Methods of Obtaining Deliverance from Demonic Powers

There are various methods of obtaining deliverance from satanic powers, oppression or influences of the powers of darkness in one’s life.

As I have explained in an earlier post – Deliverance 1, deliverance is the process of being set free from any kind of bondage. Here, we want to look at how to be set free spiritually or from demons.

There are three different methods of obtaining deliverance. These can be simply outlined as:

  1. Live or Squeeze It Out
  2. Starve It Out
  3. Flush It Out

Live or Squeeze It Out

God dwells in righteousness. The Holy Spirit’s presence is more experienced in a righteous place. Every Christian grows when he/she dedicates self to God and godly things like studying the Word of God, praying, fasting, fellowship, etc. As a child of God grows, so, in a way, God grows in Him. The amount of God in you determines how deep you are in Christ. You may have been in the church for quite some time or may have been born again many years ago, but if you are not deeply rooted in Christ, you are still a baby Christian.

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you.” Galatians 4: 19.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2: 6,7.

The human body is very complex. Our body is the temple or dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. But, when one is possessed and later becomes born again (of water and Holy Spirit), that person is not automatically delivered from the demons. One very effective way of being totally delivered is to “Squeeze them out” or grow in Christ. It is sad to note however, that one can be born-again (Holy Spirit-filled) and still be possessed.

The amount of God in you determines how deep you are in Christ.

But as you grow in Christ, so the Holy Spirit increases in you. As the Holy Spirit increases, He occupies more room or space in your body and the demons occupy less. A time will come when the demon(s) can no longer remain in you due to lack of sufficient space for it(them). It(they) will have no other option but to pack out and leave.

The more of Christ in you, the less of Satan and the world in you. When you reach the point where you can truly say,

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2: 20 (KJV).

Then, you can boldly say,

“The prince of this world cometh, yet he has nothing in me.”

At the point Satan and demons have no place in you, deliverance has occurred. You have lived it(them) out

Starve It Out

As I said earlier, God operates more where there is righteousness or when one lives a righteous life. On the other hand, demons operates more when one lives an unrighteous or ungodly life. So if one says he is born-again, but continue to live in sin, demons may come in. Another way to obtain deliverance from demonic powers is to avoid sin in its entirety. Sin is the food (fast-food) of demons. They grow big and are very happy when one falls into or lives in sin.

Sin is the fast-food of demons.

A Christian can be totally free from demons by starving them out through living a holy life. When you obey the Holy Spirit always, it means that you actually disobey Satan and his demons at the same time. Anytime you obey God, you actually remove yourself from the path of ungodliness and enter into righteousness. This starves Satan and demons. They hate it when a Christian lives or try to be holy. Holiness is the “antivirus” that can help you counter satanic or demonic activities operation against you. That is why they try every means possible to stop God’s children from living a holy life.

Holiness is the “antivirus” against Satan and demons.

Naturally, one may die of starvation if no food is available. Spiritually, one may experience the desert effect, wilderness effect, backslide or die (fall out from the faith) if no spiritual food (God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, etc) is received. In the same way, demons flee when they do not receive their food (sin) from you.

Flush It Out

The third way of obtaining deliverance from demonic powers is to cast them out, or simply, flush them out. Personally, I do not recommend this method for a new convert or young Christian. To be able to carry out this form of deliverance, one needs to have his/her authority in Christ fully exercised, be able to operate in some Gifts of the Holy Spirit and be fully convinced without any doubt that God hears when he/she prays. All these are signs of a matured Christian. Now, let us take these one after the other.

UNDERSTAND YOUR AUTHORITY IN CHRIST

It is important to know and be very confident that as a Christian, God answers your prayers. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us all authority to operate in the supernatural.. In Luke 10: 18 – 20, the Bible declares:

18He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (NIV).

Also in Mark 16: 17, 18 declares:

“17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (NIV)

In the above passages it is clear that deliverance by casting or flushing out demons is a sign or manifestation of being a true believer of Jesus Christ or a matured Christian. You have been authorized by the Lord to do it. You must be confident in God who has sent you.

Also, in Matthew 16: 19 the Bible declares:

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind (including demons) onearthwill be bound in heaven(or wherever they are), and whatever you loose on earthwill be loosed in heaven.”(Emphasis: mine).

Demons are expelled when prayer is released with authority. They flee when they are commanded, not begged. Mark 5: 1 – 19 gives a concise explanation of the process of deliverance by casting or flushing out. The demons know who you are before you start praying. But some might be stubborn or deaf. Mark 9: 17 – 29.

Demons are expelled when prayer is released with authority.

A Christian’s authority is in the name of Jesus Christ.

“9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 9 – 11.

Confidently proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ immediately releases God’s authority.

Demons do not run away because you can shout the name of Jesus. But, they recognize that you know what that name stands for and believe it. They know a Christian who believes his/her prayer prayed in the name of Jesus. Your authority is in how you use the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ carries all the power of the Godhead. Confidently proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ immediately releases God’s authority.

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

I will streamline this section to touch only the specific gifts of the Holy Spirit needed for deliverance. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifestations that the Holy Spirit has some control over us and can flow out through us. These gifts are what He gives to us of His own will, as He deems it fit ( read 1 Corinthians 12: 1 – 11). But, we can ask for any or all if we want. And He will willingly give to us.

The following spiritual gifts are very important in deliverance:

  1. Word of knowledge
  2. Discerning of spirits
  3. Speaking in tongues
  4. Gift of faith, and
  5. Gifts of healing