P I G S

I N

T H E

P A R L O R

By Frank & Ida Mae

Hammond

Table Of Contents

Foreword

1. Pigs In The Parlor

2. Our Spiritual Enemy

3. Fight The Good Fight

4. The Value Of Deliverance

5. How Demons Enter

6. 7 Ways To Determine The Need For Deliverance

7. 7 Steps To Deliverance

8. 7 Steps For Retaining Deliverance

9. Filling The House

10. Demon Manifestations

11. Deliverance: Individual & Group; Private & Public

12. Self-Deliverance

13. Intercessory Prayer Warfare

14. Ministry To Children

15. Binding And Loosing

16. Pros And Cons On Tips And Methods

17. The Deliverance Team

18. Should I Be A Deliverance Minister?

19. Practical Suggestions For Deliverance Ministers

20. Demon Groupings

21. Schizophrenia

22. Facing Issues And Questions

23. The Final Conflict

Frank Hammond's Reflections

Foreword

Much is being written today on this subject of demons. Few have dealt extensively with the practical aspects of deliverance from demon spirits. It is from this practical viewpoint that this book is presented. It is intended primarily as a guide to deliverance.

The Church is fast awakening to the need for this ministry. It represents one facet of the restoration work of the Holy Spirit within the church today .

This book is also a trumpet call to total spiritual warfare.

The Church and the individual believer must get beyond the concept of personal deliverances to the concept of spiritual warfare against the spiritual potentates who are called “the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places”. (Ephesians 6:12)

Here, then, are some answers on how to go about deliverance and spiritual warfare.

I acknowledge with deep gratitude the influence that Dr. Derek Prince has had upon my ministry. Many of the principles of deliverance reflected in my writing are products of his sound foundational teachings. I wish to express my thanks to Dr. Prince for permission to quote his “Deliverance Prayer”.

Appreciation is also expressed to Phillip K. Brown and Mrs. Margaret E. Rhudy for proofreading the manuscript.

Names and initials of all persons mentioned as deliverance examples have been changed in order to prevent any possible embarrassment. All quotations from Scripture are from the Authorized Version unless otherwise noted.

Frank D. Hammond

Chapter 1

Pigs in the Parlor

Demon spirits can invade and indwell human bodies. It is their objective to do so. By indwelling a person they obtain a greater advantage in controlling that person than when they are working from the outside. When demons indwell a person, he or she is said to “have” evil spirits, to be “with” evil spirits, or to be “possessed” with demons. (See Mark 9:17; Luke 4:33; Mark 1:23; 5:2; Matt. 4:24). The word translated “possessed” by the King James version is the Greek word “daimonizomai”. Many Greek authorities say this is not an accurate translation. It should be translated “demonized” or “have demons”. Much misunderstanding has resulted from the use of the word “possessed”. This word suggests total ownership. In this sense, a Christian could never be “demon possessed”. He could not be owned by demons because he is owned by Christ.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ.” I Pet. 1:18,19

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, WHICH ARE GOD’S.” I Cor. 6:19,20

The Christian should always consider indwelling demons as unnecessary and undesirable TRESPASSERS. A trespasser is one who unlawfully and stealthily encroaches upon the territory of another. Trespassers can continue their unlawful practices until they are confronted and challenged on the basis of one’s legal rights. Jesus has purchased the believer with His own blood and has made him a steward over his own life. The devil has no legal right to him; however, it is up to him to defend his rights. No demon can remain when the Christian seriously desires him to go! “Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7b).

Demons consider the body of the person indwelt to be their “house”:

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into MY HOUSE from whence I came out. Matt. 12:43,44a

It is not uncommon for demons to speak through a person who is being delivered (See: Mark 1:23, 24). I have often heard evil spirits declare, “This is my house” They are referring to the person’s body, and are seeking to deceive the person and the deliverance minister into thinking that they have a right to that body. No demon can back up such a claim. All demons are liars and deceivers. Demons have no title to bodies redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When demons are being commanded out of a person they will sometimes contend “I have been here a long time” as though tenure of occupancy gives them title to a person’s body. The Christian must be assured that no demon has a legal right to indwell his body.

Twenty-five times in the New Testament demons are called “unclean spirits”. The word “unclean” is the same word used to designate certain creatures which the Israelites were not to eat (See Acts 10:11-14). The pig was one of these “unclean” creatures. According to Old Testament law they were not to be eaten or even touched. The New Testament lifts this prohibition by showing that these creatures were spiritual types.

[God] disarmed the principalities and powers ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]. Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of FOOD AND DRINK, or with regard to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath. Such [things] are only THE SHADOW of things that are to come, and they have only a SYMBOLIC value. But the reality-the substance, the solid fact of: what is foreshadowed, the body of it-belongs to Christ. Col. 2:15 17 (Amplified)

As a spiritual type the pig is to the natural realm what the demon spirit is to the spiritual realm. Just as the Israelite zealously protected himself from contact with pigs, the Christian is to guard himself from contact with evil spirits.

What would you do if a herd of filthy pigs came into your parlor and began to make themselves at home? Would you invite such a thing? Would you pay no attention to them in the hope they would soon leave of their own accord? Would you try to clean up their mess as fast as they made it? You would do none of these things. You would drive them out as quickly and unceremoniously as possible! And this is to be our attitude toward demon spirits. As soon as they are discovered they are to be driven out.

All four Gospels record the event of Jesus cleansing the temple. This is an unusual picture of our Lord. He was filled with righteous indignation at what he found in the temple. It was no time for mere words; it was a time for action. He began personally and determinedly; to purge the temple of every defiling thing. This is an illustration of the cleansing of our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit, from all that is unclean. Demon spirits provide nothing good. They only defile. They have no more place in us than the cattle, birds and money changers had in the earthly temple. We can act in the same authority with which Jesus cleansed the temple and rid ourselves of defiling evil spirits. Jesus did not make pretty speeches or debate with those who defiled the temple - he drove them out!

