Other Encounters Of The Demonic Kind
Demonic forces not only have assignments to make people sick, they also have assignments “to steal and kill and destroy” in other ways as well.
There are many ways in which demons are able to gain access and cause general havoc in a life. The purpose of this section is not to teach in depth on demonism or exorcism, rather it is to help those in healing ministry deal effectively in those situations where demonic manifestations seem to materialize when praying for the sick and infirm.
It is foolish to go looking for demons. Unless you have specific direction by God to do this, AND have others with you who are trained and having had the same Godly direction, then DO NOT go looking for demons. We must look at the example that Jesus left us. He never went looking for demons but only dealt with them as they were presented to him.
It is strongly recommended that you acquaint yourself with deliverance from demonic forces through reading and further training from those who work specifically in deliverance ministry.
The following is just a short introduction into deliverance ministry. Remember, this s not a course on deliverance ministry. However, it is important to know a few basics because, as you pray for the sick, you will run into people needing deliverance. Also, as we have discussed in the previous section, healing of some sickness and infirmity actually takes deliverance.
| DON’T | Never do deliverance ministry alone. |
| DO | Always do deliverance ministry with a team. |
What reasons can you give for the instructions to not do deliverance alone but with a team? Write the answer in your notebook.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Demons are liars, it’s what they do. They have had thousands of years of practice doing it. When you are involved in a deliverance situation, often the demon(s) will lie to you. In fact, expect it. They will often make you, or the person being delivered, think they have departed. It takes the discernment of a team conferring with each other, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to know the difference.
Team Work
There may come times when you don’t have a team with you and you find yourself in a deliverance situation. Sometimes the demon will come out with just a word from a believer. Other times it takes fasting and prayer.
Mark 9: 28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting.”
If the demon comes out with just a word and the person is healed then all is well. If this doesn’t happen, and it looks more like a deliverance situation than simple healing prayer, it is advisable to postpone the prayer session until a team can be assembled.
1 Cor 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
- 1 God has gifted each believer with different gifts. Gifts within the same category often work differently in different people. In using a team approach in deliverance you might have someone gifted in the Word of Knowledge, someone else gifted in Wisdom, someone else in Healing, and someone else in Discernment of Spirits. 1 Cor 13:9 says we each “know in part.”
- 2 Jesus cast out spirits with a word. Jesus had the fullness of the Holy Spirit which we don’t. Sometimes deliverance may be quick and easy but other times it takes much time and effort with lots of prayer support.
Some Things To Do
- Take control of the situation. Remain calm. You don’t need to be afraid. You don’t need to shout or yell at the demon, they are not hard of hearing nor are they frightened when you yell.
- Plead the blood of Jesus over everyone present and offer a prayer of protection.
- Command using the name of Jesus and your authority in Messiah.
- Bind the demon in the Name of Jesus.
- Be gentle and loving to the person being delivered.
- If there is demonic manifestation, command the demon to stop.
- Do not get into a conversation or argument with the demon.
- Command the demon to leave in the name of Jesus.
Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Remember, you have God given authority that is backed up by heaven. However, you need to be very clear in what you say and clear in knowing your authority.
A word about binding and loosing: To bind means to tie up. To Loose means to grant freedom. Once, during a delivery session, an inexperienced team member said, “We bind and we loose.” The demon, probably realizing this person didn’t know what she was doing, refused to come out easily. After all, words themselves have no power in these situations unless the person speaking them understands them. If someone points to a ball and says, “Pick that ball up no don’t pick that ball up,” what are you to do? Most people would either wait for further clarification or just ignore the command altogether.
Some people yell and shout when doing deliverance. The demon doesn’t care how loud you shout. What it does care about is the name of Jesus when used with your authority in Messiah.
IMPORTANT: If you are not sure of your authority then find someone who is sure. Demons only bow to authority through Messiah Jesus and they know as soon as you walk into the room whether you wield that authority or not.
Zec 4:6 ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.
Be discerning in what you say and what you do. If you receive a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit you may want to discuss it with a team member. Sometimes a word of knowledge is only for you to help guide you. Some people blurt out anything and everything they think they are hearing from the Lord. This can, and does, cause much harm. It’s not about how spiritually adept we are in hearing from the Lord; it’s about ministering to someone who is hurting.
Some Common Manifestations
- Nausea – sick in the stomach – vomiting
- Gagging, constricting throat, stop breathing
- Feeling of a lump in the throat
- Confusion
- Moaning
- Obscene talk and/or gestures
- Shaking
- Coughing, hard breathing or continued expelling of breath
Be discerning. These actions don’t always mean there is a demon present! Sometimes people can double over, moan, or shake and it’s the Holy Spirit. A person could also be manifesting non-spiritual psychological problems or sickness and infirmity related problems. It could be just emotions. More harm than good can be done by going after demons that aren’t there. Do not rely on your senses alone because they may not see what is truly there. You must rely on spiritual discernment in agreement with the discernment of others through prayer. Do not just rush in.
