Demons, Possession & Exorcism — Robert W. Pelton

Exorcism or the casting out of devil spirits has become a worldwide curiosity. Many people blatantly deny the reality of devils and accredit unexplained mischief to psychological phenomena. Are there dangers in the current interest in devils, possession, and exorcism? Certainly there are dangers,” warned the widely respected theologian Dr. Hans K. LaRondelle, associate professor of systematic theology at Andrews University. “Dangers that we can have an unhealthy interest in these powers and become more devil-oriented than Christ-oriented. “The devil has an easy entrance in those who have let down the barriers of their souls.” The idea of possessive, evil, supernatural beings is distasteful, but there are those who know that devils are real, walking among us, waiting to live within us. Many fundamental believers interpret the Bible simply and literally. It is with scriptural assurance that they are convinced of the reality of devil spirits. They confront these evil forces with calmness and determination, secure in the power of the Holy Ghost within themselves to protect them and overpower the opposition. “In my name shall they cast out devils” is the first of the five signs found in Mark 16:17-18. Christians throughout the world believe these signs were given to the true believers by Christ before his Ascension. To them, they are as necessary and as relevant today as they were when the risen Master offered them to his faithful few. Members of such faiths approach devil possession almost casually. It has been an integral part of their religion for generations. Others are just now beginning to discuss the subject, almost as if devil spirits must be officially recognized. “One becomes possessed to work Satan's end,” suggested Reverend M. Thomas Starkes, former Director of the Department of Interfaith Witness on the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board. “When one is a non-Christian and possessed, Satan uses this to further his own kingdom, to display his power. “I have seen a Christian, a new Christian, who sold his soul completely out to Satan for a period of twelve years and was then converted. “He was still able to retain some of the satanic powers because Satan is very slow to let go �" to let his control go over the life of an individual who is controlled or possessed.” In some areas of religion, the exorcism of evil is practiced with zeal and dedication. The devout believe it takes a great amount of faith to seek and develop a productive relationship with God. It takes “living right” and constant spiritual contact to maintain the closeness that has as its reward invincible power from the Holy Ghost. Never do the recipients claim this power for themselves. Always, it is God working with them and through them. So it is when believers gather around a sinner or a stricken brother in the faith to cast out a devil that the Holy Ghost sends power enough to subjugate Satan's emissary. The devil must bow to God's supremacy. Countless men of God have experienced firsthand the horror of a rebellious devil clinging to the human being it has chosen for a home. These ministers are not shocked or surprised at the bizarre descriptions in the currently popular exorcism stories. They have seen it all. They have heard male voices utter verbal filth from female mouths. They have seen blood and vomit follow the expulsion of a struggling demon. They know devils are here! Listen to the preachers, teachers, evangelists, theologians, and faith-filled Christians who actually exorcise demonic spirits, tell how they do it. The methods they employ and the words they use are many and varied. But their reason for doing it is singular. Mark 16 spells it out clearly: “In My Name Shall They Cast Out Devils.”