The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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As Pytches points out, “Sickness caused by a demonic influence may have all or some of the
symptoms of any spiritual, emotional or physical disease.”36 It is vital, therefore, that healing in
such cases include the deliverance from whatever demonic influences may be causing the disease.
Characteristics of Demons
John Wimber gives the following characteristics of demons as found in the New Testament.
They are spirits (Mt. 8:16; 12:43-45; Lk. 10:17-20; 24:39; Rev. 16:14).
They have separate identities (Lk. 11:24).
They have intelligence (Acts 16:16-18; 19:15-16).
They are able to evaluate and make decisions (Lk. 11:25).
They are able to combine forces (Lk. 11:26).
They can exist outside or inside humans (Mk. 5:12).
They travel at will because they are spirits.
They manifest themselves in different forms (II Kgs. 6:17; Rev. 9:1-12; 16:13-14).
They are malevolent (Mt. 12:43-45; Mk. 1:27; 3:11; Lk. 4:36; Acts 8:7; Rev. 16:13).
They vary in degrees of wickedness (Mk. 9:29; Lk. 11:26; Eph. 6:12).
They are able to communicate (Lk. 11; Mt. 8:28-34).
They have supernatural strength (Mt. 12:29; Mk. 5:4; Lk. 8:29; Acts 19:13-16).
They must bow to Jesus’ name (Mt. 8:28-34; Mk. 5:7; Lk. 8:26-33).
They know their own end (Mt. 8:29; 25:41; Jas. 2:19). 37
Deliverance of demons was part and parcel of Jesus’ healing ministry. As Jesus preached the
kingdom He healed the sick and cast out demons. The following are a few examples:
1. Two demon-controlled men (Mt. 8:28-34).
2. Gerasene demoniac (Mk. 5:1-20).
3. Epileptic boy (Mt. 17:4-21; Mk. 9:14-29; Lk. 9:37-45).
4. Man in the synagogue (Mk. 1:21-28; Lk. 4:31-37).
5. The Canaanite woman’s daughter (Mt. 15:22-28; Mk. 7:24-30).
6. Others who were demonized (Mt. 8:16; Mk. 1:32-34; 3:10-12; Lk. 4:41; 6:18). 38
The Greek word for “exorcist” (exorkistes) means “to send out,” “to leave,” “to expel,” “to
cast out,” “to release,” “to call forth,” “to free.” Demons or evil spirits require a form of treatment
different from that offered through the gifts of healings. To be demonized or possessed by an evil
spirit is not a “normal” illness, nor is it purely a psychological problem. It is a state of being bound
by an alien force. Therefore the only way for a cure is an expulsion of that alien force (demon).