Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual

1. Deliverance is God's Mercy and Your Right to Rest.

Deliverance is designed to bring you into rest.

God's covenant mercy. Deliverance is a direct expression of God's mercy and compassion, rooted in His covenant faithfulness through Jesus Christ. It's not based on your performance but on God's loving-kindness and loyalty to His promises. This mercy, initially focused on Israel, is now fully available to Gentiles through the New Covenant in Christ's blood.

Rest from enemies. Deliverance brings rest (shalom), which is an all-encompassing peace including prosperity, safety, health, and abundance. This rest is not just for heaven but is a present reality for believers. You have a covenant right to peace and are not meant to live a life constantly surrounded by strife and confusion.

Jesus brings shalom. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was chastised for our peace, making God's shalom accessible to all who believe. You have the authority and weapons to fight for and maintain this peace. Refuse to be tormented; declare your covenant right to shalom.

2. Yes, Christians Can Need Deliverance.

Don’t fall for the lie that Christians can’t have demons.

Deliverance is children's bread. Jesus called deliverance "the children's bread," indicating it's a necessary part of a believer's spiritual diet, not just for the unsaved. Neglecting deliverance leads to spiritual malnutrition, weakness, and vulnerability to demonic attack. Pastors are responsible for feeding the flock this bread.

Signs you may need help. While your born-again spirit is sealed, demons can still influence your soul (mind, will, emotions) and body. Common indicators you might need deliverance include persistent issues like:

• Emotional problems (depression, rejection, anger)
• Mental problems (confusion, fear, paranoia)
• Addictions (substances, food, habits)
• Physical infirmities (chronic sickness linked to spirits)
• Relationship issues (ungodly soul ties, control)
• Occult involvement (past or present)

Demons use open doors. Demons gain legal ground through various means, often starting in childhood or through sin, trauma, curses, or ungodly relationships. Identifying these "doors" is the first step to closing them and expelling the enemy. Seeking help from experienced ministers is wise for deep-seated issues.

3. You Have Authority for Self-Deliverance.

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

Loose yourself from bondage. As a believer, you have been given the power and authority in Jesus' name to loose yourself from various bondages. This includes shaking free from the dust of the past, ungodly soul ties, painful memories, unforgiveness, emotional pain, occult bondage, mental attacks, and more.

Exercise your authority. Jesus instructed us to cast the beam out of our own eye, using the same word (ekballō) for casting out demons. While severe cases may require help, you can practice self-deliverance by:

• Confessing God's Word over your life
• Praying authoritative prayers
• Renouncing agreements with the enemy
• Taking spiritual responsibility for your well-being

Binding and loosing power. Jesus gave believers the keys to the kingdom, granting authority to bind on earth what is bound in heaven and loose on earth what is loosed in heaven. This legal authority allows you to stop the works of darkness and free yourself from their restraint. Use this power by faith, not just feeling.

4. Ministering Deliverance Requires Compassion and Virtue.

Miracles come out of compassion and mercy.

Moved by compassion. Effective ministry flows from a heart of compassion, a deep feeling of distress for others' suffering that compels you to act. Jesus was consistently moved with compassion for the sick and demonized, demonstrating God's nature. This compassion is a powerful force that drives healing and deliverance.

Virtue and moral excellence. Virtue (dunamis - power, miraculous energy; also moral excellence) is essential. Just as power flowed from Jesus, it can flow through believers who cultivate moral excellence and integrity. This virtue, increased by prayer and fasting, drives out sickness and evil spirits.

Healing and deliverance linked. Many infirmities and sicknesses are caused by evil spirits. Ministering healing often involves casting out spirits of infirmity. Healing can come through various avenues:

• Laying on of hands (transferring virtue)
• Deliverance (casting out spirits of infirmity)
• Breaking curses (generational sickness)
• Anointing oil (breaking yokes)
• Faith (speaking to mountains)
• The Word (sent to heal)

Restoring the torn. Many people are torn apart by the enemy through trauma, broken relationships, or demonic attacks. Ministering deliverance involves not only expelling spirits but also praying for healing and restoration to mend what has been ripped apart.

5. Identify the Enemy to Defeat Him.

Identifying the enemy is a key to casting him out.

Names reveal nature. Demons are personalities, not just things, and their names identify their character and function (e.g., Legion, spirit of infirmity, spirit of rejection). Jesus asked for the demon's name to identify and cast it out. Knowing the enemy's name or function gives you power over it in Jesus' name.

Demons hide in darkness. Evil spirits are "rulers of the darkness," meaning their authority depends on ignorance and spiritual darkness. Exposing them by name or function brings light, dispels darkness, and breaks their power. Don't be afraid to talk about the devil; you're exposing him, not exalting him.

Bring them out of hiding. Like the kings hiding in Joshua's cave, demons hide in parts of a person's being (mind, body, emotions, appetite, sexual character). Command them to "Come out!" from their hiding places. They usually manifest through the mouth or nose when leaving, sometimes with physical reactions.

Progressive deliverance. Deliverance is often a progressive process, "little by little," as you grow in strength and possess more ground. Don't be discouraged if it's not instantaneous. Identify the enemy, fall out of agreement with their operation, and persistently command them to leave based on your authority in Christ.

6. Your Weapons Are Spiritual, Not Physical.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

God equips you. God has provided spiritual weapons to demolish strongholds and reclaim your inheritance. These weapons are not physical but divinely powerful. God trains your hands for war and your fingers for battle.