As unreasonable as it may seem, some Christians are not as ready to get rid of indwelling demons as one might assume. Some are embarrassed to admit the need for deliverance. The embarrassment should never result from having them but in failure to act promptly in getting them out. Others have walked in agreement with certain spirits for so long that they do not want to change. Not all Christians really want to live in purity. Such are as those who have made friends with pigs. But even the prodigal son came to himself while among the swine and decided that he would separate himself and return to his father. Let us pray that all of God’s children who cohabit with spiritual swine will see that there is a better life.

A research scientist in bio chemistry told me of an experiment in which he was engaged. It was his objective to isolate and identify the factors which are responsible for hog pen odors. By determining the reason why hogs smell as they do it would to then be possible to find an antidote. Thus, hogs could be made more compatible with human society. It is not our objective to make demon spirits compatible. We are not looking for ways to make demons easier to live with but how to get rid of them. We want no pigs in our parlor!

CHAPTER 2

OUR SPIRITUAL ENEMIES

Demons are spiritual enemies and it is the responsibility of each Christian to deal with them directly in spiritual warfare.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph. 6:10-12

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds). II Cor. 10:3,4

The scripture employs the analogy of wrestling in reference to our warfare with Satan and his hosts. Wrestling is an accurate and pointed description. It speaks of close-quarter fighting; of personally grappling with the powers of darkness. Most of us would prefer to use a giant cannon and blast away at these enemies from miles away, but this is not possible. The battle is very personal and close. The enemy is a spiritual one. The weapons are spiritual.

Wrestling also suggests pressure tactics. This tells us that Satan’s tactic is to put pressure on us. He does this in the areas of our thought life, emotions, decision making and our physical bodies. Believers often feel pressured by the enemy in one way or another. When one is ignorant of Satan’s devices he may turn for relief to tranquilizers, sleeping pills or even the psychiatrist’s couch. But God’s remedy for victory over demonic pressures is spiritual warfare. The Bible shows us how the Christian can put pressure upon the demons and defeat them! He must then learn the practical ways in which this is done. He must throw away his ineffective fleshly weapons and take up mighty spiritual weapons. The believer must know both his own weaponry and how to employ it, and the tactics of the enemy and how to defeat him.

Ephesians chapter six, verse twelve tells us four important things about our spiritual enemy. First, we are told that we are fighting against PRINCIPALITIES. The Greek word for principalities is “archai” This word is used to describe things in a series, such as leaders, rulers and magistrates. Thus, a “series” of leaders or rulers would describe their rank and organization. So the word "principalities” tells us that the Satanic kingdom is highly organized. Perhaps Satan’s forces are much the same in organization as the army of the United States which his the President as Commander-in-Chief followed by generals, colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants on down to the private. Satan is the head of his kingdom and has under him a rank of ruling spirits ultimate subject unto himself. The English word "principality” is defined as “the territory or jurisdiction of a prince or the country that gives title to a prince” (Webster). Thus, we see that these ruling spirits are assigned over areas such as nations and cities. This is borne out by the account in Daniel, chapter ten. Daniel was seeking a word from God through prayer and fasting. After three weeks an angel appeared. The angel explained that he had been delayed in getting to Daniel with God’s message by an encounter with "the prince of the kingdom of Persia”. He does not refer to an earthly prince, for no mere man could withstand a heavenly messenger. He is speaking of a demon prince. From this it is clear that there are ruling demon spirits placed by Satan over nations and cities in order to carry out his evil purposes. Problems that persist and plague churches and homes can well indicate that special evil agents have been assigned to cause trouble in these areas as well. Thus, we discover that our spiritual warfare embraces much more than our individual lives. We are fighting for the welfare of our homes, communities and nation. The enemy is thoroughly organized. His moves are made with evil designs

Second,’ we are told that our warfare is against POWERS. The Greek word translated “powers” is “exousias”. This word is accurately translated as “authorities”. This word tells us that the demons who are placed over various areas or territories are given authority to carry out whatever orders have been assigned. The Christian soldier need not be dismayed or discouraged to learn that those whom he faces have been given authority, for the believer has even greater authority. He is vested with the authority of the name of Jesus.

And these signs shall follow them that believe: IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils. Mark 16:17

This verse tells us that the believer has greater authority than the authority of demons. Demons are forced to yield to the authority of the name of Jesus.

The scripture reveals that demons not only have authority but they have power. In Luke chapter ten, verse nineteen we read of the “power” of the enemy. The word for “power” in the Greek is “dunamis”. Our English words dynamo and dynamite come from this word. Yet this fact will not daunt the Christian warrior, for he has the promise of God’s Word that he can have greater power than that of the enemy.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Acts 1:8

The power of the believer comes to him with the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows that his followers need both authority and power to deal with the enemy. When he sent the twelve out in ministry he sent them fully equipped.

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them POWER (dunamis) and authority (exousiai) over all devils, and to cure diseases.” Luke 9:1

A little later in His ministry Jesus sent the seventy disciples out two by two, and when they returned they reported that they successfully dealt with the demon powers in the mighty name of Jesus: And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power (exousiai) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (dunamis) of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:17-19

The commission that Jesus has given to His church provides the same authority and power. In Mark chapter sixteen and verse seventeen we are told that believers are to cast out devils in the name of Jesus. The promise was not limited to the apostles or first century disciples, but is for all believers of all times.

The commission as stated in Matthew chapter twenty-eight, verses eighteen through twenty, opens with the declaration, “all power (authority' is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore...”

We today have the same authority and power for ministry that was given to the church initially. It would be sheer folly to go against demons spirits without this power and authority. The authority comes through salvation; the power comes through the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The power given the believer through the mighty baptism in the Holy Spirit is evidenced through the operation of the gifts of the Spirit (See I Cor. 12: -11). The gifts of the Spirit, such as supernatural words of knowledge and discerning of spirits, are indispensable in spiritual warfare. This power and the authority of Jesus’ name are given that the believer might overcome demon powers.

The policeman is an example of authority and power. He gets up in the morning and before he goes to duty he puts on his uniform and his badge. Everyone recognizes his “authority” when they see his uniform and badge. But there are some lawless persons who will not respect this authority. So, the policeman straps his billy-club on one hip and his revolver on the other. Now he has the “power” to back up his authority! In like manner, the Christian is foolish to go out against demon forces without both his authority and power.

We are not to wait for God to come to our rescue. It is not a time to pray that God will provide power and authority. He has already provided for our salvation and our baptism in the Holy Spirit. He is therefore waiting for us to recognize that He has already made the necessary provisions, and that we are to engage in spiritual warfare and become the militant church prophesied:

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt. 16:18

Third, we learn that we wrestle against THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD. The word in Greek for “world rulers” is “kosmokratoras”. The word can be translated 'lords of the world” or “princes of this age”. This designation of the enemy emphasizes his intention to control. Satan is referred to in scripture as “the god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4).

When Adam fell through sin, Satan gained dominion over the world. Jesus did not deny the devil’s claim made during the wilderness temptations:

“Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Matt. 4:9

It is imperative that we recognize Satan to be a defeated foe. He is stripped of his power and his kingdom. We have every right to treat him as a trespasser.

Suppose you own a piece of wooded property. You put up signs around that property saying “No Trespassing”. This signifies that you own the property and have a legal right to keep others off it. A hunter comes by. He disregards your notices posted around the property and trespasses. When you find him there you can make him leave. He has no right to stay. It is important that we understand that demon spirits have no legal rights to the Christian. They may trespass, but when we are ready to take the initiative and give them notice they must leave.

Jesus explained His ability to cast out demons in these words:

“But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him ALL HIS ARMOUR wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.” Luke 11:20-22

Jesus declared that the strong man’s armour was taken away from him. This means that Satan is made completely defenseless. The expression “all his armour” is the Greek word “panolia” This word panoplia is used one other time in the New Testament. In Ephesians 6:11 the Christian is exhorted to take unto himself the WHOLE AMOUR of God. Thus, the Christian is not vulnerable at any point while the devil is vulnerable at every point!

Satan is still seeking to rule the work I, and we must agree that he has made considerable progress. Why? Because the church has not risen up in the power and authority given it. However, a large segment of the body of Christ today is coming into a knowledge of the enemy, and of its own spiritual weaponry and strength and is taking the offensive against Satan and his hosts. The more Christians who enter into the warfare, the more Satan will suffer loss.

Fourth, scripture says that we wrestle against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES. The key to this phrase is the word “wickedness”. The word suggests that which is highly injurious or destructive in character. These evil powers have only one objective -wickedness. They may appear as angels of light and by their deceptiveness draw7 many into their nets of destruction. Jesus exposed their wicked purposes in these words:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. John 10:10a

These four expressions from Ephesians 6:12 have given us a very vivid picture of Satan’s kingdom. It is highly organized to carry out its purposes. Demon powers are set in array and given authority by Satan to control the entire world and plague it with pernicious evil. There is no advantage to us in ignoring Satan’s forces and methods. This only permits Satan to work undetected and unchallenged. To fail to become actively involved in spiritual warfare is to suggest that we do not care what becomes of ourselves, our loved ones, our community, our nation and our world. Most Christians have not become engaged in spiritual battle because they have never been taught the importance of it nor the way to go about it. Today Satan is flaunting his power through spiritism, occultism, false religions and cults as never before in all human history.

The church is being forced to re-examine its own resources.

Billy Graham has been quoted by a national newspaper as saying, “All of us engaged in Christian work are constantly aware of the fact that we have to do battle with supernatural forces and powers... It is perfectly obvious to all of us in spiritual work that people can be possessed by demons, harassed by them and controlled by them. More and more ministers will have to learn to use the power of God to release people from these terrible possessions by the devil.”

God is raising up a mighty army today that is going forth with spiritual weapons. The results are impressive! Through the ministry of deliverance thousands of God’s people are being set free from the torments of demon spirits.

Chapter 3

Fight the Good Fight

It is an awakening revelation to the church today to discover how organized Satan is and how systematically he is working against us. While most of us have been taught that it is every believer’s task to be a witness of Jesus Christ, and even trained and encouraged to witness; at the same time we have not been schooled that it is also every believer’s task to be a Christian soldier, active in spiritual warfare. How many Christians have been trained in “the PULLING DOWN of strongholds” (II Cor. 10:4), or in how to “RESIST the devil” (James 4:7), or how to “WRESTLE against principalities... powers... rulers of the darkness of this world... and spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12)?

As Christian soldiers we must acquire practical knowledge. When I was in military training during World War II, I was taught the weapons and the tactics of the enemy. I was also taught the weapons and tactics which I would employ against the enemy. God’s army is in boot camp today. We are learning how to be Christian soldiers and “war a good warfare” (I Tim. 1:18) .

In Ephesians 6:10 we are exhorted to put on the whole armour of God and stand against the “wiles of the devil”. The word translated “wiles” is “methodeia” meaning “to follow up by method and settled plan, using deceit, craft and trickery” (Thayer). Satan has a method and a settled plan to conquer each one of us, along with our family, church, community and nation. God has provided armour for our protection and weapons for offensive warfare. Thus, we can withstand every assault against us AND launch an attack that will overthrow the enemy!

