Speaking (and singing) to demons

A while back, a friend and brother asked me, "should we be singing, 'Satan the blood of Jesus is against you' (A song from the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir). Should we be addressing Satan in song?

Great question.

A broader rephrasing of the question would be: Why do people speak directly to demons today and command them to leave, rather than just praying and asking God to drive the demons away. Isn't it safer just to pray to God about this?

Let's use this parallel.

In a way, this is similar to asking why Christians should share the gospel with another person rather than simply praying and asking God to reveal the Gospel to that person directly.

Or why should we speak words of encouragement to a Christian who is discouraged rather than just praying and asking God Himself to encourage that person directly?

Why should we speak a word of rebuke or gentle admonition to a Christian, whom we see involved in some kind of sin, rather than just praying and asking God to take care of the sin in that person's life?

The answer to all of these question is that in the kind of world God has created, He has given us an active role in carrying out His plans, especially His plans of advancing the Kingdom and building up the Church.

In all of these cases, our direct involvement and activity is important in addition to our prayers.

And so it seems to be in our dealing with demonic forces as well.

Take for instance one of your kids. They get into an argument at their school on the playground.

A wise father doesn't step in right away and settle all of their disputes. He let's them try to settle the disputes themselves.

In the same way God encourages us to enter directly into conflict with demonic forces, in the name of Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament pattern seems to be that God routinely expects us, as followers of Christ, to speak directly to the unclean spirits.

Jesus did this, as did his 70 disciples.

The 70 said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name?" (Luke 10:17)

Paul did this in speaking to the demon in the soothsaying girl at Philippi, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her." And the spirit left.

True, Satan is not to be the centerpiece of our worship, nor of our prayers. I completely concur.

But there are times when we are in the midst of a spiritual battle, and spiritual weapons must be used - to bring victory in His name.