Watchman’s Adventure: a matter of spiritual method

It is easy to talk about why we need to deal with spiritual realm but it is difficult to know the right spiritual methods to use. For example, how to bind and cast out demons? Do we need to use repetitive command to address one demon and treat it as if it were deaf, dumb, or slumbering? Can one command of binding and casting out be effective? How many times do we need to bind and cast before that one reluctant demon get out and go away for good? The watchman could not help but ponder on this issue of spiritual methodology.


He has no particular role or assignment in this area of ministry. But he could not help but wonder the number of times one uses to issue one command before that command takes effect, as though the recipient of that command could choose not to obey the Mighty Name of Jesus and the Authority of Jesus.

So he decided to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to him the answer in case one day he too goes to a foreign field and be assigned such task. The answer came, covering two aspects:

1. The use of authority.

2. The perfect example of Jesus.

When one knows the right (legal) spiritual authority he is using, he should use that authority confidently by faith. The authority is based on the unchangeability of God’s Word. There is no way the demon could refuse to obey that authority.

In the example of Jesus he observes the following:

1. Jesus knows His authority. He uses His authority calmly and confidently. He does not need to say twice to the demons to get them to obey His commands.

2. He knows where His authority comes from and He is confident of the ultimate sovereign power of the source of authority (God Himself). He does not fear that the authority may not work.

3. He always sees the real root of the problem and addresses it directly. He speaks to that root.

4. He is a spiritual man and He sees, hears and talks to the spiritual beings as though He is talking to the physical beings.

5. He knows His authority covers the natural realm as well as the supernatural realm and effectively uses the same authority to address it, for example, the wind, rough waves, demons, unclean spirits, the functioning of the body, creation etc.

The watchman also takes note of Jesus’ commanding words. They are short, accurate and to the point as illustrated in the Gospel of Mark, as follows:

1.Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. (He addressed the natural elements with a direct command and they obeyed Him)

2.Jesus said to a legion of evil spirits, “Come out of that man, you evil spirits!” after their repeated pleadings He gave them permission and the evil spirits came out of that man and entered 2000 pigs which plunged into the lake and drowned. (He commanded the legion of demons directly and they obeyed Him)

3.Jesus spoke to a woman who got well by touching His robe, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” (He focussed on why she was healed, i.e. her faith, and proclaimed her well, by His Word)

4.Jesus told a Phoenician woman, “Good answer! Now you go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” (He commended her, i.e. her faith, and proclaimed her daughter delivered and set free, by His Word)

5.In the case of a deaf man with speech impediment, Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone, put His fingers in his ears, spitting on His own fingers, touched the man’s tongue, said, “Be opened!” The man was instantly healed. (He touched the malfunctioned organs and issued a specific functional command to them)

6.In the case of a mute and convulsive boy, and a growing crowd of onlookers, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” The spirit cried out, convulsed the boy greatly and came out of him. (He addressed the spirit describing its specialty, commanded it to get out and also blocked it from re-entry by His Word. He identified why His disciples failed as they had not detected the ‘re-entry’ tendency of this particular type of demons, quite possibly re-inforced by the many demons in that growing crowd! He later advised the disciples to fast and pray in future similar cases as that faith action would sharpen their spiritual discernment!)

7.With a blind man outside Jericho, Jesus responded to his repeated cries, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The man said he wanted to receive his sight. Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight. (He focussed on why he was healed, i.e. his faith, and proclaimed him well by His Word)

Reading the above examples, the watchman concluded that he would choose to go the Jesus way, i.e. issuing simple command with the authority of Jesus, effective and straightforward, to malfunctioning parts, demons and even natural elements. Of course the best way is to encourage the faith level to rise in the persons in need of healing. Faith based on God’s Word alone can make the person well regardless of what they suffer from. He also notes that the manifestation of the appropriate gifts of the Holy Spirit and His anointing are required on all occasions of needs.