Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons;
In the 16th Chapter of the Book of Acts, we read that Paul cast a demon out of a young woman. This is the Ministry of Deliverance and was one-third of Jesus’ Ministry on earth. In describing His Ministry He said, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has Anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. (Acts 4:18)
The Ministry of Jesus included Salvation, Healing, and Deliverance. Christians are to continue His Ministry therefore, we too are to minister Salvation, Healing, and Deliverance to people. Every Spirit-filled believer in Christ has the authority to minister Deliverance, which is casting out demons. Just as every believer can share the Gospel and lead someone to Salvation or pray for a person to be healed in the Name of Jesus, they can also rebuke a demonic spirit and cast it out. Jesus said this! And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; (Mark 16:17)
Demons are disembodied spirits that seek to inhabit a body (human or animal). Paul had a complete understanding of this. And you He (Jesus) made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, (Satan) the spirit (demon spirits) who now works in the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:1-2)
We read throughout the New Testament of demons oppressing and possessing people causing them great pain, suffering, and torment. These demonic spirits are given several names in the Word of God. They are called unclean spirits (Mark 1:26) a dumb spirit (Mark 9:17) the foul spirit (Mark 9:25) a dumb and deaf spirit (Mark 9:25) a spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11) a spirit of divination (Acts 16:16) the evil spirit (Acts 19:15) the spirit of bondage (Romans 8:15) the spirit of the world (1 Corinthians 2:12) familiar spirits (Leviticus 19:31) a lying spirit (2 Chronicles 18:21).
In short, demons are spirits commissioned by Satan to kill, steal, and destroy people. Jesus told us this too! The thief comes but to kill, steal, and destroy. (John 10:10) However, God sent Jesus to defeat the power of the enemy and Jesus told us that in the second half of that same Verse. But I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
It’s pretty simple to understand that God created us all for good but gave us all free will to make decisions for ourselves. Satan came in and messed up God’s Plan. So, God sent His Son, Jesus, to destroy the works of the Devil and make a way of Salvation, Healing, and Deliverance for all people who CHOOSE to receive it. For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Everlasting Life. (John 3:16)
The Abundant Life Jesus spoke about is life without the demonic influence of Satan. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross so we can have Abundant Life. Satan came to rob us through sin. Jesus came to Redeem us of sin and destroy the power of Satan in our lives. Satan uses demons to do his work. God uses the Power in the shed Blood of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary which is far, far greater than anything Satan has.
Our faith in the shed Blood of Jesus gives us the authority to minister Salvation, Healing, and Deliverance to people. The Holy Spirit of God actually does the Work but our faith in what Jesus accomplished on the Cross releases the Holy Spirit to work in us and THROUGH US. That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:17)
Faith in Christ Crucified will…...….turn the tide……..in this world.
There is Power in the Blood! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
