“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” (Mark 16:17)
Some people have tried to get around this verse by saying that these verses at the end of Mark were not found in some of the oldest manuscripts which is true. Yet in my experience the main reason for explaining these scriptures away is because folks’ experience does not match up with them. Instead of changing themselves, they would rather change the scriptures.
We still have the same authority today to cast out devils that Jesus gave His disciples. Speaking in tongues is still a supernatural gift to every believer who will receive it. We are still called and ought to walk in complete victory over the devil, and if a true believer lays hands on the sick, they will recover. The healing of the sick is an almost daily experience for those who so pray believing. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb 13:8)
When Jesus said that we would do these signs in His name, He was referring to doing these signs through His power and ability. He gave us His power of attorney to use His name in faith believing.
Mood changes are often much more than that. They can be the change of personality. I became intensely interested in these things as the normal life of a believing Christian when I was still a young Methodist Minister. In my search the Lord brought me to His Word and through the prayers of my fellow believers brought me through to a marvelous deliverance of five demonic spirits that had at times found expression in my life. I had fought depression since I was a boy and would have terrific battles within myself of resentment toward others for no or unreasonable reasons. But, praise God, those forces or gone from my life and there is great peace through a beautiful deliverance brought on by the prayers of four other believers on the 5th of January 1965. A few hours later I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues, a prayer practice that I have used every day of my life since.
Casting out devils is not a special ministry for only some in the body of Christ. It is the right of every believer. The New Testament is full of these things. Those who feel these things are not for today are simply refusing to look around at the depravity in our society. Any serious consideration of our day will discover that we still have demon possession in more places than we would like to admit.
I can recommend the reading of the book “Shattered Dreams” written by Laura Steffens, one of the sisters in our fellowship here are “Grace To The Nations.” It is the personal testimony of Gwendolyn Egan and her mother, Dori. It is well written and thoroughly examines modern psychiatry and the shattered lives of these two precious souls and how they were brought to complete deliverance and wonderful peace in and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
