Biblical Deliverance Cheat Sheet

The Bible illustrates deliverance as a lifestyle, not an event. It is Jesus first washing our own feet, then instructing us to do the same for others.

Deliverance is largely misunderstood among today’s church. The Lord's prayer is a prayer of spiritual warfare – a prayer of deliverance. However, Jesus doesn’t mention deliverance until its very end. In fact, several steps precede that provision. If we skip them, we may not experience full deliverance, or deliverance may not persist. Submission to them begins our journey. The Bible illustrates deliverance as a lifestyle, not an event. It is Jesus first washing our own feet, then instructing us to do the same for others.

Many stories in Scripture hold multiple layers of meaning. For example, the tale of the talents isn't just about being faithful with worldly wealth, but also spiritual. The Exodus isn't just about the Israelites leaving Egypt, but of our own miraculous deliverance from our land of slavery (sin). The conquest of Canaan? A guide for how we come to possess what God has given us. Read the Bible with spiritual eyes, lighted by the Holy Spirit, and you will discover many spiritual truths – truths that cleanse, redeem, and deliver.

It is from these truths that much of this cheat sheet is drawn. It is what I’ve learned through my own deliverance journey, more in SparkNotes format than elegant prose. Be blessed, and walk in victory (with clean feet😊)!

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The Lord's Prayer, Through the Lens of Deliverance

Spend time before progressing through each step. Once, the Lord had me meditate upon repentance for several months. Move forward as led. Return and repeat as needed.

1. Thanksgiving and Praise

• Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

• Give God thanks and praise. It sets us in the right mindset from the start. Plus, He’s worthy.

• “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.” (Psalm 100:4). Notice the progression of intimacy? This verse walks us through gates first (thanksgiving), then into God's court (praise). Yes, we can walk right into his presence and begin our petition, but would we want our own children to relate to us that way every time?

2. Submission

• Matthew 6:10 ”Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”

• Submit fully to God's will in every aspect of your life. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

• Purpose now to submit when God leads you to do so.

• Ask God to reveal to you in what areas you need to submit.

• Confess the sin of resistance, of procrastination regarding prior spiritual convictions, and of any other areas God brings to mind. This goes double for areas you already know! Not submitting to God's previous conviction is sin. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17) And sin can give the enemy a foothold. Though speaking regarding anger, Ephesians 4:27 can be applicable to many sins when it says, “and do not give the devil a foothold.” More on footholds later.

3. Ask for God's Word

• Matthew 6:11 ”Give us this day our daily bread.”

• We need words from God daily, his revelation.

• Jesus called himself the bread of life in John 6:35. Further, John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. God gave the Israelites manna as their daily bread, not only to provide for their physical needs, but “to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

• Ask for God's revelation regarding your specific spiritual battle. Receive it. Believe it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt” (James 1:5-6). Doubt is a decision, not something to fight against. Reference Doubt below.

4. Ask For Forgiveness

• Matthew 6:12 ”And forgive us our debts…”

• Ask God to reveal any sin you need to confess, then ask for forgiveness.

  • Confess it (agree with God).

  • Repent of it. Purpose to stop doing it, with God's help. Repentance is one of the most important aspects of spiritual freedom, of deliverance. Whereas confession is simply agreeing with God (yeah, I was wrong), repentance is recognizing you’re going the wrong way, turning around, and sprinting in the opposite direction. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2) was the message of John the Baptist, but also the primary message of Jesus (Matthew 4:17). Repentance is a gift from God (Acts 5:31, 2 Timothy 2:25). Receive it. Exercise it.

  • Receive forgiveness. Mark that sin off your list. If Satan tries to make you ashamed of it in the future, remember this time when you received forgiveness. Conviction is of God, but shame is not. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

  • Sin is one way the enemy obtains a foothold in our lives.

    • Again, Ephesians 4:27 says, “and do not give the devil a foothold.”

    • Willful sins can cause bondage (reference Sin below). “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.” (Psalms 19:13)

  • Sin can even cause sickness. “Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.” (Psalm 38:3)

    • Psalm 107:17 “Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.”

    • James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

    • However, sickness is by no means proof of sin. Reference John 9:2-3 for a clear example of how sickness is NOT a certain indication of sin.

  • Sin can even cause death.

    • 1 Corinthians 11:30 speaks of examining oneself so as to not bring condemnation upon ourselves, specifically regarding the sacrament of communion, but more broadly regarding what communion represents. “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” Sleep, here, means death.

    • James 1:15 says, “and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Spiritual death, yes, which is worse than physical death. However, physical death can also be an interpretation here.

  • Note: these steps are not one-and-done. Again, deliverance is a lifestyle, not an event. During my period of meditating upon repentance, once one sin was addressed he'd bring to mind another of which I wasn't even aware. He didn't give them all to me at once. I've found many of the other deliverance steps are cyclical as well.

