1 BEING DELIVERED Dr. Kenneth W. Jones, Pastor, Practical Living Ministry
Being Delivered 2 Reflects a process that means that it may not always be spontaneously and miraculous The purpose of this study is to provide a basic understanding of deliverance as it relates to physical, emotional and spiritual bondage John 5:6 - When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?] Being delivered begins with a desire to get well and submitting to the truth of God s Word.
Scriptures on Deliverance 3 2 Timothy 4:18 - And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Romans 6:17 - But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Review 4 Deliverance Defined: To draw to one's self, to rescue, to set free The purpose of deliverance is for God to rescue His people unto Himself to a place of protection, safety, and well being (physical, emotional, and spiritual); 3 John 1:2; 1 Thess 5:23 To deliver out of the hands of..., to escape." This meaning illustrates God's rescue of His people from the dominion of Satan and the world system. To move someone from a doomed position to a blessed position
Basic Areas Requiring Deliverance 5 Sin Leading to Salvation the power & verdict of sin over one s life Healing Physical, Emotional & Spiritual Luke 4:18; Mark 16:18 Strongholds - Strongholds are incorrect & negative thinking patterns that people develop over time, and are often set up and nurtured by demons through lies and deception. Removing Legal Rights - Legal rights are things that give demons permission to enter and remain in our lives (anger, unforgiveness, etc) Deliverance from yokes, bondages, and addictions Casting Out Demons Those who are under spiritual oppression or possession of demonic forces (Luke 10:19)
Deliverance 6 Bondage vs Captivity Just as Israel was set free from bondage in Egypt, they found themselves in captivity over and over again due to sin, rebellion, ungodly associations, fear and unbelief When a person is delivered, saved, and free from the bondage of sin, their Christian walk is not over. They will have to avoid strongholds, yokes, cursed objects, addictions that will bring that under bondage into captivity Realize also that the enemy has its forces arrayed against you with the sole purpose of rendering you incapacitated and separated from God As believers, we are called to set the captives free (Luke 4:18) which means helping others experience deliverance from sin, spiritual wickedness, etc.
Scripture 7 Galatians 4:3 - Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Galatians 4:9 - But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? One can expect an unsaved person to be in bondage for it is natural to him (1 st Cor 2:14). However, the Galatians had come to know God and yet placed themselves under bondage. This was what amazed Paul. We who have been set free by the blood of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit should not desire to place ourselves bondage again The Galatians went from freedom from sin and then submitted themselves to religious legalism (Colossians 2:20)
Being Free From Bondage 8 The Galatians were returning to the "weak and beggarly elements" meaning going back to the demonism they had been involved in prior to their conversion. Bondage also implies slavery or slavish thinking. Certain mindsets and ways of thinking can bring one in bondage. Galatians 2:4 - And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: There are also individuals and false teachers seeking to bring believers under bondage Religious Strongholds False doctrines such as denying the divinity of Christ or advocating that man is sinless or salvation is earned. False teachings such as those that say God punishes us with sickness, God wants us poor, or piousness equates to material prosperity
Points of Emphasis 9 God has set you free and delivered you from darkness to light We have an obligation to stay free Willfully we can place ourselves in bondage to various controlling mindsets, spirits, and cravings God is always the subject of deliverance and His people the focus God wants us free and to stay free
Areas Requiring Deliverance 10 Sin, Sickness, and Disease Requires Faith to be Healed Who wants to be sick? A person is more aware of one s condition and the need for something supernatural to happen Deliverance from demonic oppression or possession Deliverance from certain mindsets that may be constraining Deliverance from personal habits & addictions Can be difficult for most persons, because many have become functional in their habits
Delivered From the Yoke of Bondage 11 Yokes (Galatians 5:1; 2 Tim 2:3) A yoke is something that links, enjoins, or locks two things in place, so that one cannot move without the other. It also represents bondage Yoke can mean an agreement in mindsets that are evidenced in lifestyle (i.e. revelings). Example: Unequally yoked to unbelievers (Note: if a person is unequally yoked in a marriage, they can be graced to endure, but if one keeps seeking inappropriate relationships, then they will experience grief and pain and can eventually become lost ) There is also a third meaning of the word yoke: In King James English, it meant to rob in the sense that two thieves yoked the man of his wallet. Whenever we are compelled to follow a particular sin or sinful lifestyle, we are yoked or robbed of the freedom God desires for us. So there are people who need to be delivered from ungodly associations, and lifestyles that may result in grief, hardship, sorrow, and pain. Doesn t mean that we have to totally dissociate from the world
Bondages 12 Bondage can also mean the state of being under the control of a force or influence or power. For example, He was in bondage to fear It means to be a slave to, to serve and be subject to someone or something other than one s self. When you are in bondage, then whatever influence or power that is exerting itself upon you can end up controlling you Bondage is the end result of negative strongholds in our mind. We are enslaved to particular lifestyles through addictions, cravings, and inordinate desires. It is difficult to escape a particular bondage because we believe the mindset we established is true. (i.e. I need this in order to be happy )
Deliverance From Strongholds 13 Strongholds could be considered entrenched thoughts or habitual thinking that bind us or hinder us. They can fill us with hopelessness, leading us to believe something in our lives is unchangeable. On a demonic level, a stronghold can be defined as an influence or grip; a persistent oppression, obsession, hindrance, or harassment. Examples of strongholds in the mind are stubbornness, pride, inferiority/superiority complex, confusion, prejudice, and lying. Demonic strongholds include rebellion, lust, witchcraft, idolatry, and the occult.
