Can only true Christians cast out demons?

[KingJ]

The point has been made by @Bill and @backNforth that one has to be a true Christian to cast out a demon, suggesting that Matthew 7:22–23 refers to fake Christians casting out fake demons

I disagree. We need to consider the below facts.

1. Matthew 7 shows real works done by people not known by Christ

Matt 7:22-23 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Note how this verse does not say: The wonderful works were not so wonderful, the prophecies were all false, all exorcisms were fake.

2. The name of Jesus is shown to have real effect even outside formal discipleship

Mark 9:38-40 Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.

This verse unlocks part of the mystery. ''Whoever is not against us is for us''.

3. The New Testament shows both success and failure using the name of Jesus outside saved status

Acts 19:13-16 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

This passage needs to be contrasted with Mark 9:38-40. What did unsaved person A have that unsaved person B did not? It seems to be God's approval. God's will. It was His will to work with the one unsaved person and not the other.

4. The New Testament expands the reach of Jesus’ authority after the cross

Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.''
John 14: 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Christians receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Demons recognise and see a true Christian. They will never ask ''who are you''. They know the power of the Holy Spirit. As does a Christian. Therefore, a scenario we are all too familiar with is exorcisms taking place in a Holy Spirit filled church. Whether the visiting preacher is truly saved or not would be mostly irrelevant. Those poor demons would have wanted to leave the possessed person long before even stepping foot inside the church.

Conclusion:

Casting out demons is not proof of salvation. Scripture shows it can occur outside a true relationship with Christ, but only where God permits, not as something anyone can control at will.

-----------------------------------

Extra point for consideration:

Before Pentecost, the disciples relied on prayer (and fasting) in moments like Mark 9:29. Afterward, authority comes through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). As Christians we should not need to fast and pray before an exorcism. Only ensure that we are in fact a Christian operating with the Holy Spirit.

 

[Bill]

The point has been made by @Bill and @backNforth that one has to be a true Christian to cast out a demon, suggesting that Matthew 7:22–23 refers to fake Christians casting out fake demons

I disagree. We need to consider the below facts.

1. Matthew 7 shows real works done by people not known by Christ

Matt 7:22-23 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Note how this verse does not say: The wonderful works were not so wonderful, the prophecies were all false, all exorcisms were fake.

2. The name of Jesus is shown to have real effect even outside formal discipleship

Mark 9:38-40 Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.

This verse unlocks part of the mystery. ''Whoever is not against us is for us''.

3. The New Testament shows both success and failure using the name of Jesus outside saved status

Acts 19:13-16 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

This passage needs to be contrasted with Mark 9:38-40. What did unsaved person A have that unsaved person B did not? It seems to be God's approval. God's will. It was His will to work with the one unsaved person and not the other.

4. The New Testament expands the reach of Jesus’ authority after the cross

Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.''
John 14: 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Christians receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Demons recognise and see a true Christian. They will never ask ''who are you''. They know the power of the Holy Spirit. As does a Christian. Therefore, a scenario we are all too familiar with is exorcisms taking place in a Holy Spirit filled church. Whether the visiting preacher is truly saved or not would be mostly irrelevant. Those poor demons would have wanted to leave the possessed person long before even stepping foot inside the church.

Conclusion:

Casting out demons is not proof of salvation. Scripture shows it can occur outside a true relationship with Christ, but only where God permits, not as something anyone can control at will.

-----------------------------------

Extra point for consideration:

Before Pentecost, the disciples relied on prayer (and fasting) in moments like Mark 9:29. Afterward, authority comes through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). As Christians we should not need to fast and pray before an exorcism. Only ensure that we are in fact a Christian operating with the Holy Spirit.

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

You do not understand the scripture. It is because you believe that once you are saved , you are always saved. That is a delusion. Only someone who is in the Lord can expell demons. You of your own volition can not remove demons, they will laugh at you.

We see what Jesus tells us, a man who once was in God, who expelled demons, betreys Jesus. The person whose name was once written in the book of life threw it away. He gave it away for a bowl of stew, he betreys Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, he denies Jesus 3 times without seeking the Mercey of Jesus.

 

[joestue]

You of your own volition can not remove demons, they will laugh at you.

even as a christian, the demons we let affect us, through persistent sin, we cannot cast out or bind, until we repent and ask forgiveness. -this is what makes it so difficult for some, like the homeless "skitzophrenic" to regain sanity, often to the point outside intervention is required, as Jesus showed us.

once at a church camp retreat i mentioned to a pastor that its plainly obvious that Paul's thorn in the flesh was a demon, as the text says a messenger from satan, because God was keeping his own advice in proverbs not to rebuke a conceited man. as in, by definition a conceited man will not believe he is conceited. so Paul thought the demon was to keep him from being conceited when he actually was, and i mentioned this i know this by experience.

pastor looks at me like i'm stupid and says "yes you have a different one"

 

[joestue]

However on a second note, i have heard detailed descriptions of how false spirits enslave the so called "shaman"

The way it works is the demons give the human power in exchange for control over their life, to the point of destroying their health or even killing them, if they don't give into the commands. this includes finding a successor to pass the shaumen spirits onto.

So back in 2016 or so I started hearing the word "blackmail" with regard to someone.. and later in late 2019 and early 2020, when i thought i was finally done praying for her, the last two demons i saw well, she had them on a leash, not the other way around. I don't know what exactly she had to give up to get those contracts, but lets just say, in a dream once i saw what i can only describe as a statue of molech, and it had 3 red cord-necklaces around its neck. I presumed at the time this meant she had had 3 abortions.


so, yes, there are likely situations where a person can get a demon removed by another person with contracts with demons, but its a demonic contract and that persons life will not actually improve, they will have to lose something, or trade some affliction for another. -or one demon for another.

and because their sin is not forgiven, there's nothing preventing those contracts from being re-written, modified, interpreted harshly, etc, etc.

 

[Bill]

even as a christian, the demons we let affect us, through persistent sin, we cannot cast out or bind, until we repent and ask forgiveness. -this is what makes it so difficult for some, like the homeless "skitzophrenic" to regain sanity, often to the point outside intervention is required, as Jesus showed us.

once at a church camp retreat i mentioned to a pastor that its plainly obvious that Paul's thorn in the flesh was a demon, as the text says a messenger from satan, because God was keeping his own advice in proverbs not to rebuke a conceited man. as in, by definition a conceited man will not believe he is conceited. so Paul thought the demon was to keep him from being conceited when he actually was, and i mentioned this i know this by experience.

pastor looks at me like i'm stupid and says "yes you have a different one"

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

It is true that if you are a Christian that without faith and without God's love you cannot cast out a demon either.

You can be a Christian and not have faith in God, that is not have full faith in God. And you can be a Christian and not love as God wants us to love.

 

[joestue]

It is true that if you are a Christian that without faith and without God's love you cannot cast out a demon either.

so i have learned by experience as well that you cannot pray for a person in effective power until you come to a righteous perspective of the situation yourself.

you can be outraged all you want at the supposed injustice of a situation and pray about it, but God is not looking for our primal emotions to be the motivator of our actions.

 

[backNforth]

Your beginning:

The point has been made by @Bill and @backNforth that one has to be a true Christian to cast out a demon, suggesting that Matthew 7:22–23 refers to fake Christians casting out fake demons

I disagree.

...and your ending, which is a non sequitur...

Conclusion:

Casting out demons is not proof of salvation. Scripture shows it can occur outside a true relationship with Christ, but only where God permits, not as something anyone can control at will.

Plenty of ppl want that power; some have even tried to buy that power (e.g. Simon the sorcerer, Acts 8).

A true deliverance requires a true believer. Meanwhile, there are lots of fakirs out there. There will always be "fake Christians casting out fake demons."

And as far as your comment about "not as something anyone can control at will," deliverance is NOT a power trip - can never be a power trip - to be effective. SELF-WILL has ZERO PLACE in any deliverance. The HS does the heavy lifting, through a sanctified vessel.

Christians receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Demons recognise and see a true Christian. They will never ask ''who are you''.

That naivete is what the devils are scanning for. Rather, the HS is THE STARTING POINT necessary to begin to engage in effective spiritual warfare. A devil knows whether you are a mere bench warmer/newbie or a sanctified and battle-wise vessel. If you're not actively pursuing righteousness - as an unbeliever or a believer - then you pose no threat and Satan will proceed accordingly. A weak believer may very well hear the taunt, "Who are you?" (as the chief priest Sceva and his seven sons did - Acts 19:14-16).

Plenty of spiritualist churches do a lot of "casing out" but such "deliverances" are mere lying wonders intended to ultimately deceive. Same with the Catholic version aka "exorcism." Those wannabees are like clouds without rain i.e. worthless iconoclastic pageantry, powerless, even as the devils mock.

The HS is required for a genuine deliverance. And because sanctification has become such a big ask these days, the vast majority of ppl remain powerless to cast out devils. Absent the HS, it's always fun-and-games time for devils e.g. a greater devil may throw a lesser devil under the bus to fake you out.

This passage needs to be contrasted with Mark 9:38-40. What did unsaved person A have that unsaved person B did not? It seems to be God's approval. God's will. It was His will to work with the one unsaved person and not the other.

No, the unifying glue that binds them all together, regardless if they are physically present with each other or not, is in red bold:

Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

There is no requirement for others, who would cast out devils, to follow the disciples around. The requirement is to act "in thy name."

All is one - in the name of the Lord.

As Christians we should not need to fast and pray before an exorcism.

Deliverance ministers don't do "exorcisms"; such is a Catholic term.

We are not perfect/sinless as Jesus was sinless/perfect. So we will always need to deal wisely with our flesh while we remain in this fallen world. Both prayer and fasting become essential spiritual warfare weapons:

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation (Mark 14:38).
Don't walk according to the flesh (Romans 8:1).
Don't make provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14).
etc.

 

[Bill]

so i have learned by experience as well that you cannot pray for a person in effective power until you come to a righteous perspective of the situation yourself.

you can be outraged all you want at the supposed injustice of a situation and pray about it, but God is not looking for our primal emotions to be the motivator of our actions.

May Jesus fill us with His love and wisdom.

We should never jump to conclusions when it comes to prayer. God always uses prayer. There are some whose prayer that are so weak that they are like pieces of hay as weight with God, yet every prayer does have substance. Others love can be so great as to move mountains.

There is always room for improvement in all of us. Our faith in God is limited by how fertile our hearts are to God's love

 

[Bill]

Your beginning:

...and your ending, which is a non sequitur...

Plenty of ppl want that power; some have even tried to buy that power (e.g. Simon the sorcerer, Acts 8).

A true deliverance requires a true believer. Meanwhile, there are lots of fakirs out there. There will always be "fake Christians casting out fake demons."

And as far as your comment about "not as something anyone can control at will," deliverance is NOT a power trip - can never be a power trip - to be effective. SELF-WILL has ZERO PLACE in any deliverance. The HS does the heavy lifting, through a sanctified vessel.


That naivete is what the devils are scanning for. Rather, the HS is THE STARTING POINT necessary to begin to engage in effective spiritual warfare. A devil knows whether you are a mere bench warmer/newbie or a sanctified and battle-wise vessel. If you're not actively pursuing righteousness - as an unbeliever or a believer - then you pose no threat and Satan will proceed accordingly. A weak believer may very well hear the taunt, "Who are you?" (as the chief priest Sceva and his seven sons did - Acts 19:14-16).

Plenty of spiritualist churches do a lot of "casing out" but such "deliverances" are mere lying wonders intended to ultimately deceive. Same with the Catholic version aka "exorcism." Those wannabees are like clouds without rain i.e. worthless iconoclastic pageantry, powerless, even as the devils mock.

