What is Deliverance?

“If you're a Christian, you are not nose-to-nose with Satan and his millions of demons. Like it or not, you're in their crosshairs." Merrill F. Unger

As believers, we're often unaware of the spiritual battle raging around us. Some think demons have no power over Christians, while others believe they can do anything. But the truth is, as followers of Christ, we're targets for Satan's attacks. He seeks to divert our attention from God's will and disrupt our relationship with Him. Although Satan can't snatch away our salvation, he can distract us from our purpose, torment us with fears and anxieties, deceive us with lies and misinformation and even demonize us. He can gain a foothold in our lives through unrepented sin, trauma, or other open doors. It's essential to recognize these spiritual threats and equip ourselves with God's truth, prayer, and spiritual armor to withstand Satan's schemes.

What does the Bible say?

The fact that we ignore the enemy does not mean that he will ignore us. Rather the word of God warns us about this:

2 Corinthians 2:11

lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Ephesians 6:11-12

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Strong's Lexicon:

Scheme is the Greek word for "Methodeia": Schemes, wiles, craftines.

The term "methodeia" refers to cunning arts, deceit, craft, or trickery. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the deceptive strategies and tactics employed by the devil to lead believers astray. It implies a deliberate and systematic approach to deception.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

What is the meaning of the word deliverance?

Many use the term deliverance in a different context in terms of God delivering them from a difficulty or situation and that is okay. Words can mean different things to different people. In my teachings, when we use the term deliverance, we are talking about casting out demons! Cast out demons in someone's life. In this case, of the believers. When we do this, people receive deliverance. In this case the person can be free from many things: All kinds of diseases, oppression, anxiety, depression, fears, occultism, witchcraft, rebellion, drugs, addictions, insecurities, rejection, lack of love, suicide, torments, deception, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, pride and slavery to sin.

In my teachings, I use the word explicitly to refer to the casting out of demons. It is clear in Scripture that Jesus cast out demons from people, trained the disciples to do so, and expects the church to do so.

Mark 16:17:

And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons...

Many think, as I thought, that a Christian cannot have a demon because he has the Holy Spirit. This is further from the truth. In my classes we study what the Bible teaches about it. Demonic spirits can invade and inhabit the bodies of human beings. By inhabiting a person, they gain a greater advantage in controlling them than when working from the outside. In the same way that the word of God says that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. They call the bodies of human beings their home.

Luke 11:24-26

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it 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.”

When demons inhabit a person, it is said that they “have” a demon, or that they are “with” evil spirits or that they are “possessed” by demons. The word translated “possessed” is the Greek term “daimonizomai.” Many authorities on the Greek language say that it is not an accurate translation and that it should have been translated “demonized” or “having demons.” Also, many errors result from the use of the word “possessed” since that term suggests total possession. In this sense, a Christian could never be possessed by demons because their owner is Christ. We belong to God, so when an unclean spirit enters a believer, they are invaders or intruders.

Needing Deliverance Shouldn't Be Shameful!

The fact that a person has a demon does not stop being Christian. You don't lose your salvation. He is not a bad person. The Holy Spirit does not run away. The person is not worldly or wayward. This can happen to any believer at any time. The ministry of deliverance is not only for a group of people who have spiritual problems. The ministry of deliverance is for everyone. If you are breathing, you may need deliverance!

Deliverance is a blessing from a good Father who recognizes that we have internal and external struggles. He would never think of leaving us defenseless against a spiritual world that is intelligent, cunning and extremely perverse. Deliverance is part of the benefits as children of God.

Join one of our online classes and learn more about deliverance!