The emphasis in this book is upon personal deliverance. This is the starting point for total spiritual warfare. When we engage the enemy on the level of personal deliverance we are lighting Satan’s front line troops. His “top brass” is beyond, and we must gel to them before the battle is over. The first objective in warfare is to free oneself.

Does everyone need deliverance? Personally, I have not found any exceptions. While we have walked in ignorance and darkness the enemy has successfully made inroads into each of us. We must learn how to get him out and how to keep him out.

Talk out loud to the demons! This may seem foolish and awkward until you have gotten accustomed to it, but it is an effective and necessary tactic of spiritual warfare. It is obvious that one must speak out when expelling demons. We must also speak to demons assaulting from without. For example, suppose a demon has just spoken to your mind: “So-and-so thinks you are stupid.” Demons talk to our minds like that. It is the way they plant seeds of resentment and suspicion. You can soon learn to distinguish between what is of self, of God or of Satan. You might say something like this to the demon: ‘You are a liar, demon. I reject that thought about my friend. My mind is under the protection of the blood of Jesus. I bind you from my thoughts. I command you to leave me alone, in the name of Jesus.”

The preceding is an example of resisting the devil. We know the Bible tells us to “resist the devil”, but we may not have discovered the practical way of implementing the principle. In whatever words you use, vocalize your position in Jesus Christ and resist the demons by the use of the name and blood of Jesus. They are trespassers and must “flee” when resisted in this way. Do not stop at telling them once. Demons can be stubborn, so keep resisting until your mind is at peace.

Study carefully the seven ways to determine the need for deliverance (See Chapter 6). Be honest with yourself. Ask God to help you see where and how demons have invaded. This does not mean to mull over past sins and unpleasant things in the past. It is simply recognizing that demon have taken advantage of sins and circumstances in life, in order that those intruders can be driven out and the doors closed behind them.

Seek out help of deliverance ministry in the area where you live. Such help is much more prevalent than it was just a few years ago, and God is raising up many others to teach and minister in deliverance. If there is no help available, pray that God will provide it. Meet with other concerned believers in the body of Christ. Perhaps the Lord will direct you to learn to minister to one another. Ultimately deliverance must be restored to the church. It is as much a ministry of the church as preaching, teaching and healing. Jesus performed all these ministries and commissioned the church to continue them.

Begin to practice self-deliverance. Pick out an area in your life where you know demons are troubling you, and command them to come out in Jesus’ name. When the demons see that you are absolutely renouncing them and are speaking in faith, they will respond. Do not let them go unchallenged another day! “The Kingdom of God is... righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17). This is God’s inheritance for you NOW! It is yours for the taking!

The Battle for Home

In many homes today, even though husband, wife and children may profess Christ, there is strife, division, confusion and chaos. It is time the devil took his share of the blame. And it is time families learn how to drive the devil out of their homes.

The ideal starting point for victory is for each member of the family to commit himself anew to Jesus Christ. This should be followed by deliverance for each one.

A beautiful thing took place in a church where our team was invited to minister. The pastor had taught well the principle of the man’s place of headship in the home. One by one the men came forward to make appointments for deliverance for themselves and their families. The ministry was important enough to them that they made arrangements to get off from their jobs and would take their children out of school in older to meet their appointments. This is the way it should be. Families are encouraged to experience deliverance together. When the whole family is cooperating, and considering one another, the devil is defeated in a hurry.

But some homes have greater obstacles. Not all members of the family are believers. Some may be too backslidden to have any interest in spiritual things. If only one in a family is burdened for the welfare of the home, what can be done?

Mrs. J’s problems were typical of many others whom I had counseled. She was trying her best to live for Christ, but her husband resisted her at every turn. He railed at her if she went to church. He drank heavily and gambled. She reported that he was abusive and violent, and she was afraid for herself and the children. Her three young children were already showing the effects of the turmoil in the home. They were fearful, insecure, withdrawn and nervous. Mrs. J had prayed much for her husband, but he became worse instead of better. She was planning to divorce him.

Mrs. J consented to deliverance for herself. We knew it would be difficult for her to retain her full deliverance as long as her environment was so unsettled, but that she would get definite relief from fears and pressures.

It was then decided that we would enter into spiritual warfare against the demons that were controlling the life of her husband, and blinding him to spiritual truth.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. II Cor. 4: 3,4

WARFARE IS NOT PRAYER! It is in addition to prayer. There is no point in petitioning God for something He has already given you. God has given us power and authority over the devil. We must not expect God to get the devil off our backs. He has already defeated Satan and given us the ability and responsibility to take care of ourselves. This truth is a revelation to many believers-it is good news! No wonder so many prayers have seemed unanswered. We need to stop storming heaven for what has already been provided, and start using what God has given us.

We began the spiritual warfare in behalf of Mrs. J’s husband. She would learn how to conduct a spiritual battle from the experience, and be able to continue it on her own. “You demons that are troubling Mr. J, we take authority over you in the mighty name of Jesus. You are seeking to destroy this home, but we will not permit you to do so. We are seated together with Christ in spiritual authority. We know our position and our rights. We bind you in Jesus’ name. Take your hands off of his life. Release his will that he may be free to accept Christ as his Savior.”

Within a few weeks time Mr. J had completely changed into a new creature in Christ Jesus. He had experienced the new birth and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The family was going to church together, and Mr. J had become the spiritual leader in his family.

I do not want to leave the impression that all spiritual battles in similar situations end as quickly and as victoriously as the J family’s, but I have seen enough victories through spiritual warfare to know that it can be startlingly effective. Other battles have taken much longer, and some are still in progress months after the beginning.

