KEY SCRIPTURE: ACTS 19:13. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them, which had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, we adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches

In the above verse, some vagabonds or aimless youths decided to cast out a demon in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches. They were siblings, and there were seven in all. They knew not the Lord. It is rather pathetic for anyone to impose himself or herself as a child of God.

  Some people who called themselves pastors or any other title have found themselves in trouble trying to cast out demons. I have encountered people who got paralyzed because they tried casting out a demon. Why does such a thing happen to people who are supposed to be children of God?

We would first consider the scriptural provisions concerning these things. The Lord Jesus said to the disciples and us that He has given us power to trample upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt us. [Luke 10:19]. The Lord also said one of the signs that would follow those who would believe in Him is that they would cast out devils. [Mark 16:17]. In Matt 10:1. the Lord Jesus also gave the disciples authority over all devils and to heal all manner of diseases. (Matt 10:1) If we have such authority over all devils, why do some ‘Christians’ encounter such problems?

I would say that the first reason for such a problem happening is that these people may not know the Lord Jesus. Jesus is the Lord of anyone who has believed in Him. If the Lord Jesus is not Lord over the life of any man or woman, then he or she is deceiving himself or herself. Becoming a Christian is to receive the kingdom of God into your heart. Jesus becomes your king, and you become His servant. In the mind of the Father, you are a son.

One of the reasons why people encounter problems with demons is a lack of knowledge of the word of God. The bible says my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, {Hosea 4:6}. Knowledge is light, and knowledge is power. If you have light and power, no darkness can ever molest you. Faith is a product of knowledge of God’s word, and it is faith that also releases God’s power to deal with the devil

Those sons of Sceva were casting out the demons out of pride. Pride is a projection of self-interest over the Lord’s. A number of people get into trouble because of pride, doing it to project their selfish ambition or image and not to bring glory to the Lord. Dear child of God, now to the Lord belongs the KINGDOM, the POWER, and the GLORY, whatever you do, submit to His dominion, that is acknowledging the reign of the kingdom over your life, and secondly recognize His power that is at work in you, and then finally that all glory goes to His name. With such an approach, you would never be overpowered by devils.

CONFESSION

I am a child of God, born by the Spirit of God. I am submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. It is always His glory that is at stake. I am therefore superior to every devil, and in the name of Jesus, I cast out every devil, and they will obey me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ephesians 1:19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

James 4:7 KJV “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”