The Manifold Wisdom Of God
Deliverance?
("the Father ... has delivered us from the power of darkness ...")
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“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father',” Romans 8'15.
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“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1'7.
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"Have you thought about deliverance?". That question is likely to come up in the form of a suggestion. The conversation, or counseling session, is about a Believer having unwanted spiritual experiences. The person feels helpless which causes real concern.
Usually self-questioning about what the cause could be comes into play. "Have I sinned?" "Am I really saved?" "Could it be demon possession?" Freedom from them seems to be impossible.
So is freedom possible? Yes. It is absolutely possible! Spiritual freedom is God's will for all who believe in Jesus.
Anything that robs a Believer of God's peace or joy can be removed today - in Jesus' name.
This is where "deliverance" comes in. Deliverance is the spiritual release from specifically troubling and disturbing personal feelings.
Deliverance is not about casting out demons. That is "exorcism", a ministry to unbelievers.
The wonderful thing is that any Believer with spiritual difficulties of this kind who is reading these words could very well experience spiritual release. For that to happen all that is needed is a receptive frame of mind while reading through this message. Wherever Jesus is Lord the enemy has to leave.
Actually, Believers' knowing that Jesus is Lord is the underlying reason for this message. In the Old Testament God said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4'6). In regard to being aware of Satan's ways the apostle Paul said:
"... for we are not ignorant of his devices," 2 Corinthians 2'11.
If the enemy can convince a Believer, by any means at all, that their problem is master of them he will.
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So, how did "deliverance" come about? Basically it was because conventional counselling was unsuccessful. There were Believers who were known to be sincere and diligent followers of Jesus who found themselves spiritually very troubled.
Deliverance was successful. So much so that, to some, it became the general answer for almost every problem! This brought "the ministry of deliverance" (as it came to be called) into some disrepute.
However, it was like casting out demons. Some deliverance sessions were unruly even chaotic. There were loud commands for evil spirits to come out and/or name themselves. Demons were "manifesting" loudly and there could be other distractions.
This "ministry" method ends up by dishonouring our heavenly Father because the enemy is able to take advantage and cause such things. Remember what the Lord said?
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you," Luke 10'19.
Let's remember, because this ministry is based on the word of Christ the enemy is opposed to it. Nevertheless, in Jesus' name he has to leave.
THE ENEMY TELLS LIES
The Lord told His People in a number of ways what the enemy is like. First and foremost, he tells lies. He misuses God's Word. He showed that in his interactions with Jesus during His time of testing in the wilderness.
In another verbal encounter, with some Pharisees this time, Jesus described Satan's nature:
“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it," John 8'44.
The apostle Peter spoke about him saying:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world," 1 Peter 5'8-9 .
Just listen to what the apostle John said:
"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of His Christ have come,
for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down," Revelation 12'10.
Finally, the Lord declared: “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out," John 12'31. And He achieved it for all His Called-Out People.
UNDERSTAND THIS!
There is a powerful understanding that every Believer should possess. Without doubting. If this understanding is not in place, the enemy will be quick to take advantage .
It is this: Believers are not sinners. Again, Believers are not sinners. That's the truth! Unbelievers are sinners. Nevertheless, Believers do sin. But -
"... if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin," 1 John 1'7.
Never say, or think, "I have no sin". Because:
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John 1'8.
Believers are righteous in Christ, not in ourselves. Keep that in mind. I'm likely to sin, but I am not a sinner.
Understanding this guarantees freedom! For, by God's grace the Holy Spirit works powerfully so that deliverance is quiet, simple and powerful.
Freedom comes in Jesus' name, through the delegated authority our heavenly Father gives. Nothing else is needed.
No physical contact is needed. No laying on of hands, no anointing with oil, no waving the Bible over the person, no "holy water" sprinkling.
Our heavenly Father's word of authority is the absolute authority. When those taking part in this ministry agree together and declare that the Father is the authority over the situation, He is!
A troubled Believer will be troubled no longer. The enemy has to obey. Our Father has given all authority to His Son and Believers have authority from the Son.
Jesus said:
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you," Luke 10'19.
SO WHAT IS THE CAUSE?
The cause of the person's distress may be useful to know in itself. That's because it could come out in the first conversation with them. It may be something like unforgiveness, disobedience or unrepented sin. (Check out Kingdom Forgiveness on the Menu.)
If a specific cause is known the Believer can confess it to the Father, repent, ask for forgiveness and thank Him.
Going through a process of trying to find a cause can be used by the enemy. If a cause is unknown, leave it that way! It makes no difference. Knowing what the "symptoms" are is enough.
