Mid-20th Century Deliverance
In the mid-20th century, there was an increase in interest concerning deliverance. But there was no internet or social media to amplify teachings about casting out demons. Few voices spoke out on this matter. I give credit to those who did deliverance back then. At least someone was saying something about demons. Unfortunately, most preachers who claimed to cast out demons 50 years ago were of an extreme Pentecostal persuasion. This theology promoted the belief that if you believe something and speak it by faith, it will come to pass. Consequently, most deliverance ministers five decades ago believed that if they told a demon to leave, and had enough faith, that demon would have to leave. No manifestation or interrogation was necessary. Demons were not allowed to speak. They sometimes referred to this as a demon “acting up.” Manifestations of any kind were forbidden.
These early pioneers of deliverance meant well, but their approach often gave people a false sense of security. The only basis for demons being kept silent was one passage of scripture — the man in the synagogue with a demon mentioned in Mark chapter one. Here is a direct quote from the NKJV:
Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” (Mark 1:23-25)
Understanding Mark 1:23-25
Should demons speak during deliverance, especially taking into consideration Mark 1:23-25? Christ’s reason for demanding silence in this instance is easily explained when placed in the correct biblical context. Christ didn’t want the public to prematurely know who He was and threaten His mission. That is why Jesus silenced this particular demon. Furthermore, the position that demons should not speak has no pretext in early church history or the practice of exorcism throughout the centuries. In the first department of Bob Larson University, the International School of Exorcism, we cite many writings from early church fathers who commented about demons speaking out in public settings. These accounts show no indication our Christian predecessors forced demons to remain silent.
Cyprian on Deliverance
One Church father, Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, writing in approximately 250 A, D. recounts one such encounter for us. Cyprian was an orator and teacher of rhetoric; he died a martyr September 14, 258 A, D. Cyprian wrote: “Oh, if only you could hear and see them when they are adjured by us. For they are tortured with spiritual scourges and are cast out from the possessed bodies with tortures of words. Howling and growling at the voice of man and the power of God, they feel the stripes and blows and confess the judgment to come. Come and acknowledge that what we say is true.”
Understand Real Deliverance
Those like me who cast out demons today know that REAL ministers of deliverance understand that demons won’t leave if they have the right to remain. And the only way to objectively know what that right is, is by verbal interrogation.
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