is certainly not to be extinguished by a false exorcism arising from spiritual myopia, ignorance and stupidity. 2Pet.1v5-9.

6. Because they lack the necessary spiritual equipment.
We need the gift of discerning of spirits, to accurately know what is happening in the spiritual realm, the failure to perceive what is really happening, has caused some to confuse the external attacks of demons with demon possession. It is no good following a set routine; we need God's guidance and direction in each situation to minister correctly. We cannot always get instant answers to people's needs, we often have to pray a great deal to get God's answers for them. James.5v13-18. 1Kings.18v42-46. God even hid things from great prophets, when He thought that it was necessary. 2Kings.4v27. 1Pet.1v9-12. The Scriptures reveal the following activities of the powers of darkness.

a. The lines of continuous evil energy directed against Christians.
These can cause real soul distress, and symptoms, which can sometimes be mistaken for possession. I have seen these energy lines many times, and have seen Christians in great distress as they wrestled against them. See Eph.6v10-22. 2v1-3. They can cause physical sickness as in the case of Job and the woman of Lk.13v10-17..

b. The fiery darts of Satan directed against Christians. Eph.6v16.
It can be very harmful to confuse demon possession with satanic "fiery darts." Blasts of evil energy accompany these darts, and they attack the thoughts, faith and emotions, and they can bring depression and defeat, if we fail to quench them with faith and the Word of God and prayer. I have seen Christians get instant relief from such attacks by placing a wall of God's power around them.

c. The attacks on the thought life of Christians.
Demons fire accusing negative thoughts into the mind; such as "You are no good." "You are a failure." "You don't know your Bible." Every accusing "You," has to be rejected and resisted with the Word and power of God, and with the name of Jesus. Rev.12v9-12. James.4v5-7. The revelation of the attack of demons upon people's thoughts is part of prophetic ministry, and it can be both a defence against opponents and a ministry to the needy, as can be seen by the ministries of Jesus and the prophets. 2King.6v8-23. N.B. v12. Mt.16v21-23. Mk.2v8. Jn.1v47-51. 4v16-19. Acts.5v1-11. N.B. v4. The revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit bring deliverance to people under attack from evil spirits.

d. The attack by powerful evil angelic principalities and powers.
The powers of darkness try to hinder the good angelic ministry that God sends to aid us. Sometimes we need to have revelations from God about such activities, and to persevere in prayer until God's answer comes, just as Daniel did in Dan.10v1-21.. If we lack the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we can often fail to distinguish the real problems. A genuine manifestation of His gifts will save us from blaming peoples problems on demon possession.

CHAPTER 6. THE DANGEROUS RESULTS OF BELIEF IN CHRISTIAN POSSESSION.

1. It replaces the Christian certainties with total uncertainty.
a. It creates fear where there should be joy at God's perfect protecting love.
When Christians are accused of having demons and submit to supposed exorcism, it gives them an awful feeling of fear and insecurity; and destroys their faith in the value and effectiveness of their vital covenant protections and relationships in Christ. This false exorcism has a devastating effect on sensitive and feebleminded souls, who need comfort, not exorcism. 1Thes.5v14. It seriously exacerbates the distressed condition of the distraught, weak in body and spirit, and people without problems develop them; they often feel that they are on the Devil's side, and do not belong to God. This doctrine attacks the character of God and the integrity of His Word, and denies our removal from Satan's kingdom into God's kingdom. It denies the protection of the blood of Christ, the seal of the Holy Spirit, and our adoption of sons of God. It takes away all the Christian certainties and replaces them with total uncertainty and fear. The truth of God's protecting love sets us free from fear.

