EXORCISM
The casting out of demons, as Mary Magdalene had seven demons cast out of her (Luke 8:2). They can possess lost people, but even in the days of Christ only a few lost in the Bible were possessed by devils. It is not possible for a believer to be possessed by demons (1 John 4:4). But they can tempt and trouble a believer as Satan tempted Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:1–11). “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16–18). We learn from this passage that Paul the Apostle was “grieved” by this evil spirit. Though the evil spirit told the truth, that Paul and those with him were “servants of the most high God” and that they “shew unto us the way of salvation,” still the evil spirit did this at the most inopportune time “as we went to prayer.” The devil and his demons want to disrupt the work of God, by sidetracking it, or keeping us from prayer, etc. We see that it was the power of the name of Jesus Christ that caused the demon to be cast out, “in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” But only a believer can use this name (see Acts 19:13–17). We have no power over demons except in the name of Jesus Christ. “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17). Prayer and fasting increases power over devils (see Matthew 17:21; Mark 5:2–19).
EXPERIENCES Experiences or feelings do not supersede the teachings of the Bible. Some have given interesting testimonies and said, “I know I am saved because of how I feel.” Or “I know God saved me because I had an experience.” Or “I don’t care what the Bible says, it was a miracle.” Or “I know I am saved, because I can speak in tongues” (see TONGUES). And the experience becomes the basis of truth, not the Bible. The thief on the cross who was saved by Christ (Luke 23:43), was not delivered from his death on the cross, and the “feeling” he had was that of being crucified (see FAITH).
The casting out of demons, as Mary Magdalene had seven demons cast out of her (Luke 8:2). They can possess lost people, but even in the days of Christ only a few lost in the Bible were possessed by devils. It is not possible for a believer to be possessed by demons (1 John 4:4). But they can tempt and trouble a believer as Satan tempted Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:1–11). “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16–18). We learn from this passage that Paul the Apostle was “grieved” by this evil spirit. Though the evil spirit told the truth, that Paul and those with him were “servants of the most high God” and that they “shew unto us the way of salvation,” still the evil spirit did this at the most inopportune time “as we went to prayer.” The devil and his demons want to disrupt the work of God, by sidetracking it, or keeping us from prayer, etc. We see that it was the power of the name of Jesus Christ that caused the demon to be cast out, “in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” But only a believer can use this name (see Acts 19:13–17). We have no power over demons except in the name of Jesus Christ. “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17). Prayer and fasting increases power over devils (see Matthew 17:21; Mark 5:2–19).
EXPERIENCES Experiences or feelings do not supersede the teachings of the Bible. Some have given interesting testimonies and said, “I know I am saved because of how I feel.” Or “I know God saved me because I had an experience.” Or “I don’t care what the Bible says, it was a miracle.” Or “I know I am saved, because I can speak in tongues” (see TONGUES). And the experience becomes the basis of truth, not the Bible. The thief on the cross who was saved by Christ (Luke 23:43), was not delivered from his death on the cross, and the “feeling” he had was that of being crucified (see FAITH).