The HS is required for a genuine deliverance. And because sanctification has become such a big ask these days, the vast majority of ppl remain powerless to cast out devils. Absent the HS, it's always fun-and-games time for devils e.g. a greater devil may throw a lesser devil under the bus to fake you out.


No, the unifying glue that binds them all together, regardless if they are physically present with each other or not, is in red bold:

Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

There is no requirement for others, who would cast out devils, to follow the disciples around. The requirement is to act "in thy name."

All is one - in the name of the Lord.


Deliverance ministers don't do "exorcisms"; such is a Catholic term.

We are not perfect/sinless as Jesus was sinless/perfect. So we will always need to deal wisely with our flesh while we remain in this fallen world. Both prayer and fasting become essential spiritual warfare weapons:

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation (Mark 14:38).
Don't walk according to the flesh (Romans 8:1).
Don't make provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14).
etc.

May Jesus fill us in His love and wisdom.

Even with the catholics, they too are part of that group Jesus states, "if they are with us, they are not against us."

Removal of evil is most effective though God's Love, it is what they rejected. Rejecting God is rejecting love.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Interesting that nobody has mentioned this incident.
Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43

I would say in general that possessing spirits in general do not want to leave the host, unless they have served their purpose, whatever that may be. There is much that we still do not know about all the powers & principalities that intersect with our own temporal one. One thing we do know, is that there is no neutrality here. "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me. Matthew 12:30

However, even Peter at times found himself at odds with our Lord. Thankfully, he returned to where he belonged. Like most of us I dare say! lol So, can one cast out a demon one day, and the next walk away from the faith? One might look at Judas Iscariot as another. So, we might not think it possible or believe how one could possibly do this once knowing Jesus; but there is no doubt that it can happen, and until it is said and done, we run the race, maintain our faithfulness till He calls us home good and faithful servant.

Discernment is necessary, because are there not those who are disguised as angels of light? Will not the Great Deceiver, perform many miracles?
The important part must be the one who was possessed. Bringing them to Jesus, so that it won't be worse for them if they reject Him! The one doing so, doesn't even have to be the one who was used to do the casting out! Focus on that which is important!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Your Brother in Christ.
Nick
\o/

 

[backNforth]

We should never jump to conclusions when it comes to prayer. God always uses prayer. There are some whose prayer that are so weak that they are like pieces of hay as weight with God, yet every prayer does have substance. Others love can be so great as to move mountains.

That concerns the power of choice one makes with his free will. For example, a drunkard may lack the physical ability to stop his drinking. He knows, physiologically speaking, his body will go through the DT's (Delirium Tremens, a rapid onset of demonic confusion caused by withdrawal from alcohol) if he tries to stop. But the good news is that if he comes under conviction to stop the habit, his decision to want to stop is sufficient for deliverance to be effective.

There is always room for improvement in all of us.

This is because every one of us has devils (aka demons), and will continue to have them while in this fallen world; it's only a matter of degree, hence the necessity for the sanctification process.

Even with the catholics, they too are part of that group Jesus states, "if they are with us, they are not against us."

It's not about "the catholics" or about any denomination; it's about the individual who is either a member of the body of Christ or is not a member.

Interesting that nobody has mentioned this incident.
Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43

These passages deal with the themes of the authority of faith vs. the futility of unbelief; and prayer and fasting as weaponry.

I would say in general that possessing spirits in general do not want to leave the host, unless they have served their purpose, whatever that may be.

Know that some issues don't necessarily originate with the host; such can be (and probably are) generational. That simply means that those in authority over you at the time (usually parents), did not stand in the gap and as a result, they ignorantly allowed demons to access you and others/siblings under the parents' authority. This reality is something that is often overlooked and causes much hemorrhaging in the body of Christ. Demons like to act out their wicked nature via a human host; they know alot about your relatives, your parents, your grandparents, your great grandparents - they know alot about how you spend your fun hour. Thus, they prefer to remain in the family line (aka familial/generational spirits) and, if that door is not closed, will infect those downline from you i.e. your (even as yet unborn) children.

There is much that we still do not know about all the powers & principalities that intersect with our own temporal one.