Spiritual warfare in behalf of another does not control the will of that person. It binds the power of demon forces and releases the will to make decisions apart from demon interference. Demons are not cast out of the person, but their power is bound for a season. This type of warfare is in full accord with the principle of spiritual warfare set forth in II Cor. 10:3 and Eph. 6:12. These passages teach that our warfare is against spiritual enemies and must be fought with spiritual weapons. It is useless and wrong to be drawn into flesh to flesh encounters.

It is best to talk out loud to the demon powers when coming against them, but not in the presence of the one involved or openly in the presence of others who might not appreciate or understand what is being done. It is not absolutely necessary to speak aloud. It can be done from one's spirit, and this can be done while in the presence of the one you are seeking to release from demonic bondage.

It should be the aim of every home to maintain God’s pattern of divine authority - wives submitting to husbands, husbands loving the wives as Christ loved the church, and children obeying their parents in the Lord. This will reduce the devil’s opportunities to a minimum in any home.

The Battle for Church

Satan has a special interest in the church. We can well believe that he will do everything in his power to side-track, hinder, weaken and destroy the church’s ministry. The devil’s organizational set-up calls for a prince demon assigned to each local expression of the church. Many churches have a history of certain types of problems. The prince spirit over that church can readily be identified by a church’s specific type of problem.

In some churches you will find a spirit of strife, for instance member striving with member. This is one of Satan’s chief weapons. He will stir up jealousy and competition. Christians can become puffed up with pride, thinking themselves better than others, and thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to think. As long as Christians are fighting among themselves they are certainly not fighting the devil. This is what the devil is after, and He has won his battle.

Other churches are controlled by doctrinal demons. With some it is false doctrine.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (demons). I Tim. 4:1

In other instances the doctrine may not be false, but the devil fosters an obsession with doctrine. He can get a group so concentrated on one facet of truth (e.g. salvation or the second coming) that it will neglect to minister the whole counsel of God. The church is side-tracked.

Some (demons are specialists in getting a church to operate on human talents and abilities rather than upon the power of the Holy Spirit. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (II Tim. 3:5). Some are still blinded, to the great outpouring of God’s Spirit today and continue to operate on manpower.

There are prince spirits of denominationalism and sectarianism. Their aim is to keep the body of Christ divided. When I saw a sign in front of a church building branding itself as “independent fundamental” I felt that it was publicizing the ruling demon over that congregation. Some churches are noted for isolationism and spiritual pride.

Demons of worldliness and materialism rule over some local bodies. The spiritual ministry has faded out of sight. The emphasis is upon bake sales, rummage sales, bingo parties and the like.

The listing goes on and on - formalism, ritualism, control by a pastor or group, complacency, indifference, pessimism, discouragement, obsession with problems without solutions etc. etc.

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain...” (Joel 2:1). The second chapter of Joel calls the people of God to rise in battle against a terrible host of wickedness. But it is first a call to repentance and a return to God.

Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God. Joel 2:12,13a

This is the call to the church today. Let each local congregation turn from its sins and humble itself before God. Then let it rise in the power of God against the spiritual foes allied against it. The church must learn to rise into the heavenlies and come against the “spiritual wickedness in high places”. (See Eph. 1:20,21; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12. High places=heavenly places.)

These prince spirits over churches can be bound and their voices silenced. God has given the power to His people. It is up to them to do it.

The Battle for Community and Country

The angel that visited Daniel reported that he had encountered and fought with “the prince of Persia”, meaning the ruling demon potentate over that nation. We see this as evidence that Satan has assigned a powerful demon ruler over every nation of the world, and, in turn, over every city and community.

The prince spirit over the community which I pastored was revealed through a vision from God. The vision revealed a large, octopus-like creature hovering over the community. Across its head was written “Jealousy” tentacles reached down and were entwining and crushing every facet of community life-churches, schools, businesses, homes, social life, government, recreation and personal relationships. The tentacles represented strife, criticism, envy, backbiting, greed, gossip, selfishness and covetousness.

As we began to reflect upon the vision we could see how true and accurate it was. Jealousy and all its helpers were holding the community in a vise-like grip. When I first moved into that community to begin my ministry, two pastors came together to visit me and tell me that I was not needed nor wanted. They invited me to leave on the basis that their churches were adequate to minister to the community. The spirit of jealousy was thus showing itself among the churches. God showed me through the vision that I was not fighting fellow ministers, but fighting the “principalities and powers” of the devil.

Hope for our communities and nation does not lie in social and governmental programs. Neither does it lie in education or science. Our problems are basically spiritual, God has given us spiritual weapons and resources for victory. The church has the answer. It must take the offensive against the ranks of demonic powers while there is yet time. How is this done? By wrestling with these powers in spiritual warfare. Vocalize your position in Christ and your authority over these demon forces just as you would in personal warfare. Praise God, Christians everywhere are learning these techniques of spiritual battle. A revival is being loosed!

Chapter 4

The Value Of Deliverance

The process of expelling demons is called deliverance. Deliverance is not a panacea or a cure all. Yet it is an important part of what God is doing in relationship to the current revival in the church. Some expect too much from deliverance and others expect too little. We honesty need to find out what part deliverance can play in each of our own lives and receive whatever benefit it offers.

Those whom God has placed in the forefront of deliverance ministry do not have to go out looking for prospects! It is evident that God is placing a desire for purity in the hearts of His people everywhere. I am continually astonished at how many persons come forward asking for this ministry. I am even more amazed at how many come forward not knowing exactly what to expect. They come because they are already reaching out to God. They are believers who want to continue in spiritual growth and realize that every hindrance to spiritual development must be eliminated.

