Vatican recruiting student Exorcists

The recruitment of new exorcists is in response to Vatican concern about a rise in Satanism around the world. Just six years ago the Vatican updated its exorcism ritual for the first time since 1614.

Most people rarely think about demons. When they do it is usually in connection with movies such as the "Exorcism of Emily Rose" or in humorous connection with observance of Halloween. But are there real demons who can do real harm to people? Is there a need for church exorcists, or at least persons who do have power to cast demons out of real human beings? Is the ability to cast out a demon proof of true discipleship of Christ?

If you are a Christian who accepts the authority of the Bible there can be no doubt in your mind as to the existence of demons that can and do afflict people. Christ healed persons who were demon possessed (see Matthew 4:24; Mark 1:39 among many more). Christ gave the disciples authority to cast out demons (Luke 9:1; Luke 10:17) because the possessed people were unable to become free of this evil influence without divine intervention. Even persons who were not Christ's disciples sometimes could cast out demons and Christ, in his concern for the afflicted person, did not forbid them to do this. (Luke 9:48–50)

As we have just seen, just because someone is able to cast out demons is not proof that they are Christ's true disciples! In fact, Christ said in Matthew 7:21–23, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in Your name and done many wonders in your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"

But how can you know if a person who is able to cast out a demon is really Christ's disciple or one practicing lawlessness? The key is found in Deuteronomy 13: 1–4. God sometimes tests people to see if they will be swayed by and follow a miracle-worker, or whether they will faithfully keep His commandments. Just because someone can perform a miracle is not proof they are Christ's true disciple! Christ said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep my commandments." Christ's true disciples keep the Ten Commandments—all ten—including the Fourth Commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Being able to discern between a true disciple of Christ and an imposter will be even more important in the future. Revelation 13:11–14 tells us that a false prophet will come just prior to Christ's return and "perform great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven... And he deceives those who dwell on the earth" (Send for our free booklet What Is a True Christian? or read it here, online by clicking on the tab "Booklets.")

Will you, a religious person who believes in the God of the Bible, be led by and follow someone who can cast out a demon or perform a sign or wonder, but who does not teach and obey all Ten Commandments of God?

Ray E. Clore