All About GOD

All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

I was watching a Paranormal show. People would come into the homes including a Catholic priest & would supposedly cast out whatever demon possessed the home. The thing that always comes to mind watching the 'priest' pray & order demons to leave a place in the Name of Jesus is this: (I pray no one gets offended) How can a priest, whose doctrines are bi-polar of what a Christian believes, cast out a demon in Jesus' name? This verse came to mind last night though: Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Matt 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your Name and in your Name drive out demons and in your Name perform many miracles?'

So, is this saying that non-Christians can perform miracles & cast out demons in Jesus' Name?

Views: 472

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Acts 19:13-16

Though they were overpowered and from what the evil spirit said, didn't know Jesus but only used His name, the first verse says: Some Jews who went around driving out evil ...

They didn't attempt to drive out evil but we're in fact driving it out until this incident.

Aside from that, you ever read your texts or email girl? :-P

My phone has been shut off for a couple of days. Haven't paid the bill yet. I actually haven't really looked at emails either. I'll go search them in a few. Luv u

Well you never charged it when it was turned on anyway. LOL Love you too and just been worried about your absence lately.

Tammy,

The interesting part of this verse is that it is a self proclamation "...did we not prophesy in your Name and in your Name drive out demons and in your Name perform many miracles." This is what they will tell Jesus, but we do not see Him say "Why, yes you did." I believe they really believed they were doing the Lord's work, yet were not, for He never knew them and thus they never really knew Him either. In Acts 19 we find the seven sons of Sceva who thought they were casting out demons until one day they actually met a real one. I think both Matthew 7 and Acts 19 (at least professing to cast out demons, but never really meeting one) is playing out today in religious circles. I will add one more tidbit, these people believed they were saved because of what they perceived they were and yet never developed a real relationship with Jesus the Living Savior. Again, IMO this sadly is being played out al around the world.

Lord Bles,

LT

Is it possible that Jesus would work in some of these situations, say a demon cast out, etc, even though the person isn't of the Lord? I guess this is a question you'll have to apply an assumption to but what are your thoughts?

I don't know why we would need to assume in this.  When Jesus cast demons out of people while He walked the earth, there was no distinction made as to whether or not they were believers.  Some came to Him who were afflicted by spirits, some were brought to Him, and some were demons that came pleading as in legion.  And let's not forget, some cast out demons just because they got annoyed with them:

Acts 16:16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

I'm talking about those who use the name of Jesus to cast them out. Not those who had the demons. It's really no big deal. I was just wondering.

And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? Matthew 12:26, ESV

Because of the words of Christ, we must accept that those who actually cast out real demons are doing it by the Spirit of God. We know that "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders" 2 Thessalonians 2:9, ESV. This verse says "false signs and wonders" and, therefore, we know the signs and wonders aren't real. There's a possibility that the ones in Matthew 7 who say they did works, are actually themselves deceived in thinking that they really were doing the works, since signs and wonders can be false. But, most likely, since they are declared to be guilty of lawlessness, then they knew all along, in this life, that they were deceiving people. However, on that day, when they see Jesus, they say, Lord, Lord, then, on that day. But it will be too late for them to call Him Lord then.

Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate it so much.

Name and authority of Jesus casts out demons, not believing is the problem that can cause one to not be set free.  like in healing sometimes tis easy for a unbeliever to receive healing so that they believe in Jesus, but a follower of Christ could have other thoughts come against them to stop them believing that they will be healed . Walking by faith, is the goal , building ones faith and trust in the Lord so that one can be healed. or set free from demons.  Now can a Christian have demons, if we walk in the light, we are safe, but to be double minded and walk in darkness as well as light, we have a door open to the enemy like anyone else . the armour of God is to be worn and considered as something we cannot do without also the in dwelling Holy Spirit,  without faith its impossible to please God.

also I remember the followers of Jesus having some grief attempting to deliver someone of fits< Jesus spoke of their unbelief, and that the followers of Jesus had seen folks praying for the sick in His name who they did not know and Jesus said, don't stop them from doing so, .  

Hi Tammy,

I've been thinking about your post for a few days. When you see something like this, ask God...Lord, what just happened here? Then, wait for an answer. He will reveal it to you. It may not be immediate, God wants you to know.

In satan's kingdom, the spirits have a hierarchy. A stronger spirit can also kick out a smaller spirit. Don't take their word for it that the spirit was driven out. It is a television show, and they can fix what you view. The stars of the paranormal shows take a huge risk. A spirit may followed them home. I saw footage of that. A paranormal investigator had a demon follow him home. He exposed his family to it and placed all of them in grave danger. People were getting scratched. Then there was two shows. They had to call a deliverance ministry. How did any of this glorify God?

When dealing with demons, you must have Holy Spirit and know the Word of God.  Jesus Christ's example to us...It is written! If you do not know the Word, a demon will know. When watching the paranormal shows, we could also ask how much of the Word of God is spoken?

Love and God bless,

Mary

RSS

The Good News

Meet Face-to-Face & Collaborate

© 2024   Created by AllAboutGOD.com.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service