The church is the bride of Christ, and Christ is coming for His bride. The scripture declares that His bride must be cleansed.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:25-27

Deliverance is an essential part of the preparation of the bride of Christ-getting rid of “spots” and “wrinkles”. Since the church for which Christ is coming is to be “holy and without blemish” we must agree that unclean spirits must be purged from our lives. Is this cleansing to be a sovereign act of the Lord, or does it involve responsibility on the part of the believer?

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: the marriage of the Lamb is come, AND HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY.” Rev. 19:7

This verse emphasizes human responsibility. It is up to us to make ourselves ready for the coming of our Lord. Some seem to be waiting for the Lord’s coming as a time when great change will automatically take place, when all their deficiencies will instantly and miraculously be remedied. The scripture does say, “We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (I Cor. 15:51,52). But this refers only to our mortal bodies becoming immortal. We must avoid reading too much into this passage.

The Ephesian verses quoted above state that the bride is cleansed by “the washing of water BY THE WORD”. In one sense we do our own washing, but in another sense the Bridegroom does it by providing the water - the Word. Everyone knows that a bride spends considerable time before a mirror in preparation of herself for her bridegroom. The Word of God is that mirror before which we stand in our time of preparation.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:23-25

When Esther was being prepared as a bride for her king she went through a time of preparation. The scripture tells us that she went through a whole year of purifying the flesh. Six months was spent in the application of “oil” and six months with “sweet odor." or spices.

Many persons cannot understand why they are unable to love others as they ought. Such a problem is strong indication of the presence of a demon spirit of resentment or unforgiveness. Resentment usually invites in other demons, such as bitterness, hatred and anger.

Love may also be hindered by a spirit of rejection. This spirit is very common and is often to be found as the “strong” or “ruling” spirit within an individual. Rejection has an opportunity to enter when a person is not loved as a child. Parents can easily open the door for the spirit of rejection in their child by failure to give that child proper love. When rejection is strong it keeps the person from receiving the love extended by others. It also prevents that person from giving love to others. The demon of rejection must be cast out before that person can mature in Christian love.

If Satan can succeed in making the Christian feel a stigma attached to having demons he may prevent that Christian from seeking deliverance. While we cannot put all the blame on Satan and his demons for our problems, we are finding out that we can blame them for much more than we once thought. In fact, some Christians have not yet learned that demons are responsible for any of their problems. When we learn that they do invade our lives then we should be in earnest about getting rid of them.

Many Christians today are finding real help through deliverance. Problems that could not be solved through known avenues of help are now being solved through deliverance. It makes us wonder why we have been so long in seeing these truths in God’s Word.

Chapter 5

How Demons Enter

Demons are evil personalities. They are spirit beings. They are the enemies of God and man. Their objectives in human beings are to tempt, deceive, accuse, condemn, pressure, defile, resist, oppose, control, steal, afflict, kill and destroy.

Demons enter through “open doors”. They have to be given an opportunity. There must be an opening. In other words, one does not pick up a demon by walking down the street and accidentally bumping into one that is looking for a “home”.

The organization of Satan’s kingdom enables him to attack each one of us personally. There is not a person on the face of the earth who escapes his notice. He devises a plan to ruin and destroy each one. It is a sobering realization that you and I are definite targets of Satan’s wiles. But how does he gain entrance?

Sin

The door for demons to enter may be opened by oneself through sins of omission and commission. In the fifth chapter of Acts we read of a couple named Ananias and Sapphira. They sold their property that they might give the full proceeds for the benefit of the church. But they became covetous and decided to keep part of the money for themselves. In order to cover up their act they perpetrated a lie. But Peter received a supernatural word of knowledge as to what they had done. Peter asked Ananias why he had opened himself to the Devil.

But Peter said, ANANIAS, WHY HATH SATAN FILLED THINE HEART TO LIE TO THE HOLY GHOST, AND TO KEEP BACK PART OF THE PRICE OF THE LAND? Acts 5:3

Because of their sin, Ananias and Sapphira opened themselves to be filled with spirits of covetousness, lying and deceit. The same thing can happen to anyone who sins willfully.

In the fifth chapter of Galatians we find a list of seventeen “works of the flesh”. They include the sins of adultery, fornication, witchcraft, hatred, wrath, strife, envying, murders and drunkenness. Through my experiences in deliverance I have encountered demons that responded to each of these designations. What, then, is the relationship between the works of the flesh and the works of demons? When a man yields to temptation he sins in the flesh. Through such sin the door is opened for the invasion of the enemy. Then he has a compounded problem - the flesh and the devil. The solution is two-fold: crucify the flesh and cast out the demons.

A classic example of the door being opened by sin of omission is the failure to forgive. In the case of the unjust steward (Matt. 18) he was turned over to the “tormentors” because he was unwilling to forgive his fellow servant after he himself had been forgiven by his master. God warns us that all who have experienced His forgiveness and refuse to forgive others will be turned over to the tormentors. What clearer designation of demon spirits can we find than “tormentors”? Unforgiveness opens the door to the torment of resentment and hatred and related spirits.

Life Circumstances

Evil spirits have no sense of fairness. They never hesitate to take full advantage of times of weakness in a person’s life. Of course the weakest time in most lives is childhood. A child is completely dependent upon others for protection. Without question the majority of demons encountered through ministry have entered the persons during childhood. Christian parents need to understand their responsibility to protect their children as well as how to deliver their children from demon oppression.

One of the first questions asked in pre-ministry counseling is, “How did you relate to your parents as a child?” In the majority of cases this question opens the door for a listing of grievances for which the parents are blamed. How often I have heard such replies as, “My father was an alcoholic.” They go on to relate various fears associated with this condition in the home. There was insecurity and often poverty because father was unable to provide, or spent the family income in support of his addiction. As a child in such a home grows a little older he becomes embarrassed and ashamed. The quickest way to understand what doors were opened for demons to enter is to hear an account of a person’s childhood.