• Ask for forgiveness of sins of ancestors which may be affecting you. Nehemiah, Daniel, and Ezra all prayed for and/or sought forgiveness for sins of their forefathers (Nehemiah 9:2, Daniel 9:20, Ezra 9&10). Their sins can affect us (Exodus 20:5, Leviticus 26:40-42). Reference Sins of Ancestors below. Job even offered sacrifices in case any of his children had sinned.

5. Forgive Others

• Matthew 6:12 continued: “…As we forgive our debtors.”

• A few verses later, Jesus explains God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others.

  • “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15

  • Reference also the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35.

• Unforgiveness is a prison, a factory producing bitterness. Forgiving others isn't saying what they did was OK. On the contrary, it's agreeing that they sinned against you, but you are choosing to place them into the hands of the Father. It gets you out of the way and releases them from your feeble prison, only to realize the prisoner was you. No one has explained this better or with more authority than Corrie ten Boom on Forgiveness. Read it. All of it. I can’t do it justice by summarizing here.

• Unforgiveness can give the enemy a right to oppress you.

  • “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.” (Matthew 18:34 and surrounding context)

  • “…whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:20)

  • “ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 5:4-5)

6. Renounce and Protect

• Matthew 6:13 ”And do not lead us into temptation,”

• Sin is a process. We don't slip into sin, but are willingly drawn over time. If we suddenly sin, likely its seed was planted a long time ago. We never plucked it out, but instead watered and fertilized it. Notice the progression in, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15). You think King David slipped into sin with Bathsheba? No. He'd already lost the battle of his desire.

• It is quite possible you still DESIRE certain sin. Renounce it. Renounce any benefit received from sin. Trace back each sin to what you actually are doing or desiring. Many times what we think is our struggle is only a symptom. Lust? It's only a symptom. Fear? Anxiety? A symptom. I've found that I can trace nearly all my sin issues back to one of the ten commandments. In fact, most of them I can trace back to breaking one of the first two, setting myself above God or setting myself up as an idol.

• For all sin, a benefit is received – though the cost is often higher than what we understand at the time. If we were to fully grasp the price for the “passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), we’d likely not choose sin. The benefit received may be physical pleasures such as those of sexual immorality, or carnal indulgences such as the self-righteous vindication that accompanies the refusal to forgive. This exchange is the same as an earthly contract. A contract requires both parties to receive benefit. Why would the spiritual differ? Sin is an instrument of spiritual worship in the kingdom of darkness, all in trade for a benefit/pleasure. And what is the benefit/right received by the kingdom of darkness? It isn't a stretch to see how sin, particularly unrepentant sin, can cause spiritual bondage. Trace all sin back to the benefit received, then renounce all benefit and power received from anything you desire or for which you may be tempted.

• If you still desire sin, start there. Confess to God that you still desire _____. Then, as an act of your free will, give that desire to God. Sacrifice it to him. It may take time and be a process, but he will remove your desire for that sin.

• Pray for God to protect you from temptation.

7. Deliverance

• Matthew 6:13 continued “But deliver us from the evil one.”

• We've been given authority over the power of the enemy.

  • Jesus gave his disciples, “power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” (Matthew 10:1)

  • And we are disciples, therefore walk in the same authority. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations”” (Matthew 28:20).

  • Jesus gave the seventy (also his disciples) the same authority: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 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 10:18-19)

  • Almost everywhere Jesus went, he healed the sick and cast out demons. We see this all throughout the gospels. Jesus gave us authority to do the same (reference Stand in Your Authority below). Tell the powers of darkness to leave and never return (Mark 9:25).

• Do not rejoice that you have authority over the enemy. Rather, rejoice because you are a child of God. (Luke 10:20) Let love, specifically God’s love for you and others, be the passion of deliverance. (1 Corinthians 13)

8. Praise

• Matthew 6:13 continued: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

• Start with praise and end with praise.

• See the progression? Victory in spiritual warfare is guaranteed because all authority is his - to God belongs the kingdom. And all power. And all glory. Give it to him. He deserves it, and it keeps us in a right mindset.

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Deeper

Deliverance Steps

These steps follow the outline of the Lord's prayer above, but expound upon deliverance. Like any such list, a danger exists of promoting these steps as a legalistic recipe. Jesus drove out demons and healed the sick in a variety of ways, so this list is only a general guide. Follow the Holy Spirit.

1. Submit to God in all things. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

2. Ask for God's direction.

3. Confess sins. (agree with God)

4. Repent of sins. Repentance is a gift of God. (Acts 5:31, 2 Timothy 2:25)

5. Ask for forgiveness.

   1. Accept God's forgiveness.

6. Ask for God to heal you of the harm wrought by sin, to put all things back in order.

   1. Accept God's healing.

7. Forgive everyone.

8. Renounce all sins and sinful desires, and every benefit received thereof.

9. Any idols within your heart – anything you’ve placed above God – burn in the fire, grind to dust, and cast them into the abyss (Deuteronomy 9:21).

