“Can a Christian today perform an exorcism? What does the Bible say about casting out demons?”……Exorcism (commanding demons to leave other people) was practiced by various people in the Gospels and the Book of Acts-the disciples as part of Christ’s instructions (Matthew 10); …others using Christ’s name …Mark 9:38…38 John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group."…the children of the Pharisees…Luke 11:16-19…16 Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.18 You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive?19 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.… Paul (Acts 16) and certain exorcists (Acts 19:11-16).…Acts 19:11-1611 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.12 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.13 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!"14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this.15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?"16 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.…It appears that the purpose of Jesus’ disciples performing exorcisms was to show Christ’s dominion over the demons …Luke 10:17 17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!"…and to verify that the disciples were acting in His name and by His authority. It also revealed their faith or lack of faith …Matthew 17:14-2114 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't heal him."17 Jesus said, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, "Why couldn't we cast out that demon?"20 "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. (Some manuscripts add verse 21, But this kind of demon won't leave except by prayer and fasting.…Compare Mark 9:2929 Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer.(Some manuscripts read by prayer and fasting.)…It was obvious that this act of casting out demons was important to the ministry of the disciples. However, it is unclear what part casting out demons actually played in the discipleship process.…Interestingly, there seems to be a shift in the latter part of the New Testament regarding demonic warfare. The teaching portions of the New Testament (Romans through Jude) refer to demonic activity, yet do not discuss the actions of casting them out, nor are believers exhorted to do so. We are told to put on the armor to stand against them Ephesians 6:10-18.… We are told to resist the devil …James 4:7So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.…be careful of him…1 Peter 5:88 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.… and not give him room in our lives …Ephesians 4:27…27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.…However, we are not told how to cast him or his demons out of others, or that we should even consider doing so.…The book of Ephesians gives clear instructions on how we are to have victory in our lives in the battle against the forces of evil. …The first step is placing our faith in Christ…Ephesians 2:8-9…8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it , …which breaks the rule of "the prince of power of the air"…Ephesians 2:2…2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil-the commander of the powers in the unseen world.( Greek obeying the commander of the power of the air) He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Greek obeying the commander of the . …We are then to choose, again by God’s grace, to put off ungodly habits and to put on godly habits …Ephesians 4:17-24…17 With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.20 But that isn't what you learned about Christ.21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.…This does not involve casting out demons, but rather renewing our minds…Ephesians 4:23…23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.… After several practical instructions on how to obey God as His children, we are reminded that there is a spiritual battle. It is fought with certain armor that allows us to stand against-not cast out-the trickery of the demonic world…Ephesians 6:10…10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.… We stand with truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer…Ephesians 6:10-18…A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 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. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.(Or For shoes, put on the readiness to preach the Good News of peace with God.) In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.…It appears that as the Word of God was completed, the Christians had more weapons with which to battle the spirit world than the early Christians did. The role of casting out demons was replaced, for the most part, with evangelism and discipleship through the Word of God. Since the methods of spiritual warfare in the New Testament do not involve casting out demons, it is difficult to determine instructions on how to do such a thing. If necessary at all, it seems that it is through exposing the individual to the truth of the Word of God and the name of Jesus Christ.