Q # 1951842

Question:

Hank, Concerning Matthew 7:22, and those people who claimed to cast out demons, did they actually cast out demons or was their claim just that, a claim? Anybody can make a claim, but did it really happen? Can an unbeliever cast out a demon? Jesus said he cast out demons by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:24-28) and that if Satan cast out Satan then his house/he is divided against itself/himself. In Acts 19:13-16, there are some unbelievers who tried to cast out a demon but the demon turned on them and attacked them. Either those in Matthew 7 actually cast out demons and were lead to believe that they were casting out demons by the great deceiver, Satan or their claim was false and just a claim. Correct me if I am wrong.

Answer:

I think that it was a claim. They really thought that they were casting out demons and were wrong, just as they wrong in thinking that their preaching in the name of Jesus and their many wonderful works in the name of Jesus would earn them a place in heaven.