The presence and nature of evil spirits can be known by two principle methods - discernment: I Cor. 12:10 lists "discerning of spirits" as one of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, and detection: The second method of knowing the presence and nature of evil spirits. Detection is simply observing what spirits are doing to a person (Mark 7:24-30): 1. Disturbances in the emotions which persist or recur. 2. Disturbances in the mind or thought life. 3. Outbursts or uncontrolled use of the tongue. 4. Recurring unclean thoughts and acts regarding sex. 5. Addictions to nicotine, alcohol, drugs, medicines, caffeine, food, etc. 6. Many diseases and physical afflictions are due to spirits of infirmity (Luke 13:11). 7. Involvement to any degree in religious error can open the door for demons as follows: a. False religions, e.g. Eastern religions, pagan religions, philosophies and mind sciences. b. Christian Cults - all such cults may be classified as bloodless religions "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (II Tim. 3:5). c. Occult and Spiritism - Any method of seeking supernatural knowledge, wisdom, guidance and power apart from God is forbidden (Deut. 18:9-15) d. False Doctrine - a great increase of doctrinal errors will be promoted by deceiving and seducing spirits in the last days (I Tim. 4:1).
SEVEN STEPS TO DELIVERANCE
1. One must be honest with himself and with God if he expects to receive God's blessing of deliverance. Ask God to help you see yourself as He sees you and to bring to light anything that is not of Him (Psalm 32:5 and 139:23-24). 2. Humility involves a recognition that one is dependent upon God and His provisions for deliverance (James 4:6-7). It also involves a complete openness with God's servants ministering in the deliverance (James 5:16). 3. Repentance is a determined turning away from sin and Satan (Amos 3:3). One must loathe his sins (Ezekiel 20:43). 4. Renunciation is the forsaking of evil. Renunciation is action resulting from repentance (Matt. 3:7-8). If one has repented of religious error, he may need to completely renounce it by destroying all literature and items associated with that error (Acts 19:18-19). 5. God freely forgives all who confess their sins and ask forgiveness through His Son (I John 1:9). He expects us to forgive all others who have ever wronged us in any way (Matt. 6:14-15). Willingness to forgive is absolutely essential to deliverance (Matt. 18:21-35). 6. In prayer ask God to deliver you and set you free in the name of Jesus (Joel 2:32). 7. Prayer and warfare are two separate and distinct activities. Our warfare against demon powers is not fleshly but spiritual (Eph. 6:10-12 and II Cor. 10:3-5). Use the weapons of submission to God, the blood of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and your testimony as a believer (James 4:7,Rev. 12:11 and Eph. 6:17). Christ cannot fail! He is the Deliverer (Mark 16:17, Luke 10:19 and Psalm 18:2)!
SEVEN STEPS FOR RETAINING DELIVERANCE
1. Put on the whole armour of God as set forth in Eph. 6:10-18. There are seven pieces of armour: a. Loins girt about with truth. b. The breastplate of righteousness. c. Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. d. The shield of faith. e. The helmet of salvation. f. The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. g. Praying in the Spirit. Refuse the thoughts that demons give you and replace them with spiritual thoughts (Phil.! 4:8). 2. Positive confession is faith expressed. Negative confessions characterize demonic influence and will open the door to the enemy (Mark 11:23). 3. Jesus withstood Satan's temptation by using Scripture. The Word is a mirror to the soul (James 1:22-25); it is a lamp unto the feet for guidance (Psalm 119:105); it is a cleansing agent (Eph. 5:25-26); it is a two-edged sword, laying bare the heart (Heb. 4:12); it is food for the spirit (I Pet. 2:2 and Matt. 4:4). No person can long maintain deliverance apart from the Word of God as a primary factor in his life (Psalm 1:1-3)! 4. Take up your cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). If fleshly appetites, desires and lusts are not brought to the cross, a way for demons to return will be left open (Gal. 5:19-21 and 24). 5. Develop a life of continuous praise and prayer which silences the enemy. Pray in the Spirit (in tongues) and also in the understanding (I Cor. 14:14). "Pray without ceasing" (I Thes. 5:17). 6. Maintain a life of fellowship and spiritual ministry. It is the sheep that wanders from the flock that is most endangered. Desire spiritual gifts and yield to their operation through you within the body of Christ (I Cor. 12:7-14). 7. Commit yourself totally to Christ. Determine that every thought, word and action will reflect the very nature of Christ. Faith and trust in God is the greatest weapon against the Devil's lies (Eph. 6:16).
Doing these seven things will insure that your "house" (life) is filled after having been cleansed. Do not settle for anything less (Romans 5:10)!
Pray, out loud, putting all your guilt before God: "Father in Heaven I now recognize my sin or sins and I ask for the cleansing power of Jesus Christ's blood to cleanse all of these sins. I forgive all ancestors who have cursed me by their sexual sins. I ask that my descendents will be able to forgive me for the curses I have placed on them. Father, I ask you to forgive me for not protecting those you entrusted to my care. I now break all soul ties with every man or woman (name each one to God) that I have ever had any sexual relations with. I ask that you completely sever all these ties. I forgive all who have hurt me in any way. I ask you to forgive me for having unforgiveness in my heart for others. I ask you to send health and healing to my body and soul. Lord, please begin a restoration of our family and please begin with me. Lord I am so thankful you have provided a way for me to be forgiven. I turn from my sins and follow you. I ask these things in Jesus Christ's name. Amen.
~The Deliverance Manual by Gene and Earline Moody
1. In Him (Jesus) we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor.
Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence) (Eph. 1:7-8).
2. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary (Psa. 107:2).
3. But if we (really) are living and walking in the Light, as He (Himself) is in the Light, we have (true, unbroken fellowship with one another), and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt (keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations) (1John. 1:7).
4. Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more (certain is it that) we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God (Rom. 5:9).
5. Therefore, Jesus also suffered and died outside the (city's) gate in order that He might purify and consecrate (sanctify) the people through (the shedding of) His own blood and set them apart as holy (for God) (Heb. 13:12).
6. Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own.
You were bought with a price (purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own). So then, honor (your) God and bring glory to Him in your body (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
7. And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the Blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death (holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing) (Rev. 12:11).
Declaration
My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, redeemed, cleansed and sanctified by the Blood of Jesus. My members, the parts of my body, are instruments of righteousness, yielded to God for His Service and for His Glory. The Devil has no place in me, no power over me, no unsettled claims against me. All has been settled by the Blood of Jesus. I overcome Satan by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony, and I love not my life unto the death. My body is for the Lord and the Lord is for my body.
~Confessions for Overcomers by Derek Prince
