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Cast Out Demons

What do you call a church that prays for the sick but puts the mentally tormented in institutions? That celebrates miracles in the Bible but denies demons exist today? That has the authority to set captives free but lacks the faith to use it?

Deliverance

Powerless.

Jesus didn't suggest we cast out demons—He commanded it. In His final instructions before ascending, He declared: "These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons" (Mark 16:17). Not "might" drive out demons. Not "if they're specially called." Will drive out demons.

Yet most churches act like demons vanished after the apostolic age. Lester Sumrall discovered the tragic truth: "In all my life in a Pentecostal movement, I never heard a sermon in my life on how to cast out devils. Not one." Meanwhile, 59 million Americans have mental illness with 46% receiving no treatment, and we're drugging people instead of delivering them.

The harvest of souls awaits on the other side of deliverance. When demons manifest and are cast out, sinners rush to the altar without invitation. The authority is already yours—you just need the faith to use it.

The Scale of Modern Demonic Influence​

Lester Sumrall once received a prophetic word: 100 million Americans will need deliverance from demon power.

This doesn't mean 100 million are "possessed" in the Hollywood sense—most demonic influence is subtle oppression or obsession rather than full possession. Consider the epidemic of:

  • Compulsive addictions that control millions despite devastating consequences
  • Sexual perversion driving people to destroy families and themselves
  • Rage and violence erupting from seemingly normal people
  • Mental torment that medication can't resolve
  • Occult involvement through "innocent" practices like tarot, astrology, and New Age

The modern church's response? Send them to psychiatrists. Prescribe medication. Suggest counseling. Meanwhile, demons mock our powerlessness while tormenting God's creation.

"If you were sick we'd pray for you... But if you lost your mind, we put you in the crazy house. We didn't cast the devil out of insanity." — Lester Sumrall

Why Demons Are Winning Territory​

Open Doors Everywhere​

Modern culture has normalized practices that invite demonic possession:

  • Drug use (legal and illegal) opens spiritual doors
  • Sexual immorality gives demons legal ground
  • Occult practices directly invoke evil spirits
  • Unforgiveness creates spiritual prisons
  • Generational curses pass down familial spirits

See: Recognize and Resist Sinfrastructure for how modern systems make demonic entry easier.

Churches Refuse Their Authority​

Most churches either deny demons exist or teach believers to fear them. Seminary trains ministers in psychology, not deliverance. Denominations prioritize being "sedate" over setting captives free.

"There's never a Sunday morning... they're there from all over the land to be set free... 'I traveled all this way, will you set me free please?'... Paul Crouch flew his jet from Los Angeles... spent maybe $3,000 just in fuel... for a 20-minute prayer. God said, 'I don't want it to be. I want my people to have faith.'" — Lester Sumrall

Believers Don't Know Their Rights​

Christians are taught to beg, not command. To pray about demons, not cast them out. To refer people to "specialists" instead of exercising their own authority.

The Simplicity of Deliverance​

Sumrall's testimony reveals how simple deliverance actually is. No special training required. No complex rituals. Just faith and authority.

His first deliverance: A girl writhing like a snake with green substance coming from her mouth. Without any training, Sumrall screamed from his belly: "GET OFF OF HER!" The demon left instantly. 500 sinners rushed to the altar without invitation.

The pattern repeated worldwide: Java, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tibet, Poland, France, Germany, England, America. Different cultures, same demons, same solution: commanding them to leave in Jesus's name.

Key revelation: "I discovered something... when you cast the devil out, it looses the people to come to Jesus."

Your Authority to Cast Out Demons​

It's Not About Position—It's About Faith​

"The Bible says they that have faith shall cast out devils. It does not say preachers. It does not say missionaries, deacons, or elders. It says they that have faith shall cast out devils." — Lester Sumrall

Every believer has authority because:

  • Christ defeated Satan at Calvary
  • You have Jesus living in you
  • The Great Commission commands it
  • Faith activates the authority

Speaking With Divine Authority​

Demons understand authority—they operate in a military hierarchy under Satan. They will not obey weak suggestions or polite requests.

Wrong approach: "Please leave if it's God's will" Right approach: "Come out NOW by the blood of Jesus!"

"The Lord said the devil was hard of hearing. You got to get his attention. The Bible says Jesus spoke with authority, and you don't speak with authority in a whisper." — Lester Sumrall

Often the command comes from your belly (spiritual center), not your head (intellect). It's the Holy Spirit rising up within you to confront evil.

The Process of Deliverance​

1. Verify They Want Freedom​

Ask: "Do you really want to be free?" If they don't, they'll be back in the same mess tomorrow. The person must desire deliverance.

2. Establish Their Faith​

"Are you willing to confess Christ as Lord?" They need to acknowledge Jesus's lordship for lasting freedom.

3. Take Authority​

Declare your standing: "I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ whom you know. I come upon the authority of the Great Commission. I come with the power of the blood of Calvary."