10. Bind the evil spirit. Speak it aloud. “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven” (Matthew 18:18)

11. Cut the evil spirit off in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:10-12)

12. Break all footholds. Break every yoke, break every chain, untie every cord (including soul ties), break every curse, break every agreement, apply the blood of Jesus to every sin (yours and ancestors). (Isaiah 58:6, Leviticus 26:40-42). Speak it aloud. Reference Breaking Footholds (Legal Rights).

13. Cast them out/away, and command them never to return (Mark 9:25, Matthew 10:1, Luke 10:19, Matthew 28:18-20).

Maintaining Deliverance

• Repeat Deliverance Steps as God points out new things. Jesus didn't drive out demons the same way each time, so don't use the steps as a legalistic magic formula. Follow the Holy Spirit.

• Stop sinning. Stop giving the kingdom of darkness an opportunity to oppress you. (John 5:14)

• Protect: Pray God's hedges about you, your family, and everything entrusted to your care – your domain – that the kingdom of evil would not be able to touch you (Job 1:10). Pray they would not even be able to see you, hidden beneath God's wings (Psalm 91:4).

• Bless: Seek the blessing of the Lord. (Job 1:10)

• Armor up! (Ephesians 6:10-18)

• Stand in your authority. Reference Stand in Your Authority.

• Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is a discipline to practice. It's like getting your body in shape, but instead it's transforming your mind. When I sense stray or an evil thoughts within my mind, I speak aloud, “I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ”. Speak Scripture.

• Commit Psalm 91 to memory along with any other Bible verses God lays on your heart.

  • “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 11:18-20).

  • “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)

  • “Blessed is the man
    Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
    But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

• Devote time each day to meditate upon God, read his word, and pray. I've found first thing each morning to be highly beneficial as it helps set my mind for the rest of the day. I have found no scripture commanding this, but it works for me. King David said he would not “offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24).

Breaking Footholds (Legal Rights)

“Legal Rights” is a term used to describe what we see illustrated in Scripture where an evil entity is allowed access, or otherwise gains access, to oppress or afflict someone. Scripture calls these “footholds” in Ephesians 4:27. Therefore, I prefer “foothold” because it is in the Bible, but the terms are interchangeable. Pray for God to bring any footholds to your mind, then break them in the name of Jesus, standing firm in the authority he has given you, as guided by the Holy Spirit.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)

“All nations surrounded me,
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They surrounded me like bees;
They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.” (Psalm 118:10-12)

Specific footholds can include:

Sin

• Reference Ask For Forgiveness. Confess your sin. All of it. Repent. Ask for forgiveness. Receive it. Ask for healing. Receive it.

• Remember, willful sins can cause bondage. “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.” (Psalms 19:13)

• “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:29-30)

• ““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Sins of Ancestors

• This may sound unfair, but in the same way we reap goodness sown by our ancestors, we can also reap detriment. “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me…” (Genesis 20:5)

• “You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them.” (Jeremiah 32:18)

Unforgiveness

• Reference Forgive Others.

• Just do it. Speak it out loud. “I forgive _____.”

• “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Refusal to Submit, Rebellion

• Rebellion and refusal to submit to God is sin, which can cause bondage.

• “Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
  Bound in affliction and irons—
  Because they rebelled against the words of God,
  And despised the counsel of the Most High,
  Therefore He brought down their heart with labor;
  They fell down, and there was none to help.” (Psalm 107:10-12)

• “But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
  When it cannot rest,
  Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
  “There is no peace,”
  Says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:20-21)

Curses

• Don't jump to conclusions, but do not dismiss the possibility of curses. Witchcraft can wield power, but “No weapon formed against you shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17)

• “Behold, I have created the blacksmith
  Who blows the coals in the fire,
  Who brings forth an instrument for his work;
  And I have created the spoiler to destroy. (the enemy, one tool of which is witchcraft)
  No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
  And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
  You shall condemn.
  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
  And their righteousness is from Me,”
  Says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:16-17)

• “For there is no sorcery against Jacob, Nor any divination against Israel.” (Numbers 23:23) It cannot stand.

• “…and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?”...Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against your magic charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds. (Ezekiel 13:18&20)

Covenants of Ancestors

• Especially important if you had an ancestor involved in the cult, Satan worship, secret societies such as the Masons, or other religious cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons. Some of these organizations require oaths that bind not only the oath giver, but also their descendants.

• Ask for forgiveness for them, then apply the blood of Christ over that sin. Break the covenant in the name of Jesus.

Agreements

• Demons have doctrine, just as the Bible provides God's doctrine. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…” (I Timothy 4:1)

• God's truth regarding each of us is unfathomable. He loves us, says we are precious, and is always working for our benefit.