How can preachers say that God allows Christians to be possessed by demons, when we see that Satan himself could not get near anything that belonged to Job, never mind Job himself. Job was not even under the covenant of the Law, but Satan had to obtain permission from God to test Job, and he has to get permission to test God's New Testament sons. Satan had to get permission from God before he could test Peter, "asked" in Lk.22v31-34. is "exeitesato," the first aorist middle indicative of "exaiteomai," to beg, ask, or demand, only here in the New Testament; the middle voice shows it was for himself. Through Jesus and His precious covenant blood, we are under the most secure and the very best covenant of all. 2Cor.3 all. Heb.10v19-21. Our heavenly Father makes absolutely sure that we don't get a serpent, scorpion or stone. Lk.11v9-13.

b. It makes a Christian surrender their total security in Christ.
We must never submit to any teaching that denies our total security and authority in God. We should never give evil spirits authority where the blood of Christ has raised an impregnable barrier against them. Demons are filled with malignant joy when Christians surrender their defences to them through this wrong teaching. We can protect and bless ourselves and others in the name of the Lord. Num.6v22-27. We have total safety and security in His Name, "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and are safe." Prov.18v10.

How must God the Father feel when He sees His children being taught to co-operate with, and submit, to evil spirits that are outside of them, with the result that they speak blasphemy, and vomit up on the floor. Christians do these things, because they feel that they must submit to the authority of their spiritual overseers. However, our first submission must be to God and His Word, and when His Word says that I cannot receive a serpent, scorpion, or stone; that is the Word that I must accept and obey. The young believers that Jesus sent out made Satan and his angels run in fear, because they were given authority over ALL the power of Satan in the name of Jesus. Lk.10v17-24. We have been given His name. Lk.10v17-24. In His Name we tread the powers of darkness under our feet, do not let them trample under their feet the holy ground of your soul.

c. It seriously worsens a sense of failure and domination by evil.
This supposed exorcism often makes some Christians problems much worse; this is particularly true of people with nervous and emotional problems, or besetting sins, for they feel polluted by evil. Some Christians have been so badly affected by this supposed exorcism, or even its teaching, that they have needed medical help from psychiatrists and doctors.

2. It breaks God's command that we should not act as mediums for demons.
In Lev.19v31. 20v6,27. Deut.18v10-22. Ex.22v18. Is.8v18-20. 19v3. and 29v4., God warned His people not to act as mediums and repeat the words and thoughts of evil demons. In the Old Testament the word for "familiar spirit" is "ob," and "signifies the belly, and sometimes a leather bottle." In the Septuagint, "ob," is translated as "eggastrimuzous," which is translated by some as "ventriloquist." A demon uses a medium like a dummy is used by a ventriloquist. The witch of Endor is called, a "mistress of ob," she was under the control of a demon. 1Sam.28v3,7-9. 2Kings.21v6. 2Chron.33v6. God charges His people with the strongest words possible, not to act like a ventriloquist's dummy for a demon, because it defiles a person, and is an abomination to Him. Lev.19v31. 20v6,27. Is.8v18-20. When Christians are exhorted to speak out and utter the words that demons speak into their minds, the result is not deliverance, but defilement. The Word of God tells us to resist the Devil, not co-operate with him; when we do resist him, the prince of darkness runs from the protection and armoury we have in God. James.4v7. God wants the hearts and minds of Christians to be fully conscious of the knowledge of our sure victory over evil in Christ. We need to realise that "Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon their knees." We should make the powers of darkness tremble in fear at the power of God that is with us; not be filled with fear because we believe that we can be possessed by demons. James.2v19. 4v6,7.

N.B. Our Lord taught us to resist Satan and answer him with, "It is written," not assist Satan by repeating his lies and blasphemies. Mt.4v4,7,10. To ask a Christian to "speak out" and manifest the lies and blasphemies of demons is a most dangerous and incorrect theology. This throws away the Christian's armour, and is the very opposite of the teaching of Christ and His apostles. This supposed "exorcism" results in defilement, not deliverance; and a Christian may find it difficult to recover from this experience. As a young Christian, I was taught that you could not help the birds from flying over your head, but you could help them nesting in your hair; the doctrine of Christian possession, puts a rookery of unclean birds in the hair. Real power over demons comes with a correct theology about demons, not with a grave distortion of the truth. The Devil is very happy when Christians are filled with fear and distress, because they have been told that they are demon possessed. Jesus warned the people who said that He was possessed by the Devil, that they were in great danger of committing the eternal and unforgiveable sin. Mk.3v28-30. God is very upset when some of His finest saints are told that they are possessed. I have personally witnessed the distress that this can cause, and those who cause this distress can expect very heavy judgement. James.3v1.

3. It replaces Scripture truth and the gifts of the Holy Spirit with unscriptural routines.
How can unscriptural exorcism routines be of God? Men make up traditions and routines when they ignore the Scriptures and lack the real power and revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Mt.22v29., "Ye do err, not knowing ("oida") the Scriptures, nor the power of God." Jesus said the Sadducees erred all the time, "planasthe," the present passive of "planao," "to lead astray," the passive, "to go astray, to be misled." They lived a life of doctrinal error; they did not even perceive truth, "oida," never mind experience truth, "ginosko." Those who follow the Sadducees and make experience and expediency the criteria for ministry, instead of the Scriptures and knowledge of God; will find that they end up with a ministry that is an empty and hurtful parody of true deliverance. When we follow God's Word, and have genuine gifts of revelation from the Holy Spirit, we don't have to guess at the cause of people's problems, and blame everything on the Devil. Unscriptural routines are the "strange fire" of carnal expedient; and come under divine judgement. Lev.10v11. Num.3v4. 26v21.

The practice of asking Christians to speak out the thoughts that demons put in their minds, is in direct opposition to the wisdom that is from God, which tells us to resist the Devil, not repeat thoughts that are earthly, sensual, and inspired of the Devil. James.3v15-17. 4v7,8. Paul tells us to cast down every thought that raises itself against the knowledge of God; and to desire and use God's spiritual weapons to tear down Satan's strongholds. 1Cor.12v31. 14v1. 2Cor.10v3-5. We must follow the pattern of exorcism of the early Church, or we go into a dangerous self-deluding fantasy.

4. It is a total distortion of spiritual warfare and spiritual realities.
a. The failure to discern Satanic energisings, and fiery darts.
Paul writes, in Eph.2v1-3., of the powers of darkness energising the children of disobedience, I have seen these energy lines directed against both believers and unbelievers. Satan's fiery darts and energy lines can be directed against Christians, when God allows Satan to test them. The books that say Christians can be demon possessed, make little or no reference to satanic fiery darts and demonic energy lines, the normal means by which demons attack both Christians and unbelievers. Paul writes about these demonic energisings in Eph.2v2., "the spirit that now works, "energountos," "works, operates, and energises," in the children of disobedience." These strong energisings of evil spiritual power are indicated in the "fiery darts" Paul speaks of in Eph.6v16.; "all the fiery darts," is "panta ta bele ta pepuromena;" "bele" is from "belos," and speaks of any kind of missile such as a spear, dart, or arrow. The Greek word "pepuromena," is the perfect passive participle of "puroo," and reveals that the missiles were set on fire and burning, like an arrow or spear that had been set alight after being tipped with tow and dipped in pitch. These burning missiles speak of the blasts of evil spiritual power that accompany the seducing and accusing thoughts by which Satan and his evil angels attack us. Satan energises the thoughts that he puts into our minds with evil power; and we have to quench them with the shield of faith. "Quench," is "sbesai," the first aorist active infinitive of "sbennumi," "to extinguish." Mt.12v20. These fiery darts are aimed with craft, and a military like strategy. In Eph.6v11., "the wiles of the Devil," "wiles," is "methodias," which speaks of methodical scheming, deceit, and craftiness; Satan knows our weaknesses and plays on them. See Eph.4v14., which speaks of methodical deceit by false teachers in the Church.

b. The failure to tell Christians how to put on their armour against Satan.
We need the full Christian armour to defeat the evil principalities and powers in heavenly places. In Eph.6v12., the word for "wrestling" is "pale," from "pallo," "to throw, to swing," which speaks of a contest between two, until one throws the other down and holds him to the ground. The word "pros" is used five times in the sense of "against," it speaks of a face to face conflict and fight to the finish. Jesus said that Satan is a fully armed strong man, and must be bound before his goods can be spoiled. Mt.12v28,29. Lk.11v20,21. This shows the need for patience as well as faith, if we are to inherit the promises. Heb.6v12. The Holy Spirit's gifts are an absolutely essential part of the Christian armour; it is only as we are strong in the Lord and the fullness of His might that we can defeat Satan. To win the battles in the heavenly places, the Word of God must be energised by the power and revelation gifts of the Spirit.

