How To Cast Out Demons

Jesus said, “In my name, you will cast out demons” (Mark 16:17).

Although the command to cast out demons is not the only thing that we as believers are called to do, we are encouraged to go and help deliver those who are bound by satan.

Deliverance is not a gift of the Holy Spirit, it is a command given to every believer.

If you’re interested in learning what deliverance requires of you, I want to share with you four biblical principles that every person who wants to be effective in deliverance ministry and the casting out of demons should know.

4 Truths You Must Know

1) The Authority

The casting out of demons happens by the authority that believers have. As a Christian, you have authority that non-believers do not have. When you walk under the authority of Jesus as your Savior – under His name, and under His Lordship, then you walk in the authority of Jesus.

We see an example of this when the disciples that walked under Jesus’ authority were then commissioned with His authority, to drive out demons. 

Mark 16:17 (NKJV) reads, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.”

Here, Jesus makes it clear that in His name, those who believe, will cast out demons.

Remember, if you are a believer in Jesus, then you are under His name. If you are under His name, then you have His authority. And under His authority, you will cast demons out.

This authority is connected to YOUR assignment and calling as a believer of Jesus Christ. Even if you are not in ministry, YOU are called by Jesus to cast demons out! This is the assignment of every person who is under the authority of Jesus Christ and is walking under His authority (See Matthew 10:7-11).

2) The Anointing

Demons come out by the anointing (the power), which only comes from the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 12:28, Jesus says, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” This shows us that the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ secret to deliverance ministry.

The Holy Spirit was Jesus’ secret to success in deliverance.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus reads:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

Here we see that the Spirit of God, who has also come upon us, is for the purpose of deliverance—to break chains, to set the captives free, and bring the truth of Jesus Christ to our generation.

 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

How can you receive this power that Jesus talks about?

You receive it by walking with and living under the influence of the Holy Spirit. As a Believer, you need to cultivate intimacy, awareness, and consistently depend on Him.

Deliverance ministry can be overwhelming at times, but you need to remember that the most important person in deliverance is the Holy Spirit.  Even if you don’t feel extremely knowledgeable or experienced in the area of deliverance, in order to be effective at it, you will always need to walk in the Holy Spirit.  As you cast demons out, tell The Holy Spirit how much you need His guidance and that you are relying on Him for the deliverance to take place.

3) The Name of Jesus

People may use different methods, or even change what they do to cast demons out; it depends on their past experiences. However, there is only one main and unchanging formula given to us in Scripture by which demons are expelled – the name of Jesus (Mark 16:18).

There is only one main and unchanging formula by which demons are expelled – the name of Jesus (Mark 16:18)

The name of Jesus is not magic, nor is it a secret phrase.

The name of Jesus is the name of God. It is exalted above every other name. It is the name that not only saves us but also brings the legitimacy of our authority in Christ—and even demons know that!

The legitimate authority is not to impersonate Jesus, but to represent Jesus. Remember, when you say, “In Jesus’ name” during deliverance, you are really saying to that demon, “Jesus wants you out!”

Do not be intimidated by demonic manifestations, violent behaviors, or persistent demons.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into and is saved (Proverbs 18:10).

4) Cast them out

Demons are removed by being cast out.

Demons are not removed through therapy, the confessing of sins, or even by making a simple prayer.

You cannot plea to get the demons out, you’ll have to drive the demons out just as Jesus did (See Matthew 8:16, Matthew 9:33, Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 12:28, Mark 1:34, Mark 1:39, Mark 3:15, Mark 6:13, Mark 16:9, Mark 16:17, Luke 13:32).

Command them out.

Sometimes you may have to call them by name. You will need to speak firmly (which at times may mean loudly) with the authority in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. The demons will have to obey.

The flesh needs to be crucified. We need to repent of our sins. We need to run from the world. But demons need to be cast out.

Our flesh needs to be crucified, but demons need to be cast out.

Concluding Thoughts

The casting out of demons is unfortunately highly debated, even among Christians. But as believers, we need to make sure that we are casting demons out of people, and not casting the demonized people out of the church. We should not be imprisoning those who are already in bondage, but instead doing what Jesus has called us to do, which is to drive the demons out!

Let’s make sure that we are casting demons out of people, and not casting the demonized people out of the church.

If you cast out demons, you are being obedient to the Great Commission that Jesus called us all to do.

Do you cast out demons?