14 How To Determine If Someone is in Bondage to Something? Signs: One may minimize or negate true or positive things said about one by others. Secrecy is in involved Sin has strength in secretiveness Certain thoughts fill us with shame, guilt, or condemnation leading to a change of countenance A particular behavior worsens over time due to ungodly influence One becomes driven by impulses and desires beyond ability to control Inability or hindered to receive from God Spirit of heaviness (linked to depression) Running from God, avoiding fellowship When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to hide their sin and they ran from God not towards Him. They also tried to handle the problem themselves
Points of Emphasis 15 We are unwilling to give up particular mindsets because we find security and protection with them. They are familiar to us and we believe there is truth in them. Some of these thoughts and inclination has become a matter of protection for us At times people have to be corrected in their thinking through the word of God
Deliverance Is Conditional 16 Submission, Obedience & Faith: Exodus 15:26: And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer. Here we see God s deliverance is based upon obedience, submission, as well as faith Repent, Renounce and Break Free To repent means to come back to that place of humility and sorrow over sin. Renounce - To "renounce" means to "give up, refuse, or resign by formal declaration."
Important Things to Know 17 Know that Jesus has given you authority (Mark 16: 15-17) Maintain and Sustain Your Deliverance Stay sober, alert and in spiritual condition (1 Corinthians 9:26-27; Luke 11:24-26) Remain Connected to God and in fellowship Keep Separated from the Cursed Thing & break any generational & soul ties Study the Word of God, Pray, and stay in an attitude of praise and worship Guard Your Thought Life as well as your heart Things to Avoid: Seeking the Theatrical or Dramatically when it comes to deliverance Stepping outside of your authority as a believer Thinking only that deliverance can occur in one certain way
Areas of Deliverance 18 Deliverance from Addictions Is Addiction a spiritual thing? Ephesians 2:3 - Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind. 1 Peter 2:11 - Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul. The Power of Addiction wages war against our soul and through its urgings and cravings, it begins to dictate to our bodies and soul, overcoming the spirit of man Two kind of Addictions: Physiological and Process Addictions Addictions are rooted in not feeling loved or lack of faith that God is able to provide all that you need.