While praying one time during a church service an intercessor was overcome by the grief and hurt of a person she had been praying for. Clutching her stomach she doubled over and then fell moaning to the floor. Immediately people rushed over and began trying to cast out demons except, there were no demons present. The intercessor later said she wanted to tell them there were no demons and that she was feeling the pain of another, but was unable to. These well-meaning people had rushed in with no discernment or Godly direction. Similar things have been observed many times.
There are times when nothing seems to be working. There are many reasons for this but two of the most common reasons are unconfessed sin and unforgiveness with anger, bitterness and/or resentment.
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Ask the following, or similar, questions:
- Is there anyone you need to forgive of anything?”
- “Do you have any sin in your life that you need to repent of?”
Lead them in a prayer of forgiveness or repentance if needed. Many times this is what will break the hold the demon has and the person can then be set free.
Matthew 6: 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sometimes nothing seems to work. You can always stop the deliverance session at any time or put it off to another time. Remember, it’s not about you. It’s all about Jesus and loving the person you are ministering to.
Post Deliverance
At the end of a deliverance session the person will often be tired. They have gone through a lot of work. Sometimes they may not know what has happened. Explain what has happened but use good judgment on what to tell them. Generally they will feel lighter and a sense of relief.
Be gentle and pray peace, rest, and restoration over them. Then pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit. This is vital. If needed, lead the person in a prayer of salvation or recommitment in Jesus.
Matt 12:43 “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.
What does this scripture say to you? Write the answer in your notebook.
Debrief
Meet with your team as soon afterward as possible. It is ideal to meet immediately. Discuss what took place and the impressions each team member had. Was the person completely set free? Do they need more deliverance work? Could things have been done differently?
Occasionally, even though precautions were taken, a spirit will cause problems with one or more team members as it left the person being delivered. This is not to be feared but needs immediate prayer and attention. During the debriefing session this is something that should be investigated.
What does it mean to debrief? Write the answer in your notebook.
CAUTIONS – When Praying For Deliverance
- Do not pray for members of the opposite sex alone.
- Do not pray for members of the opposite sex without at least one team member of that sex present if at all possible.
- Do not pray for children without their parents present. Children need special handling and there should be people in the team who are experienced in deliverance with children.
- Do not argue or converse with demons. They will lie to you and manipulate you.
- Do not react negatively about anything you see or hear.
- Do be gentle, loving and patient.
- Do take your time. If you are short on time, reschedule.
More Words Of Caution
If you are not absolutely sure of who you are in Messiah, and the authority you have, DO NOT
mess around with any devils.
Demons know whether or not you have authority in Christ. If you are not in covenant relationship and in right standing with Christ, you have no business messing with demons. They will only beat you up in one way or another. At the very least you will be ignored and you very well could end up with demons attaching themselves to you. A word of warning: Demons sometimes attach themselves to one or more members of the team through no fault of any team members. During the debriefing session, this possibility should always be checked.
Acts 19:13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”
14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
As soon as a demon sees you it will know whether or not you know how to use the authority God has given to you. If you are unsure, most likely it will just ignore you. However, it could also cause you some problems. This is another reason to work as part of a team. They knew who Jesus was. They also know who we are by the Spirit that is in us. They knew who Jesus was. They also know who we are by the Spirit that is in us.
Mark 1:24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”
Some people, armed with a couple of books on spiritual deliverance, take aggressive action in trying to rid the world, their community, their church, or any other place, of demons. It simply will not happen. Do not go on the attack unless you have heard from the Holy Spirit AND it has been confirmed by the council of others who have much experience in these matters. Yes we have authority but only within the boundaries that God has assigned for us. For example: You do not have authority in your neighbor’s house unless you have been invited in and asked to pray for them. Even then, your authority only extends to the area or subject you have been invited to pray over.
2 Cor 10:13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you.
Look at the example of Jesus. He never went looking for evil spirits. He never went on the attack against them. He simply dealt with them as they came to Him.
HEALING & DELIVERANCE SCRIPTURES
Acts 10:38 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.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Pet 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. –Look at the other verses around this one.
Mat 4:24 News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.
Mat 8:16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
Mat 12:22 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.
Mat 17:18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. –Look at complete story
Mark 1:32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.
33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but He would not let the demons speak because they knew who He was.
Luke 9:42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.
Luke 11:14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed
