Can Christians Cast Out Demons In Jesus Name?

Name: Lance
Question: In Matthew 17:19-21, there is a demon that could not be removed but by prayer and fasting. Some believe that those demons still exist and that prayer and fasting is still necessary to defeat those demons. I personally do not believe this. I know with faith and belief, we have power over all enemies through Christ Jesus. Am I correct in thinking those more difficult demons are just as susceptible to His name as any other demon?

Answer: Thank you for the question Lance.

Evil spirits which are demons still exist, but they are not behind every corner either. Nevertheless, with faith and a strong belief, Christians can cast out demons in Jesus name. Through the name of Christ, we have power over all of our enemies.

Now let’s prove it.

In Jesus Name

Turn your Bible with me to,

Luke 10:17
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

These are the seventy disciples Jesus sent out from verse 1.

This verse proves, that the disciples of Jesus, Christians like you and I can cast out demons in Jesus name. However, a very strong faith is required as we will learn.

Now, let’s see what Jesus has to say.

Luke 10:18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Jesus just interjected Satan into the subject, with respect to us having power over demons in the name of Jesus of course.

Luke 10:19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Don’t read over the first part, Jesus ‘gave us power’ over our enemies, including Satan himself. I want you to note, in Revelation 9 and 12:7-9, Satan is defined as angel of the bottomless pit, and the serpent respectively.

Jesus is telling us, we have power over our spiritual enemies here, not literal serpents and scorpions which will definitely kill you, (Ephesians 6).

Jesus Casts Out A Demon

Now that we have laid some ground work, turn your Bible with me to,

Matthew 17:14-16
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

This man’s son was possessed with a demon, one so wicked even the Disciples could not cast it out. Make note, the man was referring to the Twelve Disciples, even they couldn’t cast out the demon.

Why?

We’ll answer that in a moment.

Matthew 17:17
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

Jesus was extremely disappointed that His Disciples could not get the job done.

Matthew 17:18
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

This wicked entity was not Satan. The word “devil” here means, “a daemonic being”. While the Disciples could not cast out this demon, Jesus Christ had no problem doing it.

Matthew 17:19
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

Pay close attention, Jesus is going to answer the question.

Matthew 17:20-21
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus told the Disciples, they could not cast out the demon “because of your unbelief.” He even told the Disciples three times, “ye of little faith,” and how can we forget Peter walking on water, only to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus, (Matthew 8:26, 16:8, 14:25-31, Luke 12:28).

It’s amazing, the Disciples literally walked with Jesus Christ. They witnessed His many miracles, and even they still lacked faith. I always find that difficult to grasp.

I mean, here we are 2,000 years after the fact, and we can still cast out demons, if we have faith and belief, and we use the name of Jesus Christ to do so. Don’t let that shake you up, but realize it takes absolute faith and belief in our Lord and Savior to make it happen.

That is why Jesus told the Disciples, this wicked demon cannot go out except through prayer and fasting. Fasting clears the mind, and it allows you to focus on the spiritual aspect which removes so much of the flesh that can get in the way.

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