This is why performing due diligence is vital; do you know your God-given calling and are you walking in it? (Hint: That is the only place of true liberty.)

One thing we do know, is that there is no neutrality here.

Indeed. Every action runs to some purpose. If that purpose is not for the building of God's kingdom, then it is for the building of a rival kingdom. There is no neutrality.

However, even Peter at times found himself at odds with our Lord. Thankfully, he returned to where he belonged

Again, every one of us has devils.

So, can one cast out a demon one day, and the next walk away from the faith?

Of course (so much for the false doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved...). Only those who have not been weaned from the milk would promote OSAS.

Discernment is necessary, because are there not those who are disguised as angels of light? Will not the Great Deceiver, perform many miracles?

Indeed aka "lying wonders" (2 The. 2:9),

The important part must be the one who was possessed. Bringing them to Jesus, so that it won't be worse for them if they reject Him!

Wisdom reveals that delivering an unbeliever from a devil is worse than pointless, as that devil will eventually return to the same unbelieving host (bringing with him several of his boyz to once again torment the former host).

The one doing so, doesn't even have to be the one who was used to do the casting out! Focus on that which is important!

True. But it's uncommon for an unbeliever to bring someone oppressed to a deliverance minister (because the darkness, in both the unbeliever and the oppressed, fears The Light). But sometimes, unbelievers can become desperate enough concerning their loved ones and will "look into" a godly deliverance (more likely, they will chase after the aforementioned mega-fakirs and their so-called ministries).

 

[backNforth]

Can only true Christians cast out demons?

A more accurate question would be:

Can only true Christians truly cast out demons?

...and the answer to that question would be YES.

Further,

Matt 7:22-23 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Note how this verse does not say: The wonderful works were not so wonderful, the prophecies were all false, all exorcisms were fake.

Those are rhetorical questions, not statements of fact. Indeed, to an unbeliever who thinks he has performed some great work of the HS in casting out a devil, Satan would find him to be easy prey, easily deceived. The Lord clearly told those ppl that he never knew them.

It all boils down to this:

Who do you look to, for the authority to do the things that you do?

[Demons] know the power of the Holy Spirit. As does a Christian.

Perhaps, but tragically today's "Christian" does NOT know how to properly wield that authority. Mere "knowing" (sans action) is worthless. (...having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof...).

Therefore, a scenario we are all too familiar with is exorcisms taking place in a Holy Spirit filled church.

Rather, "a scenario we [in the deliverance ministry] are all too familiar with" is the satanic counterfeits abounding virtually everywhere (as well as a lack of truly HS-filled ppl within the body of Christ aka the church).

 

[Bill]

Interesting that nobody has mentioned this incident.
Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43

I would say in general that possessing spirits in general do not want to leave the host, unless they have served their purpose, whatever that may be. There is much that we still do not know about all the powers & principalities that intersect with our own temporal one. One thing we do know, is that there is no neutrality here. "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me. Matthew 12:30

However, even Peter at times found himself at odds with our Lord. Thankfully, he returned to where he belonged. Like most of us I dare say! lol So, can one cast out a demon one day, and the next walk away from the faith? One might look at Judas Iscariot as another. So, we might not think it possible or believe how one could possibly do this once knowing Jesus; but there is no doubt that it can happen, and until it is said and done, we run the race, maintain our faithfulness till He calls us home good and faithful servant.

Discernment is necessary, because are there not those who are disguised as angels of light? Will not the Great Deceiver, perform many miracles?
The important part must be the one who was possessed. Bringing them to Jesus, so that it won't be worse for them if they reject Him! The one doing so, doesn't even have to be the one who was used to do the casting out! Focus on that which is important!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Your Brother in Christ.
Nick
\o/

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

That's excellent. I've never really thought of it that way although I have often thought of Peter's denial to be a greater offense to God the Father then the Betrayal of Judas just for the fact that it was God the Father that gave to Peter the trust to reveal for the first time that Jesus was the Messiah.

