The Price of Casting Out Demons

A definition of price is: the cost at which anything is obtained. To be involved in a regular way in casting out demons brings an expenditure of time and strength. To meet the demands of spiritual warfare, one has to be renewed constantly through fellowship with God and reading His Word.

But this is only part of the cost. There is another price which has to be paid by many who set others free. It is the cost of being faced with discredit and all sorts of accusations. Attacks often come through fellow believers who are blinded to the subtle workings of the enemy and feel they are doing God a service by speaking against such things. In dealing with demons, we are exposing and tearing down Satan's inroads in lives. This is the last thing Satan wants. No wonder he gets upset. Casting out demons is sure to be a controversial issue. Satan will see to that.

Jesus himself came under attack for casting out demons. In Mark 3:10-1l we read that when Jesus was healing and delivering, spirits were falling down (through human bodies) before Him, and acknowledging He was the Son of God. Then we read of His appointing the twelve disciples and giving them authority to cast out demons (Mark 3:14-19). The next thing we read is what happened when He returned home to His own kinsmen: When they heard of His coming,

they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses" (Mark 3:21). Imagine going home to your family and friends and being told you were deranged! Out of your mind! Lost your senses! This is what Jesus faced, but what could have been further from the truth!

The next verse tells us what the scribes were saying about Him. Mark 3:22: And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons." Jesus was accused of being in league with Satan, the very one to whom He was totally opposed. He was accused of using Satan's power-not the power of the Holy Spirit - to cast out spirits.

This was a serious accusation, and a very serious thing for those who were making it. It is in this context that we read of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, a sin which the Bible calls an eternal sin and a sin from which there is no forgiveness (Mark 3:28-30).

Let me say again: Satan will do all he can to hinder believers from casting out his "fifth column." He will send spirits of unbelief, intellectualism, prejudice, fear of man, violence, hatred, and so on, to distract the soldier of God from enforcing Calvary's victory. Don't look for opposition, but when it comes, don't be surprised. It may come openly or it may come in a quiet, subtle way. But in whatever way it comes, don't forget to rejoice.

Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.

Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:11-12

Riul and Silas were thrown into prison for casting a spirit of divination out of a slave-girl, but in prison they sang hymns of praise to God (Acts 16:16-25).

Be careful, however, that the opposition is not because you are acting in the flesh and lacking in wisdom and tact. To act foolishly is to deserve opposition. But if the opposition comes because you are moving in the Holy Spirit. REJOICE!