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You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
When I became a Christian in the early ‘70s during the Jesus Movement there was a lot of teaching about demons. The reason: LSD/drug-hippies encountered possession and oppression.
When they became Christians, deliverance often ensued.
Today, the topic is hidden. From a false-science perspective, they don’t exist. From a church perspective, very messy. From a Christian perspective, fear and denial.
Jesus had over 60 demonic encounters in the Gospels. He cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), and a demoniac in the Gerasenes told Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”
Certainly, there are still demons today, perhaps more demonic possession than in the time of Jesus. The Bible warns against giving the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27), and we live in a foothold culture.
Consider the new ways our culture constantly invents to glorify the demonic.
This isn’t a blog on conducting deliverance. You don’t have to fear, but you should respect, the demonic. The Seven Sons of Sceva tried a deliverance without the proper authority of a previous confession of Jesus and with a subsequent baptism in the Spirit.
They were severely beaten – all seven by one demon-possessed man (Acts 19:1-20).
Three principles to remember:
- Demonic oppression gains territory in lives through actions, sinful thoughts, and even generational strongholds. Followers are justified, but a release of grace and mercy comes through confession. Practice confession (James 5:16)!
- Do not fear. The demonic must respect the authority of Christ. And Jesus gave us “all authority” (Matthew 28:18).
- Follow the leading of the Spirit. There is a submission principle with followers of Jesus for victory in spiritual warfare (James 4:7).
If you walk faithfully and in the power of the Spirit, you will encounter demonic resistance, opposition, oppression, and possession. Not a question of “if” but “when.”
For information on deliverance from a practitioner follow this link:
I do not consider my ministry to be deliverance. I’ve heard people when discussing the topic shudder while saying, “It’s not my gift.” However, Jesus said to His followers…
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19
Deliverance ministry isn’t listed as a spiritual gift, but it is taught by Jesus as an element of our inheritance in Christ. All of us can and will need to be involved in deliverance. If not, there could be extremely negative consequences to a friend who is sick, a child with an addiction, or someone you know with evil manifestations.
You are empowered! Stand in faith. Use the name of Jesus.