It has been widely publicized that Roman Catholics sponsored a conference on exorcism this past week. Over 100 bishops and priests signed up to attend the conference, and pre-conference coverage included Associated Press and The New York Times articles. In having this conversation and this conference, Roman Catholics may well be ahead of evangelicals.
That is not to say, though, that I see a place for exorcism training. To begin, many “exorcists” assert that demons can possess believers. Those taking this position must find biblical texts to try to prove that (1) a possessed non-believer is really a believer (e.g., Luke 13:10-17) or (2) that a genuine believer is really possessed (e.g., Matt. 16:21-23). Both of these conclusions are, in my judgment, biblically indefensible. What the Scriptures do teach is that believers are indwelt by and sealed by the Spirit of God (2 Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:14), and the One in us is more powerful than the one that rules the world (1 John 4:4).
Equally problematic are the implications that there are particular symptoms of possession and specific steps in exorcisms – again, conclusions not evident in scripture. Demonic manifestations included, among others, physical symptoms (e.g., Matt. 9:32-33, 12:22), self-inflicted wounds (Mark 5:5), falling (Mark 9:18), and supernatural strength (Mark 5:3-4). Such diverse descriptions, however, are just that: descriptions rather than prescriptions.
Jesus’ approach to exorcism was also varied. Often he spoke to the demon (e.g., Luke 8:29), but not always (Luke 13:10-17). In fact, he was not even always physically present with the demon-possessed person (Matt. 15:22-28). Only once is there evidence that he asked the name of a demon (Mark 5:9), and that was not to gain authority over the evil spirit. “Rebuking” language is common (e.g., Luke 4:35, 9:42), but not universal. Nowhere is there a clear, reproducible exorcism ritual.
These grave concerns notwithstanding, the Roman Catholic Church is at least talking about these issues. We evangelicals tend to be so concerned about appearing to be charismatic that we choose to disregard a central reality of the biblical worldview. Decades after C.S. Lewis warned readers of this potential error in Screwtape Letters, we still ignore the demons.
For too many evangelicals, our attention to the demonic is scant at best. We talk about the lostness of non-believers without drawing attention to the fact that they are blinded by “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4), held in the “domain of darkness” (Col. 1:13), bound in Satan’s kingdom (Acts 26:18), and following the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). Somehow, we talk about evangelism without understanding that to evangelize is to declare war on the Enemy. We send out missionaries with only perfunctory prayer support, not recognizing that they are going to the front lines of the battle.
Nor do we give sufficient focus to what the Enemy can do to believers. He cannot possess us, but the warnings of the Scriptures are nevertheless real. We do wrestle against principalities and powers (Eph. 6:12) that work to lure us into sin. The powers do disguise themselves as angels who seek to infiltrate the church through false teachings (2 Cor. 11:1-15). The Enemy does prowl around, ever alert to opportunities to pounce on unsuspecting believers (1 Peter 5:8). He does seek to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
We evangelicals do not often talk about the Enemy’s strategies, nor do we teach how to put on the full armor of God and resist him (Eph. 6:11, James 4:7). Our strategies for discipleship—a fundamental component of the Great Commission, and a non-negotiable element of spiritual warfare preparation—are so weak that we send new believers into a real war unarmed. Uninformed and unprepared, they quickly become a target of the Enemy’s arrows. We then get frustrated when these same believers lose spiritual battles after we failed to teach them!
How then do we respond to the issue of exorcism? What do we do if, on the animistic mission field or even in secularist North American culture, we face demonic manifestations as the Enemy fights to hold on to one of his own? I expect that many evangelicals would run in terror. Others might turn to an exorcism ritual learned in a seminar. I fear, though, that most evangelicals would have no idea what to do. Roman Catholics are at least willing to think about what the appropriate steps might be.
Here is what the Bible shows us: as followers of Christ, we are to wear the full armor of God, proclaim the gospel to non-believers, and disciple new believers. These fundamentals are non-negotiable. If, in the course of this work a demon manifests, we are to be so closely walking with God that He will show us then what our response should be. Daily obedience will produce on-the-spot godly wisdom.
Taking on the Enemy is not about a formula or technique. It’s about lifestyle – a Bible-saturated, God-centered, Jesus-glorifying, Spirit-filled, prayer-driven lifestyle that touches the nations with the gospel.
