Deliverance from demons

Reader: Dear pastor, I enjoy reading your articles in The Financial Gazette. I have a question on deliverance. I have encountered priests, pastors and so on who will simply tell the evil spirits to go … chema uende (cry and go) or something like that. I have heard of others who will ask the evil spirit who it is, and what it has done to the person being delivered and his or her siblings with such sessions lasting up to three hours. Which is the way to do it?
Answer:  Jesus’ ministry touched three important aspects of human need: salvation from sin, healing from sickness and deliverance from demons. His commission to the church includes preaching the gospel, healing the sick and casting out evil spirits. Thus exorcism of demons is an integral part of the church’s mission.
There are some ailments which will not be healed until the evil spirits causing that affliction are cast out. As soon as the evil spirits loose their hold on that person healing can manifest instantly or gradually. It is important to first understand the main characteristics of demons before we can talk about their exorcism.
Biblical evidence reveals that demons were formerly good angels serving God in heaven. When Satan was cast out of heaven he fell to earth with one-third of God’s angels which became demons. Demons are spirits, that is, they do not have flesh and blood. This means that they are not visible to the human eyes, but they can assume visible forms (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 16:3). Demons are persons with intellect, feelings, will, and more than natural strength, powers and abilities (Acts 16:16-17; Luke 4:33-35, 8:22-31). But they are persons without bodies (Ephesians 6:12). This makes it necessary for them to seek human bodies to inhabit. Though demons can operate from many places like the air, the sea, animals and so on, their most preferred bodies are human bodies because they offer the broadest means of expression.
Demons can cause sickness in the human bodies they inhabit because they are morally perverted and evil spirits. They hate all goodness.
That explains why they are called evil or unclean spirits (Mark 1:23; Matthew 12:45). They often work through deception, often deceiving men as to their true character (2 Corinthians 11:14; Galatians 1:8). Demons are organised in hierarchies of varying power and authority with Satan himself being their master.
It is essential to note that though demons have more than natural powers they have got limitations. As created beings both Satan and his demons are finite. They are limited in location, time, knowledge and power. They cannot operate in moral light, they love darkness. Believers who walk in the light need not fear demons. Knowledge of the truth that the power of Satan was broken at Calvary and is now restrained by the Holy Spirit gives believers an advantage to thwart the works of the devil and his demons with much ease. However, living in sin yields one to the attack or inhabitation of demons.
Now, armed with this information on the nature, characteristics and limitations of the demons, we can talk about the right ways to cast out demons.
Firstly, there must be the desire on the part of the afflicted person to be free. This is shown by a sincere repentance and a turning towards God for deliverance.
And the exorcist must be a person living a holy life and have a sound knowledge of the authority and power given him by the Lord.
Tom Marshall in Healing from the inside out lays out some general stages involved in deliverance: Bind the demons (Matthew 16:19) or forbid them to exercise their powers and command them to harm no one. Since demons can deceive, you may forbid them to speak but when the Spirit of discernment shows you that you will get vital information if you ask them or allow them to speak then do so.
Command the demons to come out (Luke 4:35). After their expulsion, further command them not to enter again (Mark 9:25). In most cases the demons come out immediately but in other cases there will be struggle and resistance on the part of demons resulting in the process lasting for hours. In cases of demonic resistance let not the exorcist lose balance and become physical. Persist using the word of God and exercising authority in the name of Jesus Christ.
Some demons quietly leave but release from demons is often accompanied by manifestation including convulsions, loud cries, collapse but do not seek for these let them happen on their own. 
The gift of discerning spirits helps in detecting the presence of demons, in ascertaining their departure and in showing us the special key to use in each situation.
– Mairos Mubvumbi is the founding pastor of Hope In Christ Ministries.
You can send your prayer requests to him on 0772889766 or mairos78@yahoo.co.uk