The Ruse of Inheritance

Multiplied instances have been found where evil spirits were able to indwell persons through the ruse of inheritance. If a child is told that he is like his parents and can expect to inherit their weaknesses he becomes vulnerable. My own mother was a very nervous person. When I was a young boy she had a nervous breakdown. I developed a fear that I would inherit this weakness. The fear of being nervous actually opened me to the reality. My nerves began to give way. It was as though something was inside my body and crawling all through me. I would become very weak and unable to fulfill my responsibilities as a pastor. The doctor put me on barbiturates which made me so drowsy I would have to go to bed. My work load would stack up and I would get more nervous. I was on a treadmill from which I saw no escape. Several times I came near resigning my church and leaving the ministry. Five years ago I was delivered from the demon of nervousness and related spirits, There has been no more crawling nerves and no more need for drugs. The demons that told me that I had to be like my mother were all liars!

If we allow him to do so, the devil will give us our inheritance. But the Psalmist said of God, “He shall choose our inheritance for us” (Psalm 17:4a). I have found many others like myself who accepted the lies and fears suggested by the devil. Many persons are collapsing from a fear of mental illness. Because a parent had this problem the devil says, “This is your inheritance.” Do you know that a person can be so possessed by the fear of mental illness that he will eventually end up in a mental hospital? I have seen many persons delivered from this particular tormenting fear, My father died of a heart attack. My mother was dying of heart trouble. Aunts and uncles had gone the same way. The devil kept telling me that this was my inheritance. I went to my doctor for a check-up. He asked questions about my family’s medical history. When he found out about all the heart trouble in my family he predicted that I would develop a bad heart. At the age of forty six I went to the hospital suffering from chest pains. When I had the attack someone gave me a nitroglycerin tablet and the pain left instantly. The doctor could find no damage to my heart but was sure that I had experienced a light heart attack. Two months after I left the hospital I had a second attack. It struck me on a Sunday morning before I got out of bed. By this time I had learned of the operation of demon spirits. I announced to the congregation that we would have a special ministry meeting that afternoon in which they would minister deliverance and cast out the demon of heart attack. That was five years ago, and I have never had another pain in my chest and no longer expect to have one. I do not accept the proffered inheritance of the devil but accept the healing and health of the Lord Jesus.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Chapter 6

Seven Ways To Determine

The Need For Deliverance

The presence and nature of evil spirits can be known by two principle methods:

(1) Discernment. The verse I Cor. 12:10 lists “discerning of spirits” as one of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. An example of the operation of the gift of discerning spirits happened to me two days after I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. I had been asked to give a testimony at a meeting of the Full Gospel Businessmen and was sitting on the platform. In the back of the large auditorium were a number of hippies. One of them got up and started towards the front. Two others got up and followed him. As I looked at the first fellow a pain struck me in the stomach as though I had been hit with a fist. Turning to a stranger sitting next to me I whispered, “Is that man in the spirit of the Lord?” He replied, “I don’t know, but he surely doesn’t look too good:” “Why, he has a demon!” I exclaimed. The brother next to me suggested, “Perhaps you have a gift of discernment.” With an assurance that I could not account for, I said “I don’t know what I have, but I know what he has. He has a demon!” Now, the gifts of the Spirit were relatively unknown to me at that time, and I had learned nothing about demon spirits.

As it happened the long-haired hippie came to the platform, took over the microphone, and lifting his hands in the air declared, “I am the Way; I am Jesus.”

Then everyone knew he had a demon. As he joined his friends at the edge of the platform several in the audience simultaneously rose and rebuked the demons in the three young men. No one was touching them but they all fell to the floor, struck down by an unseen power. They were picked up bodily and carried out of the room. As a result of this demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power several in the hippie community were brought to Christ. These three young men were their leaders.

(2) Detection is the second method of knowing the presence and nature of evil spirits. Detection is simply observing what spirits are doing to a person. When Jesus was here on earth in the flesh he found people well acquainted with demons. Jesus did not have to teach them of the existence of evil spirits or explain how they can indwell; this was common knowledge. An example is found in Mark 7:24-30. A Syrophenician woman came to Jesus with an appeal that He cast an “unclean spirit” out of her daughter. In Matthew’s parallel account the mother says, “My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil (demon).” How did she know this? She knew it by the symptoms. We can learn today to detect evil spirits by observing what they are doing to a person.

Some of the most common symptoms of indwelling demons are as follows:

1. Emotional Problems

Emotional problems disturbances in the emotions which persist or recur. Some of the most common disturbances are resentment, hatred, anger, fear, rejection (feeling unwanted and unloved), self-pity, jealousy, depression, worry, inferiority and insecurity

2. Mental Problems

Disturbances in the mind or thought life, such as mental torment, procrastination, indecision, compromise, confusion, doubt, rationalization and loss of memory,

3. Speech Problems

Outbursts or uncontrolled use of the tongue. These include lying, cursing, blasphemy, criticism, mockery, railing and gossip.

4. Sex Problems

Recurring unclean thoughts and acts regarding sex. These include fantasy sex experiences, masturbation, lust, perversions, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, incest, provocativeness and harlotry.

5. Addictions

The most common addictions are to nicotine, alcohol, drugs, medicines, caffeine and food.

6. Physical Infirmities

Many diseases and physical afflictions are due to spirits of infirmity. (See Luke 13:11). When a demon of infirmity is cast out there is often the need to pray for a healing of whatever damage has resulted. Thus, there is a close relationship between deliverance and healing.

7. Religious Error

Involvement to ANY DEGREE in religious error can open the door for demons. Objects and literature from sources of religious error have been known to attract demons into houses.