An intercessory prayer ministry always involves conflict with the powers of darkness in the heavenly places. A ministry of intercession is not just the saying of a prayer, it involves the operation of the power of God. It is, therefore absolutely essential to have correct teaching on spiritual gifts if we are to win the battle in the heavenly places. There is, sadly, still a great deal of ignorance and false teaching about the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in prayer and spiritual warfare; this hinders our Lord Jesus from operating in His Church as He intended, and hinders the spiritual growth of Christians. 1Cor.12v1. Heb.5v10-14. Those who say that demons can possess Christians, make a confession that denies the Word of God, and aid Satan attack upon Christians. When Christians are taught such lies about spiritual warfare, they cannot fight a successful battle against the powers of darkness. The doctrine of Christian possession denies the truth is that our bodies are the temple of God, the "naos," the inner sanctuary of God, the holiest of all; God will not share His holy temple with a demon, He destroys those who defile that temple. 1Cor.3v16,17. 6v19. The truth is that God's presence in us, and the mighty spiritual weapons He has given us, fill demons with fear and dread, they are terrified of coming face to face with God in us. James.4v6,7.

c. The Christian's armour shows Satan is on the outside, not the inside.
Paul tells us in Eph.6v10-20., that God has provided us with total protection through His armour, and he exhorts us to put in on. A large part of this armour is linked with the truth of Scripture. Truth girds our loins, Gospel truths are shoes for our feet, truth is the basis of the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. It is very difficult to win the battle without correct knowledge about spiritual warfare. Paul assures us in Eph.6v10-20. and 2Cor.10v4,5., that God's armour and weapons are a complete protection for the Christian. Paul clearly states in all his writings, and all his comments on spiritual warfare, that evil spirits can only attack Christians from outside their body and personality; there is not the slightest suggestion that demons can possess a Christian. These, and many other Scriptures, totally destroy the credibility of the doctrine that Christians can be possessed by demons. We see from 2Cor.10v3-5., that the battle is in the mind, and that we have to bring every thought into captivity to Christ. The conflict is with Satan's fiery darts from outside, not from possession within; we need to put on God's armour to defeat Satan's attacks.

5. It fails to cure the real problems of Christians.
Those who confuse the sins of the flesh with demons, and try to exorcise them, fail to give the correct Scriptural medicine to cure the carnal appetites; the flesh cannot be exorcised, it has to be firmly disciplined and crucified. Gal.5v19-26. 1Cor.9v24-27. When "exorcism" of the sins of the flesh fails, as it surely must, for you cannot cast out the flesh; people lose hope and become worse. The Scriptures emphasise our security in God, and our deliverance from Satan's power when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour, this should be our emphasis.

F. It produces severe psychological damage to God's dear children.
It is a fact that many Christians, who have been supposedly "exorcised," have had to turn to doctors and psychiatrists for help, to repair the damage caused to them by this parody of genuine New Testament exorcism. The tragedy is, that after this kind of "exorcism," many feel without hope, because their problems are still there, in the form of attacks by the powers of darkness, and sins of the flesh and spirit. 2Cor.7v1. If Christians are told that they can, by the law of the spirit and life in Christ, defeat Satan, and put off the old nature and put on the new nature; they approach their problems with hope and faith. When Christians are told that the flesh life can be kept under control by walking in the Spirit; they feel that there is something that they can do about their problems, and they can find victory. Paul fought with the flesh to keep his body under control. 1Cor.9v24-27. Christians must be shown, as it is indeed true, that there is always a Divine answer to all their problems. This false exorcism of Christians is the result of confusing sickness and the works of the flesh with demon possession.

CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS PAGE....        CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE....