chichewa   |   english

articles

DELIVERANCE

If your house were to be broken into whether anything was stolen or not the police would come round and for their benefit and for yours they will be looking for signs as to how the thief broke in. Since this is the case with the physical why would it not be the case with the spiritual? There was once a very interesting case that highlights this point.

Before coming to this country and discovering The Lord Jesus as her Saviour and Lord she had grown up in a country in the southern hemisphere and the family worshiped an alien god. When she had a wonderful and miraculous conversion to Christianity she began to go to a local church.

They welcomed her with open arms but after a while demons began to manifest in her during meetings and though each time they were cast out it seemed that somehow they kept coming back. The solution was not therefore simply to get them out, for that was very easy, the solution lay in finding out how they kept getting in and how that door of entrance could be permanently closed.

The minister and his assistant at this church were both experienced men in ministry and could not understand what kept happening and how these demons were finding their way back. Then unknowingly the guest who had been invited to preach at the morning meeting the following Sunday noticed that this woman manifested when he prayed for her.

Realising that she was from South Asia he arranged to have her and a team member (along with her husband if he wanted to join them) for a time of deep ministry. Though there is at first no deliverance that actually takes place (that comes later) she is asked about the objects and the clothes that she receives from time to time from her mother abroad and to describe the things she has in her house and wardrobe.

It is learned that often a small parcel of clothing will arrive which will be the traditional dress of that country and culture. It further comes out that she has a statue of Buddha on one of her shelves, not because she is spiritually interested in Buddha but because it is decorative.

The ministers go home with the husband and wife and go through the house cleansing it and throwing out of the wardrobe many of these dresses that are thought likely to cause her problems. Then they throw out books that she and her husband have accumulated over a period of time on many different subjects – all of which relate to occult subjects.

Then they throw out the Buddha statue (small though it is) with the books. They put the books into a metal dustbin and set fire to it. Quite literally the books jump out of the fire and have to be thrown back. After this time the woman experienced no more manifestations and she grew wonderfully in the knowledge and maturity in Christ and the gifts of The Spirit.

Some will find these things hard to believe but what is mentioned in this study is similar to what is mentioned in all the other studies, no theory just plain fact. Clearly the clothing she was being sent was cursed before being sent off, and once the Buddha statue had been thrown out the house seemed to take on a different atmosphere completely.

These had more than obviously been the way that the demons had been getting in, now the secret was out those doors were closed and no further problems were experienced. There are a number of ways that demons can gain entry into people and cause them to do what they know they aught not to do.

The following list is not complete but these a just a few of the ways that this can happen: Tarot Card readings (giving or receiving), astrology, yoga, acupuncture, free masonry, watching/listening to unwholesome talk or any other similar material, such as what might be referred to as dirty books, dirty jokes, dirty films or plays etc., martial arts, fortune telling (giving or receiving), water or metal divining (divining not detecting), sexual immorality at any time of life, and of any type, alcohol abuse.

Unforgiveness (maintaining a grudge against someone after many years), smoking, calling up the spirits of the dead, or communicating with them in any way, involvement in the worship or honouring of false gods, magic of every and any kind, aroma therapy, hypnosis, healing (other than medical or accepted Christian methods) unfulfilled promises/agreements, new ageism, transcendental meditation, statues of false gods (however small)

For example a model of Buddha. Books, magazines, records and tapes associated with any of the items mentioned should be destroyed. Heavy metal music, hard rock music, voodoo, and spiritualism must also be included in this list. Ornaments and clothes bought or made in the Far or Middle East can easily have a curse on them, if in doubt get rid of it.

Videos and computers games with demonic symbols, psychic phenomena, all involvement with witches whether white witches or not or any kind of witchcraft, jealousy, covertness, pride, envy, bitterness. Whether yourselves, your grandparents, or your parents, or anyone else in the family have been involved with any of these things they need to be confessed and repented of, then ask God to break any hold these people have over your life, and to forgive people such sin.

For the most part, in almost every case a person cannot be delivered of a demonic spirit unless they give their consent. The only possible exception to this is what is recorded in Acts chapter 16 verses 16 to 21 which reads as follows: "It came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, these men are the servants of the Most High God, who show unto us the way of salvation. This she did for many days.

But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out the same hour. When her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs, that are not lawful for us to receive or observe, being Romans."

Some people might ask why this is so. By way of illustration let us imagine that you own a house and decide to take in a lodger. It may turn out that the lodger is a very bad person to have taken in and you may be very upset about him staying, but legally nothing can be done unless you command that lodger to leave.

If he will not go at first request then the lodger can be evicted physically by the police because without your permission the lodger has no legal rights to stay there. Many things are similar in the spiritual realm to the physical realm; this is just another situation that is the same in the physical or in the spiritual.

If you are truly in Christ Jesus, truly a Christian in your heart and live the kind of life that reflects it then because of this you have the right to enforce the eviction order. When you have the person's commission and the person is a Christian then you simply and confidently command the spirit to leave at once.

If you are not sure of your authority in Christ to do this the spirit may well argue with you but if you are confident in your authority because of your position in Christ Jesus then you are certain to be successful.

