Deliverance
The term deliverance in religion describes the process by which a person is delivered from the control a demon or demons.
Deliverance is achieved by driving out evil spirits using the authority of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If a person has ever been involved in occult practices, whether done innocently or not, they have opened the door to the powers of darkness, even though such occult activity may have occurred many years ago or before they became a Christian.
Individuals can also open the door to demonic activity by visiting fortune tellers, visiting witch doctors, consulting the Ouija board, playing with popular occult games, studying horoscopes, attending séances, watching horror and occult movies, reading demonic books, engaging in hypnosis, and so on.
Deliverance from evil spirits is an important part of the continuing mission of Jesus Christ. The Bible contains many examples of deliverance both during and after the earthly ministry of Jesus. Believers in Jesus today have the authority and opportunity to continue His deliverance ministry to those who are oppressed and possessed.
The New Testament has many accounts of Jesus casting demons out of people. A major part of His ministry was devoted to deliverance. Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan.
Jesus merely spoke to these real yet invisible beings and they obeyed Him.
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. - Luke 9:1
And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. “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. - Luke 10:18-19
Jesus has given us the same authority to drive out evil spirits and to set people free. The evidence of this is in the New Testament accounts of the ministry of His disciples and that of the Apostle Paul.
Prior to His ascension into heaven, Jesus commissioned His church to preach the gospel throughout the world and to confirm the Word with signs following. The first sign mentioned is deliverance from demons.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues. - Mark 16:15-17
People who are unable to free themselves from physical, emotional or spiritual bondage need deliverance. The ministry of deliverance is about bringing spiritual victory and freedom to those who are in bondage, whether they are oppressed or possessed by demon spirits. The bondage may also be associated with a yielding to selfish and sinful desires and the problem could reveal itself in many different forms whether it is a stronghold, generational curse, or demon possession.
Recognizing Oppression and Possession
Deliverance ministers typically look for a combination of symptoms that point to demonization and may include:
* Physical manifestations such as certain types of sicknesses or diseases
* Unexplained bodily pains
* Distorted voice
* Distorted posture
* Extremely fierce or hostile behavior
* Foul odors in the vicinity of the person
* Obsessive or compulsive behavior
* Being driven to do something
* Self-destructive behavior
* Nakedness in public
* Abnormal living patterns and behavior
* Difficulty in reading the Bible and worshipping God
* Difficulty confessing and renouncing a specific sin
* Bodily contortions or convulsions
* Foaming at the mouth
* Mocking
* Superhuman strength
* Severe phobias or fears
* Addictions
* Night visitations from an evil presence
* Recurring nightmares
* Tormenting thoughts
* Voices in the mind
* Cursing
* Lack of peace
* Too much or too little sleep
It should be remembered that there are emotional and medical disorders that can produce many of the above symptoms. Demons can be involved in these conditions but may also not be. Attempting to cast demons out of a person that is not demonized could lead to further emotional and spiritual damage.
Some of the people manifesting one or more of these symptoms could be set free by repenting and accepting Jesus as their Savior.
To overcome demonic powers it is important to be able to recognize their presence and tactics.
It is important to have a confirmation from the Holy Spirit that a demon is present, either through a word of knowledge or spiritual discernment.
The Holy Spirit has provided a special spiritual gift for this purpose.
The gift of discerning of spirits enables a believer to discern the spirits operating in others. It prevents deception by seducing or lying spirits.
For example, some deafness and dumbness can be caused by a spirit.
Be aware that deafness and dumbness could also be the result of an accident or illness. Spiritual discernment would enable a person to determine the cause behind the condition which would enable specific ministry.
Casting Demons Out
Witchcraft is the quickest way to enter Satan’s dominion.
Satan gives his power to those who call upon him or those who want to connect to him. As a consequence, they become dependent on him and under his dominion.
People can become demon possessed as a result of this bondage from evil spirits. They can also become demon possessed through involvement in all forms of divination, ancestral worship, witchcraft, Satanism, and other occult practices.
There is definitely deliverance for those who were involved in Satanism. God can set people free who are demon possessed and deliver them from Satanism. However, be aware that this much more difficult than the average demonic oppression.
Believers have the authority to cast out demons. As long as they understand their authority in Christ Jesus over the powers of the enemy and demonstrate their faith in that authority. Demons are cast out with a simple spoken command.
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. - Matthew 8:16
Any believer who casts a demon out of a person must minister salvation to that person. The person must be encouraged to accept the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They must repent and confess their sins in order to begin a life free of demonic power and possession.
An effective way to begin a deliverance ministry is for the person seeking deliverance to verbalize specific prayers and confessions. Such prayers will affirm the candidate’s relationship with Jesus Christ, make definite request of God for deliverance, and serve the forces of darkness their eviction notice.
Christians are given a number of weapons which help them to cast out demons.
1. The name of Jesus.
Jesus is the name of absolute authority. His name is above all other names. The authority of the name of Jesus is given to everyone who believes in Him for salvation through the forgiveness of sins. Thus every believer has the right to command demons to depart in the name of Jesus.
2. The Power in His blood.
The blood that Jesus shed on the cross is incorruptible. It never dies and never loses its power. Believers can use the blood of Jesus as a weapon and tell the devil and his demons that the blood of Jesus is applied against their wicked schemes. The blood of Jesus gives His children bold access into His presence.
3. The Word of God
The Word of God is used in spiritual warfare which causes the devil to depart. Jesus demonstrated this when He was tempted in the wilderness.
4. The Holy Spirit
In times of battle against the devil, the anointing of the Holy Spirit should be sought and anticipated. By means of the gift of discerning of spirits, supernatural insight into the spiritual realm can reveal the presence, nature, and activities of evil spirits.
5. Faith
The gift of faith arms one with strength and boldness to speak to evil spirits with absolute assurance of victory over them. Jesus taught that by speaking in faith one can remove a mountain. Demons indwelling a person represent a mountainous problem that demands removal.
The Clean House
When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation. - Matthew 12:43-45
A person who is delivered from demons must accept Jesus as their Savior and commit their lives to Him in every way and grow spiritually.
They must ensure that their lives are filled with the things of God and must actively engage with the Holy Spirit which will lead them to maturity. They must also submit themselves to a local church so that they can be mentored and equipped for righteous living.
God expects true reform from sin. Jesus teaches that seven worse spirits would return if the proper conditions were not met in deliverance and that persons will find themselves in an even worse state than they were before.
They must fill up their house rather than leaving it empty, swept, and put in order ready for sin to return. When a person accepts God’s blessings without accepting a responsibility to change, their situation becomes worse than before.
Christians must replace formerly wicked behaviors with righteous ones or else sin will soon return in a greater measure.
