Jesus sent us fourth into the world as He was sent fourth (John 20:21), to d o the works He did (John

14:12), and He gave us the authority to do the work at hand (Mark 13:34).

Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, Th.D NJITS

A GUIDE TO DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

Chapter One The Basics (Inner Healing) Chapter Two Demonology Chapter Three Casting Out Demons Chapter Four Preparation Chapter Five Ready for Deliverance Chapter Six Bitterness Chapter Seven Demons and Property Chapter Eight Strongholds Chapter Nine Witchcraft Chapter Ten Q and A on Deliverance

CHAPTER ONE
Pillars to Inner Healing

Position yourself to be healed! I like how Henry Wright, who is an expert at inner healing, breaks down the three essentials that are necessary to positioning ourselves to receive healing. Much of what Henry was speaking about concerned physical healing, but I believe it also applies to emotional healing as well. Having a right relationship with God, yourself, and others, is vital when positioning yourself to receive inner healing. I would like to break down each one of these here, as they are very important to anybody who is seeking healing from emotional wounds. 1. Having the right relationship with God In order to be healed, you must have a relationship with the healer. I'm not talking about being born again, but actively having a relationship with Him. Many Christians have what we call a religion with God, not a relationship. Religion seeks to earn it's favor with God, whereas relationship accepts what God's Word says about their being made the righteousness of God through their faith in Christ (see Romans 3:22). This doesn't mean that we can live like the world, as that is unacceptable for a member of the royal family in the kingdom of God. But it means that when we're living for Christ, placing our faith in Him, and honoring Him in our life, then we need to stand on what God's Word tells us about how we are justified (made innocent, as if we've never sinned), forgiven our sins, and made right with Him (see Romans 3:24). We need to let God's Word sink into our hearts when it tells us about our conscience being purged from dead work s to serve the living God (see Hebrews 9:14), and that through the Blood we can have confidence to enter the holy of holies (see Hebrews 10:19). The Holy Spirit has spoken to me clearly about this fact: Knowing that your sins are forgiven, and you are made right with God, is absolutely necessary or essential to freely receive emotional healing. The only way that you will reach that place is when you put your total and complete trust in the Blood of Jesus, knowing that it was shed for the remission or remova l of your sins (see Matthew 26:28). For more information on the Blood of Jesus, and how it is enough to forgive all of your sins, be sure to read my teaching on The Blood is Enough and also The Forgiveness of Sins.

Religion is an enemy of inner healing Dead religion is a terrible plague that hinders the healing of many emotional wounds. Religion does not connect you with the healer (the Holy Spirit), but actually hinders His work in our lives. Religion promotes fear, pride, and legalism, which is an enemy to the healing process. Dead religion creates an atmosphere where defense mechanisms thrive. Defense mechanisms such as stubbornness and anger, are there to protect us from further harm, but at the same time, they actively hinder or even block the Holy Spirit's power from healing our wounds. It is important for us to understand and overcome defense mechanisms if a person is going to receive healing to their damaged emotions. I have a teaching just on Defense Mechanisms that I highly recommend reading to learn more about what they are, and what to do ab out them. Fear and unforgiveness are the most popular glues that hold together defense mechanisms. Dead religion is fear based, whereas relationship is faith and love based. God's Word tells us that love casts out all fear (see 1 John 4:18). Many today are afraid of God; they are afraid that He is disappointed or even angry with them and may not be eager to forgive them. This is dead religion, and creates fear which brings torment (see 1 John 4:18). How are you supposed to healed, if you're in bondage to fear and being tormented? Through a genuine relationship (not religion) with God, our fears will begin to dissolve as we are made perfect in love (see 1 John 4:18). Unforgiveness is selfish (God will forgive us of even the worse offenses, why can't we do the same?), prideful (that person wronged ME), and is the result of not trusting God (to take care of that person for what they've done). Love is the opposite of these things (see 1 Corinthians 13). As we allow God's deep and overflowing love and forgiveness towards us to sink into our hearts, our unforgiveness towards others begins to also dissolve. We cannot give something that we're not receiving, and we cannot receive God's love into our hearts, if we do not properly perceive it. It is impossible for you t o receive love into your heart from somebody that you perceive hates you, and the same is true with our ability to receive God's love into our hearts. It is therefore vital that we have a non religious relationship with God, in order to dissolve our defens e mechanisms so that we can be healed emotionally. Overcoming the religious mindset is a very important step to position yourself to receive healing to your damaged emotions. I believe it is safe to say that every one of us have been or are currently affected, to a certain degree, with some dead religion strongholds in our mind. I have a powerful teaching that the Holy Spirit gave me on Exposing Dead Religion that I highly recommend reading.

For those of who you who wonder if God is angry with them, or if they've messed up too far to be forgiven, Properly perceiving our relationship with God is very important to positioning ourselves to receive healing for our damaged emotions. The Holy Spirit has shown me that a clean conscience is a fundamental pillar to receive inner healing. 2. Having a right relationship with yourself Why do I discuss having a right relationship with yourself before having a right relationship with others? Because when you have a right relationship with yourself, having a right relationship with others comes much more naturally. How can you truly love others, if you don't truly love yourself? I have a teaching titled It's Vital to Love Yourself that I highly recommend reading. It is not a loving yourself as in a selfish and prideful manner, but rather a humble acceptance of the person that God has made in you. Self-hate is one of the most binding emotions that we encounter in the ministry of deliverance. There is no doubt whatsoever that this is one of the most destructive plans of Satan against the children of God. The fact is that when we hate ourselves, we are hating somebody that God made with His own hands, created in His image, and purchased the redemption of with the blood of His dear Son. I assure you that such hate opens us right up to tormenting evil spirits. It gives them permission to act on our behalf against this person to whom we hate (us). Scores of mental and physical infirmities are rooted in self -hate. Self-hate is when we hate the person in us that God has created and loves dearly. We are hating God's special creation in us, and evil spirits will assuredly team up with us whenever we take on this attitude. Let's say that you walked into a gallery, and pointed at a painting and said, "That sure is ugly! Who painted THAT?" Let me ask you, would that bring glory and honor to the painter of that painting? Do you think it brings honor and glory to God, when we point at His paintings, and consider them ugly, stupid, worthless, and of little value? One day the Holy Spirit spoke to me very clearly and said, "I want you to love and appreciate the work of my hands, and that includes you, for you were made in my image!" I also heard the words echo in my mind, "When you hate yourself, you are hating somebody that I made." Having a right relationship with yourself is really a matter of seeing yourself as God sees you, and agreeing with His Word about the pers on that He has made in us. It is not a prideful or arrogant way of seeing yourself, but rather a

humble and thankful expression of the great and wonderful person that God made in you. I cannot tell you how much freedom and healing that I have received once I grasp the concept of how self-hate is a terrible poison that opens many sincere Christians up to terrible mental and physical infirmities. Being released from self-hate has an enormous affect on the healing process for many who bound with various emotional and physical infirmities. 3. Having a right relationship with others Are you out of relationship with others in your heart? Are you holding a grudge or failing to love others as Christ has loved you? Then you are not in right relationship with God either. Jesus warned us that if we do not forgive others from our hearts, that our own sins stand between us and the Father (see Matthew 6:15) but we are also giving legal grounds to tormenting spirits to operate in our lives (see Matthew 18:34-35). For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:34-35 Let me ask you this, how can we expect to receive healing for our damage d emotions, when we are separated from God (our sins stand before us), and we are in the territory of tormenting spirits? If you want to position yourself to receive healing, then you'll want to be in right standing before God. Jesus tells us that if we forgive others, then we ourselves will be forgiven (see Matthew 6:14). That is a promise! Having our hearts clean from any ungodly feelings towards others is vital to receive healing for our damaged emotions. The root of unforgiveness has to do with a lack of trust in God. The reason that a person holds so tightly to unforgiveness is because they feel like they are the only one who is concerned about justice coming to that person who wronged them. They do not believe that God is going to ensure that justice happens. God's Word tells us to give

place to wrath so that He can do something about what was done against us, but if we take it into our own hands, we fail to give place to wrath, and can actually hinder God from doing something about it. Do we want the p erson off our hook, or God's? Then we need to handle things the way that God has commanded of us in His Word. One of the keys to living a life of forgiveness, is getting it down into your spirit that God truly cares for you and what is done against you, an d will bring justice to those who wrong us as we trust Him with those situations.

CHAPTER TWO

Basic Biblical Demonology

This teaching will give you a basic look into the world of demons according to the Bible. As you know, the Bible is the safest and most reliable book to turn to when seeking knowledge on the spiritual realm. Various functions of demons There's different spirits that cause different kinds of problems in a persons life, some affecting the person physically while others mentally and some give people special occult powers or abilities. Example of physical influence: Luke 13:11,16, "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself... And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" Also see Matthew 9: 33, "And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel." Example of mental (including soulish, spiritual, etc.) influence: Luke 8:27,35, "And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs... Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid." Also see Matthew 17:15,18, "Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water... And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour." The word lunatic here translates from the NT Greek word seleniazomai and means to be crazy or moonstruck (mentally ill). Example of torment from evil spirits: In 1 Samuel 16:14 we find that King Saul was tormented mentally by evil spirit(s), "Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear." (NLT) Also see Matthew 15:22, "And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me,

O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." To be vexed means to be tormented, troubled or shaken by an evil spirit. Example of occult spirits: In Acts 16:16, we are told of a young girl who had a spirit that allowed her to tell fortunes, "And 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:" Soothsaying refers t o fortune telling. Also see Deuteronomy 18:11, "Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." and Leviticus 19:31, "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God." There's also other kinds of spirits in the demonic kingdom as well, including rulers, principalities, etc. Demons have different names The Bible also refers to demons with specific names that relate to their function, for example, in Luke 13:11 we are told of a spirit of infirmity who caused a woman to be bent over, and in Acts 16:16 we are told of a young girl who had a spirit of divination that allowed her to tell fortunes. Various strengths of demons Some demons require more than simply a command to drive them out: Matthew 17:14-21, "And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fi re, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit THIS KIND goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Now Jesus' disciples were regular deliverance ministers, and had cast out many demons (Mark 6:13), but when they reached 'this kind', they were unable to cast it out because of their lack of faith. Jesus clearly staked out this kind of demon and told us that more than just commanding this kind to leave is

needed. Even if it were just prayer that was needed... nowhere else that I am aware of in the NT are we told to 'pray' before a normal deliverance. Jesus however made it clear that you'd better be prayed up before trying to cast 'this kind' of demon out. Apparently, this demon had properties (strength or stubbornness) that required something more (prayer/fasting/faith) than the average demon to drive out. Varying wickedness of demons As Matthew 12:45 points out, demons can clearly vary in wickedness too, "Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." Hierarchy of demons As stated above, there is obviously different strengths of demons that we can encounter during a deliverance. There's also evidence of demon hierarchy (ranks of demons) in the Bible as well. Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Properly translated from NT Greek to modern English, it is actually telling us that to be oppressed of the devil is to have an order of demons (MerriamWebster dictionary refers us to celestial hierarchy) exercised against us. If we look up celestial hierarchy, it comes flat out and tells us that this is speaking of a traditional hierarchy. Ephesians 6:12 also speaks of this hierarchy when it tells us, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Multiple demons in the same person It is not uncommon for a person to have more than one demon when they are possessed. Mark 16:9, "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."

Luke 11:24,26, "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.... Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwel l there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." Mark 5:9, "And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many." Demons work together Luke 11:24,26, "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man , he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.... Then goeth he, and taketh 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." As we can see, demons can and do communicate with one another and can call in more evil spirits into action as well. Mark 5:9, "And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion (which meant between 6,000 and 7,000): for we are many." It also seems that they work in harmony together. Even though there was several thousands spirits in the man at the time, notice that there was no confusion among them when Jesus approached them. One of them took the role as the leader and spoke for the rest of them and the rest of them followed the leader's plan to enter the pigs. When the leading spirit answered 'we', it gives us a good indication that they were working together. Anybody who is experienced in this ministry will tell you that it is not uncommon to find a leader spirit and then a series of weaker spirits hiding out under their leader. Demons often manifest when they are driven out In the Bible, there were several times when demons manifested a s they were driven out of a person. Here are a few examples: Crying out (screaming) with a loud voice: Mark 1:26, "And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him." Properly interpreted, the word cried here actually refers to screaming.

Cause the person to go into a convulsion: Luke 9:42, "And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tore him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father." The NT Greek for tore actually means to 'convulse with epilepsy.' Foaming at the mouth: Mark 9:20, "And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming." The Bible doesn't give us a complete list of all the things demons may do when they come out, not does it claim to, but it gives us some great examples to get us started and give us an idea of what we can expect. The Bible is somewhat like a storybook that shows us hands-on what it's like to cast out demons, and we can learn a lot from the stories told in the Bible. However, we can't expect to duplicate a Bible story every time a person has a demon cast out either. I personally manifested in a way that I don't think could be found in the Bible when a demon was being cast out of me one time, and I know of many other things that demons do as they come out that I haven't found in the Bible. None the less, they happen and cannot be denied, and the Bible never claims to be a complete instruction manual that covers everything that demons can do as they come out. The Bible is more like a story book, and by the stories told in the Bible, we can learn much, but there's a lot that goes on in the demonic realm that is not spoken of in the Bible.

CHAPTER THREE

Casting out demons

What is needed to cast out demons? One word... authority! Who has such authority? God's children... the believers! How do we exercise our authority? Through a spoken command in faith directed at the unclean spirits. The more faith we have, the more authority we can exercise. Spiritual authority Jesus sent us fourth into the world as He was sent fourth (John 20:21), to d o the works He did (John 14:12), and He gave us the authority to do the work at hand (Mark 13:34). What does it take to drive out demons? Authority! As we can see in Mark 1:27, "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him." As we can see in Luke 4:35, Jesus was not afraid to exercise His authority either, "And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not." Luke 10:17-19, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power (translates to AUTHORITY) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Does every believer have authority over demons? Yes! We are all seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Eph 2:6), which means we are above the demons in rank of authority! Mark 13:34 also tells us how we are given authority to carry out the work that is laid before us. Mark 16:17 tells us that them who believe will be casting out demons. The importance of "In the name of Jesus" How did Jesus' disciples go about casting out demons? Through His name. Luke 10:17 tells us, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

How did the early church go about casting out demons? Through His name. Acts 16:18 tells us a story where Paul, "turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." How are the believers today supposed to be casting out demons? Through His name. As we can see in Mark 16:17, "these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils." Authority is exercised through faith Matthew 17:19-20, "Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief..." Obviously they had the authority, but they weren't able to use it because their level of faith wasn't high enough to access the level of authority that needed to be exercised to drive out that particular kind of unclean spirit. Some evil spirits are stronger and harder to drive out, and sometimes prayer and fasting is necessary to build our faith up so we can drive them out, as we can see in the next verse (21), "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Conclusion As believers, we have been given authority in Jesus' name to drive out demons. We access our authority through faith and exercise our authority with a spoken command directed at the unclean spirit. As Paul clearly demonstrates in Acts 16:18, "Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." How does all this apply to us today? Mark 16:17 tells us, "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils."

CHAPTER FOUR

Deliverance Prep 101: What you can expect!

Preparing somebody to receive and maintain their deliverance is very important. This is a basic list of things that you might explain to somebody before you walk them through deliverance. I always like to make sure they understand what is going on, and not feel confused or in darkness over the process of deliverance. Deliverance is often a process While deliverance can be a one-time event, it can also be a process. If you don't receive all your freedom at once, don't be discouraged! Sometimes it takes time to dig out all the junk in our souls. One session you may address one area of your life, while in another, you may address bondages in another. Or sometimes you may have several sessions to address issues in one area of your life. Either way, don't be discouraged. Many times it takes multiple sessions before a person is completely delivered. Sessions can range from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the bondage that must be sorted out and worked through. Never be discouraged, but keep pressing forward to receive what Jesus purchased for you with His blood on the cross! Sometimes it may even take more than one minister to bring that freedom, as different ministers may be more knowledgeable in various areas of deliverance. The goal of deliverance is wholeness It is easy to think of the deliverance ministry as a quick -fix... simply casting out demons takes away all of a person's bondages. The ministry of deliverance is often a process which involves more than simply driving out the demons. There are usually strongholds to be torn down. Since strongholds are incorrect thinking patterns, this is done through the renewing of your mind according to the Word of God. There is often inner healing that needs to take place as well. I cannot stress how important it is to pursue an intimate relationship with the Lord once you have been delivered. If you neglect your relationship with God, the enemy would be more than happy to begin finding ways to cause you to lose your newfound freedom.

The purpose of deliverance is to receive freedom from any hindrances in your life that would keep you from walking in the fullness of God's plan for your life and your relationship with Him. The four elements of deliverance ministry Deliverance ministry can be generally broken down into 4 groups of ministry: Legal grounds, as many of us call them, are basically things in a person's life which are giving or have given a demon the right to enter or remain in the person. Unconfessed sins, ungodly soul ties, unforgiveness, holding cursed possessions (occult rings, etc.) and so fourth can give demons a right to inhabit and torment a person. These legal grounds are removed through repentance, renunciation, extending forgiveness, etc. Strongholds are basically incorrect thinking patterns in your mind. If you think God is angry with you, then you will feel like He is (when nothing could be further from the truth). If you think you are worthless, then you will feel worthless. Strongholds are torn down as you meditate as specific areas of God's Word which reprograms your mind to think differently. If God sees you as a precious child of His, and you begin to realize and believe that... it will change the way you see yourself for example. Inner healing is often required when ministering to somebody who has been abused, raped or has been exposed to a traumatic experience. Inner healing is a working of the Holy Spirit and is received as a person releases the inner hurt and pain from past experiences and allows the Holy Spirit to come in and heal those wounds. Forgiveness often plays a part in this releasing process and is done by faith (even if you don't feel like you could ever forgive somebody for the damage they've done). Oftentimes, self -forgiveness needs to be received as the person is holding things against themself which must be released. Casting out demons is where the demons are confronted in Jesus' name and driven out of the person. This step is where the actual demons are expelled from the person and cannot be overlooked in most cases. Even if you do feel a measure of freedom after tearing down strongholds and breaking up legal grounds, demons may still be present and need to be cast out. What you can expect during a deliverance Sometimes you may manifest a demon, other times it seems like nothing happens when they are being expelled.

Mild manifestations often involve coughing, spitting up phlegm, burping, deep yawning or sighing, pressure or pain in areas of your body, shaking, screaming, etc. If you feel these things coming at you, don't resist them... let the demons manifest and come fourth. Demons may use your vocal system to speak through you to the minister. Stronger manifestations are usually found in cases where a person is being delivered from severe oppression, deliverance from occult involvement or Satanism. You are often not conscience when these spirits manifest. They can cause your body to levitate, physically struggle with those present for the deliverance, cause a demonic convulsion, and so fourth. If you have been involved in energy healing, new age practices, false religions, witchcraft, occult, Satanism or other deeper demonic practices, then it doesn't hurt to let your minister know in advanced so he or she can have ad ditional support present during the deliverance session. Feelings or emotions will often rise up as spirits are confronted. For example, if we are dealing with a spirit of grief, the person may experience deep levels of grief as it is manifesting and being driven out. You may experience loss of consciousness or partial loss of consciousness. As the spirits manifest, some will suppress your conscious as they manifest. Sometimes you feel drownded out but are still aware of what is happening. Other times nothing happens along these lines and you are fully conscience. If you do feel yourself falling into a deep sleep stage, I wouldn't try to stop it... it is recommended to allow the demon to come to the surface where we can deal with it. Demons may speak through you at times to the minister. Sometimes they will simply take control of your mouth and speak. You may or may not be aware of this when it happens, but don't try to prevent it. If you hear yourself spewing out curses and foul language towards your ministe r, don't be ashamed... it happens! Sometimes spirits can be stubborn and require persistence to drive them out. If the minister repeatedly confronts the same spirit, don't worry... I often have to spend a little time just trying to get the demon to come to the surface so I can deal with it. Demons can resist our authority and therefore they require persistent pressure before they cooperate. Things not to do during deliverance

