3 Compelling Reasons to Steer Clear of Demon Encounters

You clicked on this blog because you’re curious as to the compelling reasons to steer clear of demons. You’ve seen them in the past, and although they frightened you back then, you’ve since thought about finding ways to defeat them. As a Christian, you know you have the power and authority through Jesus to move mountains. So, why not move demons?

Not too many decades ago, I encountered the spiritual realm on earth, but not in a good way. My husband and I recognized the presence of 4 demons living in a church we were attending. We knew it was the Holy Spirit who gave us discernment. We gathered the pastor and other church leaders to address the problem with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Praise God, the church was “cleaned out” quickly. Not all demonic activity is that easy, as far as my understanding goes.

I’m sharing this story with you because it contains several essential facts that you need to know if you are considering finding or seeking out evil. Even without realizing it, you may be inviting evil into your life before you are prepared to defend yourself.

Jesus’ Example

~ Jesus Received Authority

Throughout the Gospels in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—there are numerous references to Jesus casting out evil spirits and healing people. But he didn’t just heal them; he had the authority to cure them. Witnesses to this freedom from evil spirits recognized that Jesus had a different kind of authority than the religious men who taught them in the synagogue. Jesus received his authority from above. He spoke precisely about who gave it to him.

“…For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” (Romans 13:1)

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

“So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” (John 5:19)

“I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.” (John 12:49)

“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.” (John 13:3)

Jesus had no problem stepping down from heaven and pointing to His Father as the proper authority in his life. Although Jesus indeed said he was the Son of God (John 5:25), he recognized God’s authority through him to heal the sick, the blind, and the possessed. He listened to God’s voice and acted.

~ Jesus Used Authority

The Scriptures are replete with examples of how Jesus used the authority he received from God. The first four books of the New Testament are a testimony to the authority he used to heal those possessed by demons.

This passage from Isaiah, which Jesus read in the synagogue to proclaim himself as the subject of the passage, speaks to the authority he received and how he was to use it:

“‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.’” (Luke 4:18-19)

I would like to bring to your attention the phrases “captives will be released” and “the oppressed will be set free.” In both instances, Jesus used God’s authority to free people from demon possession. They were oppressed and held captive by these evil spirits.

Here are some examples of Jesus’ miracles:

“Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus reprimanded him. ‘Be quiet! Come out of the man,’ he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.”

(Mark 1:23-26)

“Amazed, the people exclaimed, ‘What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!’” (John 4:36)

“That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.” (Matthew 8:16)

“Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.” (Matthew 12:22)

“As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father.” (Luke 9:42)

Jesus did more than just receive authority and use authority. He also passed on the authority. He gave authority away.

~ Jesus Transferred Authority

Since Jesus received power from God, he had the authority to transfer that power to his disciples. He even told them that they would do “far greater things” than he had done during the three years of his ministry (John 14:12).

Far greater things? Can you imagine far greater things than healing the sick, casting out demons, or raising the dead to life? I certainly can’t! Yet, he passed that authority on to all people, not just his disciples.

“Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.” (Matthew 10:1)

“Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons.”

(Mark 3:14-15)

“And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.” (Mark 6:7)

“‘Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.’” (Luke 10:19)

Jesus received authority, used authority, and gave authority

Warning #1: Don’t Go Looking for Trouble

First, you must be aware of the devil. I know you’ve heard the verse, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The Bible warns you not to forget that he’s trying to interfere with your life. It’s trying to remind you to stay aware. It doesn’t mean you should go looking for him.   

Review the miraculous healings of the demon-possessed people above. Not once did Jesus ever seek out these demons. Either the people brought the sick to Jesus, or he happened upon them. He didn’t say things like, “I’m going to kick some demon butt today!” No! Jesus didn’t go looking for trouble. And, since you are 100% human and 0% God, I think it’s wise advice to tell you not to go looking for trouble either.

I must point out my testimony of facing demons at the beginning of this blog. Notice that neither my husband nor I went looking to fight demons. They were there, Holy Spirit revealed them to us, and then we followed him into the next phase.

Warning #2: Safety in Numbers

Second, when Jesus did encounter demons, there were always witnesses to the miraculous authority Jesus had to “simply” tell demons to leave. He never worked alone in these cases.

If Holy Spirit helps you to discern demons around you, you are wise not to attempt to do anything until you have the power of others with you. And by “others,” I mean strong Christians who support you by their presence and in prayer.

Pointing back to my personal story again, I want you to notice that neither my husband nor I attempted to scare demons out of the church, “bind them,” or exorcise them in any way. Although we had the authority through the power of the Holy Spirit to do anything he asked of us, we were weak when it came to anything like encountering the demonic world. We gathered the pastor and church leaders for strength to face the battle.

When Jesus sent his disciples out into the world and gave them authority to do it, he sent them out in pairs. Mark 6:7 cannot be any clearer: “And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.”

You’ve heard the phrase, “Safety in numbers”? This statement is more than an accurate expression when it comes to evil spirits.

Warning #3: Don’t Go Rogue

One thing is clear – Jesus knew what he was doing before he did it, because he had an example to follow.

“So Jesus explained, ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.’” (John 5:19)

Jesus didn’t go rogue – he didn’t make up the rules as he went along. He watched what the Father was doing, and he followed it to the letter. Because of the authority given to him by God, he didn’t veer away from what he knew.

When the Platoon Leader tells you to clean the latrine, shine your boots at 2 AM, or gives an order that seems out of place, you never question her. You follow her orders because that helps maintain order in the military world. Your Platoon Leader had a plan and knew what the outcome should look like.

Jesus followed God’s lead because he knew that God had a plan, too. He only listened to the voice of God and did what his Father did. He never went rogue on God.

Conclusion

Jesus used the authority given to him by God, his Father. He waited for the right opportunities, had witnesses, and knew what he was doing. He passed down his authority to his disciples. Later, they received the authority and power of the Holy Spirit.

You have the same power, but you should never seek out trouble. IF you believe the Holy Spirit is calling you into the spiritual realm of evil to battle demons with his power, there are three criteria you must have:

1. You must know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Holy Spirit is in the lead,

2. You must never go into battle alone, and,

3. You must follow God’s playbook.

At the end of the day, when my husband and I faced those demons, we experienced the miraculous victory only God could have handed us. All glory to God.