In 2018, it was reported that the Vatican had opened its doors for an exorcism course amid increasing demand among some of the world’s Catholic communities. As many as 250 priests from 50 countries arrived in Rome to learn how to identify demonic possession, hear personal accounts from other priests, and find out more about the rituals behind expelling demons.
The article further states that half a million people reportedly seek exorcism every year in Italy, while a report by Christian Think Tank Theos in 2017 said that the practice was also on the rise in the UK, in part due to the spread of Pentecostal churches. In addition to this, in 2022, it was reported that the archdiocese of Manila began construction on a world-first exorcism center for those in bondage to the devil.
Then, in an article written in 2023, the national desk presented two theories as to why exorcism was on the rise. Dr. Richard Gallagher, a board-certified psychiatrist and professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College and Columbia University who works with Catholics, said one theory is that there’s more preoccupation with this stuff, so people think they need an exorcism when they don’t.
Young people nowadays are brought up on movies, TV shows, and paranormal beliefs that’s different from when I was a kid when this was dismissed and frowned upon. Here’s what he stated for the second theory: a lot of exorcists feel that through alternate spiritualities, these people have opened themselves up to evil forces and evil spirits in ways that more mainstream religious people are protected from.
Now, as Christians, what are we to make of this? Even among Christians, there are differing perspectives. Some do not believe or rather do not want to believe that there are demonic forces in operation in the world. Others are considered to be too spiritual as they point to a demonic spirit concerning everything.
And then there’s a third group, and this group realizes that Ephesians 6:12 is a reality because the Bible says, “For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the Unseen World, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Whatever stance you have regarding this, I believe that we cannot bury our heads in the sand and think that we live in a world where there is no spiritual activity.
Granted, we are not living in the Old Testament where there were a lot of supernatural manifestations, but the devil and his demons are still just as active in this present day. But so is God. In today’s world, the devil is out in the open; it’s just that he has managed to normalize demonic activity to a lot of people.
Remember that 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the good news; they don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” Unbelievers in this world have been blinded by the devil; they see good as evil and evil as good.
And should a Christian man or woman point out something demonic, they will be branded as too spiritual or a fanatic. And so, people shy away. And so, as a result, a lot of Christians are uncomfortable when it comes to talking about demons or demonic activity. They would much rather talk about angels and ignore the reality of the devil’s army.
However, the Bible says, “My people perish for a lack of knowledge,” meaning we should become believers who are wise and mature, believers who are not ignorant of the devil’s designs nor of the reality of spiritual warfare. Now I want to tell you two important things about demons. Demons listen; demons are aware. And I’ll go a bit more in detail about their awareness shortly.
And so, to begin with, I want to show you that demons listen; they hear. When Jesus came across a demon-possessed man in Luke 8, the Bible tells us some very interesting things concerning demons. In this passage of scripture, in verse 28, the Bible says, “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, ‘What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.'” In verse 30-31, the Bible says, “Jesus asked him, saying, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Legion,’ because many demons had entered him.
And they begged him that he would not command them to go out into the abyss.” Notice two things here: the demons saw. They saw Jesus. And secondly, when Jesus asked the question, “What is your name?” the demon responded. It heard the question and responded. Derek Prince once described demons as persons with bodies. He said that they have real and distinctive personalities. And you see it here. Now, a Roman legion has 6,000 men. And so, this man was saying he had 6,000 demons in him. This is evident because he was oppressed in the worst way.
Because the Bible states that he lived in the tombs, meaning that the demons had isolated him. He was far from society, far from the living, and far from his loved ones. This is one thing I want you to notice about demonic oppression: the devil loves to isolate people. The devil loves to corner people and get them alone with no support because we are all more vulnerable alone. Now, demons also have awareness. Here’s a story that demonstrates this. Acts 19:11-16 says, “God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.
When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits.
They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time, when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, ‘I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house naked and battered.” So, note this: the sons of Sceva thought they could imitate Paul.
And when they went to cast out a demon-possessed man, the evil spirit was aware of Jesus; it was aware of who Paul was. But it didn’t know who these sons were, meaning the demon was aware of the spiritual maturity of these boys.