The enemy can try to bombard you with doubt, fear and make you feel like you will never be set free. I advise to fight those feelings as much as you can. Saying to yourself, "I will never be set free!" is doubting the work that God is trying to for you and wages war against your faith. You might find it helpful to say to yourself something along the lines of, "I resist those feelings and believe in the work that Jesus is doing in my life!" It is important not to be afraid of the demons. God is much more powerful, and His angels are here to assist! We may encounter some strong spirits tha t will resist our authority (that is why we need to be persistent), but your freedom has been paid for by the precious Blood of Christ, and we need to stand on that as we confront and battle the spirits at hand. When demons are manifesting or being driven out of you, it is usually best not to do much talking. Spirits often leave through the person's mouth, and it is true that we can hold them back from coming out if we obstruct their passageway. If you feel something evil coming up your throat, don't try to stop it from coming out... let it come fourth! Hanging on to your bondage can literally keep you from being delivered. It is important to LET GO and allow the demons to be released. Trying to remove a spirit of fear while you're choosing in your mind to agree with it (being fearful) is not an easy task. You need to be determined to have faith in Jesus, which is the opposite of fear. Let those demons come out... let them come to the surface and be expelled... don't hold them back! Keep your minister informed on what is going on Before your deliverance, while filling out the questionnaire, do you experience any uncomfortable feelings, nervousness, shaking, etc. while trying to answer certain questions? If so, let the minister know what the questions were because it is likely arousing a spirit in you that doesn't want those legal grounds to be broken. Throughout the deliverance session, the Holy Spirit may bring to your remembrance a past sin or situation that may have opened the door to demons... tell your minister about this right away so they can help you remove any legal grounds to the spirits. If you feel the Holy Spirit sharing anything with you during your deliverance, don't hesitate to share it with your minister. You are often going to experience things that your minister cannot perceive or know about. For example, physical pain in an area of your body indicates a spirit manifesting. If the minister knows where it is, he or she may place a

Bible over that area of your body and confront the spirit. If you feel any discomfort, pain or pressure in your body or confusion, headache, racing thoughts, irrational emotions, etc. rising up in your mind, then it can be very helpful to let the minister know what is going on. If you feel release from a spirit or feel something leave you... let the minister know. If you experience any feelings of anger, hate, rage, rebellion, the desire to run out of the room, etc., I recommend telling the minister about what is happening. Always try to keep him or her posted on what is going on inside you, unless they are right in the middle of casting it out and you feel it is coming out of your mouth (I mentioned above not to talk or obstruct your airways as the demons are being expelled). YOU are often the best person to determine whether the spirit has left. Did you feel a release or relief as if something has left you? Let the minister know! Sometimes they can go into hiding (to trick you into thinking they are gone) and other times there are additional spirits to be driven out, but keeping your minister updated on what is happening is helpful. Normally speaking though, when you feel a release, it means that spirit(s) had departed. Have questions? Don't hesitate to ask! It is important to communicate with your minister while doing de liverance; if there's something you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask him or her. We may not have all the answers, but I believe it is important to help you understand the best we can. If demons return, don't hesitate to seek freedom again Every once in a while, a person may re-open doors to the demons which they were delivered from. When this happens, if the person has repented for any sins committed, then there is no reason to hesitate seeking that freedom again. Sometimes a person can feel embarrassed or condemned for messing up again or allowing the spirits to re-enter them. This is a tactic of the enemy to keep them from re-seeking that freedom. I do not judge or condemn those who re-seek that freedom, but rather encourage you to do so... it's you r freedom... don't let the devil re-claim that area of your life!

CHAPTER FIVE

Ready for deliverance? What to look for!

As ministers, it is important to be able to recognize situations where a person is not prepared to receive deliverance. Here are some important guidelines to keep in mind when seeing if they are ready to receive and maintain their deliverance: #1 Are they a Christian? If they are not a Christian, do not even think of a deliverance session unless the Holy Spirit specifically tells you otherwise. Casting demons out of nonbelievers is unwise as those spirits can come back 7 times worse. #2 Are they prepared to give up anything necessary to receive and maintain their deliverance? Every now and then, we see people who are simply seeki ng deliverance so that their problems will go away, but they are not willing to give up ungodly things in their life to receive and maintain their deliverance. For example, one person came to me asking for help, but was not willing to stop living a lifesty le of fornication. If they are not willing to give up things in their life that are giving demonic spirits legal grounds, then they are not worthy of or prepared to receive the children's bread (deliverance). Those demons have a right to be there, and many times we will be unable to get those spirits to budge. Even if we do cast them out, they can come right back because they have permission to be there. #3 Are they willing to seek a close walk with the Lord and spend time with Him each day after their deliverance, so that they can maintain their deliverance? After a person receives deliverance, it is important to note that demons often like to re-approach that person, and if they are not on their guard, those spirits would love to coax the person to let them back in. If they aren't spending time with God and cultivating their relationship with Him, they will give in much easier (either knowingly or unknowingly) and those spirits could re -gain their access. #4 Are they prepared to meditate on Bible verses and work hard to keep strongholds torn down?

In many cases, it is vital for that person to renew their mind (including tearing down strongholds) before they are able to walk in complete freedom. This can take time out of their daily lives, and they must be wi lling to follow through with this if they want to make the most of their deliverance. Demons not only work to build strongholds in our minds, but they also thrive on them and even use them to re-enter people! Strongholds are very powerful and are a tool in the enemy's weaponry... we must be ready to take this tool out of his hands! #5 Are they willing to communicate everything in their past with their minister so that he can identify any issues that must be worked on in order for that person's deliverance to be effective? Sometimes people are unwilling to tell anybody about something they've done in their past because it is so embarrassing. This is a trap that the devil uses to keep a person from breaking free. It is important to be able to trust the ministe r with whom you are sharing your past, but on the other hand it is also a very important step in the deliverance process. There are many things that a knowledgeable minister can pick up on when they hear a person's past. That is how we usually discover strongholds, legal grounds and even the type of demons or demon groupings that are present. Knowing this helps us effectively go forth and minister to that person. #6 They must be ready to let go of their demon(s). Some people like holding onto their demons because of the pleasure that spirit(s) may bring them. For example, incubus may bring a woman much sexual pleasure at night, and therefore she does not want to give it up, yet she wants delivered from the problems that it is causing in her life. If a person is not willing to give up a spirit, then there is little we can do to help them. I must also caution that though a person is struggling in an area of their life, it does not mean they are not sincere and ready to receive deliverance. It is important to discern whether they are prepared to receive deliverance or not, as there will be times when a person cannot stop masturbating or cannot stop lusting, and yet they want so badly to be set free from those bondages. Just because they cannot stop falling in that area, does not mean they are not sincere. It can mean that the spirit has such a grip on them that they are put under so much pressure to give in, that they can barely keep themselves from giving in. Take for example a spirit of rebellion. It will cause a person to take up a very rebellious personality. On the other hand, if they are wanting to be set free from that, then they are most likely ready for deliverance, but if they enjoy their

rebellion and refuse to give it up, then I question whether or not they are ready. The same is true with spirits of lust, addiction, etc., if they realize the bondage they are in and want to be set free, then I would move forward with the deliverance. But if they tell me that they enjoy their addiction and lusting and are not willing to give it up, then it's not time to move forward (unless the Holy Spirit directs otherwise). Don't take this to an extreme Although it is not a common problem, I have seen where some deliverance ministers can blame the person for not being ready to receive deliverance when they cannot seem to cast a demon out of them (unsuccessful deliverance), or when they would rather not deal with the person or the demons in them. When a deliverance fails, while it can be the person's fault sometimes, it can also be several reasons that are beyond the knowledge or understanding of the minister (not all legal grounds were removed, not all strongholds were addressed, etc.). However, some ministers use the excuse "you're not sincere" or "you're not ready to rec eive deliverance". This is heartbreaking, because they are blaming the person in bondage, possibly creating an even worse situation and feelings of failure and unworthiness. It is a shame to see a person who is ready for deliverance be denied and told that they are not ready to receive it. It is important that we be able to discern whether or not the person is prepared to receive deliverance so that we do not fall into this trap.

CHAPTER SIX Root of Bitterness

Bitterness is known in the Bible as spiritual poison and a means by which many are defiled (Hebrews 12:15). It is the source of countless spiritual and physical problems in millions of lives today. The Bible tells us that MANY are defiled by the means of bitterness. Bitterness can be tricky to recognize because it's not a symptom or visible on the surface like anger usually is. Many claim that they aren't an angry or hateful person, but that's not what bitterness is all about. Bitterness is an underlying problem that doesn't always manifest on the outside, but dwells in that person's system. Bitterness is a root! Hebrews 12:15, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." What is a root? A root is a source, or a bubbling fountain that is laying under the surface. Roots do not directly manifest or make themselves known, but are a source of nutrition or fuel for other elements that are on the surface. You don't usually see a plant showing off it's root system, but if the plant didn't have a root system it wouldn't survive. A root's job is not to manifest on the surface, but to brew under the surface and fuel things that are on the surface. Let's take a closer look at a plants root system... where does the roots dwell? Under the surface of the soil. Can everybody see it's root system? No, because it's hidden under the soil or surface. The same is true with bittern ess in a person's soul. It is a hidden element that lies under the surface, and out of it springs up anger and other negative emotions against others and against the circumstances around us. People who have a root of bitterness find it easy to get upset over things that other's are doing around them. It's like a brewing fountain that lies beneath the surface, waiting to fuel something that is on the surface. Bitterness can be kept to one's self Countless women who are raped develop awful emotional and spiri tual bondage. It's not because they were raped, but because they allowed the trauma to get to them. Many women are in bondage today because they

became bitter under the surface about what was done to them years ago. I believe Clinton Clark once said that from his observation, it seemed that boys who are molested by older men and forgave the molester and forgot about it right away, walked away without picking up unclean homosexual spirits, but those who allowed the trauma to bother them walked away with homo sexual spirits and other bondages. That's how the demonic spirits gain access into a person's life through rape and abuse. It's not the abuse or rape, but the bitterness and unhealthy feelings that build up within a person who has been taken advantage of. Demons thrive on bitterness and unforgiveness, and it's a wide open door for them to move right in on a person and develop many spiritual, mental and even physical bondages. Now many of these people who have been hurt, don't express it on the outside, but rather hold the hurt and bitter feelings inside where they fester and grow. I know women who have been raped, and they are kind and gentle and loving people, but inside they are bound up because of what was done to them many years ago. Just because they aren't angry or outrageous individuals, does not mean they are free from the root of bitterness. As I said earlier, bitterness is a root, and roots are not always visible on the surface. They may promote ungodly anger and other emotions on the surface but bitterness itself works under the surface. Bitterness is a root, thereby making it harder to identify and expose than many surface issues, but none the less it's a deadly poison that needs to be released. If left alone, it will grow and fester, and it has th e ability to spring up many surface issues such as irritability, anger, hatred, etc. Individuals who have a root of bitterness will often find it easy to become upset over little things that go on around them. It is easy for them to look at the circumstanc es around them as the source of their problems, rather than seeing how they are handling those circumstances. Instead of letting it go and forgiving, they let it get to them, and it devours them alive. This is a very common route by which demons enter people today. Whether bitterness is manifest on the outside or not does not matter. Due to the nature of bottled up feelings and emotions, they are not always made noticeable on the surface, but that by no means discounts the fact that they are there. If there is a root of bitterness, it needs to be cut off at the root and removed from one's soul. We need to make a choice to release all hurt and bottled up feelings inside our systems, and repent for holding that poison in our hearts. Turn from those feelings and forsake them, and allow the Lord's love to minister to your soul!

CHAPTER SEVEN

Haunted Homes & Land: Demons inhabiting property

The Bible tells us that just as individuals can become spiritually defiled, homes and property can also be defiled: Leviticus 18:24,25, "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it , and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants." There are some people with the gift of spiritual discernment who when traveling to certain countries today, can not get off the plane and take a breath of air without picking up on the demonic bondage in that country. In the book of Revelations, the Bible speaks of how a country or land can become inhabited with unclean spirits: Revelations 18:2, "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Likewise, land, homes and even buildings can become habitations of demonic spirits. In this area of the state, there is an old mental hospital that is loaded with unclean spirits. From what I hear, even a group of those involved with the demonic won't go near this place on devils' night, because it is so haunted. If you look online for pictures of this place, I'm pretty sure you'll find real photos of ghosts appearing in the building. This is not a joke... my great grandparents were spiritualists, and took many photos like this that would show heads of people that have been dead for years! One person who lived in an old funeral home said that place was possessed, which was evident by strange happenings, opening and slamming doors, and so forth. My father was friends with a deliverance minister who would have a lot of fun driving out spirits from homes, and he would have demons screaming at him as he drove them out! What are some of the symptoms of a haunted house?

There are many signs we can look for in a possessed home or building. Some of the things a person can look for are doors slamming when nobody is there, strange noises, reputation for calamities (people being pushed down stairs, finances always being drained, etc.), the air seems heavy (making it harder to breathe), animals acting fearful or weird (dogs barking like mad for no reason), and so forth. Often somebody with spiritual discernment will often pick up on a spiritual presence that doesn't feel right. It's not uncommon to visit a home and pick up on demonic presence before even finding out that there was demonic activity that's taken place there. I've picked up on something demonic before even entering a home before... just standing on the property is enough to sense out an unclean presence. How do homes and land become haunted? Sins of the inhabitants: One of the ways which a place can become defiled is through the deeds of its inhabitants. If things such as seances, voodoo, adultery, homosexuality, or incest have been practiced in a home, then demonic spirits may inhabit there. The Word of God tells us that the deeds of its inhabitants can defile even the land on which it is practiced: Leviticus 18:24-25,27, "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it , and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants... (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which [were] before you, and the land is defiled;)" Jeremiah 3:9, "And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks." Ezekiel 36:17, "Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings : their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman." Jeremiah 2:7, "And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination." Possession of cursed things: Another means by which a home can be defiled is through the possession of cursed items, such as idols, occult books, rings, satanic symbols, and so forth. The Word of God gives us a good indication that possessing idols can pollute the land and bring a curse upon it:

Ezekiel 36:18, "Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it." Jeremiah 50:38, "A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols." Demons can actually draw power (and legal right) from nearby cursed objects, such as idols, occult items, satanic rings, and even demonic photos. It is vital to rid a home or land from such items before dedicating it to the Lord and driving out the unclean spirits. The Bible lets us know clearly that physical items can indeed carry spiritual value: Deuteronomy 7:26, "Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house , lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly dete st it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing." How do you cleanse a home or land? The first step to cleansing a home, building, church or property, is to get rid of any cursed items that it is possessing. If there are occult books, Ouij a boards, crystal balls, new age drawings, dream catchers or other items used to glorify Satan hanging around, then they need to go. Just like we need to break up legal grounds in a person before casting out their demons, it is also vital to break up legal grounds in our homes, buildings, churches and land before driving out the demons. It is very helpful to pray and ask the Lord to reveal any unclean items that must be taken out. The Holy Spirit is great at revealing things that we would never think of! Here are a few examples of items that usually carry accursed value: occult books, pornography, satanic symbols, demonic/occult rings, skulls, frogs, owls, new age drawings, items used for divination, Ouija boards, etc. The next step is to go through each room, and pray over it, dedicating it to the Lord. I would even pray over a glass of water, and ask the Lord that the water represent the Blood of Christ Jesus, then take the water around the house and sprinkle the water in each room and closet, etc. Finally, it is time to begin taking authority over the spirits in that home, and command them to leave in Jesus' name. Go through each room, closet, nook and cranny, and command the unclean spirits residing there to come out in Jesus' name and to leave the property. Just remember that you, as a believer in Christ, have the authority needed to drive those spirits out... don't let them walk all over you!

CHAPTER EIGHT

Strongholds

The process of deliverance often consists of three main parts: Tearing down strongholds, removing legal rights and then casting out the remaining demons. If you try to cast out demons without taking away the strongholds or legal rights that they are holding onto, then you can't really expect to achieve a complete successful deliverance. Removing these two blockages is vital in going about a complete and successful deliverance. What is a stronghold? A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best. For example, if you think you have to confess all your sins to everybody you've ever wronged, you'll feel just awful and guilty until you do all that, and even then, you'll probably feel guilty, because you probably forgot many people that you didn't confess your sins to. All unnecessary, and a waste of time, all because you were deceived and thought that you had to do something that you really didn't have to do. An example of a stronghold at work: A common scene is somebody who is scared of God, and has a hard time feeling His love and presence. They view Him as a cruel taskmaster, and not as the God that is really is to them, and therefore, they put up there own wall which makes it hard for them to receive God's love, presence and draw close in their relationship with Him. If you saw your spouse as a rude and cruel dictator, you probably wouldn't be as apt to snuggle upto Him and love him as you would if you saw him as a loving and kind person who loves you and cares for you. If you see somebody as mean, it's hard to receive their love, isn't it? That's how our perception of God can hinder us from feeling His love and presence in our lives. It is VERY important to have a correct perception of God if we want to live victorious lives in Christ Jesus! Two very destructive and common strongholds

The first one, where you see God incorrectly: One of the most popular and devastating strongholds to have, is an incorrect image in your mind of who God is, and how He sees us. People who see God as a taskmaster, live their lives with an unhealthy fear of God. There's a good kind of fear of God, which is more like a holy respect for Him, but there's anothe r kind of fear that is very unhealthy that the enemy wants us to have, and it's the kind of fear where we see God as a taskmaster, cruel, cold, distant, uncaring and would snap the whip at us the moment we step out of line. People who are afraid they've committed the unpardonable sin are almost guaranteed to have this stronghold. People who find it hard to feel God's love and presence, often have this stronghold too. If you feel God is distant and cold, or question if God loves you, then you need to get this stronghold torn down. One awesome book that will help you break down this stronghold is Blessed Beyond Measure by Gloria Copeland. It talks about the goodness of God, and it's impossible to read that book and be the same person when your done seeing the love and goodness that God wants to bless us with! The second one, where you see yourself incorrectly: People who suffer from this have a hard time seeing the new person that they are now in Christ Jesus, and often suffer from low self-esteem. They don't understand what Christ did for them, and how it applies to their own life. Common symptoms of this stronghold are guilt feelings (questioning if you've really been forgiven of your sin(s)), low spiritual esteem (they feel like sinners, not saints), they lac k spiritual confidence that we are supposed to have in Christ Jesus, they may still struggle with sin (Jesus said that if you keep in His Word, which tears down strongholds, you will be free from the power sin has over you - John 8:31-34), and overall you don't feel 'worthy' spiritually and lack the joy of the Lord in your life. One of the best books I've seen for tearing down this stronghold is Victory over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. It will teach you of the new person you are now in Christ Jesus, and h elp you be victorious over the darkness through an understanding of your identity in Christ. How to tear down a stronghold 2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk the lies of the enemy, with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but

mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."). What is our primary offensive weapon? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Wor d of God (Eph 6:17, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."). Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more the darkness must flee. This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you. In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, "continue in my w ord... and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32 -32) Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God's Word, which is truth! Strongholds The process of deliverance often consists of three main parts: Tearing down strongholds, removing legal rights and then casting out the remaining demons. If you try to cast out demons without taking away the strongholds or legal rights that they are holding onto, then you can't really expect to achieve a complete successful deliverance. Removing these two blockages is vital in going about a complete and successful deliverance. What is a stronghold? A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the build ing blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best. For example, if you think you have to confess all your sins to everybody you've ever wronged, you'll feel just awful and guilty until you do all that, and even then, you'll probably feel guilty, because you probably forgot many people that you didn't confess your sins to. All unnecessary, and a waste of time, all because you were deceived and thought that you had to do something that you really didn't have to do. An example of a stronghold at work: A common scene is somebody who is scared of God, and has a hard time feeling His love and presence. They view Him as a cruel taskmaster, and not as the God that is really is to them, and therefore, they put up there own wall which makes it hard for them to receive God's love, presence and draw close in their relationship with Him. If you saw your spouse as a rude and cruel dictator, you probably wouldn't be as apt to snuggle up to Him and love him as you would if you saw him as a loving and kind person who loves you and cares for you. If you see somebody as mean, it's hard to receive their love, isn't it? That's how our perception of God can

hinder us from feeling His love and presence in our lives. It i s VERY important to have a correct perception of God if we want to live victorious lives in Christ Jesus! Two very destructive and common strongholds The first one, where you see God incorrectly: One of the most popular and devastating strongholds to have, is an incorrect image in your mind of who God is, and how He sees us. People who see God as a taskmaster, live their lives with an unhealthy fear of God. There's a good kind of fear of God, which is more like a holy respect for Him, but there's another ki nd of fear that is very unhealthy that the enemy wants us to have, and it's the kind of fear where we see God as a taskmaster, cruel, cold, distant, uncaring and would snap the whip at us the moment we step out of line. People who are afraid they've committed the unpardonable sin are almost guaranteed to have this stronghold. People who find it hard to feel God's love and presence, often have this stronghold too. If you feel God is distant and cold, or question if God loves you, then you need to get this stronghold torn down. One awesome book that will help you break down this stronghold is Blessed Beyond Measure by Gloria Copeland. It talks about the goodness of God, and it's impossible to read that book and be the same person when your done seeing the love and goodness that God wants to bless us with! The second one, where you see yourself incorrectly: People who suffer from this have a hard time seeing the new person that they are now in Christ Jesus, and often suffer from low self-esteem. They don't understand what Christ did for them, and how it applies to their own life. Common symptoms of this stronghold are guilt feelings (questioning if you've really been forgiven of your sin(s)), low spiritual esteem (they feel like sinners, not saints), they lack spiritual confidence that we are supposed to have in Christ Jesus, they may still struggle with sin (Jesus said that if you keep in His Word, which tears down strongholds, you will be free from the power sin has over you - John 8:31-34), and overall you don't feel 'worthy' spiritually and lack the joy of the Lord in your life. One of the best books I've seen for tearing down this stronghold is Victory over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. It will teach you of the new person you are now in Christ Jesus, and help you be victorious over the darkness through an understanding of your identity in Christ. How to tear down a stronghold 2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."

Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk the lies of the enemy, with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."). What is our primary offensive weapon? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."). Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more the darkness must flee. This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you. In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, "continue in my word. .. and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32 -32) Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God's Word, which is truth!

.CHAPTER NINE What does the Bible say about Witchcraft? The Bible is very clear about its condemnation of witchcraft and its various forms.1 Following is a partial list of passages from the Bible concerning witchcraft, seances, necromancy, and other such occultic practices: 1. 1. 2. Divination and magic Lev. 19:26, You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying. Isaiah 44:25, "Causing the omens of boasters to fail, making fools out of diviners, causing wise men to draw back, and turning their knowledge into foolishness." Acts 8:9,18-22, "Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great . . . 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles hands, he offered them money, 19saying, Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. 20But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you." Acts 13:6, "And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus." Mediums Lev. 19:31, "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." Lev. 20:6, As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people." Lev. 20:27, Now a man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones, their bloodguiltiness is upon them. Isaiah 8:19-20, "And when they say to you, Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." Necromancy - contacting the dead 1 Sam. 28 where Saul uses a medium to contact the dead.

3.

4.

2. 1. 2.

3.

4.

3. 1.

4. 1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

5. 1.

2.

Sorcery - attempting to influence people through occult means Exodus 22:18, You shall not allow a sorceress to live." Isaiah 47:12-14, Stand fast now in your spells and in your many sorceries with which you have labored from your youth; Perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you may cause trembling. 13You are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, those who prophesy by the stars, those who predict by the new moons, stand up and save you from what will come upon you. 14 Behold, they have become like stubble, fire burns them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; there will be no coal to warm by, nor a fire to sit before!" Rev. 19:21, "and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts." Rev. 21:8, "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Rev. 22:15, "Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying." Witchcraft Deut. 18:10-14, There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. 14For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so. 2 Kings 21:6, "And he made his son pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and used divination, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord provoking Him to anger." (see also 2 Chron. 33:6)

CHAPTER TEN

Questions and Answers on Deliverance

Serious questions that we need to be asking! There are a lot of misunderstandings about whom t he deliverance ministry is meant for. This teaching rises some very important questions that cannot be realistically overlooked. I want you to consider these questions and keep in mind that Jesus referred to deliverance ministry as children's bread. Matthew 15:26, "But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." How are you supposed to cast a demon out of somebody who is spiritually defiled? When a person involves themselves in evil practices, it defiles them spiritually and makes them vulnerable to receive unclean spirits. When removing demons, it is vital to first remove their legal rights, then proceed to drive out the demons. The truth is that unless a person has accepted Christ and repented of their sins, they are spiritually defiled and the demons have a right to be there. This is why Jesus said that if we cast demons out of the wicked generation, they will return with 7 more even worse evil spirits. The Bible tells us clearly that it is through the forgiv eness of sins that our legal grounds are removed and the demons are disarmed. Of course this also means that if a person does not receive that forgiveness, then the demons are not disarmed. You are going into a situation where the enemy has a right to operate in their life. Colossians 2:13-15, "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him,

having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Why would you cast a demon out of somebody, who will receive 7 more even worse demons when it returns? When we cast demons out of nonbelievers, we are setting them up for disaster because the demons have a right to be there. They can freely return as they please, because the person is still defiled. Why would you ever want to set somebody up for something like this? Luke 11:24-26, "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh 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." Why cast a demon out of somebody who refuses to accept Jesus as thei r Lord and savior? If a person comes to you, wishing to remove a demon, but refuses to accept Jesus as their Lord and savior, then the purpose of such a deliverance would be to simply fix a problem in their life. They aren't interested in Jesus, they just want their problem solved. The truth is that you aren't really helping them, because the root of their problem has not been addressed, and therefore no lasting results will be achieved. The demon can return before they even get to their car, because it has full rights to that person's life! Why did Jesus call deliverance the Children's bread, if it was not meant for those in covenant with God? This is a good question. Jesus referred to the casting out of demons as Children's bread, referring to those who ar e in covenant with God. Those who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior, are not children of God, and have no covenant with Him.