  • “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
    How great is the sum of them!
    If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
    When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:17-18)

  • “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

  • “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God…” (Romans 8:28)

• If a thought comes to mind that is against what God says about us, it could be a spirit tempting you to believe it, to deceive you into accepting it as your own. Maybe it is tempting you to anger and says, “You just don't like ____ and get angry when someone talks about it.” Or, maybe a spirit is tempting you to believe a lie. “You're not good at ____.” Well, maybe God made you to be good at that exact thing! If you accept these thoughts as your own – if you agree to them and take them on as yourself – you may be unwittingly agreeing with a demonic doctrine. If you agree with a demonic doctrine, it stands to reason it could give spiritual forces of evil a foothold from which to oppress you. At the least, you are believing a lie…which is also demonic doctrine.🤔 However:

  • “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

  • Take every thought captive. How? When something comes to mind that is contrary to what God says or his ways, reject the thought. Often, I recite aloud or in my mind “I take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” and the thought goes away. Scripture is how Jesus responded to Satan's temptation, and it works for us also.

Objects

• Sometimes, like idols, objects can have unwanted spiritual powers attached. Get rid of them. Masonic rings? Burn them, grind them up, and throw them away (what Moses did to the golden calf). Books on the occult? False scriptures? Ever been given a gift from a witch, warlock, shaman, psychic, witch doctor, or similar? “Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” (Acts 19:19) Do the same. Burn them all. Completely destroy them. Take nothing from them. Don’t save anything from them, even if gold or precious gems.

Soul Ties

• “Soul ties” is a term used to explain the powerful oneness explained in the Bible. This oneness is beneficial when under God's order, such as a husband and wife, but is detrimental when under the kingdom of darkness (sin), such as fornication or adultery.

• When we sleep with another, we become one with them. “One flesh” is seen in Mark 10:8 and Genesis 2:24. This “one flesh” is physical in part, but also (even primarily) spiritual. Thus, sexual relations can be a means for the spiritual oppressions of our past and present partners to invade us. Even King Solomon eventually worshipped the idols of his wives, his heart being led astray.

• These are only one of many reasons to not engage in fornication or adultery.

• Close friendships or relationships can also result in a soul tie. “…the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” This is an example of a good one, so it stands to reason there could be detrimental ones as well.

Occult/Witchcraft Involvement

• If you've ever been involved in the occult, witchcraft, engaged a psychic, consulted a Ouija board, etc., then repent, ask for forgiveness, and fully renounce the kingdom of darkness. These things certainly are not consulting the kingdom of heaven for their guidance. And why wouldn't you? The kingdom of heaven is just a prayer away. Ask God for wisdom, guidance, strength, etc. Why consult the kingdom of darkness for something it doesn't even possess? Renounce any benefit or power received from the kingdom of darkness.

Trauma

• Past physical or emotional trauma can be a weakness exploited by the enemy. Even if the victim is innocent in the matter, trauma can present footholds. It may introduce lies we believe about ourselves. It may be a source of bitterness. Even the traumatic act itself can be a symbol of a spiritual attack of the kingdom of darkness. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight any trauma-related spiritual evils oppressing you, then gain your victory over them. Get deliverance, and maintain it. Walk in wholeness, victory, peace, love, and forgiveness.

• “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

God's will is for your spiritual freedom from bondage (Galatians 5:1). Claim it. In Jesus's name, break every bond, every yoke, every stronghold, every curse, every agreement, every tie. Do a blanket one for your ancestors, cutting off any lines of access from them.

Strongholds and Strong Men

Sometimes deliverance may take time. Ask God to reveal any strongholds or strong men oppressing you. God went before the children of Isreal into Canaan and drove out the peoples. However, some of the enemy remained within strongholds which had to be attacked, torn down, and everything therein devoted to the Lord. “Devoted” meant all idols burned, sacred stones smashed, Ashera poles cut down, and every living thing slaughtered. God even said, “show them no mercy”. (Deuteronomy 7:2). God was bringing judgement to Canaan, and the Israelites were simply his chosen instrument. It had nothing to do with any supposed “righteousness” of their own (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). The conquest of Canaan can be used as a guide to claim back a spiritual stronghold from the enemy. The land of your heart and mind is being redeemed by God unto himself, and we are his chosen instrument through which he is doing it.

Once, when Jesus was accused of driving out demons by the power of Satan, he responded by explaining Satan’s kingdom was not divided against itself. Jesus further said, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.” (Luke 11:21-22) Another time, when his disciples could not drive out a demon, Jesus said, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29). Further, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

From this we learn that the kingdom of darkness has a leader, is organized, is not divided against itself, and some spirits have stronger holds. These we call a “strong man” or a “stronghold”, but the believer has authority over both using prayer, fasting, and God’s weapons of warfare.

