Do you think one could do an exorcism remotely?

[brainstormer]

There was this homeless woman I was trying to help. She was dressed very nice, and took care of her physical appearance, but she was an alcoholic and psychotic. She would ramble on and on, talking to herself, and when you listened to what she said it was about how she owned million dollar real estate, hospitals and so on.

I tried to console and teach her about her addiction a few times but it didn't work. I thought probably the best thing I could have done was try to come against any demonic spirit that was over her. I very well rounded theologically, I get a lot from Orthodox tradition, belief in the modern idea of gifts of the Holy Spirit, and have been pretty much plugged into aspects of the Christian Evangelical mainstream since 1982.

My question is, do you think what commonly goes by the name of exorcism as Jesus performed it, could be performed remotely?

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Did Jesus ever remotely exorcise? I know He healed some that way...

 

[RDKirk]

Where did what you said get around to a diagnosis of demonic possession?

Don't get me wrong--I know demons exist. But you haven't described demonic possession.

The answer to your question, though, is "No." A demon's response to an attempt at "remote" exorcism would be, "Hang up the phone."

 

[brainstormer]

Where did what you said get around to a diagnosis of demonic possession?

Don't get me wrong--I know demons exist. But you haven't described demonic possession.

The answer to your question, though, is "No." A demon's response to an attempt at "remote" exorcism would be, "Hang up the phone."

OK, why don't you describe demonic possession.

 

[tturt]

Things can be made worse – a lot worse for her according to Matt 12 and Luke 11.

“ Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” Matt 12:44-45
-“And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Luke 11:25-26

Some interpret this to mean that The Word isn’t an integral part of their daily lives; therefore, they go into a worse state than before.

Some of the Scriptures that state gospel first then deliverance are:

-“And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.” Mark 1:39
-“ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.” Mark 1:23-25
“And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.” Mark 1:39

Then the original 12 – “ And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” Mark 3:14-15
-“ And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” Mark 6:12-13

Then the 70 “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, …” “ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Luk 10:1, 2, 7

Also, for today -

-“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matt 10:7-8
-“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” Mark 16:15-17

The second concern is the potential of the demons reaction such as:

-“And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.” Mark 9:17-18 Also, v 20, Luk 9:39 There’s more.

Another concern is that sometimes it’s actually a personal hurt that needs healing such as "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psa 147:3

This doesn't include every Scripture, concern, etc. imo it doesn’t need to be done unless you’re being directed each step of the way by The Holy Spirit.

 

[FireDragon76]

Jesus exorcised the Syrophoenician woman's daughter, and the daughter was not present with her at the time.

There is nothing "magical" about exorcism. It is just prayer and using the authority, the name, of Jesus, the Cross, or other holy objects.

But I would personally be skeptical the woman is possessed . More likely she has dementia and/or psychosis. Still, you could pray for her. I just would hesitate to give more advice than that because people can get physically hurt doing exorcism, either the exorcist or the person being exorcised, to say nothing of the spiritual consequences. It is not something for "amateurs" to do unless they are desperate.

M. Scott Peck's book, People of the Lie is a good read about the subject from someone who participated in exorcism yet still had a background in psychology, and could understand the difference between mental illness and unexplained, apparent possession. But it's not a "how-to" manual.

Aversion to anything holy or having to do with God, self-harming or self-sabotaging tendencies, and resistance to conventional psychotherapy or counselling seem to be common themes in Peck's accounts.

 

[Greg J.]

How does a human exorcise a demon? Do you need some sort of special tool, so you can grab onto the demon's molecules and yank him out? No, ...

“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (bold mine, Mark 11:23, 1984 NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27, 1984 NIV)

Helping someone to faith in Christ "should" precede exorcism, because of what tturt said at the beginning of his post. Even then, the person will be too weak in their faith to prevent demons from returning. However, God can keep them out. Be sure you are doing what God wants for such a person.

 

[Goodbook]

Yes but you have to know what you doing and its improtant that when casting out demons the person be filled with the holy spirit otherwise seven worse ones come in. Pray first. There may be a time when she is sober and not psychotic when she will be receptive to His Word.

 

[DamianWarS]

There was this homeless woman I was trying to help. She was dressed very nice, and took care of her physical appearance, but she was an alcoholic and psychotic. She would ramble on and on, talking to herself, and when you listened to what she said it was about how she owned million dollar real estate, hospitals and so on.

I tried to console and teach her about her addiction a few times but it didn't work. I thought probably the best thing I could have done was try to come against any demonic spirit that was over her. I very well rounded theologically, I get a lot from Orthodox tradition, belief in the modern idea of gifts of the Holy Spirit, and have been pretty much plugged into aspects of the Christian Evangelical mainstream since 1982.

My question is, do you think what commonly goes by the name of exorcism as Jesus performed it, could be performed remotely?

Only Jesus has authority for such things. We can call upon that authority but us as individuals are powerless. If scripture teaches us anything that we need it is faith. We must not confuse crosses, formulas, holy objects and even the sound of the name of Jesus as things that have any inherent power. Such focuses are counter-gospel and only glorify themselves. We of course call upon the name of Jesus but it's not like a spell or the sounds of that word that demons cringe at, it is Jesus himself; they know the difference so use the name properly.

Demons aren't vampires and a cross has no effect on them. "Holy objects" are laughable in their eyes. Look to Christ as the source of power and nothing else because it is him who has the power. Jesus has authority over all things demons and sickness alike so call upon that name in confidence that even in distance he can conquer.

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