Matthew 15:26, "But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." If light cannot dwell with darkness, and all darkness leaves a believer's life when they become a Christian, then why do we still have evil thoughts, desires, feelings, and bondages to lust, pornography, anger, etc. long after we accept Jesus? This is a very good question. Is there anywhere in the Bible which tells us that some darkness can remain, while other types of darkness is automatically shed at the time of salvation? No, it does not. If light could not dwell with darkness, then Paul couldn't have had both the Holy Spirit, and evil present in him at the same time, as we can see in this passage: Romans 7:20,21, "Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." Why is authority required to cast out demons, if they leave on their own the moment their legal rights are removed? It is through our authority in Christ, that we are able to drive out demons. Why did God give us this authority, if what we should really be doing is simply winning souls for Jesus? Mark 1:27, "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him." Why did Jesus drive out demons, when He had the power on earth to forgive sins? If Jesus could forgive sins while He was here on earth, and if all it took was removal of the demon's legal grounds in order to send them to flight, then why did Jesus go about casting out demons? The Bible is clear that He had power here on earth to remove the demon's legal grounds through the forgiveness of sins:

Matthew 9:2-6, "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." If all you had to do was get a person saved and their demons went away automatically, then what is the point in casting out demons at all? After all, are we trying to bypass salvation and just apply a patch to that person's problem or bondage? What is the point of going through a messy deliverance session where you have to confront demons face to face and drive them out, when all you have to do is get the person saved, and all the demons go without a whim? The truth is that this belief that Christians cannot have demons, completely undermines the whole point of casting out demons. The reason the church today does not practice deliverance is because they don't really see the purpose of it... they think it all happens automatically, and that's wh y most pastors have never cast out a demon in their life! Does Jesus' warning about spiritual defilement not apply to us Christians? Jesus made it clear that there are things which defile a man, meaning, they make the man unclean spiritually. Do we dare sa y that a Christian can do such things, and not have Jesus' words apply to them? Matthew 15:18-20, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false

witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man." Apparently, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to warn the believers that through bitterness, they can become spiritually defiled: Hebrews 12:15, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." When Jesus shed His blood for our spiritual freedom and physical healing, does this apply to believers or those who reject Christ? In Matthew chapter eight, Jesus was demonstrating what was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah when He went about casting out demons. At the same time, He was demonstrating the healing that was purchased f or us through His work on the cross. Do we dare say that these things were intended to be received by those who reject Jesus? Matthew 8:16-17, "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities , and bare our sicknesses." If casting out demons was only valid while Jesus was here on earth, then why did Jesus appear to His disciples after He rose from the dead, and told them that His children will be casting out demons as well? Also, why did the early church go about casting out demons as well? The fact is that the early church went about casting out demons, long after Jesus went on to be with the Father. Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Acts 8:6-7, "And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed." Is deliverance not needed today, like it was back then? The fact is that for every 2-3 healings, there was a deliverance that took place in the New Testament. I am convinced that the percentage is higher than that, but let's just say it was a 1-3 ratio. If there is such a need today for healing, then why don't we also see such a need for deliverance? Could it be because we don't see these problems as demonic, but rather fleshly or physical nowadays? Jesus sent fourth 70 disciples to preach the gospel and cast out demons, and they returned full of joy as they could see that this was a very real and important ministry. Now for Jesus to send out 70 men and they came back with praise reports of deliverances... that tells us that even though they were on foot, there were plenty of people in their area that needed deliveran ce! Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." Is it possible that we just aren't seeing the need for deliverance, because we don't know how to diagnose a demon in a person's l ife? I honestly wonder how many people in today's churches that Jesus, His disciples, the early church and those 70 disciples would find in need of deliverance. I have to say that many times, today's pastors would not agree with me about a person having a demon until I actually get it manifesting during a deliverance and the person is set free. Many times, you would never know the person has an unclean spirit until it is confronted and brought to the surface to be dealt with! For example, when I had a spirit of fear (as many people today do), all I knew was that I was fearful, but once it was confronted and dealt with in a deliverance session, I vomited out black slime! Another time, I was doing

deliverance on an older woman, and she was spitting up a yellowish phlegm as the spirits were coming out, but when I suddenly confronted insecurity, she suddenly vomited out pure jet black slime (and no, she hasn't smoked in decades!)... now you tell me how that works! Most pastors today would never think such a woman was suffering from insecurity caused by an evil spirit, and would tell her that she needs to simply meditate on scriptures about how God will never leave or forsake you. I would like to see those who oppose this ministry, give me a solid answer as to why she went from yellowish slime to jet black slime right after one of our ministers got a Word from God that a spirit of insecurity was present and I began to confront and drive it out! This woman said she never coughed up black slime like that in her life! There was no sickness present, she felt just fine before we began her deliverance; there was absolutely no physical reason for such happening. Same goes for the time when a demon was confronted in me, and it felt like my stomach physically turned upside down all of a sudden, when I've never had that happen to me in my life! And why do so many receive drastic breakthroughs and freedom as they go through the deliverance process? All this needs to be explained by those who oppose this area of ministry, just like the deliverance stories that took place in the Bible. Is is possible that we are diagnosing spiritual problems as mere physical health issues? Jesus diagnosed the woman who had a spinal disorder as having a spirit of infirmity (see Luke 13), and a man who couldn't talk was healed when a demon was driven out (see Luke 11:14). Jesus also dealt with an evil spirit in a young boy who was having seizers in his brain (see Matthew 17:15-18), and when the demon left, the boy was restored and normal again. King Saul was said to have a demon, which tormented him with severe depression and fear (see 1 Samuel 16:14). Job was said to have boils all over his body, which were caused by evil spirits that Satan had sent to torment him (see Job 2:7). King David was tormented by evil spirits, which made him feel hopeless and his heart felt desolate (see Psalms 143:3 -4). Could it be possible, that today we are diagnosing spiritual bondages, which are

manifesting as physical infirmities, as mere health problems that are completely natural? Could we be praying for a healing, when we really ought to be casting a demon out? What if we encountered one of the cases mentioned above, where a woman had a physical bone/muscle problem as a direct result of a spirit of infirmity, or a person was unable to speak because there was an unclean spirit hindering him; would we merely pray for a healing when there is a demon involved which needs to be driven out? Is it possible that we are praying for healings when sometimes a healing is not what is needed, but rather liberating from an unclean spirit? I believe this is the very reason why many times our prayers for healing go unanswered. We are asking God to do something, while we are neglecting what He told us to do (which is to cast out demons - see Matthew 10:8). A friend of mine who does deliverance ministry almost every week, told me that even though he doesn't feel he is gifted in the area of healing, he has seen numerous healings take place immediately in the bodies of those whom he is casting demons out of! Could we be ignoring one of the most important and popular (according to the NT) areas of ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Could we be writing off a very important area of ministry that Jesus intended for us today to be operating in, so that the power of God could be displayed, and the captives liberated for the glory of God? Do these passages and commands no longer apply to those of us who are following Christ and proclaiming the gospel today? Matthew 10:7-8, "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Mark 16:15,17, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

John 14:12, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Just as Jesus was sent forth to destroy the works of the devil (see Acts 10:38), so also are we sent forth. The works that He did, which included liberating those who are tormented by evil spirits, we are also supposed to be doing. Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Mark 1:39, "And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils." John 20:21, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."