Deliverance From Addictions 19 Will Thou Be Made Whole? Addiction eats at the will of a person: The urge and craving becomes so strong and debilitating that it becomes one s will in a sense Addictions represent a stronghold, other spirits are usually lodged within the person through the addiction (i.e. substance abuse could lead to delusions, anger, fear) This is why the person desiring deliverance, must submit oneself unto God Commitment with Submission is Defeating Example: Alcoholics Anonymous 10% Success Rate Disease Model
Bondage to Addiction 20 Addiction is oppressive in nature and reflects bondage for you become subdued to your addiction Oppression means to exercise harsh control over Oppression is imposed domination of a person or influence in order to control them mentally, physically, emotionally, and the worst of all, spiritually, in order to render them defenseless or incapacitated in their spirit Jesus who was anointed by the Holy Spirit, delivered those who were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38) Since during addiction we find ourselves submitted and controlled by our urges, to be delivered we must come to a place where we submit to God and pray for God s power to release you from addictions bondage Addictions
Deliverance From Oppressive Spirits 21 Proverbs 15:13 - A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 18:14 - The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? Examples or Basic Symptoms Fear, phobias, anxieties Irrational guilt, anger and agitation Uncontrollable or besetting thoughts to include self-destructive thoughts Acute low self image and feelings of worthlessness, shame Periods of drowsiness, complacency, low energy with inability to concentrate or focus Insecure feelings such as rejection, unworthiness Hatred and bitterness towards people for no reason Suicidal thoughts
Types of Spirits 22 I believe that there are oppressive spirits and influences A person may also submit to the influences of this world, one s thoughts as well as spiritual entities Types of spirits Unclean spirits Acts 8:7, Mark5:8,9 Familiar spirits Come into contact when people go to, in order to know the future (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6) Spirit of Divinations Stronger than familiar spirits, but much like it (Acts 16:16) Deaf & Dumb spirits Requires fasting and prayer to remove (Mark 9:25-26; 29) Evil Spirits Associated with infirmities (Luke 7:21; Luke 8:2)
Types of Spirits Cont d 23 Spirit of Whoredom Leads to idolatry, fornication, and adultery (Exodus 34:14-16; Ezek 14:3-5; Hosea 4:12-13) Spirit of Jealousy Causes a lack of trust, and suspicion of everyone. It can cause a person to become violent and have fits of rage and anger (Proverbs 29:22) A Lying Spirit: causes habitual lying (Prov 6:16-17; Prov 12:22) A Spirit of Fear 2 nd Timothy 1:7 A Spirit of Infirmity linked to sickness and diseased when delivered they usually get healed (Luke 13:11-13) A Blind Spirit- Matthew 12:22 A Spirit of Anti-Christ (1 st John 4:3) Refusal to confess Jesus as Lord A Spirit of Error (1John 4:5,6) A Haughty Spirit Associated with and Self-assurance (Prov 16:18) Seducing Spirits Associated with false doctrines and leading people away from the faith (1 st Tim 4:1)
The Story of Two Wolves 24 One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all" "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed". We have God s nature and Spirit on the inside of us. We must be careful to feed our spirit man daily and strengthen ourselves against spiritual attacks
Example: The Spirit of Heaviness 25 Isaiah 61:3 - To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Spirit of heaviness a heavy, burdened, and oppressed spirit; a faint, feeble, or weak spirit; a desponding heart The spirit of heaviness and oppression affects the nervous system and is referred to as depression. That means your seritonins are low causing the depression, grief and sorrow. Manifestations: sorrow, grief, sadness, troubled spirit, despair, wounded spirit, hopelessness, loneliness, discouragement, self-pity, gloominess
Deliverance from Heaviness 26 Recognize it know that God has not given you the spirit of heaviness, but the garment of praise Cast down imaginations (2 nd Cor 10:4,5) Don t believe anything negative you think under its influence Effects of a spirit of heaviness: Feeling of hopelessness; long periods of depression Feeling like one is all alone Oppressive feeling, quenching our faith Repent and Renounce for participating with a Spirit of Heaviness Reject Heaviness by putting on the garment of Praise (Isaiah 61:3)
Deliverance What is Required? 27 Reading/Hearing & Receiving God s Word (Romans 10:17) Faith & Trust in the Spoken Word/Promise of God (Matt 9:35; Matt 4:23) Will thou be made whole? A decision must be made to receive God s Word in faith and desire to be released from one s affliction/circumstance/oppression What Hinders Thee? Repenting, Rejecting, and Renouncing sins, attitudes, & oppressive spirits that blocks you from receiving your deliverance Go and Sin No more, so that nothing worse happens to you. Maintain your deliverance through a redeemed and transformed lifestyle (John 5:14)
Practical Living Ministry 28 Practical Living Ministry exists to assist individuals, groups, and organizations to operate to their full God-given ability by sharing life changing principles for spiritual growth and development. If this message touched you, please let me hear from you. If you would like to encourage us financially to keep sharing these kind of messages, please go to our donation section on our website at www.practicallivingministry.org If you would like to contact Dr. Jones for a speaking engagement at your church or event concerning biblical leadership, mentoring, and Christian culture. Please contact Pastor Kenneth Jones at kenjones@practicallivingministry.org