"Many will cast out demons in my name," but how?

[arapahoepark]

I was just asked this question and I do not really know how to answer it.
If many are actually casting out demons in Jesus' name (Matt. 7:22) and they aren't actually saved, how is that possible? Wouldn't their works be attributed to Satan? But, if that's the case then isn't Satan divided against himself (Matthew 12)?

 

[MilitaryBrat2007]

Perhaps another possibility: The Holy Spirit can work through unsaved people.

The Holy Spirit work through the preaching of false pastors (Philippians 1:17-18). You can be a soldier fighting out of personal motives but still helping the Kingdom of God.

 

[davejonescue]

I was just asked this question and I do not really know how to answer it.
If many are actually casting out demons in Jesus' name (Matt. 7:22) and they aren't actually saved, how is that possible? Wouldn't their works be attributed to Satan? But, if that's the case then isn't Satan divided against himself (Matthew 12)?

It may be the same way Satan can disguise himself as Samuel. The Devil cometh as an angel of light. Look how many of the magicians matched Gods plagues with Moses and Pharaoh until God did that which only God can do. If we look at Satan being a commander of a demonic army, and him being a master of stratagem, to transfer one of his soldiers so that he can better gain a stronghold is not a kingdom divided against himself. This may be why Jesus could correlate his actual overthrow of demonic powers in people (banishment with no ulterior motive but health,) with artificial strategic relenting of certain oppressions to gain the greater harm and deception by the fruit produced by religious charlatans. Dont know, just a theory. But in the long run, it seems much more damage is done by unregenerate prophets, than a single visibly oppressed person.

 

[Phil D.]

One point of consideration is that even Judas Iscariot was given authority by Jesus to cast out unclean spirits Matt. 10:1,2,3,4, while ultimately proving to be the son of destruction John 17:12 - indeed a "devil" John 6:70,71. Also compare Luke 10:17,18,19,20