Power / Authority over Demons

What power / authority do we have over demons?I hear people talking about 'binding' demons etc.What scriptual backing has any of this?

What power / authority do we have over demons?Christians are seated with Christ at the right hand of the Father, far above all such things. They cannot posses you, you have authority to cast them out. Contrary to popular nonsense, you cannot "bind" and "loose" them, or cast them into the lake of fire with any sort of magical prayer or speaking to them. The only way to do anything remotely along those lines is rather to expose their influence and take action against them, and get people to align themselves with the will of God. Ultimately, the only way to stop their influence upon man is to get man saved, and see them transfered from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God. Once one is positioned with Christ at the right hand of power, one will be ok.

Binding and loosing is only mentioned in two places, both by Our Lord, Mat chs 16, and 18. Both are in relation to the church. When we are truly gathered together in Christ's name and in agreement we have the authority to bind and loose. No reference to demons though.If you were to do a study on exousia the greek word for authority, you would find that God has all authority, all authority has been given to the Man Christ Jesus, we must obey cival authorities but (suprisingly for some) no authority is ever given in the church to any man or group of men over any others. In fact the only two times that authority is used in relation to any Gift or Servant in the church is where twice Paul refers to his authority as an apostle to build up not to pull down. All of us have authority to use whatever gifts the Lord has given us for edification. But none of has the authority to cast believers out or to discipline them. Only Christ has the authority to do that and he excercises that authority through his assembeld body. In context that's what is refered to in mat 18.Stuart

StuartMany thanks. This is valuable input and has gone straight into my study file.

Well Jesus said in Mark 16:17 that believers will cast out devils in His name. The context is speaking of all who believe in Him. I've heard some people say that authority to cast out demons was only for the Apostles but this passage would seem to suggest otherwise.Having said that, it is interesting that we don't see Paul instructing the churches on anything about casting out devils, or binding them, or speaking directly to devils. We are, however, told to resist the devil and to put on the whole armor of God.The real spiritual war is fought when we bring the truth against lies that have been raised up against the knowledge of God, and the truth shatters those lies and the walls come down, and we bring those people out and bring them captive to Christ.In Christ,Ron