Even after deliverance from the spirit of fear, I periodically still noticed a tendency in myself toward fear. It wasn’t outright fear, but subtle timidities that I would rage against in self-effort. I was successful in some respects in this resistance, but I was like a dry drunk, showing no outward signs while inwardly struggling, even if only on a subconscious level. I asked God if any strongholds existed within me and, sure enough, he brought several to mind. A stronghold seemed to provide a protection to oppressive evil spirits. I further sensed the longer I’d entertained a certain sin, the stronger the stronghold it provided. In the spirit, I attacked the stronghold of fear, declaring the walls pulled down, obliterated, every idol within it burned in the fire, ground to dust, and thrown into the abyss (what Moses did to the golden calf), and every living thing slaughtered (devoted to the Lord). It worked. God redeemed that land of my heart from the stronghold of fear, and even showed me what he would build in its place.

I then promptly attacked the next stronghold God had revealed to me in the same manner, but I felt as if my prayers were fruitless. I sought the Lord and he explained it was just like the Israelites had done when attacking Ai. Ai had a small army and would take only a small detachment from Isreal to defeat. Yet, the Israelites were routed. Joshua trusted in Isreal’s strength and failed to seek God’s direction before the battle. If he had, he would’ve learned that they were defeated for reason, and he could’ve corrected the issue beforehand. I now only attack a stronghold as the Lord directs. Jesus cast out demons in a variety of ways, and God seems to address strongholds differently as well. However, a few things are consistent:

1. Prepare yourself and your heart by following the Lord’s prayer and going through steps 1-9 in Deliverance Steps.

2. We have authority over strongholds and strong men. (Luke 11:21-22, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

3. We destroy the stronghold (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), and/or bind the strong man (Matthew 18:18) and every other evil spirit present. It stands to reason that a stronghold will contain a strong man – the “king” in power – plus other evil spirits beneath him.

4. We cut off the strong man and other evil spirits in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:10-12)

5. We strip them of all power (Colossians 2:15) and name (Deuteronomy 7:24), bring them before the Lord, and slay them (Luke 19:27). Destroy them totally (Deuteronomy 7:2). Show them no mercy (Deuteronomy 7:2).

6. We cast them out, and command them never to return (Mark 9:25, Matthew 10:1, Luke 10:19, Matthew 28:18-20).

7. Any idols therein we burn in the fire, grind to dust, and cast them out (Deuteronomy 9:21).

Previous cult experience? Be warned: take no power for yourself. None. Zero. Read what happened to Achan in Joshua 7. You are a child of God now, and all authority is from Jesus (Matthew 28:18). Do not fight as you used to. Not only is it weak, but it will lead to your demise and that of those within your domain.

Cast Out or Slay or Both?

“Above, you mention slaying the enemy. When do we simply cast it out versus slay? And what does it all mean?”

First, consider the conquest of Canaan. Regarding the peoples that remained in the land, the Israelites were commanded to kill every living thing. (Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 20:16) This command was repeated to Saul when attacking Amalek. (1 Samuel 15:3) Further, David slew Goliath and cut off his head. (1 Samuel 17) He didn’t chase him away and scatter the enemy. No, he attacked Goliath in the name of the Lord, cut off his head, and the men of Israel and Judah slaughtered the fleeing Philistines. Jesus gave the parable of the talents (minas) where the nobleman commanded the men who did not want him to be the new king to be brought into his presence and slain. (Luke 19:27) And again, Jesus repeatedly gave his disciples authority to cast out evil spirits and heal the sick. (Matthew 10:1, Luke 10:19) More specifically, he sent his disciples to do this ahead of him, to areas he was about to go. (Luke 10:1)

Based upon these scriptures, we are to slay when:

• Claiming that which God has given us to possess. This is our domain, such as ourself, our bodies, our minds, our spirits, our families, etc. It also includes the same of other believers. This is judgement upon any spirit that chooses to continue to oppress a believer, just as the Israelites were judgement upon the nations that decided to remain in the land of Canaan instead of fleeing.

• An enemy threatens the kingdom of God, even if only verbally. This includes attacks against any of God’s family and anything God has commanded us to possess. “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

• Remember, the enemy isn’t other people, but the spiritual forces of evil. (Ephesians 6:12) We are to love others, even our enemies, and pray for them. (Luke 6:27-36)

We are to cast out when:

• Sent by God into the world, as we come across those oppressed by spiritual forces of evil. (Luke 10:1)

• We shouldn’t pick a fight that is not ours. Remember Moses who tried to help the Israelites on his own and ended up killing an Egyptian, resulting in his forty-year stint as a shepherd in the desert of Midian🧐. Conversely, later under the direction of God, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt with joy and victory and wealth, leaving behind a decimated Egypt.

I find no Scriptural basis for not casting out the enemy based upon whether the person is a believer or not. Jesus healed the sick and cast out evil spirits and Scripture shows no evidence of whether those affected were believers or not. In fact, these miracles were performed as testimony to God, to draw men to him. (John 10:37-38) He cast out spirits from those within the synagogue. (Mark 1:21-28) Yes, when an evil spirit is cast out, if the person does not submit to God and resist the devil, the spirit may return with even more spirits and the final state of that person will be worse. (Matthew 12:43-45) But Jesus healed and cast out in a heart of love and mercy. We are do as Jesus did. (John 13:34, Matthew 28:19-20) It is up to the individual to choose to believe in Jesus and act to ensure their deliverance remains.