The fact that we see Peter casting out demons and healing people through the authority of Jesus. And then in his own words saying things that cause Jesus to say to him, away from me Satan. As we know, Peter returns to Jesus and is redeemed.

 

[Bill]

A more accurate question would be:

Can only true Christians truly cast out demons?

...and the answer to that question would be YES.

Further,

Those are rhetorical questions, not statements of fact. Indeed, to an unbeliever who thinks he has performed some great work of the HS in casting out a devil, Satan would find him to be easy prey, easily deceived. The Lord clearly told those ppl that he never knew them.

It all boils down to this:

Who do you look to, for the authority to do the things that you do?


Perhaps, but tragically today's "Christian" does NOT know how to properly wield that authority. Mere "knowing" (sans action) is worthless. (...having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof...).


Rather, "a scenario we [in the deliverance ministry] are all too familiar with" is the satanic counterfeits abounding virtually everywhere (as well as a lack of truly HS-filled ppl within the body of Christ aka the church).

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

""This is why performing due diligence is vital; do you know your God-given calling and are you walking in it? (Hint: That is the only place of true liberty.)""

Yes, I am walking in my God-given calling

 

[Christ4Ever]

Can only true Christians cast out demons?

A more accurate question would be:

Can only true Christians truly cast out demons?

...and the answer to that question would be YES.

Let us reason together.
How about we put the question about Christians (assuming "true" Christians) only casting out demons to bed.

First the disciples were given the power to do this:

And when He had called His twelve disciples to [Him], He gave them power [over] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10:1 NKJV

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17 NKJV

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." Luke 10:17 NKJV

Secondly yes, but with a caveat.

That would be Matthew 17:19-21 NKJV
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Note 1: The above includes a caveat by Jesus Himself, in that one can have faith to do so, but that there is a certain process to it in certain cases. I would say by prayer and fasting, you are bringing in the big guns/power to make it happen besides just the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and belief. Still, the predicate to being filled with the Holy Spirit is the necessary belief or in other words faith that is buoyed by prayer & fasting.

Now can someone other than a Christian stand a chance of casting out a demon?

So He called them to [Himself] and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 "And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 "And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. Mark 3:23-26 NKJV

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? Therefore they shall be your judges. Matthew 12:25-5-27 NKJV

Note 2: It's interesting to note that Jesus adds the additional observation of those other than Christians or disciples of His, be they Jews (assumption) could cast out demons. I would state that Jews have and continue to have the ability to cast out demons, unless one could show evidence that the Jewish ties to the Covenant with God which I believe is how they are able to do this is negated by the New Covenant. I would not include Gentiles as part of this, until they received new standing either by converting to Judaism or under the New Covenant of Grace through Jesus Christ. A different subject entirely.

But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house [divided] against a house falls. 18 "If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 "But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. Luke 11:17-23 NKJV

Note 3: I added v21-22 because in truth it is about power, authority, that casting out of demons can occur, and of course it's not by us except as a vehicle by which God's will is done!

So, does this answer the question...

With the Love of Christ Jesus brethren.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
P.S. I add here the instance of where Paul cast one out as well.
And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:18 NKJV

 

[Bill]

Let us reason together.
How about we put the question about Christians (assuming "true" Christians) only casting out demons to bed.

First the disciples were given the power to do this:

And when He had called His twelve disciples to [Him], He gave them power [over] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10:1 NKJV

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17 NKJV

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." Luke 10:17 NKJV

Secondly yes, but with a caveat.

That would be Matthew 17:19-21 NKJV
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Note 1: The above includes a caveat by Jesus Himself, in that one can have faith to do so, but that there is a certain process to it in certain cases. I would say by prayer and fasting, you are bringing in the big guns/power to make it happen besides just the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and belief. Still, the predicate to being filled with the Holy Spirit is the necessary belief or in other words faith that is buoyed by prayer & fasting.

Now can someone other than a Christian stand a chance of casting out a demon?

