Word:
I’ve been struggling with putting this part of my journey into words. Perhaps because I don’t fully understand it myself, and I’m still learning.
A little over a year ago, I went through a powerful deliverance. Some good friends of mine were led by the Lord to start a deliverance ministry. They were hesitant, but decided to trust the Lord. A few weeks after starting the ministry, my friend and I were talking, and she started telling me about this new ministry that she and her husband were doing. She told me stories of how both she and her daughter were delivered, as well as several others. They never advertised their ministry, yet God was leading people to them that needed freedom. And I was next. I felt that loving push from the Holy Spirit to set up a time to meet with my friends for deliverance. I wasn’t sure what that even meant. I had so many questions.
There were a couple of things my friends told me I needed to do to prepare for my deliverance. I was to pray and ask the Lord to reveal any unrepented sin in my life, and any unforgiveness. Both would block me being able to be free and continue to give the enemy “rights” in my life. So I did that hard work with the Lord that week as best as I knew how, and then went to see my friends. I arrived at my friends’ house a nervous wreck. I didn’t know what to expect or if this was even a good thing to do. We sat down in their living room and opened up in prayer. During prayer my friend asked if there was anyone I needed to forgive, so I shared the couple names the Lord had revealed to me that week. Then he prayed that any wrongful vows I had made and any generational curses that might be over me be broken. After prayer we sang a song together. I felt a little calmer after prayer and worship.
My friend then had me read several Scriptures that he had written out for me. Each one spoke powerfully to my heart. After reading the Scriptures, my friend explained what we were going to do next. He was going to call out to any evil spirits, command them to give their name, and then together we would command them to leave. That sounded really weird to me but I said ok. My friend said to speak out whatever “name” came to my head as he called them out. So I did. The names that came to mind were so clear and loud. I was surprised at how easy this was. Some of the names that came to mind and I spoke out were shame, self-hatred, fear, pride, anger, doubt. Bigger names began to reveal themselves as well and I spoke them out. Jezebel was one of those names. After I said the name of each spirit, my friend would tell me to renounce it, ask the Lord for forgiveness for believing that spirit, and command it to leave in the name of Jesus. I heard and spoke out many other spirits that had gotten attached or assigned to torment and oppress me. Many of these spirits had been attached to me since childhood. We kept going until I didn’t hear anymore names. I left wondering if this experience was real, and if it made a difference. The following weeks and months proved it as I began noticing changes in my life.
I noticed was that some things that were once a huge struggle for me suddenly became easier. My thoughts were clearer and became quieter and more peaceful. A lot of the chatter, confusion, and negativity in my head was gone. I could better and more quickly discern when a thought was a lie, or when a thought was not my own. God’s voice also sounded louder, which was the most amazing part!
Time:
I know deliverance is a controversial topic for some but Jesus paid a very high price for our freedom. He wants us free in every part of our being. I do not believe that a believer in Christ can be possessed by evil spirits, but I do believe that we can be oppressed by them. Believer, if you think you might be oppressed by something, ask the Lord to reveal it. Then ask Him how to get free and stay free. The Holy Spirit is faithful in leading us into all truth.
Meal:
I fasted for a bit after my deliverance experience. Fasting can bring clarity, and open us up to receive from the Lord.
Song:
The hymn Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus by Robert Lowry
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for freedom. I pray Holy Spirit that you would reveal any part of me that needs freedom and healing. I pray Lord that You would reveal every lie and scheme of the enemy in my life. Lead me into the truth, and into the full freedom that you purchased for me, Jesus.