Previously, we discussed demon-possession, oppression, exorcism, deliverance, and the biblical remedy for demonic attacks. In the excerpt below we focus particularly on the argument that demons are cast out and flee at the name of Jesus.

Frederick S. Leahy
Satan Cast Out: A Study in Biblical Demonology
pp. 164-167

The Challenge to the Church’s Method.

Awareness and concern in the face of sinister demonic phenomena, although commendable, must be wedded to sound method. There must be a theology of victory behind and beneath the Church’s method of confronting Satan and his demons. Such a method must be squarely based upon Biblical teaching, and must not be governed by any other considerations whatsoever. Here the principle of Sola Scriptura is of the utmost importance. Yet it is precisely this principle which has so often been forgotten. Well-meaning Christians frequently draw conclusions based on observations and then belatedly seek to buttress those conclusions with verses of Scripture which do not always support the preconceived beliefs. There is always the temptation to follow the example of others and in doing so to lose sight of Scriptural teaching.

The use of the name of Jesus.

The use of the name of Jesus in seeking to effect deliverance from demon-possession comes to mind. In some Christian circles there is an attitude to the name of Jesus which almost borders on magic. It is believed that the very sound of that name will terrify the demons. It did not do so in the case of the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13f.) Or it is believed that it is sufficient to command a demon in the name of Jesus to withdraw and thus exorcise the spirit. [1] Appeals are made to certain portions of Scripture which are said to authorize such a procedure.

This is to overlook the Biblical use of the word “name.” It is never a mere label in Scripture. On the contrary it is an expression of the nature and character of the one who bears it. God’s name reveals Him as an eternal Being and He expounds His name as He reveals Himself to His people. And so God’s name is said to be “declared” (Ps. 22:22), “proclaimed” (Ex. 33:19), “published” (Deut. 32:3), and it is the “help” of His people (Ps. 124:8). It is “a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe” (Prov. 18:10). In the New Testament, the name of Jesus is used in a similar fashion. Christ’s name stands for His character and teaching. To proclaim His name is to tell forth the truth concerning His Person and work. Philip, for example, preached “the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12). Paul confessed that before his conversion he acted “contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9).

Well-meaning Christian workers, jealous for the glory of their Master, sometimes feel that they should follow the practice of commanding demons in the name of Jesus to depart. But if there is no experience of salvation through the preached Word, what has been accomplished? In attempting mere exorcism, some searching questions need to be asked: What is the source of such a “deliverance”? What has been done that the sorcerers could not do [Acts 19:13-16; Mat. 7:22]? Was the name of Jesus ever meant to be used for merely medical and therapeutic purposes? The whole weight of Biblical evidence is solidly against such a practice, for it can only be regarded as fraught with the gravest peril for all concerned.

The “great signs and wonders,” the exorcism of demons, the “many wonderful works” which our Lord and the apostles associate with Satan and his dupes, are still to be witnessed [Matthew 7:22-23]. They are facts which cannot be denied, and frequently the name of Jesus is associated with them. There have been remarkable healing campaigns where the preaching was marked by the wildest doctrinal aberrations. The “results” seem impressive and the evangelical, losing sight of his Biblical standards and unwittingly accepting worldly standards of success, is in grave danger of what Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls “capitulation to phenomena.” This is the error of allowing one’s doctrine to be determined by phenomena. The facts cannot be gainsaid, so it is decided that they must be accommodated by theology and therefore theology is adjusted accordingly. But it is not necessary to do this. On the contrary, the Christian should seek to interpret the facts in the light of the teaching of Scripture. He must not allow phenomena to determine his belief. In warning against this peril, Martyn Lloyd-Jones remarks:

“People have assumed, because the name of Christ has been used in a meeting, that all that happens in it must be truly Christian, and is, therefore, a guarantee of the soundness of all that is taught. For them the results guarantee everything. I have known good people who, because of something they have seen in ‘healing meetings,’ have abandoned what they formerly believed. Because of what happened in a given meeting they have submitted to the entire teaching of those conducting that meeting.”

In other words, they have capitulated to phenomena. They have allowed facts to determine their faith, instead of interpreting facts in the light of their faith. They reach conclusions on non-Biblical grounds. They have totally failed to heed our Lord’s warning in Matthew 7:22-23 and the apostle’s warning in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. Christ spoke of many who would say to Him, in the judgment, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out demons? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” His reply is solemn and sobering: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” [Mat. 7:22-23]

Even Satan uses the name of Jesus.

So Satan can and does use the name of Jesus to do mighty works, including the exorcising of demons, in order to deceive men and gain greater power over them. As the apostle tells us, he appears as an “angel of light” and the “false apostles” employed by him are transformed “into the apostles of Christ” and “ministers of righteousness” [2 Cor. 11:13-15]. Christians need to pay heed to these words; they are intended to guide us and to protect us from impostors. [2]

In making this point we are in no way denying the power of God to heal the sick, if it be His will to do so. Our sole concern is to warn against a gullible acceptance of all phenomena associated with the name of Jesus Christ, especially where the exorcism of demons is concerned. All Christian workers, wherever they are called to labour, must remember that the outcome of their service for the Lord is in His sovereign hand. His purpose of grace will not fail, “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (Isa 45:23). Once the Christian worker loses sight of the sovereignty of God, once he allows the sovereignty of electing grace to slip into the background and forgets that the same Gospel which is “the savour of life unto life” to some is “the savour of death unto death” to others [2 Cor. 2:16], then he is in danger of becoming depressed in mind, mistaken in belief and misguided in action.

The greatest weapon which the Church possesses is the Word of God proclaimed in the fullness of His Spirit. Here are the facts, and no fact is truly understood when divorced from the Divine revelation of Holy Scripture. The Gospel unfolded in Scripture is said to be the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom 1:16), and here the word translated “power” (dunamis) is the word from which our English word “dynamite” is derived. When we face Satan with the sword of the Spirit [Eph. 6:17], we do so with the weapon he dreads most. Our Lord in His temptation used no other weapon. Let the Lord’s people unite to rely in faith and obedience upon the sole mighty Word of God, and God will give peace to them, blessing their efforts in accordance with His sovereign purpose of grace, and using the prayerful proclamation of that Word to bring about the ultimate doom of the adversary.

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[1] Petrus Van Mastricht replies: “If they should allege that it is related that at the name of Jesus demons were cast out (Mark 16:17; Acts 16:18), I will confess that this happened, but not through the utterance of a word, but through the authority and power of Christ (Matt. 8:31–32; Mark 1:32; 9:25). For even the demons themselves uttered that name (Luke 8:28), and they assaulted those who accosted them in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:15–16).” (Theoretical-Practical Theology 1.3.8.xxiv, vol. 3, p. 239)

Similarly William Perkins writes: “We are here to consider the particular remedies which they of the popish church have prescribed against the hurts that have come by witchcraft… The first is the name of Jesus. We must grant that any Christian may lawfully call upon the name of Jesus in prayer, for the help and deliverance of those who are possessed and bewitched, but yet with the caveat and condition before specified, if it is the will of God, and if their recovery may make for His glory, the benefit of the church, and the good of the diseased parties. 

“But the papist, by the use of this name, intends a further matter, to wit, that the very name uttered in so many letters and syllables is powerful to cast out devils and to help those who are bewitched. For when it is uttered, then (they say) the authority of Christ is present, that the work may be done. This is a flat untruth and a practice full of danger. For let this be well considered, whatsoever any man does in this case, he must do it by virtue of his calling, and have also his warrant for the doing thereof out of the Word. If he lacks this, and yet undertakes such a work, he may justly fear the like event that befell the vagabond Jews who were exorcists (Acts 19:13). Now the church of Christ has no warrant in the Word to use this name of Christ for any such purpose. Neither has any ordinary Christian a special calling from God so to do. Therefore, he may not do it.” (The Damned Art of Witchcraft, Works IX, pp. 396-7).

[2] “The devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19); and demons even profess “Jesus, thou Son of God most high” (Luke 8:28). So merely uttering His name is not inherently effective and does not automatically work (ex opere operato) to exorcise demons or to deliver someone from demonic attacks. Rather, we must trust in Christ alone to be delivered from the kingdom of darkness; employ the means of grace, and put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil and his schemes. See here for the Biblical Remedy for Demonization.