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DELIVERANCE:
COMMON QUESTIONS AND SIMPLE ANSWERS
Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mark 16:17-18
Q: What is deliverance?
A: Deliverance is defined as rescuing or setting free.
Q: Set free from what?
A: The enemy, demonic influences: demons. They are evil spirits or devils, also called unclean spirits. There are 40 accounts of unclean spirits and 75 accounts of demons in the New Testament.
Q: How is deliverance done?
A: Very simply: prayers are prayed and evil spirits are commanded to go in Jesus' name.
You will sit down with someone who has experienced both captivity and now freedom. This person will lead you through prayers. It is not hard to do and the benefits are incredible.
Q: How does somebody get an unclean spirit?
A: Through sin. They can also be passed from one generation to the next, therefore you may have inherited some from your ancestors. If you have participated in something sinful, you may have given permission to that particular evil spirit to influence you.
There are many kinds of unclean spirits. They are named according to what they do. Here are a few: anger, depression, laziness, lust, addiction, worry, perfectionism, guilt, fear, resentment, bitterness, self-hatred, forgetfulness, unforgiveness, adultery, gambling, and the list goes on.
Most everyone has had at least one. Many people blame their problems on themselves or on a lack of willpower. They have no idea that unclean spirits may be the cause. If you would like to change, improve or get rid of certain behaviors and desires, deliverance may be just what you need.
Q: What is deliverance like?
A: Deliverance is experienced differently by everyone. It is not scary at all. Some people feel as though nothing happened. Some people feel lighter and more peaceful. Some feel a release, as though something has left them. Each person is unique but everyone feels better after prayer at Healing Rooms than they felt before they came.
The evidence of deliverance is shown over time. When unwanted desires and behaviors are no longer present and when old wounds no longer hurt, deliverance has occurred.
Q: If a person has an evil spirit, is he or she “possessed?” A: The actual Bible translation Mark 1:23 reads: “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out…” This could be more accurate if it read: “Just then a man in their synagogue who had an evil spirit cried out…”
Even when demons are inside a person, the person is usually not 100% possessed by them. The man in the Bible (Mark 5:1-13) called Legion, who had many unclean spirits, had clear thinking moments.
Mark 5:2-3 reads: "When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain."
Notice that nobody could control this man, yet he chose to come to Jesus on his own. Jesus commanded the evil spirits to leave. The man got free.
Scripture from the book of Luke about this same incident reads, “People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus...” Luke 8:35
Q: I thought demons were things from movies and only bothered people who practice weird religions like voodoo. Why don’t I hear more about deliverance? A: Perhaps you grew up like I did without reading the Bible or going to church very often. Maybe you hung out with people who liked unclean spirits rather than tried to get rid of them.
This topic is very controversial even in churches. Some believe Christians can’t have demons. The subject tends to frighten or anger those who don’t know much about it. There are also tons of lies, myths and false beliefs floating around.
Many people simply don’t know that deliverance is available, how to get it or where to look for help. Some are too embarrassed to admit they need help. Others think they are tough enough to handle their own issues.
There are people who have been misinformed to think deliverance is only for someone like the girl in the Exorcist movie whose head spun around. Whatever the reason, it makes no sense to ignore the freedom Jesus offers us and remain in the prison of oppression needlessly.
Like salvation, deliverance is a gift available to all Christians that should be eagerly accepted with gratitude. Jesus provides deliverance in His name to benefit us now.
Q: What actually happens when deliverance occurs?
A: Deliverance occurs when an unclean spirit’s legal rights to indwell a person are taken away. When this happens the demonic presence must release that person and leave.
Q: Should I be embarrassed if I have need of deliverance? A: Not at all. In the Bible Jesus never once blamed anyone for having an unclean spirit. He simply commanded the demons to leave.
This suggests that the people who had demons were not at fault. Jesus knew that people didn’t get them on purpose. Jesus came to undo the works of the devil (death), to set captives (of the devil) free, to give us life more abundantly, to heal us and to offer all those who believe in Him eternal life (salvation).
Q: How can I find out if deliverance might help me?
A: Call Healing Rooms and schedule an appointment. A friendly staff member will sit down and talk with you when you come in. We welcome you to the relaxing atmosphere of our comfortable private offices. All meetings are strictly confidential.
Q: How much does an appointment cost? A: We accept donations of any amount you choose. All donations are tax-deductible. Our top priority as a dedicated, non-profit ministry, is to help you gain greater freedom and direction through Jesus Christ.
Q: When are the Healing Rooms open? A: Our hours are:
Monday-Wednesday and Friday: By appointment only
Thursday: Closed
Phone: 740-282-6200
You may also leave a message at any time on the recorder and someone will return your call.
What we need to know about the enemy:
In Scripture Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;” John 10:10
The enemy’s ultimate goal is to kill you, spiritually and physically, preferably while causing as much damage to others as possible.
Another of the enemy’s favorite pastimes is to steal your happiness and joy, and to destroy your relationships, especially the one you share with God. This is best accomplished by firing negative thoughts (lies) at you that cause you to dislike yourself and to doubt and mistrust others, even God. Most pain and suffering we experience can be traced to lies we believe.
Jesus said, "The devil…is a liar and the father of lies… " John 8:44
All evil spirits are under the headship of the devil. They set traps and they sneak and they lie. Many of us "mosey" along without a clue, thinking we’re just having a little bit of “fun” now and then.
Be self-controlled and alert. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…" 1 Peter 5:8-9
The enemy constantly watches for opportunities to lure unsuspecting victims far away from reality and truth. Why? Because we all know: The truth will set you free.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
An example of how someone might acquire an unclean spirit:
Let’s say that a guy named Bob is tempted to watch a pornographic movie. If Bob gives in to this tEMPTATION (obeys evil) he will commit a sin. This sin gives a spirit of lust entrance into Bob’s life. The demon encourages Bob to view more and more. Then the unclean spirit urges Bob to think about and try things he sees. If he does, he could open the door to even more devils such as perversion, molestation, violence and so on. If Bob continues to entertain this demon of lust (whether by thinking about it or actually doing it = same thing), it is likely to develop a stronghold in Bob’s life. A stronghold is when a powerful enemy has a right to occupy an area, much like a lease.
A stronghold may appear in the form of an addiction to something. It could also remain under-cover, hiding itself and influencing Bob’s mind and actions. The enemy tries not to be discovered.
Meanwhile, Bob is likely to have no idea that an unclean spirit has taken up residence with him. He thinks his behaviors (problems) are part of his personality; it’s just “the way he is.” Bob may continue to obey evil instead of good and allow a stronghold to develop. If he does, he will no longer be able to think his own thoughts, for evil spirits will be urging and pressuring him to ever increasing levels of depravity. Bob needs deliverance to get free.
Scriptures about Jesus and unclean spirits:
"Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them." Matthew 4:24
"When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick." Matthew 8:16
"He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." Matthew 10:1
"Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see." Matthew 12:22
"Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons." Mark 3:14-15
"They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them." Mark 6:12-13
"When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!' " Mark 9:25
Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:17-18
"And Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people … who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all." Luke 6:17-19
"In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight." Luke 7:21
"Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed." Acts 5:16
"For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed." Acts 8:7
"…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him." Acts 10:38
Jesus said, "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 10:19
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1John 4:4
Healing Rooms of the Ohio Valley; 141 Brady Circle West; Steubenville, OH, 43952 Phone: 740-282-6200
We are a healing, deliverance and prophetic center devoted to greater freedom and direction through Jesus Christ.
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