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.

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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.