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These "symptoms" are usually brought about when a Believer accepts a Satanic lie. That amounts to allowing him to torment.
However, the point is: the enemy has no authority or power over anyone who has truly repented and received Christ.
But authority may be ignorantly handed to him when a Believer has become vulnerable by being tricked into one of his "devices", or giving way to temptation.
Or perhaps Satan took advantage due to a Believer's ignorance of the word of Christ.
All in all, he is only able to exercise power over a Believer because of an opportunity to enter in the first place.
The enemy's primary and most frequently used device to gain entry is to challenge the word of Christ. He did it first with Eve (Genesis 3'1).
And He still poses the same innocent-sounding question: "Has God indeed said?". The result of what happened next is being felt right up to this moment.
Keep the word of Christ in mind:
"... lest Satan should take advantage of us;
for we are not ignorant of his devices,"
2 Corinthians 2'11.
BE ASSURED
Is it possible for a Believer to be demon possessed? That's a question sometimes asked in a discussion on "deliverance". The answer is "No!". It may seem to be by the troubled person, but it's a demonic lie.
The absolute truth for everyone who believes, who has repented of sin and received Christ is this: our heavenly Father "has ...
... delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins," Colossians 1'13-14.
He has delivered us. And that's the truth. Be assured. But, having said that, a Believer who is really troubled may be deceived by the enemy into thinking otherwise.
Because of this powerful understanding complete deliverance from the deception is always available. Believers have been placed in "the Kingdom of the Son of His love". Amen!
SUCCESS AGREED
To ensure the spiritual release and reclaim the peace and joy that the enemy has stolen the help of others is needed. The enemy does not want to loosen his place evil hold.
At least two other trusted Believers should partner with you. (It's essential that they have read this study and agree with what they are being involved in.)
It's important that one of them is the same sex as you. If you're married your spouse should be involved. If they do not want to, another Believer, man or woman, as appropriate, can take their place. It's all about Believers agreeing together.
Jesus said this:
"I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them," Matthew 18'19-20.
However, you may not know anyone who can lead you through this process. You could share these things with at least two Believers you know and trust and ask them to help. One of them should do the speaking.
To achieve your freedom here are some guidelines:
Find somewhere secluded where you can speak aloud.
Pray with your partners, thanking God for His love and grace, agreeing with each other and thanking the Lord for granting success.
Make sure to thank Him for the fact that He is the authority in the situation.
Thank Him that you and your partners have His delegated authority to deal to the enemy.
Confess and repent of any particular sin you have committed. (Unconfessed sin is one way of getting caught in a snare of the devil.)
Ask God's forgiveness for it and any other sin or unrighteousness you know you have committed.
Thank Him for loving you, forgiving you and completely cleansing you. And thank Him for restoring the righteousness that is yours in Christ.
TAKING POWER BACK
The enemy will not just let go of his deceptive power. In the action of taking power back from him he is likely to attempt to distract you. He could use anything to interrupt, but don't stop speaking.
Ignore him. Don't engage with him. You have authority from your heavenly Father over him in Jesus' name.
Finally, taking your power back requires speaking to him directly and clearly. The following words are there to help. You may need some else to say them and you repeat sentences them:
Satan. By the authority of my heavenly Father
I take from you the power that you have had over me
and I put (name the trouble itself, don't mention demons)
outside the boundary of my mind and my life.
When you try to come back I will resist you.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Now the enemy is outside the boundary of your mind and life. His power has been taken from him. He is out!
Then, thank God for the freedom you have received in Jesus' name. Thank and praise the Father for the Holy Spirit's work in freeing you from the power that the enemy had over you.
Although you may not immediately feel the release that as taken place, you will. So, thank Him for His grace in giving you His freedom.
REJOICE in your freedom and give thanks to your heavenly Father who ...
"... has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, Colossians 1'12-14.
Hide these words in your heart and rejoice in them. Never rationalise or diminish your experience and never tell anyone who is likely to be derisive or negative about it.
Go through "Your Kingdom Foundation" teachings (on the Menu) to make your foundation sure in Christ. Follow them through closely and prayerfully as acts of righteousness to the Father.
REMEMBER. Satan's illegal power has been cut off in Jesus' name. The Lord has released you. The enemy has no option, he has to let go.
All he can do is carry on with his various ways of tempting, lying and deceiving. He will tempt whenever he can - and he's a liar.
So keep this in mind: "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world," 1 John 4'4.
Don't get into rationalising about your freedom. Give God the glory for delivering you.
Jesus Himself declares:
"... if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed," John 8'36.
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