Oddly enough, the word ‘demon’ is not found in the KJV, although other words are used to describe these fallen angels. Here are a few names in the scriptures used to describe the demons that are in the world today.

  • DEVILS – Matthew 7:22, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out DEVILS? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
  • EVIL SPIRITS – Acts 19:11-12, “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the EVIL SPIRITS went out of them.”
  • UNCLEAN SPIRIT – Mark 5:2-3, “And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an UNCLEAN SPIRIT, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.”
  • ANGELS – Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and HIS ANGELS were cast out with him.”

Although there are different names and terms to describe these creatures, it is obvious they are referring to the same creatures. In fact, the creature that is referred to as an ‘UNCLEAN SPIRIT’ in Mark 5:2, is called a “DEVIL” in Mark 5:12.

Does exorcism still exist today? There is nothing to indicate that exorcisms have ceased. Demons still possess people, and these demons need to be exorcised from them. However, this is not something to be taken lightly. Satan and him minions are powerful creatures, not to be played around with. Let’s consider this event from Acts 19:13-16, “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” Sceva and his seven sons undertook to drive out demons from some of the people. They learned very quickly that this was not a game. These evil spirits realized that Jesus had authority over them, even Paul had authority over them. But not this man and his sons. The demons said to them, “Who are ye?” In other words, “Who do you think you are?” With that, they attacked these men, beat them up and sent them out naked and wounded. Again, this is not to be taken lightly.

The best way to get a demon out of a person is to get the Lord Jesus into that person. By presenting a good, clear Gospel message, we can offer others the opportunity to be saved, have their sins forgiven, and have the Lord Jesus dwell inside them. Where the Lord dwells, Satan CANNOT dwell. We read in 1 John 4:4, “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” To be an effective exorcist, be a faithful evangelist and tell others of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. (232.6)