Halloween is a time when people are “scared” of ghosts, goblins, witches, and evil spirits. As believers who have the authority of Jesus Christ’s name, we have NO FEAR. We have authority over all the forces of the enemy!
Jesus Promises us the authority in his name
When Jesus sent out the seventy disciples, he gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and overcome demons.
Luke 6:17-20:
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the DEVILS are subject unto us THROUGH THY NAME.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power [exousia, authority] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the SPIRITS ARE SUBJECT UNTO YOU; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Some Bible texts have “seventy-two” rather than “seventy.” I thought it would be interesting if there were 12 groups of 6 disciples sent out. Since the “twelve” had already gone out preaching, could they have been sent out with five disciples each this time? Whatever the case, they returned telling Jesus that evil spirits were subject to them when they claimed the authority given in the name of Jesus Christ. Satan “fell” from heaven. His kingdom was disrupted by these believing believers who used their God-given authority in Christ.
Where did Jesus get this authority? As God’s only Son, the Messiah, he had his Father’s protection, perception, and power. This was prophesied by David in the Psalms.
Psalms 91:9-13:
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There SHALL NO EVIL BEFALL THEE, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt TREAD UPON THE LION AND ADDER: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Jesus promised his disciples that “nothing shall by any means hurt you.” This was the same promise God gave to Jesus. Psalm 91 is all about God’s protection and care for the Messiah. God promised that “There shall no evil befall thee.” God said the Messiah would “tread upon the lion and adder.” That’s just what Jesus told his disciples: “I give unto you power [exousia, authority] to tread on serpents and scorpions.” Jesus could pass on this authority and protection, because God gave it to HIM as the Messiah!
To learn more about casting out spirits and healing, you may enjoy this blog on “Casting out and Casting on.”
believers using the authority in Christ’s name
The Book of Acts records born-again believers using the authority that Christ gave them to cast out evil spirits. He told them that it would be one of the signs that they believed his promises to them [Mark 16:17]. The Greek word for “spirit” is used 70 times in the Book of Acts. It is most often used of God, the Holy Spirit, energizing believers by His gift of holy spirit within them. But it also shows believers using their authority over EVIL spirits.
Jesus promised that the gift of the holy spirit would be shed upon them. That happened on Pentecost. Here’s what Jesus said would happen.
Acts 1:8:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost [God’s indwelling holy spirit] is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
They would be witnesses of God’s power first in Jerusalem and Judea, then in Samaria, then to the Gentile nations [uttermost part of the earth]. That is exactly what happened when they cast out evil spirits.
First in Jerusalem and Judea with Peter and the other apostles.
Acts 5:16:
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with UNCLEAN SPIRITS: and they were healed every one.
Here in Jerusalem Peter’s shadow was enough to inspire people to be healed. Everyone who was afflicted by demons was delivered. They were healed EVERY ONE.
Next in Samaria with the ministry of Philip the Evangelist.
Acts 8:5-8:
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and PREACHED CHRIST unto them.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
For UNCLEAN SPIRITS, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
And there was great joy in that city.
Philip used the authority of Christ’s name to cast out evil spirits in Samaria. This brought healing, and there was great joy in the entire city!
Next, we see Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, in Macedonia.
Acts 16:16-18:
And it came to pass, as we [Paul, Luke, and others] went to prayer, a certain damsel POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and SAID TO THE SPIRIT, I COMMAND THEE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST TO COME OUT OF HER. And he came out the same hour [immediately].
Here, Paul is followed by a young girl controlled by an evil spirit in Philippi. Paul cast the spirit out of her and she was delivered. Paul and fellow ministers realized that they didn’t wrestle against people, “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places” [Ephesians 6:12]. These ministers in the early church knew and claimed their authority in Christ to overcome the enemy. They had NO FEAR.
When Paul came and preached to other Gentiles at Ephesus, it was a major town with “Halloween type” spiritual problems. People had amulets and items that helped them get “in touch” with evil spirits that pretended to be “helpful and benevolent” to them. It was all a lie. And Paul exposed those who promoted evil spirits. That included some very religious and sincere people.
Acts 19:12-17:
So that from his [Paul’s] body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the EVIL SPIRITS WENT OUT of them.
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which HAD EVIL SPIRITS the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
And the EVIL SPIRIT answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
And the MAN IN WHOM THE EVIL SPIRIT WAS leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear [respect] fell on them all, and the NAME OF THE LORD JESUS was magnified.
It was the “name of the Lord Jesus” that gave Paul the authority to do this. He cast out spirits with God’s power. Those who tried to use counterfeit “religious” rituals were attacked and injured by those who had evil spirits. Paul used the name of Jesus Christ with believing authority, and that inspired those influenced by evil spirits to change their ways.
Verses 18-20:
And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Many of them also which used CURIOUS ARTS [Ouija boards, amulets, crystal balls, tarot cards, horoscopes] brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
These people didn’t care about the earthly, monetary value of these items. They destroyed them and knocked out the evil spirit influence in their lives. Then God’s Word began to grow in and among these people until it overcame the adversary’s schemes and prevailed!
our authority in Christ’s name today
We too can overcome the wicked one. We need have NO FEAR on Halloween or any other time. Jesus gave us authority in his name over the Devil and his evil spirits. We are in the body of Christ, seated far above any of these evil spiritual powers.
Ephesians 1:19-23:
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
FAR ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY, AND POWER, AND MIGHT, AND DOMINION, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And hath PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church [that’s US],
Which is his body [that’s US], the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
