................................................................................................................................................
.
James W. Goll
Jesus
had authority over demons.
Wherever
Jesus went, crowds gathered. Demoniacs were often healed in those crowds.
In
some cases, the demons became disruptive (see
Mark 3:10–11 and Luke 4:41; see also Acts 8:7, where demons shrieked in
Philip’s large meetings as they were driven out of people).
Most
of the time, Jesus commanded the unclean spirits not to reveal His identity:
“When evening came, after the sun had set, they began
bringing to him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the
whole city had gathered at the door. And he healed many who were ill with
various diseases and cast out many demons; and he was not permitting the demons
to speak, because they knew who he was.”
- Mark 1:32–34, NASB
Regardless
of the behavior of the demons, Jesus drove them out with as little as a single
word (see Matthew 8:16).
He also healed people who were “troubled by evil
spirits” - (Luke 6:18, NIV).
Looking
at all of the Biblical examples, including those that involve Jesus’s disciples,
we can observe at least six different ways that evil spirits can be compelled
to leave people alone.
Six
Effective Ways
o
By the command of
faith (see Mark 1:25; 9:25)
o
Through the
laying on of hands (see Luke 4:40–41)
o Through anointing with oil (see Mark 6:12–13)
o
By exposure to
Jesus’s authority (see Mark 5:6–7; 9:20)
o
Through a verbal
expression of faith (see Matthew 15:28 and
Mark 7:29)
o
By means of
prayer and fasting (see Matthew 17:21)
Jesus
has demonstrated for us what to do. The work of the cross of the Lord Jesus
Christ is perfect and complete.
Now
as His disciples, we are called to enforce the victory of Calvary.
We
must take what we know and use it to further the spread of his Kingdom and the
ongoing destruction of the works of the devil.
Characteristics
of Demons in the New Testament
These
scriptural case studies or snapshots of Jesus’s ministry reveal the modus
operandi of demons, as well as the basic components of their personalities.
Let
me summarize the characteristics of demons for us.
Three
elements of personality characterize demons:
o
They have a
degree of knowledge (see Mark 1:24: “I
know who you are”)
o
They have a will (see Matthew 12:44 and Isaiah 14:13–14)
o
They have
emotions — all negative ones (see, Mark
1:26; 5:7; 9:26).
After
all, they do believe in the surpassing power of the Lord Jesus (see James 2:19).
They
take their knowledge of the truth and they twist it. Demons share the
characteristics of the father of lies, Beelzebub, the devil himself.
They
are stubborn at times and must be overcome with proper preparation and
persistent effort (see Mark 5:8; 9:26–29).
Besides
calling the bodies they inhabit “my house” (see Matthew 12:44; Luke 11:24), demons also seem to have assigned geographical
territories. They prefer to stay in the country or region they currently reside
in than to be banished (see Mark 5:10).
In
Daniel 10:13, we can clearly see a territorial assignment. Whenever they lack a
lodging place, they are restless (see
Matthew 12:43).
Names
Used in the New Testament
Demonic beings are ranked according to levels of
wickedness: “. . . Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more
wicked than himself” (Matthew 12:45).
Commonly
they are named by the way they defile, afflict, tempt or torment.
Jesus
used the common designation of “foul” or “unclean” spirits, and
this term covered everything from the legion of demons in Mark 5 to spirits
causing sickness (see Luke 9:42) and spirits of war (see Revelation 16:13–14).
o
Other New
Testament names for evil spirits include “dumb spirit” or “mute
spirit” (Mark 9:17),
o
“deaf and dumb
spirit” or “deaf and mute spirit”
(Mark 9:25),
o
“spirit of
infirmity” (Luke 13:11),
o
a “spirit of
divination” (Acts 16:16),
o
a “spirit of
bondage” or “spirit of slavery” (Romans
8:15),
o
the “spirit of
the world” (1 Corinthians 2:12),
o
“seducing” or “deceitful spirits” (1 Timothy 4:1),
o
a “spirit of
disobedience” (see Ephesians 2:2), and
o
“the spirit of
the antichrist” (1 John 4:3).
Jesus
dominates all demonic powers from His position at the right hand of the Father,
where He waits until all the remaining rebels are brought into subjection under
His feet (see 1 Corinthians 15:20-25).
When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His
resurrection, He said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on
earth. Go therefore . . .” (Matthew
28:18–19, NASB).
Casting
Out Demons — Our Marching Orders
Now
He has sent His disciples into the world as ambassadors of heaven to proclaim
and reveal His Lordship (see Mark 16:15
and 2 Corinthians 5:20).
He
said that the first sign of authenticity of those who go forth proclaiming
would be that they would cast out demons in His name (see Mark 16:15–17).
Casting
out demons thus becomes an important component of our marching orders.
Jesus
has already triumphed over sin, death and the powers of darkness. Then He has
turned to His disciples and given us His authority over demons.
Simply
put, “Now it’s our turn!”
Can’t you just hear the voice of our Master declaring,
“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to you. Go therefore!”
Those
are our marching orders.
Now,
it’s our turn to make His enemies a footstool for His feet!
Because
of Christ Jesus,
Taken
from Chapter One: “Jesus, Overcoming Demons” in James Goll’s book, Deliverance
from Darkness.
If
you enjoyed James Goll’s article “You Have Authority Over Demons Today” then
you’ll love James Goll’s book: Deliverance from Darkness! This book walks you
step by step through the process of freeing both yourself and others from
strongholds of the enemy with the authority you have in Jesus Christ. It’s time
to claim your authority and discover the Lord’s battle plan for you – an
overcomer.
Dr. James W. Goll is
the founder of God Encounters Ministries. He is an international bestselling
author, a certified Life Language Coach, an adviser to leaders and ministries
and a recording artist. James has traveled around the world ministering in more
than fifty nations sharing the love of Jesus, imparting the power of
intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. He has recorded
numerous classes with corresponding curriculum kits and is the author of more
than fifty books, including The Seer, The Prophet, The Discerner, The
Lost Art of Intercession and Praying with God’s Heart. James is also
the founder of GOLL Ideation LLC, where creativity, consulting, and leadership
training come together. James was married to Michal Ann for thirty-two years
before her graduation to heaven in the fall of 2008. He has four adult married
children and a growing number of grandchildren. His goal is to “win for the
Lamb the rewards of His suffering.” James continues to make his home in
Franklin, Tennessee.
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