I’ve heard this a few different times from different people: “If Jesus didn’t talk about specific demons in the Bible, then how do we know casting them out is Biblical?” That’s a legitimate question.
I answer it this way. When a scientist creates a new form of medication to combat a specific struggle, using diabetes for example, he spends an adequate amount of time researching how to find the right formula to treat the disease. God gave him the gift of science and wisdom to understand. As he continues to research, he finds more and more evidence to move his progress forward. And because of that, diabetics are able to use insulin to regulate their blood sugar.
God does the same for us when it comes to deliverance ministry. He provides wisdom through prayer, revealing the darkness to those seeking the truth. Just because He doesn’t name every demon in the Bible, doesn’t mean they aren’t real. Satan would love us to think that.
Jesus Addresses the Demons
There aren’t many specific demons Jesus addresses in the New Testament. In Mark 5, Jesus steps out of the boat after arriving at Gerasenes and He’s immediately confronted by a man who lives in the cemetery. This guy is so “crazy” he can’t even be bound by chains. The NIV says “no one was strong enough to subdue him.”
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
Mark 5:6-9
There wasn’t just one. There were many. We don’t know what they were, but there were thousands. Yes, thousands. In that day a legion in the Roman army represented over 5,000 soldiers. Some even say over 6,000. So this one man was possessed with over 5,000 demons. Yes, you read that right!
Legion was the top dog in the army of demons, which is also referred to as the strongman, but we’ll get into that in a later post. Though we don’t know what these demons were, I would bet I could guess a few of them: fear, pride, anger, rage, depression, violence, unforgiveness, hatred, anxiety, addiction, jealousy, infirmity, lying.
There are a few other places in the Bible where Jesus told the demons to flee, though He didn’t address them specifically. He does address the spirit of Jezebel in Revelation, but that’s a book in itself.
Jesus Gives Us Authority
Jesus then gave His disciples the authority in His name to cast out demons.
One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples,and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases… So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.
Luke 9:1-2, 6
And this is where confusion begins to set in. Yes.. Jesus gave His disciples authority to cast out demons, but that was just in the New Testament, right? That doesn’t apply to us today, right? Wrong.
If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, you are a disciple. If you are a disciple, you have been given authority. If you have been given authority, then demons must flee when you tell them to go.
If anyone tells you the power of Jesus we read about in the New Testament no longer applies to us today, you need to run. Yes, I just said that. If anyone tells you the gifts of the Spirit are no longer applicable today, you need to run.
My encouragement for you is to not get bogged down by the details, or the lack thereof. That’s exactly what the enemy wants. If he can bring in chaos and confusion, then he knows he’s keeping you off track. If he keeps us off track, he keeps people from being set free.
To sum it up, remember this. Even though not every demon is named in the Bible doesn’t mean they don’t exist. The Lord reveals His wisdom to us as we seek it.
Here’s to Winning at Warfare!