Matthew 8:16 NLT That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.

Many times we think we need to yell, pray for a long time, or say 5 scriptures when it comes to casting out demonically influenced people. Jesus cast them out by keeping it simple. Although it doesn’t say exactly what He said in this instance, I could imagine it was simple “be gone.”

For the record, demon possessed people are not always throwing up green vomit or speaking in a strange voice like in the movie The Exorcist. Demonically possessed people are people who are mean, abusive, alcohol or drug dependent, unfair, or extremely critical. All of these behaviors have a demonic influence behind them. And according to Luke 10:19, we have power over demonic spirits. It says, behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Whether a person is doing something strange or has a bad attitude, when it comes to demonic spirits, no need to have a long drawn out prayer and there’s no reason to be scared. Use the authority God has given us to cast it out and keep it simple.