SOMETIMES DEVILS HAVE TO BE CAST OUT

[Mark H. Stevens, Th.D]

Preparing somebody to receive and maintain their deliverance is very important. This is a basic list of things that you might explain to somebody before you walk them through deliverance. I always like to make sure they understand what is going on, and not feel confused or in darkness over the process of deliverance.
Deliverance is often a process
While deliverance can be a one-time event, it can also be a process. If you don't receive all your freedom at once, don't be discouraged! Sometimes it takes time to dig out all the junk in our souls. One session you may address one area of your life, while in another, you may address bondages in another. Or sometimes you may have several sessions to address issues in one area of your life. Either way, don't be discouraged. Many times it takes multiple sessions before a person is completely delivered. Sessions can range from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the bondage that must be sorted out and worked through.
Never be discouraged, but keep pressing forward to receive what Jesus purchased for you with His blood on the cross! Sometimes it may even take more than one minister to bring that freedom, as different ministers may be more knowledgeable in various areas of deliverance.

The goal of deliverance is wholeness
It is easy to think of the deliverance ministry as a quick-fix... simply casting out demons takes away all of a person's bondages. The ministry of deliverance is often a process which involves more than simply driving out the demons. There are usually strongholds to be torn down. Since strongholds are incorrect thinking patterns, this is done through the renewing of your mind according to the Word of God. There is often inner healing that needs to take place as well. I cannot stress how important it is to pursue an intimate relationship with the Lord once you have been delivered. If you neglect your relationship with God, the enemy would be more than happy to begin finding ways to cause you to lose your newfound freedom.
The purpose of deliverance is to receive freedom from any hindrances in your life that would keep you from walking in the fullness of God's plan for your life and your relationship with Him.

The four elements of deliverance ministry
Deliverance ministry can be generally broken down into 4 groups of ministry:
Legal grounds, as many of us call them, are basically things in a person's life which are giving or have given a demon the right to enter or remain in the person. Unconfessed sins, ungodly soul ties, unforgiveness, holding cursed possessions (occult rings, etc.) and so fourth can give demons a right to inhabit and torment a person. These legal grounds are removed through repentance, renunciation, extending forgiveness, etc.
Strongholds are basically incorrect thinking patterns in your mind. If you think God is angry with you, then you will feel like He is (when nothing could be further from the truth). If you think you are worthless, then you will feel worthless. Strongholds are torn down as you meditate as specific areas of God's Word which reprograms your mind to think differently. If God sees you as a precious child of His, and you begin to realize and believe that... it will change the way you see yourself for example.

Inner healing is often required when ministering to somebody who has been abused, raped or has been exposed to a traumatic experience. Inner healing is a working of the Holy Spirit and is received as a person releases the inner hurt and pain from past experiences and allows the Holy Spirit to come in and heal those wounds. Forgiveness often plays a part in this releasing process and is done by faith (even if you don't feel like you could ever forgive somebody for the damage they've done). Oftentimes, self-forgiveness needs to be received as the person is holding things against themself which must be released.

Casting out demons is where the demons are confronted in Jesus' name and driven out of the person. This step is where the actual demons are expelled from the person and cannot be overlooked in most cases. Even if you do feel a measure of freedom after tearing down strongholds and breaking up legal grounds, demons may still be present and need to be cast out.

What you can expect during a deliverance
Sometimes you may manifest a demon, other times it seems like nothing happens when they are being expelled.
Mild manifestations often involve coughing, spitting up phlegm, burping, deep yawning or sighing, pressure or pain in areas of your body, shaking, screaming, etc. If you feel these things coming at you, don't resist them... let the demons manifest and come fourth. Demons may use your vocal system to speak through you to the minister.
Stronger manifestations are usually found in cases where a person is being delivered from severe oppression, deliverance from occult involvement or Satanism. You are often not conscience when these spirits manifest. They can cause your body to levitate, physically struggle with those present for the deliverance, cause a demonic convulsion, and so fourth. If you have been involved in energy healing, new age practices, false religions, witchcraft, occult, Satanism or other deeper demonic practices, then it doesn't hurt to let your minister know in advanced so he or she can have additional support present during the deliverance session.

Feelings or emotions will often rise up as spirits are confronted. For example, if we are dealing with a spirit of grief, the person may experience deep levels of grief as it is manifesting and being driven out.
You may experience loss of consciousness or partial loss of consciousness. As the spirits manifest, some will suppress your conscious as they manifest. Sometimes you feel drownded out but are still aware of what is happening. Other times nothing happens along these lines and you are fully conscience. If you do feel yourself falling into a deep sleep stage, I wouldn't try to stop it... it is recommended to allow the demon to come to the surface where we can deal with it.

Demons may speak through you at times to the minister. Sometimes they will simply take control of your mouth and speak. You may or may not be aware of this when it happens, but don't try to prevent it. If you hear yourself spewing out curses and foul language towards your minister, don't be ashamed... it happens!