Who Needs Deliverance?
If we examine our lives truthfully, we must admit that each of us needs deliverance on some level because we are sinners, and we live in a fallen, sinful world. Temptations surround us and dwell in our very nature because of Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:8) God has put within us a conscience to tell us right from wrong. But we have free will to choose to listen to that voice or ignore it. Ignoring it desensitize us to sin, causing our hearts to become hardened and our minds spiritually blind to truth. (Ezekiel 36:36, Proverbs 29:1)
Giving in to temptation or habitually living in sin gives demonic spirits the right to attach themselves to us. Now our sinning can quickly take us into a downward spiral. If it continues, what we thought was for our pleasure, soon becomes bondage. Now we are enslaved to powerful demon strongholds controlling us to do their will and not our own. (Romans 6:16, James 1:14-15, 1 John 2:15-16)
“For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (I John 3:8b)
Here is a summary of some significant areas that are open doorways for demonic strongholds.
- Holding onto offenses, resentments, bitterness, stubbornness, and unforgiveness. Feeling rejected, depressed, and isolated with suicidal thoughts. (Matthew 6:14)
- Being prideful, self-absorbed full of selfish ambition, and rebellious. (James 4:6, 1 Samuel 15:23)
- Living in sexual immorality, including pornography and deviant behaviors. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Proverbs 6:24-27)
- Believing you need to be ‘good’ to have God’s approval and therefore do ‘good things’ hoping they will get you into heaven? This is deceptive; it means the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross is insufficient for salvation. (Hebrews 10:12, 1 John 4:3)
- Participating in religious institutions which put traditions, human standards, and rituals above the Bible or believe that all roads lead to heaven. Under these beliefs, the true Biblical Jesus is substituted with a false savior. (2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 2:22, 2 John 1:7)
- Seeking spiritual experiences in occult practices including witchcraft, all types of perversion, freemasonry, and ancient orders, etc. God forbids these practices. (Deuteronomy 18:10-13)
- Suffering from trauma, abuse, or rejection from deep wounding experiences as a child or adult. Feelings of being victimized, having a low self-image, always full of fear and hopelessness. (Luke 4:18)
- Living with family characteristics manifested in each generation, such as illnesses, diseases, abusive and addictive behaviors, fear, anger, personality disorders, etc. These are familiar spirits because they follow and put curses on family lines. (Numbers 14:18)
If you are relating to any of these areas and would like prayer, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, and we will pray with you.
“For this grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” (Titus 2:11)=