So He called them to [Himself] and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 "And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 "And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. Mark 3:23-26 NKJV

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? Therefore they shall be your judges. Matthew 12:25-5-27 NKJV

Note 2: It's interesting to note that Jesus adds the additional observation of those other than Christians or disciples of His, be they Jews (assumption) could cast out demons. I would state that Jews have and continue to have the ability to cast out demons, unless one could show evidence that the Jewish ties to the Covenant with God which I believe is how they are able to do this is negated by the New Covenant. I would not include Gentiles as part of this, until they received new standing either by converting to Judaism or under the New Covenant of Grace through Jesus Christ. A different subject entirely.

But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house [divided] against a house falls. 18 "If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 "But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. Luke 11:17-23 NKJV

Note 3: I added v21-22 because in truth it is about power, authority, that casting out of demons can occur, and of course it's not by us except as a vehicle by which God's will is done!

So, does this answer the question...

With the Love of Christ Jesus brethren.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
P.S. I add here the instance of where Paul cast one out as well.
And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:18 NKJV

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

Well said brother

 

[Twistie]

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." Luke 10:17 NKJV

I believe this is what has happened to the young lady i befriended here in Oklahoma.. Oklahoma has some very wicked Synagogues that many Christians call church here..n some just believe they should lay hands or try to on all who walk through the doors..

I believe that prophet school that comes around should be here soon seems about that time of yr if my memory serves me correctly..he claims ya pay him or the company they teach ya how to be one..i just about fell out when i heard that..

I found too that they believe the stage they stand n walk all over some of them synagogues call that their altar..their table for the Lord .woe be to the world its has gotten very dark..yet the darkness must come to it full so the Glorious Light of our Lord can shine when He comes..

Anywho hope alls well

(⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

 

[backNforth]

There could be none in the Old Testament to show that someone is casting out devils, and the reason is simple. In Genesis, God created man and granted him authority over all animals and plants but not spirit.

When Jesus came, he gave men authority to cast out devils in his name.

There’s no instruction in the Old Testament regarding "exorcism" of devils.

There were indeed demon-possessed people, but it’s spoken of in a very general and collective way. We don’t really have an account in the Old Testament of an individual demon-possessed person or of the way those people behaved, or of any "exorcism" in dealing with them. And so that is to say we don’t know a lot about demon possession from the Old Testament.

The point has been made by @Bill and @backNforth that one has to be a true Christian to cast out a demon, suggesting that Matthew 7:22–23 refers to fake Christians casting out fake demons

An unbeliever has ZERO authority to cast out any devil. Could God use such a person to accomplish his purposes? Of course. And we also have many examples of God using unbelievers as his rod of correction against others, including believers.

An angel's authority (any angel) trumps man's authority. Any man, acting in his own will, does not possess the authority to cast out any devil (even as devils may play games with such a one). An unbeliever, of his own free will, cannot boot out a devil.

The bottom line remains: the HS is required to boot out a devil; the HS does the booting and not the man.

To further refine and clarify the OP...

Can only true Christians truly cast out demons?

...how about this title:

Can only the Holy Spirit truly cast out demons?

some just believe they should lay hands or try to on all who walk through the doors..

If I have an open door (aka unconfessed sin), then another who I allow to touch me can transfer his spirit(s) to me (back to the spiritual reality of the consequences that are determined by how one exercises his free will choice).

I have no hope of delivering a man from the spirit of pornography if I myself have porn mags stashed under my mattress (the devils know).

if my memory serves me correctly..he claims ya pay him or the company they teach ya how to be one..i just about fell out when i heard that..

Yeah, like HS authority is just another tran$action. Recalling Simon the sorcerer again; the people wrongly believed that what Simon did was of God, so they exercised their free will choice in his direction. Thus, those people became "neutered for Christ":

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God (Acts 8).

I found too that they believe the stage they stand n walk all over some of them synagogues call that their altar..their table for the Lord .woe be to the world its has gotten very dark..

Well, it could be considered an altar, if consecrated to The Most High, but their purpose is mammon and God is not to be found in that.

yet the darkness must come to it full so the Glorious Light of our Lord can shine when He comes..

Indeed, and that darkness is surely increasing...

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.