Key spiritual weapons:

• The Word of God: The sword of the Spirit, powerful to break strongholds and expose the enemy. Confessing the Word builds faith and releases God's power.
• Prayer: A powerful weapon against darkness. Praying the Word aligns your prayers with God's will and increases effectiveness. Persistent, faith-filled prayer executes judgment against the enemy.
• Fasting: Humbles the soul, breaks pride, overcomes unbelief, and releases the breaker anointing for breakthrough. It weakens the flesh where many stubborn spirits are rooted.
• Praise and Worship: Binds the strongman, confuses the enemy, releases God's presence and glory, and executes judgment. High praise and prophetic worship are powerful against demonic forces.
• The Prophetic Anointing: Roots out, pulls down, destroys, and throws down the works of the devil, while also building and planting God's kingdom. Prophetic words bring healing, deliverance, direction, and preservation.

Authority in Christ. Your ability to use these weapons comes from your position in Christ, seated in heavenly places, far above all demonic power. Combine the power of the Holy Spirit with the authority in Jesus' name to rout the enemy.

7. Prayer and Fasting Break Stubborn Strongholds.

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

Facing stubborn spirits. Some demons and strongholds are deeply rooted and resistant, like stubborn weeds or giants like Goliath. These "this kind" spirits require more than a simple command; they require persistent prayer and fasting.

Fasting weakens the flesh. Many stubborn spirits (like lust, addictions, bitterness, anger, poverty) are deeply rooted in the flesh or generational patterns. Fasting subdues the flesh, weakening the enemy's hold and strengthening your spirit for breakthrough.

Long war builds strength. Sometimes deliverance is a "long war." The enemy wants you to give up, but persistence is key. In a long war, you grow stronger, and the enemy grows weaker. God uses these battles to teach you how to fight, build your faith, and prepare you to help others.

Strike until it's destroyed. Don't settle for partial victories. Like Elisha instructing Joash to strike the ground, you must persist in prayer and fasting until the stubborn enemy is completely destroyed and cannot rebuild. Hate the bondage enough to fight until it breaks.

8. Specific Demonic Strongmen Exist.

He [Leviathan] beholds every high thing; he is king over all the children of pride.

Ruling spirits and systems. The kingdom of darkness has ruling spirits or "strongmen" over specific areas and systems. Identifying these strongmen helps target your warfare. Examples include:

• Double-mindedness: Satan's plan to destroy through instability, rooted in rejection and rebellion. Manifests as inconsistency, indecision, and divided loyalties.
• Leviathan: King of pride, manifesting as stubbornness, hardness of heart, arrogance, boasting, and resistance to God and covenant. Difficult to dislodge due to "scales" (other shielding spirits).
• Behemoth: Represents large, oppressive systems (religious, political, economic) that enslave multitudes, like Communism or Islam. Tyrannical and resistant to the gospel.
• Belial: A wicked ruler spirit promoting worthlessness, idolatry, uncleanness, sexual perversion, wicked plots, lawlessness, and attacking God's anointed.

Know your foe's nature. Understanding the characteristics and common operations of these strongmen (e.g., Leviathan's pride, Belial's wickedness, Behemoth's oppressive size) helps you recognize their influence and apply targeted spiritual weapons. Don't underestimate them, but remember God's power is greater.

9. Maintain Your Freedom Through Self-Control.

Self-control is the main key to maintaining your deliverance.

Discipline is essential. Deliverance is a gift, but maintaining it requires self-control and discipline. An undisciplined lifestyle leaves you vulnerable to the enemy's return. Self-control is like walls around a city, protecting you from invasion.

Areas requiring self-control:

• Thinking (guard your mind with God's Word)
• Appetites (food, substances, desires)
• Speaking (control your tongue)
• Sexual character (discipline your body)
• Emotions (manage anger, sadness, etc.)
• Temper (avoid hastiness)

Strategies for maintaining freedom:

• Daily Bible reading and prayer
• Consistent fellowship with believers
• Confessing the Word and pleading the blood of Jesus
• Identifying and resisting old thought patterns
• Binding demons and loosing warrior angels

Be vigilant. The mind is the battlefield. Be alert, sober, and vigilant against wrong thoughts. Immediately rebuke the enemy's attempts to re-establish old patterns. Your authority in Christ allows you to resist and stand firm.

10. Deliverance Advances God's Kingdom.

The ultimate purpose of God is to advance His kingdom on earth, bring healing to the nations, and draw people back to relationship with Him.

Kingdom message and power. Jesus preached and demonstrated the kingdom through healing and casting out devils. This is the pattern for the church. Deliverance is not just about personal freedom; it's a vital tool for advancing God's kingdom on earth and bringing people into relationship with Him.

Nations are your inheritance. God's global vision is for His kingdom to extend to the ends of the earth, bringing healing and conforming cultures to kingdom values (love, holiness, integrity). This challenges paganism and immorality prevalent in many cultures.

Uncover the necessity. Fear and ignorance have hindered the church's understanding and practice of deliverance and spiritual warfare. Recovering these truths is essential for the church to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and become an authoritative answer for the world's troubles.

Stay girded up. Continue to study the Word, proclaim truth, and engage in spiritual warfare. Don't shy away from your duty to ward off the enemy. Stay strong in God's power, living holy lives, and advancing the kingdom from generation to generation.

Last updated: May 20, 2025