4. Command It to Leave​

Don't converse with demons. Don't let them manifest dramatically. Simply command: "Come out of them by the blood of Jesus!"

5. Ensure They're Filled​

The delivered person must:

  • Read the Word daily
  • Pray consistently
  • Attend church faithfully
  • Stop playing with sin

Otherwise, Jesus warned: "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first" (Luke 11:24-26).

Levels of Demonic Influence and How to Respond​

Not all demonic activity manifests dramatically. There are different levels of influence:

Oppression (External Pressure)​

  • Persistent temptation beyond normal
  • Unusual accidents or setbacks
  • Chronic fear or anxiety without cause
  • Inability to pray or read Scripture

Obsession (Mental Domination)​

  • Compulsive thoughts or behaviors
  • Uncontrollable anger ("short fuse")
  • Consuming lust or perversion
  • Addiction that defies willpower

Possession (Internal Control)​

When demons fully manifest, they may:

  • Mock through facial expressions (distorted grins, wild eyes)
  • Speak through the person (different voices, languages)
  • Cause physical reactions (writhing, screaming, vomiting)
  • Move inside the body (visible movement under skin)
  • Create supernatural phenomena (unnatural strength, levitation)

Your Response Regardless of Level​

  • Take authority immediately: Don't wait for dramatic manifestations
  • Silence any demonic speech: "Shut up! You don't talk in my presence"
  • Control physical manifestations: "Stop! We're dealing with your spirit, not your body"
  • Maintain authority: Never beg, never fear, never negotiate
  • Stay focused: Cast it out and move on

"Don't ever have any communication with the devil. A thousand times he said to me 'Let me show you my face, it's beautiful.' I said, 'No, no, no!'" — Lester Sumrall

Signs Someone Needs Deliverance​

  • Compulsive behaviors they can't stop despite consequences
  • Uncontrollable rage ("I have a short fuse" = "I have a devil")
  • Sexual perversion and insatiable lust
  • Occult involvement (even "innocent" horoscopes or tarot)
  • Chronic conditions that don't respond to treatment
  • Family patterns of addiction, abuse, or mental illness
  • Inability to read Scripture or pray without distress

Special Cases: Children and Distance​

Delivering Children​

More children today are demonized due to broken homes, cursing, adultery, and occult entertainment. The home atmosphere invites demons that torment innocent children.

Process: Same authority, gentler approach. Command the spirit to leave while comforting the child.

Remote Deliverance​

Distance means nothing in the spirit realm. Television, phone, and even prayer from afar can bring deliverance. Sumrall prophesied: "There will come a time when 10,000 people will be set free with one prayer... wallowing all over their floors at home."

Why Many Stay Bound​

Religious Limitation​

"No more religion. That's weak. It's time to have what God said." — Apostle Delmar Coward Jr.

See: Demand Divine Intervention for breaking free from religious passivity.

Traditional churches teach people to:

  • Accept mental illness as "God's mysterious will"
  • Fear demons rather than command them
  • Refer problems to professionals instead of using spiritual authority

Living in Compromise​

"An unclean person cannot cast out an unclean spirit. We have to live clean."

You can't effectively deliver others while harboring:

  • Unconfessed sin
  • Unforgiveness
  • Occult involvement
  • Sexual immorality
  • Substance dependencies

See: Heal the Sick for understanding supernatural authority in ministry.

The Urgency of This Hour​

America is becoming overwhelmed with demonic activity. The New Age movement, occult practices, drug culture, and sexual perversion are creating millions of demonized people. Yet most churches remain powerless to help.

God needs an army of deliverers. Not one in California and one in Indiana—every believer operating in their authority. Every pastor setting people free. Every member ready to cast out demons.

The harvest connection is critical: Deliverance leads directly to salvation. When demons are cast out publicly, sinners see God's power and rush to receive Christ. This is the "dinner bell" for revival.

Reflection and Practice​

Ask yourself as you consider deliverance ministry:

  1. Do I believe demons are active today, or do I think they're just psychological problems?
  2. Am I living clean enough to exercise authority over unclean spirits?
  3. Would I know what to do if someone manifested demons in front of me?
  4. Am I willing to look foolish while learning to set people free?
  5. Do I care enough about the tormented to overcome my fear?

This week's challenges:

  • Study every instance of Jesus and the apostles casting out demons
  • Identify people in your life who show signs of demonic oppression
  • Practice speaking with authority: "In the name of Jesus, I command..."
  • Prepare yourself through holy living to be a vessel of deliverance
  • Ask God for opportunities to set captives free

The command is clear: "These signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons." Not professional deliverance ministers. Not special prayer teams. Those who believe.

100 million Americans need deliverance. Churches are powerless to help. Mental institutions are overflowing. Families are being destroyed.

Will you be part of God's army of deliverers, or will you leave the work to someone else?

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free." — Luke 4:18