Time for Deliverance?

Not every problem has a demonic root.  Life on a fallen planet brings its own challenges.  Our bad choices can carry negative consequences that occur naturally.  Hurting people hurt people.

There is plenty of pain and problems to go around without demonic intrusion.  However, there is also a significant amount of demonic activity in the world and it seems to be increasing as the end of the end times approaches.  So, there may be a time when it is appropriate to consider deliverance…for you, a friend, or a family member? Let’s talk about indicators that deliverance might be in order.

First of all, what is deliverance?  Deliverance is simply the process of commanding a demonic spirit, that has a permanent assignment against a person, to stop the harassment, torment or oppression of that person and leave – never to return.  The gospels are full of examples of deliverance and was a marker that the kingdom of God had arrived on earth.  Jesus announced, “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Lk. 11:20).

Deliverance was also a normal element of evangelism exercised by Jesus and his followers. Jesus commanded, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons” (Mt.10:7-8). These demons had found a way to attach themselves to a person and to torment or afflict the person – often for years.  They manifested as emotional issues, sin issues, addictions, and physiological (infirmity) issues that did not respond to standard treatment.

We are all subject to temptation.  Sometimes our temptation comes from the world and sometimes from our fallen nature.  The world has to be rejected and the flesh has to be crucified. We have to desire God enough to say no to the flesh and the world which can both tempt us powerfully.

Beyond the world and the flesh, however, there is the demonic which is even more powerful than the world or the flesh.  These spirits, if they gain access to us, amplify every sinful desire, every fear, every tormenting thought, every wound, and every lie we have ever believed. Over time, they gain more ground in our thought life until strong belief systems are engrained in our thinking that scripture calls strongholds.  Because there is a spiritual root to our struggle, secular therapies may help us manage these issues better, but we never get real victory until that spirit is driven out. 

In addition, there are spirits of infirmity that may reside in us and mimic real physiological health issues that exist in the natural realm. In the gospels, Jesus touched deaf ears and restored hearing but also cast our demons by which hearing was restored. He touched blind eyes and healed them but also cast out demons and sight was restored. He touched and healed the crippled but also cast our demons that had been causing crippling effects.  When the demon was gone, the source of the malady has left the body and the body was restored to health in that area.  The same is true today.

How does a demonic spirit gain access to a person?  In general, they find a legal right in the spiritual realm to afflict someone. That right is not needed if that person is an unbeliever because that person is already under the authority of Satan.  But if the person is a believer, then they must find a legal cause that gives them access. Ultimately, that legal right will be based on sin…the individual’s personal sin or some sin in their bloodline that has not been covered by the blood of Jesus.  Words spoken as curses can also give them access if the enemy finds some legal cause for the curse to take effect. The precedent for this is found in Deuteronomy 28 where God declares a plethora of blessings that will fall on Israel as a consequence of faithfulness and an abundance of curses that will fall on Israel as a consequence of unrepented sin and rebellion.  We are also told in Exodus 20, that the unrepented, unforgiven sin of fathers will be passed down to their children for generations - not the guilt but the consequences.  Demons usually enforce curses and unrepented sin gives them legal access.

But how do I know when the struggles or issues in my life are fueled by demonic spirits or are just consequences of life in a fallen world?   There are several indicators of demonic activity.

·      When you have tried all the right things to get victory over an issue and you see no improvement or, after a short period of improvement, the issue exerts itself again and may even be worse. This includes secular treatments and therapies as well as prayer, more time in the Word, and Christian counseling.

·      When you say “no” to sinful, destructive thoughts, but instead of dissipating, they press in even harder.

·      When you have persistent destructive thoughts including suicidal thoughts and fascination with death, cutting, etc.

·      When you have demonic dreams.

·      When something in you pushes back against the Word of God, church involvement or even your thoughts about deliverance.

·      When you feel anger when the name of Jesus is brought up or feel anger toward spiritual leaders who have done you no wrong.

·      When multiple treatments for addictions have not been successful.

·      When patterns of sin, failure, broken relationships, health issues, etc. keep recurring in your life…especially if those patterns existed in your family line.

·      When trying to resist sin and destructive thoughts wears you down until you finally give in just to get some relief.   

·      When you consistently struggle with pride and arrogance.

·      When you have found no solution for fear and anxiety.

When demons have been assigned to you, you are not possessed, you are simply demonized. You still pray, go to church, hold down a job, parent your children, but typically find one slice of your life out of control.  That slice eventually, begins to affect other parts of your life.  Demonization is not about your salvation, but about your ability to serve God effectively and become more like Christ.

In addition to what you are experiencing, there are other indicators that you are probably demonized at some level because these activities give the enemy a legal right to afflict you.

·      You have a persistent sin in your life that you have excused and not repented of.

·      You have been traumatized by abuse, rape, violence, loss, etc.

·      You have dabbled in the occult – Wicca, psychic readings, tarot cards, Ouija boards, involvement in witchcraft, seances, new age, contacting the dead, etc.

·      You or an ancestor have been part of an organization that is ruled by demonic spirits such as Freemasonry, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, or have been involved in false religions (Eastern, African, Asian, Hinduism, etc.).

·      You have immersed yourself in pornography.

·      You have had an abortion or have been part of the decision to have an abortion.

These circumstances leave you open to demonization until you renounce and repent of them.  Even then, you will have to command these spirits to leave.  Many of these can be commanded to leave by the person they are afflicting.  Others may require help from someone experienced in deliverance. 

Demonic spirits can be very subtle in your life or not so subtle.  Sometimes they pretend to be your friend and protector but ultimately are plotting your destruction. Pray about it. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if you are demonized.  If you know or think that may be true, seek deliverance.  My book Transformed can take you through a step-by-step process for finding freedom or healthy churches in your area might direct you to a healthy, balanced deliverance ministry. It can make a huge difference in your life! Blessings in Him!