Part 6 of 6: Pentecostalism … SHOULD WE REBUKE THE DEVIL?

By David W. Cloud

A favored practice of charismatics is that of rebuking and taking authority over the devil in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is common to hear things such as these:
“We rebuke you, Satan, in Christ’s name.”
“We rebuke thee, foul spirit of sickness.”
“We take dominion over this city in Christ’s name.”
“We bind you, devil, in Christ’s name, and command that you loose this person.”
We believe this is a dangerous and unscriptural practice, and we want to sound a warning against it. In regard to spiritual warfare against demonic powers there is no example in Scripture of rebuking Satan or taking dominion over demons or places in the way that charismatics do.
On the contrary, consider the following passages:

Jude 8-9
“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Jude 8-9
This is a powerful example of whether or not we should rebuke the devil. We see that even Michael the archangel did not rail against him; who are we that we should do so?

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor. 12:7-9

Note that Paul didn’t rail against or take authority over the devil and demand that the thorn be removed. How different things would have been had Paul been a modern charismatic! He would have said something like this,

“Thou foul thorn in the flesh, I rebuke thee in the name of Christ. Thou foul devil, I command thee to depart from me immediately. You have no power over me; you have no right to afflict me. There is healing in the atonement, and I claim it now! In the name of Christ, I take dominion over this evil circumstance which is hindering and distracting me.”

If you think this is an exaggeration, you haven’t been in charismatic circles lately. At the large meetings in New Orleans (1987) and Indianapolis (1990) I heard this type of thing repeatedly. This type of “spiritual warfare” was also being recommended by evangelicals such as Peter Wagner and Charles Kraft of Fuller Seminary. But those who are involved in such things are flying in the face of the Word of God.
Matthew 4:1-11

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Got thee behind hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” Matt. 4:1-11

Notice that the Lord Jesus Christ used the Word of God in dealing with the devil. He did not rail against him or rebuke him or even reason with him.The Bible is the only infallible guide for spiritual warfare, and if we follow it and it alone, we will not follow charismatic practices of rebuking the devil. The Bible speaks of rebuking a lot, but only in the context of rebuking men and error and sin, not devils. Consider the following passages as examples:
“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” 1 Tim. 5:20
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2
“This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” Titus 1:13

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15

Strangely, this ministry of rebuking error and those involved with it is something commonly lacking in the charismatic movement. At Indianapolis, many said, “Satan, we rebuke thee,” but no one said, “Roman Catholic priest, we rebuke you for teaching error, and for claiming to be something you are not, and for claiming to have powers you do not have.” No one obeyed God’s command to rebuke error. Frightful doctrinal error was allowed to be at home at Indianapolis ’90 and no one said a word against it. What a confusing situation.
One of the devil’s main weapons for hindering the work of God is doctrinal error. How foolish, therefore, for men to claim to be fighting the devil while ignoring error.