Even after I slay as God instructs, I still cast the evil spirit out/away for good measure. What does all this mean in the spirit world? I don’t pretend to know, which is why faith in God is so important. Let God be God, and he’ll take care of the details.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

Oppression vs. Possession vs. Demonization

Semantics. Don’t get distracted by them. Jesus’s life demonstrates that, no matter how careful we may be with our doctrine, we will likely have a good laugh in heaven about how far off we were.😆 I’ve heard preached several takes on the different affects of evil spirits, albeit from simple influence to oppression to outright possession to “demonization”, a word which some claim is a more accurate translation.

Can a believer be possessed or are they simply oppressed? For real, does it matter whether the thing is outside you, somewhere inside, or upside down? 🙄 Debating such nuances can be a distraction. Jesus cast out demons from people attending the synagogue. (Mark 1:21-28) He instructed his disciples to pray for deliverance from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). We Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), but whether someone is only tempted by an evil/unclean spirit, or they are deceived, influenced, oppressed, or possessed, these all seem to be different levels of the same issue: detrimental influence from spiritual forces of darkness. So, whether it’s simply an unwanted unclean thought or an all-out power grab from the enemy, be humble and “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

My two cents: If in doubt, cast it out!

Stand in Your Authority

Know the authority we have in Christ. We are nothing by ourselves, but God has given us certain spiritual authority. It is given for a reason, to be used. We should not hide our talent, but invest it in God's kingdom. (Matthew 25:14-30)

To stand in certain areas of authority, we must first pray for those things. Some benefits are given us inherently as Christians, such as our adaption as sons of God through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). But other things, such as the putting off of the old self, being made new in the attitude of our minds, and the putting on of the new self, necessitate prayer and action on our part. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15). What better way to pray according to God's will than to pray his Scripture, such as to be made new in the attitude of our mind as in this example? Then, stand in faith we’ve received it. All this is simply praying in agreement with Scripture.

• “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:18-19)

• “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” (John 17:11) “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

• “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

• “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again 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 18:18-20)

• “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17)

• “Do not touch my anointed ones;
  do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 108:15)

• “What is man that You are mindful of him,
  And the son of man that You visit him?
  For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
  And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
  You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
  You have put all things under his feet,” (Psalms 8:6)

A Believer’s Specific Authority

I often speak these truths over myself during my morning devotions. It helps me view myself as God sees me. Make your own list as God leads.

• We are blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

• We are chosen by God. We are predestined by God (Ephesians 1:4&11)

• We are sons of God, adopted through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5).

• We are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

• Christ is seated in the heavenly realms at God's right hand, over all rule, authority, power, dominion, and name…now and in the future (Ephesians 1:20-22), and we are Christ's body (Ephesians 1:23), and we are raised with Christ and seated in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-6). In other words, we are already in Christ in the heavenlies, He is our head, and all power is beneath his feet.

• We have put off the old self, been made new in the attitude of our minds, and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).

• We have available to us the armor of God. His armor. Not our own. (Ephesians 6:10-18) Put it on. Speak it.

• We have authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matthew 10:1 and Luke 10:18-20)

Healing

• Deliverance and healing are often linked in scripture. Sometimes illnesses can have a spiritual root that must be dealt with before healing will be effective. Jesus drove out demons and healed the sick often. For a boy who suffered from epileptic seizures, “…Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.” (Matthew 17:18)

• ““He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”” (1 Peter 2:24)

• “and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

• “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:17)

• “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering” (Isaiah 53:4)

• “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11)

• “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” (Psalms 138:8)

• “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalms 147:3)

Christ's Victory Over the Kingdom of Darkness

This victory is ours through Christ. “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6)

• “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)

• “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—” (Hebrews 2:14)

• “The Lord said to my Lord,
  “Sit at My right hand,
  Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
  The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
  Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” (Psalms 110:1-2)

• “God brings him out of Egypt;
  He has strength like a wild ox;
  He shall consume the nations, his enemies;
  He shall break their bones
  And pierce them with his arrows.
  ‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
  And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’
  
  “Blessed is he who blesses you,
  And cursed is he who curses you.” (Numbers 24:8-9)

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Specific Spirits

Many of the paths of dealing with one type of spirit are applicable to others. Thus, even if you don't struggle with one of those below, read it anyway for the lessons therein are pertinent nonetheless.