And I believe that in the spirit world, the kingdom of darkness is aware if you are someone who truly walks with Jesus Christ or if you are someone who pretends to be a genuine believer. Now, I’d like to add one more point. If you didn’t know, demons can see; they have eyes, and they can recognize who this person is or who that person is. Just read Mark 3:11, and you’ll find it says, “And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’ They saw him, and they knew.
To take it a step further, demons can teach, albeit falsely, but they can still possess a person to teach heresy. Just read 1 Timothy 4:1. Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. Did you get that? Teachings of demons. I’m highlighting all of this so that the scales can be removed from your eyes. We need to realize who we are up against and what we are up against.
Do you know what’s dangerous for a Christian? If there was a massive warning sign on a road called Christianity, do you know what that warning sign would say? It would say in bold capitalized letters, “Driver beware! Do not travel this journey with a lack of knowledge.” I believe that the greatest and most trusted source of knowledge for this life and the life to come is the Bible.
The Bible teaches us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Now, this same Bible, this Bible that contains all of these scriptures that were breathed out by God, also clarifies in 1 Timothy 4:1, saying, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
So, people will have the purity of the truth of God at their disposal. But there will be some who will choose to attach themselves to information that comes from sources that are related to demonic activity. That’s what the Bible means when it says some will devote themselves to teaching of demons. Think about it. Even the Bible teaches that the devil himself is the ruler of the world in which we live. John 8:44 explains that the devil was a murderer from the beginning and that he has nothing to do with the truth because there is no truth in him.
When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. However, society, in many cases, has chosen to follow after principles associated with the teachings of demons instead of adhering to the source which we know to be the truth, the word of God. And let me clarify something: teachings of demons are not what many think them to be.
They are not necessarily related to overt evil, but it’s more of a subtle, deceptive evil. The teachings or doctrines of demons will tell you things like you can sin as much as you want because God’s grace is unlimited and His mercy endures forever. The teachings or doctrines of demons will encourage you to live for yourself, take care of yourself, and build wealth.
But in both of those examples, there is only a little bit of truth mixed in with lies. What those examples don’t tell you is that, yes, God has given us grace, and His mercy endures forever. But God is not mocked, because whatever a person sows, they will also reap. And on the second example, God does want to take care of you and see you prosper.
But prosperity is not always monetary. A person can prosper financially but be dead spiritually. And I believe it’s always better to be rich in Christ, to be rich spiritually than materially because what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? So, as Christians, we really should not be surprised that people are turning away from the truth at such alarming rates.
But we should also realize that we cannot just lay down and watch it happen. I want you to listen to what 2 Timothy chapter 4:2-4 says because in his instruction to Timothy, the Apostle Paul intensely stated, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.” Paul needed his son in the faith to understand that his responsibility was to stand firmly on the word of God because it was the truth. He needed him to understand that when others were turning away to doctrines of demons, he still needed to be teaching and preaching the truth.
He needed him to understand that when people began to look for teachers that would cater to their feelings and avoid the truth that he needed to continue to give them what they needed and not what they wanted. Paul needed Timothy to understand that no matter what things looked like all around him, that he simply must continue in the words and doctrines that he had been instructed in and not in the doctrines that were leading people astray. In Galatians 1:6-8, the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians also stated, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” Paul knew there was only one truth, and he also knew his enemy, the devil, wanted to pervert that truth to keep people from being in right relationship with God. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This is the truth we need to hold on to. Salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ, and there is no other name under heaven that can bring salvation to mankind.
There is only one God and only one mediator between God and man, and His name is Jesus Christ. When Jesus walked the earth, the first message that He preached when He began His ministry was to repent and believe the gospel. When we as believers in Jesus Christ follow any other teaching, philosophy, or doctrine, we are being led astray from the truth, led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ, and being led astray to serve the devil’s world, which is the kingdom of darkness.
In the end, according to the word of truth, this is not the side that we are going to want to be on. Revelation 12:9 declares, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” God’s word and His truth will prevail.
No other teaching, philosophy, or doctrine will be able to overcome what God has declared to be right. And God’s greatest creation, mankind, will be able to live with Him forever in His great kingdom, providing we make the right choice to follow His doctrine and not the dangerous doctrines of the world.
