ARE THERE UNCLEAN SPIRITS?
The Bible teaches us extensively about the devil’s existence since Genesis and how he and his legions are on Earth.
The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” Job 1: 7
He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.” Luke 10:18
Also in the Word there are many verses that refer to the subject of witchcraft and divination, and as there is a common denominator in all of them, which is the absolute rejection of God. In fact, the Word of God uses the term “abominable practice.”
“No one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass through fire, or who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer,” Deuteronomy 18:10
It is important to understand that although the devil and his demons are on Earth, they do not make them powerful, omnipresent, nor do they have the same power as God. It’s amazing how some Christians talk about it looking like they give it such status, but it’s a big mistake. They are not gods, but the Word alerts us that they are legions and that we will have a fight against them:
“Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6: 11-12
“The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. ” Revelation 12: 9
WHERE ARE THE UNWIDE SPIRITS
Jesus clearly taught us how there are spirits that seek to dwell within man. The following passage in Matthew 12: 43-45 explained to us:
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.”
Such spirits induce to sin. He did it with Judas to deliver Jesus for money.
“The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper” John 13: 2
And in 2 Timothy 2: 25-26 it indicates that there is a tie, a bondage, and that it is not easy to escape.
“God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.“
HOW TO REBUKE UNWIDE SPIRITS
The Lord indicated that we were going to have authority given by Him to be able to cast out demons.
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; …” Mark 16:17
All of this can be done by the Holy Spirit of God.
“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered.” Matthew 12: 28-29
In this last passage Jesus shows us how we are to bind the strong man. In the Word we find the following aspects necessary to rebuke spirits.
- WITH FAITH. “ Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.” Matthew 15:28
- RESIST THE DEVIL. In the book of James 4: 7 it tells us that we must submit to the Word of God. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The moment we resist the devil or the spirits will flee to another place where they can do their work.
- REBUKING. When Jesus Christ was there, he showed us a personal case and taught us to rebuke. In Matthew 4: 1 it indicates “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” After fasting 40 days and being strengthened with the Spirit of God, he presented himself to tempt him, who offered him immortality, power and riches. On this occasion Jesus gives us a wonderful teaching on how we should rebuke “Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him’… ” Matthew 4: 11-12 In numerous passages we see how Jesus rebuked Luke 4:41 “Demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah”
- WITH THE WORD AND IN THE NAME OF JESUS. In another passage he teaches us, “That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick.” Matthew 8:16.
In this last verse, he tells us that Jesus’ habitual practice was to rebuke them using the Word of God. Later, the same disciples say this to Jesus. “But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me...” Mark 9:39, so we must use the name of JESUS. - WITH PRAYER AND FASTING. When the apostles were unable to expel the unclean spirit of the lunatic boy, Jesus indicated to them that they should fast and pray for the strong kind of demon. “But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting” Matthew 17:21
Anoint with oil. Jesus taught us to anoint with oil “ They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. ” Mark 6:13, and the vers “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14
BIBLICAL CASES OF POSSESSIONS
In the New Testament we find numerous cases of people who were possessed by demons or unclean spirits. We quote some of them
- HEALING OF ENDEMONIES AND LUNATICS: “…, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. “ Matthew 4:24
- CASE OF THE GERASENE DEMONIAC “And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain“ Mark 5: 2-3. In this case, there was a legion of spirits as shown below “and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Mark 5: 7-9
We see here how Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit in the same way that He did in the desert, with force and authority.
- DAUGHTER OF THE CANANEAN WOMAN: “… Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” Matthew 15:22
- CASE OF MARÍA MAGDALENA: “as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” Luke 8: 2
- A MAN WHO HAD AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT: “In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm.” Luke 4: 33-35
- JESUS HEALS A DEMONSTRATED BOY “While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.” Luke 9:42
- CASE OF THE MUTE “And when the demon
had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.” Matthew 9:33 - DEMONSTRATED IN THE BOOK OF ACTS “A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.” Acts 5:16 “…for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured.” Acts 8: 7
CONCLUSION
Take an examination of conscience and think about the characters that identify you as a person. If you recognize that you are a slave to some vice or addiction and you want to change your life we invite you:
- If you do not know the Word of God, and you have not given your life to Christ, we invite you to receive it into your heart and look for a Christian place where you can gather and know the Word of God that will set you free. Visit our KNOW CHRIST page.
- If you are a brother and still have ties to sin, remember that prayer and fasting are necessary. Confess your weakness with the Pastor of your Church so that he can guide you in all this process and remove from your life everything that may induce you to do so. Jesus Christ is freedom.