Pride, Arrogance, Haughtiness

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13)

“The pride of your heart has deceived you” (Obadiah 1:3)

Christians can be humble and prideful at the same time. Really? Yes. Sanctification means two opposing forces can be present simultaneously. In fact, pride is so elusive it can use humility as camouflage. I’ve learned being humble in one area doesn’t mean pride isn’t hiding in the background, pulling all my strings, using my own humility as its covering as I dance as its pathetic puppet. If we aren’t actively fighting pride, it is taking advantage of the ceasefire to refresh and rearm. If we’ve never identified it in our life, it is relaxing fat, angry, and happy beside the fire of our heart. It’s most dangerous characteristic is it’s ability to disappear, so skillful is its deceit.

Pride is self-deception.

I struggled against pride for years, not even knowing it was pride. It can manifest in overt forms such as anger, resentment, being easily triggered, judgementalism, condemnation, feelings of superiority, and narcissism to name a few. But it can also rest contentedly in covert forms such as loneliness, victimhood, powerlessness, and even masquerade as mercy, gentleness, meekness, and almost any other fruit of the Spirit. To be certain, these aren’t true fruits, but false fruits we only think are the real thing.

Ever speak to an active alcoholic? God bless them, but many are so deceived, they have no idea how profoundly destructive their actions are to their family and friends. Their denial so complete, they are blind to reality. They live in a fake matrix and can’t understand why their loved ones can’t just let them alone. To them, their drinking is no problem. It affects no one else. They could stop at any time. It doesn’t hurt relationships, does not hinder their walk with God, and isn’t a health concern despite the fact their bodies are failing. Reasoning with an alcoholic in denial is like a trip to the Twilight Zone. SO IT IS WITH PRIDE.

While under a spirit of pride, I had no idea it was within me, nor the damage it reeked upon my family and the world around me. In fact, the parallels between alcoholism (spirit of addiction) and pride are so close, addiction could be a foothold pride uses to subdue its prey.

If you constantly struggle to be obedient to God or to align your spirit with his in an area, consider whether pride may be a root cause. Ask God. Listen to his answer. If the answer is “yes”, draw swords and start the fight. Confess and repent. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you through deliverance. Take responsibility for your part. See Deliverance Steps above. Crucify the old self.

Next, when pride tries to tempt you after deliverance to once again feel or behave in the old manner, recognize it properly as temptation. Do not agree with it by thinking “I’m still ______”. Point to your milestone and say, “No. God delivered me from pride. I am no longer ______. I renounce the temptation to be ______. I take captive every thought and make it obedient unto Christ.” Walk in faith. Maintain your deliverance.

Fear, Anxiety, Worry, and Stress

Fear is like ice cream. It comes in many flavors, and anxiety, worry, and stress are only a few of them. Sometimes fear is as elusive as the wetting of dew, or other times as torrential as rains that drive the flood. Fear can appear in forms known and altogether new. When being delivered from fear, huge leaps are possible, but driving out all the subtle nuances can take time. God doesn't reveal everything that needs fixed at once.

Fear is a covering. After Adam and Eve sinned and heard God walking in the garden, they covered themselves with leaves and hid because they were afraid (Genesis 3:8-10). When I was little and afraid of the dark, I would cover my head with the blankets. God's command “Do not fear” is the most repeated charge in the Bible. But why does he order us not to entertain something that persecutes us? We don’t want fear, right?

Wrong.

We are not a victim of fear, but instead are complicit with it. We think we are fighting it, but are actually encouraging it. In fact, we want it. Well, we don’t want fear, but we long for what it provides. We are covering ourselves with it. We're in bed with it and making love to it. Fear is merely offered to us by the kingdom of darkness, and we are tempted to engage it. It feels right. However, we are not fearful. We only become fearful when we agree with the fear being proffered and take it unto ourselves, effectively saying, “Yeah, I'm afraid of ___.” By doing so, we agree with fear, with a doctrine of demons. We therefore agree we are fearful, but God says we are anything but. We fight fear, and fear loves the struggle because it legitimizes its presence. Fear feeds off the fear it generates. Once we fixate upon it, we are trapped in a self-defeating spiritual death spiral.

There is some benefit in facing fear and defying it initially, however giving it too much attention can begin to make it stronger. Not long into your deliverance from fear, God will likely say, “That's enough. Now turn your attention to where it should be placed.” And where is that? God. The opposite of fear is faith. When tempted to be fearful, focus instead upon faith in God. Consider the Cherokee story of the two wolves. In it, a wise father instructs his son that there are two wolves warring inside him, good and evil. The son asks which one will win and the father responds, “The one you feed.” Is a Cherokee story scriptural? Absolutely:

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

Don't feed fear. Feed faith.

Confess your sin to God, whatever he reveals to you. How you've agreed with the doctrine of fear, assumed (knowingly or unknowingly) it upon yourself, instead of believing what God says about you. Confess your love for God and accept his love to you. Say it aloud! “God, I know you love me, and I accept that love.” Why? Because, “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Meditate on how God loves you without even asking for it. How he loves you no matter what sin you've committed or what you struggle with. Mediate on his love, and command fear to leave. Renounce it, and any benefit you've received from it.

