Delivering Demons from Addicted Individuals through Prayer and Faith
The New Testament describes instances where Jesus and his apostles cast out demons, often associated with physical ailments or mental distress [2, 4]. These accounts indicate that evil spirits could exert influence over both the souls and bodies of individuals, leading to conditions such as dumbness, blindness, epilepsy, and insanity [4].
The power to cast out demons was bestowed by Christ upon his apostles and the seventy disciples during his earthly ministry [4, Mark 3:15]. This authority was also exercised by believers after Christ's ascension, as promised by him [4, Mark 16:17]. For example, Acts 16:18 records a demon being cast out by a believer [3].
While the Bible records instances of demon possession causing various afflictions, it also distinguishes these cases from ordinary bodily maladies [5, Mark 1:32]. The demons themselves are depicted as speaking in their own persons [5, Matthew 8:29].
The concept of "exorcist" existed among the Jews, referring to those who claimed to expel evil spirits through conjuration, prayers, and ceremonies [3, 6]. Some Jewish exorcists were considered disreputable [6]. It was an opinion among some Jews that miracles could be performed by invoking the divine name, and these "vagabond Jews" sometimes pretended to expel demons [6].
The New Testament also connects the work of faith with spiritual transformation. Paul, in Acts 26:18, speaks of opening eyes "that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me" [1]. This suggests a broader spiritual deliverance from the power of Satan through faith and conversion [1, 5]. The "work of faith" is understood as the active reality of faith, demonstrating itself through its fruits, rather than a passive assent [7]. Conversion itself is described as being by God, through Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, resulting from faith and following repentance [5].
Sources
- Acts “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ -- Acts 26:18”
- Matthew “When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; -- Matthew 8:16”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Exorcist — one who pretends to expel evil spirits by conjuration, prayers and ceremonies. Exorcism was frequently practiced among the Jews. (Matthew 12:27; Acts 19:13) David, by playing skillfully on a harp, procured the temporary departure of the evil spirit which troubled Saul. (1 Samuel 16:23) The power of casting out devils was bestowed by Christ while on earth upon the apostles, (Matthew 10:8) and the seventy disciples (Luke 10:17-19) and was, according to his promise, (Mark 16:17) exercised by believers after his ascension. (Acts 16:18)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Daemoniac — One "possessed with a devil." In the days of our Lord and his apostles, evil spirits, "daemons," were mysteriously permitted by God to exercise an influence both over the souls and bodies of men, inflicting dumbness (Matt. 9:32), blindness (12:22), epilepsy (Mark 9:17-27), insanity (Matt. 8:28; Mark 5:1-5). Daemoniacs are frequently distinguished from those who are afflicted with ordinary bodily maladies (Mark 1:32; 16:17, 18; Luke 6:17, 18). The daemons speak in their own persons (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:23, 24; 5:7). This influence is clearly distinguished f”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conversion — By God -- 1Ki 18:37; Joh 6:44; Ac 21:19. By Christ -- Ac 3:26; Ro 15:18. By the power of the Holy Spirit -- Pr 1:23. Is of grace -- Ac 11:21,23. Follows repentance -- Ac 3:19; 26:20. Is the result of faith -- Ac 11:21. Through the instrumentality of The scriptures. -- Ps 19:7. Ministers. -- Ac 26:18; 1Th 1:9. Self-examination. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Affliction. -- Ps 78:34. Of sinners, a cause of joy To God. -- Eze 18:23; Lu 15:32. To saints. -- Ac 15:3; Ga 1:23,24. Is necessary -- Mt 18:3. Commanded -- Job 36:10. Exhortations to -- Pr 1:23; Isa 31:6; 55”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Exorcist — (Acts 19:13). "In that sceptical and therefore superstitious age professional exorcist abounded. Many of these professional exorcists were disreputable Jews, like Simon in Samaria and Elymas in Cyprus (8:9; 13:6)." Other references to exorcism as practised by the Jews are found in Matt. 12:27; Mark 9:38; Luke 9:49, 50. It would seem that it was an opinion among the Jews that miracles might be wrought by invoking the divine name. Thus also these "vagabond Jews" pretended that they could expel daemons. The power of casting out devils was conferred by Christ ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”