Scriptural Basis for Casting Demons From Unbelievers
The New Testament provides a scriptural basis for the casting out of demons, particularly by Jesus and his disciples. Mark 3:15 states that Jesus gave his apostles "authority to drive out demons" [1]. This authority was a key aspect of their ministry.
While the Bible records instances of demon possession and exorcism, the question of whether demons can be cast out of unbelievers specifically requires careful consideration of related theological concepts. The Apostle Paul indicates that unbelievers can be subject to spiritual blindness, which he attributes to "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4). This spiritual blindness prevents them from seeing the light of the gospel [2]. John Gill, in his commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:12, discusses how God may give unbelievers over to delusion, leading to their condemnation, because "they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved" [6].
Early Christian writers also addressed the power over demons. The Twelve Patriarchs emphasizes that "acknowledgment of God, and the observance of the divine religion" not only protects believers from demonic assaults but also grants them "command over those who rule over others" [3]. Tertullian notes that Christians prevail over evil spirits "not by incantations... but by the name of Jesus, accompanied by the announcement of the narratives" [5]. This suggests that the power to cast out demons is intrinsically linked to faith in Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel.
Jesus's own ministry involved casting out demons, and he explicitly linked this activity to the power of the Holy Spirit. When accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, Jesus argued that if he cast out demons by Satan, Satan would be divided against himself [8]. He clarified that he cast out demons "through the power of the Holy Spirit," and attributing this work to Satan constituted blasphemy against the Holy Spirit [9].
The power of Satan is understood to exist in relation to the unbelieving, while the faithful are protected [7]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, discusses the nature of fallen angels, who became "instruments of perdition to others" [4]. The implication is that while unbelievers may be influenced or afflicted by demonic forces, the act of casting out demons is often presented in scripture as part of the broader work of bringing individuals to faith and delivering them from spiritual bondage through the power of Christ.
Sources
- Mark “Mark 3:15 (BSB) — and to have authority to drive out demons.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Blindness, Spiritual — Explained -- Joh 1:5; 1Co 2:14. The effect of sin -- Isa 29:10; Mt 6:23; Joh 3:19,20. Unbelief, the effect of -- Ro 11:8; 2Co 4:3,4. Uncharitableness, a proof of -- 1Jo 2:9,11. A work of the devil -- 2Co 4:4. Leads to all evil -- Eph 4:17-19. Is consistent with communion with God -- 1Jo 1:6,7. Of ministers, fatal to themselves and to the people -- Mt 15:14. The wicked are in -- Ps 82:5; Jer 5:21. The self-righteous are in -- Mt 23:19,26; Re 3:17. The wicked wilfully guilty of -- Isa 26:11; Ro 1:19-21. Judicially inflicted -- Ps 69:23; Isa 29:10”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — CHAP. XVII.--THE GOSPEL GIVES POWER OVER: DEMONS. "You see, then, how important is the acknowledgment of God, and the observance of the divine religion, which not only protects those who believe from the assaults of the demon, but also gives them command over those who rule over others. And therefore it is necessary for you, who are of the Gentiles, to betake yourselves to God, and to keep yourselves from all uncleanness, that the demons may be expelled, and God may dwell in you And at the same time, by prayers, commit yo”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: were the angels of God, but by revolting they both ruined themselves, and became the instruments of perdition to others. As it was useful to know this much, it is clearly taught by Peter and Jude; “God,” they say, “spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to 153 hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto Judgment,” ( 2 Pet. 2:4 ; Jude ver. 6). And Paul, by speaking of the elect angels, obviously draws a tacit contrast between them and reprobate angels. 17. With regard to the strife and war whi”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. VI.: After this, through the influence of some motive which is unknown to me, Celsus asserts that it is by the names of certain demons, and by the use of incantations, that the Christians appear to be possessed of (miraculous) power; hinting, I suppose, at the practices of those who expel evil spirits by incantations. And here he manifestly appears to malign the Gospel. For it is not by incantations that Christians seem to prevail (over evil spirits), but by the name of Jesus, accompanied by the announcement of the narratives ”
- 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 2:12: That they all might be damned,.... Or judged, discerned and distinguished from true Christians and real believers, or rather that they might be condemned and punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and have their portion in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; where the devil, the false prophet, and the beast, whose followers they are, will be cast; and it is but a righteous thing with God to give them up to such delusion, that they may be damned, since they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved; a”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 5:9: (Luk 4:13; Eph 6:11-17; Jam 4:7.) steadfast--Compare established in the truth," Pe2 1:12. Satan's power exists only in respect to the unbelieving; the faithful he cannot hurt (Jo1 5:18). Faith gives strength to prayer, the great instrument against the foe (Jam 1:6, &c.). knowing, &c.--"encouragement not to faint in afflictions": your brethren suffer the same; nothing beyond the common lot of Christians befalls you (Co1 10:13). It is a sign of God's favor rather than displeasure, that Satan is allowed to harass you, as he did Job. Your fellow Christ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:26: 12:26 Jesus argued, in essence, “If I cast out demons under the influence of Satan, then Satan is dividing his camp, which obviously would be a foolish thing for Satan to do.””
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:31: 12:31 In the face of the Pharisees’ accusations of Satanic influence, Jesus had just argued that he, the Messiah, cast out demons through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this context, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can only mean attributing the ministry and exorcisms of Jesus to Satan’s power.”