“But I've been afflicted by fear. I haven't benefitted from it.”

Really? You’ve filled your spiritual need for a covering with fear instead of with God. You've assumed fear upon yourself, fighting it, legitimizing it as a problem, defining your personality around it, thereby denying God's words he speaks over you. Instead of believing God and focusing upon him, you've fixated upon fear, or at least allowed it into a place in your heart where only God should be seated. Fear is an idol, which is breaking the second commandment, and possibly even the first. Yes, you've received benefit…and that exchange was a really bad deal. This is the voice of experience speaking.

How to free yourself from fear: armed with the above information, get deliverance in the same manner as any other spiritual issue. See Deliverance Steps above.

Anger and Frustration

I had to cut off and cast away the spirit of anger. I believe it was a spirit that afflicted my father as well, and came down through our family, largely perpetuated by alcoholism. My grandfather was an alcoholic and though my father was not, he still retained several of the behavioral characteristics. Not long ago, I learned I struggled with anger and frustration as well. For my entire life up to that point I just thought, “I don't like ____.” Or, “It frustrates me when people ____.” However, I learned I'd adopted – agreed with – the spirit of anger by assigning that trait upon my personality when that isn't what God says about me. You see, I was unknowingly agreeing with a doctrine of demons. After going through the Deliverance Steps, when I felt frustration begin to rise in me again, I had a milestone I could point to and say, “No. Anger is defeated. I renounce anger and do not accept it.” In other words, the kingdom of darkness was again tempting me to be angry at something. Be aware that it is a temptation from the enemy and is not you. Remember, you’ve put on the new self! Renounce it and reject it in Jesus's name.

Doubt

Similar to fear and anxiety, I once considered myself a victim of doubt. It plagued me in ways small and large. But God says we should not doubt. I could never reconcile that. How could I be oppressed by doubt, but God says don’t doubt? James speaks plainly about those who doubt, that we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, even calling us double minded (James 1:6-8). And Jesus exhorted his disciples to not doubt (Mark 11:22-24, Matthew 14:31). Just like fear, I discovered doubt was a choice I was making.

Doubt is not uncertainty. Uncertainty is when we are still gathering information to make a decision. There generally isn’t anything wrong with uncertainty. However, if we stubbornly persist in uncertainty too long, that is called “indecision” which can be sin and a cruel slave master. Some of us believe our doubt is simply uncertainty, but instead it is stubborn indecision. It's like being married, but still flirting with other women; like being in a committed relationship, but not acting like it.

I discovered that by entertaining doubt I was choosing to take my eyes off Jesus like Peter did when he walked on water. And just like him I was beginning to sink and drown. Even more, when I analyzed my doubt, it didn't make logical sense. When I stepped back and looked at my doubt objectively, it shouldn't have been there. Why? Because, when I examined it, I really DID believe. In fact, the temptation to doubt was a confirmation that I believed God’s words in the first place!

When we doubt, we are choosing disobedience by persisting in indecision. We’ve got all the facts but are stubbornly refusing to commit. The deception is that we choose anyway, and our choice is between doubt and belief.

Doubt is a conscious choice.

Doubt and anxiety often go together. One leads to the other, and the spirits feed off one another. Cut them off (Psalm 118:10-12). Renounce doubt. Seek God's forgiveness and healing. Walk through the Deliverance Steps then, when tempted to doubt in the future, point to that milestone and send doubt back from whence it came. Choose what you already believe: faith in God's words.

Enablement

Not long ago, God revealed to me a stronghold of enablement. Enablement is when you help someone else, but your actions are ultimately to their detriment. You trick yourself into believing you are doing good, but in reality you are “helping” them only because you are scared to offend them, or fearful of losing that relationship, or worried of other consequences. Notice the base issue? Fear. However, in this case, fear is wrapped in a cloak of good intentions. If I really cared for the other person, I’d love them in truth. And truth is illuminated by the discernment of the Holy Spirit.

Below are a few of the more obvious ways enablement manifests in our lives. Ask God regarding yours.

• Making excuses for another’s bad behavior.

• Consistently taking upon yourself the consequences of another’s bad decisions, or simply helping to deflect them.

• Avoiding needed conflict with another. Yes, blessed are the peacemakers, but don’t twist that scripture into something it was never intended to cover. Conflict can be beneficial when standing in truth and humility.

• Avoiding providing needed correction.

• Avoiding giving bad feedback.

• Helping another gain access to their vice.

When I considered the origins of my tendency to enable another, my root issue was wanting to be their savior. Basically, I was breaking commandment number two (idols) by setting myself up to be their hero, when in fact God was trying to bring them correction. I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was helping another, but it was only idolatry covered in a thin sheet of false mercy. I walked through the process of confessing my sin, renouncing it, and deliverance. Basically, once God pointed it out to me and revealed my root sin, deliverance was the same as the rest. Reference Deliverance Steps.