Do Christians have the Authority, through the Holy Spirit, to bind and cast out demons? Or only resist them?

Question

This confuses me, because the Bible states demons live here on earth looking to steal, kill, and destroy, and that we are to "resist" them. How can we bind a demon from any place on earth, if they are here to do just what they are doing?

I thought the only binding of demons would be when Jesus returns and cast them into hell at final judgment. Also, if Christians do not have this Authority through Jesus, what happens to people who are posessed by demons?

A possesed person can't seek deliverance on their own, because demons have taken over their mind. So how do they find freedom if demons can not be cast out? Does God free them supernatually? And what determines if he will do this if they're unable to repent due to the demonic influence?

I hope Christians who agree or disagree will state why using the Bible, and not by just repeating what has been written by a church or religion.

Answer 1

We can bind and loose through Christ. Mat 16:19 Mat. 18:18

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Answer 2

You have been given the power to cast out demons by the Holy Spirit. Like all of the five fold ministries, it is God's power and the mind of Christ that is actually doing it. A person that is possessed by a demon cannot seek deliverance, but God is in that business, so when demons and the Holy Spirit Cross paths the demons are going to be delivered. It is being in the presence of the Holy Spirit that excercises the demons. If you are operating under the anointing, then the Spirit of God is in you. When you come in contact with any spirit that is not of God, it will have to go. People that bring other into the presence will allow those possessed to get deliverance. It is not the minister doing it. God is the one and He gets the glory.

Answer 3

There are ample scripture references given in this thread so let me deal with just one facet - posession.

First, before I became a Christian I was involved in New Age. I sat in a seance once a week and actually had conversations with demons. They talked just like you or I. I was a journalist at the time so my visits were investigative in nature. I did not attach any religious significance to them at all.

When I became a Christian, I learned what I had been speaking with - real demons. I was never posessed. The medium conducting the seance was posessed to allow the demons to speak in her seance. She was their doorway.

Speaking only to Christians now, let me say that I am a Christian Counselor and can state unequivocally that Christians cannot be posessed unless they invite the demon in. Things like seances, consulting psychics, Wee-Gee boards, and astrology, are all doorways because they all consult a power other than the Holy Spirit. These are things Christians should not do.

Now, let me clarify "posession". Posession can be overt or subtle. Overt means acting out agressively or physically harming others. This can appear to be mental illness. Subtle means doing things that offend the Holy Spirit such as false witness against another person, adultery, theft, even gossip. Things that are not in the open for all to see.

When a Christian is posessed they need prayer and intervention by other Christians. They cannot free themselves as they are "not in their right mind".

I realize some of what I have written will seem "wacky" but Christian readers will understand which is my purpose for answering this question.
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Jim DeSantis publishes a blog about spiritual issues at http://on-line-tribune-spiritual-matters.blogspot.com where you will find free information from expert authors.

Answer 4

Christians that have been filled with the Holy Ghost, have the power to cast out demons. Most people do not even realize that they have a demon. Just because you don't show the signs of possesion doesn't mean that you don't have a demon. I could go into this more but it would get thumbs down a lot and so....

But yes christians have the authority to cast out demons.

Answer 5

Anyone pretty much can cast demons out. Its the Holy Spirit who does that. If you feel like a demon is taking over you, you say in these words, " IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS BE CAST OUT OF ME" I've heard many stories of people who actually have demons controlling their lives. Its freaky but its the truth. If you ever seen one of the Exorcist movies, they are pretty much based on true stories.

Answer 6

nicely as a manner to respond to this hence. have you ever been following the gospel and God's commandments? if so then: John sixteen:8 Tells us as christians how we are able to acquire the present of the holy spirit. purely those whom save on together with his will and instruction manual can acquire it. once you acquire the present of the holy spirit then you definately substitute your strategies on the way you do issues. You substitute into gentle and meek in all which you say and do you permit God instruction manual. you do not get or substitute into offended or are inspired to do any sin. additionally you're looking after your physique yet you do no longer choose the lust of the flesh. besides the shown fact that once you're no longer in training of God and the holy spirit, then you definately immediately substitute into concern of the devil. devil is ruler of the earth yet purely by way of Christ you belong to the daddy. John 15:4-22 John 15:26

Answer 7

Both today their are many demons in today's world, the world does not recognize them as such, but if you read your bible you will see in today's world, demons are on many people; such as lieing, continious cheating on a spouse, sexual mental disease,ect... And why you use the Bible it is the word of GOD, and some demons you must fast, and pray first, in order to deliver the person, or they will attack you this why it is so important to pray first, before we send someone to a DR.

Answer 8

Yes, through the Holy Spirit, Christians can do those things.
But specifically, those things are the result of specific gifts of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives each of us some of the gifts. Those that are gifted to perform those things can do those things in the name of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 9

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Answer 10

You 'bind' them by telling them to "Shut up!"
You have to STOP THE BAD THOUGHT before you finish it.

If WE don't shut them up--are we supposed to let them stay in our ears and mind with thoughts of despair, guilt, shame, fear, doubt???
NO!

If YOU don't know Bible verses or worship songs, or start to pray when they are in your ear--they will stay there!

The MORE you shut them up with praise to God----they will stay away from you more and more, because they hate the name of God--they FEAR it.
"At the name of God, EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."

The name of Jesus makes them leave you alone.
"Leave me alone in the name of Jesus!"
"GOD, help me!"