Casting out devils. It’s one of my favorite things to do because I love to see the kingdom of God manifest. I love to see the power of God set the captives free. I love to see people loosed from oppression, depression, obsessions and all manner of sickness and disease.
Jesus gave us authority to drive out demons (see Mark 3:15). We see Him do it time and again in Scripture and we’ve seen quite a lot of demons leaving the minds and bodies of people at Awakening House of Prayer in recent weeks. Spirits of doubt and unbelief, spirits of lust, spirits of rage—all of these unclean spirits scatter by the finger of God in the name of Jesus (see Luke 11:20).
Jesus said, “These signs will accompany those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-19). Yes, even Christians who have authority over all these things can have a demon—but the good news is the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
When Demons Want to Come Back
Casting out devils is not difficult. Although there may be some resistance from evil spirits that do not want to be evicted from their home, ultimately those devils must vacate. The Holy Spirit speaks expressly that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11).
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The harder part for some people is walking out that deliverance. Once you get free, you have to stay free. I did a teaching many years ago on “Staying Free in the Holy Ghost,” in which I break this down more, but felt compelled to write a short version here because we’re in a season of deliverance and Christians need to know how to walk out their freedom. Jesus put it this way:
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Matt. 12:43-45).
Practical Ways to Stay Free
When you get delivered from a demon, that spirit will find a way to try to regain access to your life. Demons need a body through which to operate—and they’re glad to take up residence in your vessel if you’ll allow it. You have to set your heart and mind against the enemy’s moves to re-enter your life—and bring seven other spirits that are even more evil. How do you do this?
First of all, any session of deliverance should end with pleading the blood of Jesus and asking the Holy Spirit to fill you with afresh. Next, you need to get into the Word to reinforce the truth of God in the area that allowed the enemy to enter.
If you were delivered from a spirit fear, for example, meditate on Scriptures about how God has not given you a spirit of fear and Scriptures about the peace of God. If you were delivered from rejection, meditate on the love and acceptance of God. If you were delivered from lust, meditate on the holiness and purity and beauty of God. If you meditate on the Word day and night and carefully do what it says, you will find good success (see Josh. 1:8).
Be quick to cast down imaginations and voices that speak contrary to the Word of God (see 2 Cor. 10:5). If you were delivered from a spirit of anger, be quick to recognize and resist voices and urges toward anger. If you were delivered from a spirit of infirmity, rebuke the symptoms—the Bible calls them lying vanities (see Jon. 2:8)—instead of accepting them. Ultimately, the key to lasting victory is to submit yourself to God and resist the devil and he will flee (see James 4:7).
Finally, keep worship music on in your home or your car. Listen to solid teaching CDs or MP3s that reinforce the freedom you are walking in. Develop a more intimate relationship with God. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Pray without ceasing. When you do these things, you’ll walk in the reality that who the Son sets free is free indeed!
Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of AwakeningTV.com, on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening; Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan’s Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer’s Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.
