There are times when individuals or institutions within a society are so infested by a demonic influence that the only remedy is deliverance. Deliverance will raise the eyebrows of the intelligentsia among us who, in their pursuit of “knowledge” have abandoned the supernatural. It also sadly causes some within the Church to shy away because they have never seen an aggressive expression of faith.

It is by no accident that the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing a stormy sea and arriving in the Gadarenes where Jesus was confronted by two demon-possessed men are back-to-back in Scripture. Fear was the issue in each story and only the delivering power of God had the ability to cast out the influence that created the fear. 

While Jesus slept through the storm, He was awakened by His disciples shouting in fear of death by drowning. When he stepped out of the boat now floating on a calm sea, the two possessed men ran to Him. These demon-possessed men had been “so violent that no one could go through that area” (Matthew 8:28).  The area was listed as a restricted Do Not Enter zone, so dangerous people were not willing to go through the area for fear of death or injury. They were not able to live a normal life until Jesus arrived and cast the demons out of the two men. 

We have demons in control of areas of our culture that can only be displaced by the power of God. We can’t vote them out, police them out or threaten them out. In some cases, only an exorcism of darkness can drive out the presence of hell. 

Jesus gave His disciples authority over demonic powers as He sent them out to minister. The Lord knew this would be a necessary offensive Kingdom tool when His followers were confronted by hell and good works would not be enough to bring transformation. Luke addressed this “One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases” (Luke 9:1). Casting out demons was also noted by the Lord as evidence the Church was present and doing business in the world “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name, they will drive out demons” (Mark 16:17).

Some have forgotten or even abandoned the delivering power of Jesus as a vital option when it comes to setting people, cities, and nations free from living in fear. Entire neighborhoods in some of the cities within our nation are living like the people of the Gadarenes. Fear holds them captive and restricts their lives. What we are driving out as we command these dark spirits to depart is the effect of their presence – fear. Only the power of God can calm the storms of life and reinstitute freedom in the “Do Not Enter” zones of culture. We possess that power and the world is waiting to see and experience its demonstration.