Cast out demons, should we?

My simple answer to this question is no. My basis for this answer is the fact that biblical counseling is for believers only, and the Bible clearly teaches that true believers cannot be indwelt by a demon and the Holy Spirit. Once the Holy Spirit has taken up residency in your heart it is permanent and total residency. Our bodies are not built to be a duplex housing both a demon and the Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:13 says, “for He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” This is saying that there was a transfer of title and the new owner and only occupant is God.

Now, please note that if they are an unbeliever they could be possessed but they need the gospel and Jesus Christ crucified not an exorcism. If they submit to the gospel, God promises to restore and regenerate their heart. If someone claims to have a demon I would simply begin with prayer and then consult the elders of the church for wisdom on how to proceed.

There isn’t any place in biblical counseling for casting out demons. It doesn’t make sense to cast something to the pit when it will be cast there again (2 Peter 2:4). There is a definite transition in Acts from an apostle-led “signs and wonders” mode to an elders-led “faith and obedience” mode (Acts 1-11). Christ’s interactions with demons were unique and the New Testament always presents the casting out of a demon by Christ as a healing and miracle (Mark 1:22-28). There is a difference between Christ’s mode of warfare (command-control) and the post-apostolic era mode (classic mode).

Biblical methodology excludes casting out demons. The Archangel of God won’t rebuke the devil (Jude 9) and the Bible doesn’t teach Christians to confront and cast out demonic forces. Instead it teaches us to resist the Devil and not to rebuke him (James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9; Eph 6:13). Progressive sanctification in the face of life’s troubles is at stake, not casting out demons.

Spiritual warfare requires that the counselee take up the spiritual armor; such as the breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-20).