Do not get into a conversation with a demonic spirit that is a very dangerous thing to do. Jesus did it only once when He delivered the legion of demons from a man after He had crossed the river. This was for our sake to show us that no matter how many demons are in a person they can all be expelled in one go in the name of Jesus – see Mark chapter 5 for the full story).

In Luke chapter 10 the 72 return rejoicing that even the unclean spirits obey their commands when they tell them to leave a person but remember this authority is only available in the name of Jesus, it is not available whenever you feel like it, only when God tells you to do such a thing.

If the person is not a Christian and does not want to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour after being delivered then you should not attempt to deliver him, for his sake. Jesus told the story about what happens to an unclean spirit when it comes out of a person. This is found in Luke chapter 11 verses 24 to 26 inclusive.

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, I will return unto my house where I came from. and when he comes, he finds it swept and garnished. Then he goes and takes to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

Unless you are a fully committed Christian and are not truly active and on fire for God then you should not attempt to deliver anyone, Acts chapter 19 verses 13 to 16 we read: "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over those who had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.

There were seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did so. The evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? The man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

The reason that this happened was firstly that they were not true believers in the Jesus of the gospels and secondly they did not have the authority to do this as Jesus could not have told them to do this. If He had done so then the evil spirit would not have been able to attack the men.

Jesus demonstrated the importance of prayer and fasting together after He was transfigured before the eyes of two of His disciples on a mountain top. This story is recounted in Mark chapter 9 verses 14 to 29 read as follows: "When he came to His disciples, He saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

Straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to Him saluted him. He asked the scribes, What question do you have with them? One of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto you my son, who has a dumb spirit; and where ever he takes him, he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes his teeth, and pines away: and I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

Jesus answered him, and said, o faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. They brought him unto him: and when he saw Jesus, straightway the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

Jesus asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? he said, since childhood, often it has cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, you dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

The spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; in-so-much that many said he is dead. Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? Jesus said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

Amazingly in Jesus time we see something that still happens in effect to this very day. Mark chapter 1 verses 23 to 28 recount what happened on one occasion when Jesus went to the temple on a Sabbath day. "There was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, let us alone; what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.

Jesus rebuked him, saying, hold your peace, and come out of him. When the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. They were all amazed, in-so-much that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? What new doctrine is this?

With authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. Immediately his fame spread abroad throughout the entire region round about Galilee. "We can see from this that demons can think, speak and hear, but we see something else in Mark chapter 5 when Jesus cast out the legion of demons from the Gadarenes.

This account is found in verses 1 to 13 inclusive. "They came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. When he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, not with chains: because he had often been bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. Night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, what have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, that you will not torment me. Jesus said unto him, come out of the man, unclean spirit. Jesus asked him, what is your name? He answered, saying, my name is Legion: for we are many.

He besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. All the devils besought him, saying, send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. Forthwith Jesus gave them leave, and the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (there were about two thousand of them) and were drowned."

The fact that they asked Jesus not to send them out of the country means that they were very probably territorial spirits. We see other references to this type in Daniel chapter 10 and Luke chapter 4. We shall look first at the reference in the book of Daniel. Chapter 10 and verses 4 to 14 inclusive read: "In the twentieth forth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river is Hiddekel; I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes as lamps of fire, his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me did not see the vision; but a great trembling fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face was toward the ground. A hand touched me, and set me upon my knees and the palms of my hands. He said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto you, and stand upright: for unto you I have been sent. When he had spoken these words unto me, I stood trembling.

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of them. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia."

The Prince of the kingdom of Persia is not a human being but a ruling demonic force over the area of Persia. We see from Luke chapter 4 verses 5 to 8 inclusive that one of the temptations Jesus faced was being given authority over all the earth if only He would bow down and worship the devil.

"The devil took him up onto a high mountain, and showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said unto him, all this power will I give you, and the glory with it: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours. Jesus answered and said unto him, get behind me, satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve."

How did the devil get this authority to rule over all the kingdoms of the world? The answer is that in Genesis chapter 1 verse 28 we read that God gave Adam and Eve the authority to rule over all the earth on behalf of God. "God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."

When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden by disobeying God they forfeited this authority to the devil. At His temptations in the wilderness Jesus won it back for mankind. We see from Luke chapter 4 verses 5 to 8 inclusive we read: "Then the devil took Him up a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said unto him, all this power will I give you, and the glory that goes with them: for they have been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I shall give it.

If you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours. Jesus answered and said unto him, Get behind me, Satan: for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve. "Because Jesus resisted all the temptations of the devil He won back great authority for all mankind, but only if the authority is used correctly, in His name.

A demon is simply an angel that rebelled and joined the devil in an attempt to overthrow God. The attempt failed but one third of the angels had been deceived. Our defence against all the evil they seek to bring about in our lives and on the earth is as follows: the full armour of God, prayer, the word of God and His power.

In Matthew chapter 28 verses 18 to 20 inclusive Jesus spoke some of His final words to His disciples after His resurrection. He told them: "Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. "Let us therefore go boldly and use the authority we have in Jesus name.

contact us