(1) False religions, e.g. Eastern religions, pagan religions, philosophies, and mind sciences. Note: This includes such popular interests as yoga exercises and karate which cannot be divorced from heathen worship.

(2) Christian Cults, e.g. Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Unity and many more. Such cults deny or confuse the necessity of Christ’s blood as the way of atonement for sin and for salvation. Cults also include some lodges, societies and social agencies which use religion (scripture and even God) as a foundation, but omit the blood atonement of Jesus Christ. All such cults may be classified as “bloodless religions”... that is, those “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof ” (II Tim. 3:5).

(3) Occult and Spiritism, e.g. seances, witchcraft, magic, ouija boards, levitation, palmistry, handwriting analysis, automatic handwriting, ESP, hypnosis, horoscopes, astrology, divination, etc. NOTE: Any method of seeking supernatural knowledge, wisdom, guidance and power apart from God is forbidden! (See Deut. 18:9-15)

1. False doctrine. I Tim. 4:1 warns of great increase of doctrinal errors promoted by deceiving and seducing spirits in the last days. Such doctrines are designed to attack both the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ; to deny the inspiration of Scripture; to distract Christians from the move of the Spirit; to cause disunity in the Body of Christ; to cause confusion in the Church through obsession with doctrines coupled with a compulsion to propagate such doctrines; to puff up with a sense of superiority in revelation, making the one in error unteachable; and to foster emphasis upon fleshly activities as a gateway to the spiritual, as in asceticism and vegetarianism.

Chapter 7

Seven Steps To Deliverance

1. Honesty

One must be honest with himself and with God if he expects to receive God’s blessing of deliverance. Lack of honesty keeps areas of one’s life in darkness. Demon spirits thrive on such darkness. Honesty helps bring them into the light. Any sin not confessed or repented of gives the demon a “legal right” to remain. Ask God to help you see yourself as He sees you and to bring to light anything that is not of Him.

I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23,24

2. Humility

This involves a recognition that one is dependent upon God and His provisions for deliverance.

God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

It also involves a complete openness with God’s servants ministering in the deliverance.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. James 5:16a

3. Repentance

Repentance is a determined turning away from sin and Satan. One must hate all evil in his life and fall out of agreement with it.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) One must loathe his sins.

And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed. Ezekiel 20:43

Deliverance is not to be used merely to gain relief from problems but in order to become more like Jesus through obedience to all God requires. Repentance is a turning from all that hinders spiritual growth, ministry and fellowship. Repentance requires open confession of all sin. It takes away the legal rights of demon spirits.

4. Renunciation

Renunciation is the forsaking of evil. Renunciation is action resulting from repentance.

When he (John the Baptist) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? BRING FORTH FRUITS THEREFORE MEET FOR REPENTANCE. Matt. 3:7,8

Bringing forth fruits meet for repentance involves more than words. It is demonstration of repentance... evidence that one has truly turned from his sins. For example, if one repents of lust he may need to destroy some pornographic materials. If one has repented of religious error he may need to completely renounce it by destroying all literature and items associated with that error.

And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. Acts 19:18,19

Renunciation means a clean break with Satan and all his works.

5. Forgiveness

God freely forgives all who confess their sins and ask forgiveness through His Son. (See I John 1:9). He expects us to forgive all others who have ever wronged us in any way.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt. 6:14,15

Willingness to forgive is absolutely essential to deliverance. (See Matt. 18:21-35). No deliverance minister can effect a deliverance unless the candidate has met God’s conditions.

6. Prayer

Ask God to deliver you and set you free in the name of Jesus.

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered. Joel 2:32

7. Warfare

Prayer and warfare are two separate and distinct activities. Prayer is toward God and warfare is toward the enemy. Our warfare against demon powers is not fleshly but spiritual (See Eph. 6:10-12; II Cor. 10:3-5). Use the weapons of submission to God, the blood of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and your testimony as a believer. (See James 4:7; Rev. 12:1 I; Eph. 6:17). Identify the spirits, address them directly by name in a commanding voice, and in faith command them to go in the name of Jesus. Enter the battle with determination and assurance of victory. Christ cannot fail! He is the Deliverer!

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.” Mark 16:17a

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and MY DELIVERER.” Psalm 18:2a

Chapter 8

Seven Steps For

Retaining Deliverance

1. Put on the Whole Armour of God The Christian’s spiritual armour is set forth in Eph. 6:10-18. There are seven pieces of armour: (1) Loins girt about with truth, (2) The breastplate of righteousness, (3) Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, (4) The shield of faith, (5) The helmet of salvation, (6) The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, and (7) Praying in the Spirit. Pay special attention to the "helmet of salvation” for the guarding of your thought life. Most demons seeking to re-enter assail the thoughts. Become watchful of any thoughts that could be considered negative; they are from the enemy. Separate their thoughts from your own. Refuse the thoughts they give you and replace them with positive spiritual thoughts. (See Phil. 4:8). Resist the devil at the first sign of his attack.

2. Confess Positively Negative confessions characterize demonic influence. Positive confession is faith expressed. Confess what God’s Word says. Any other confession will open the door for the enemy.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain,

Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he SAITH. Mark 11:23

3. Stay in the Scripture Jesus withstood Satan’s temptation by using scripture. The Word is a mirror to the soul (James 1:22-25); it is a lamp unto the feet for guidance (Psalm 119:105); it is a cleansing agent (Eph. 5:25,26); it is a two-edged sword, laying bare the heart (Heb. 4:12); it is food for the spirit (I Pet. 2:2; Matt. 4:4). No person can long maintain deliverance apart from the Word of God as a primary factor in his life.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

4. Crucify the Flesh. Take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. (Luke 9:23). Break old habit patterns set up in league with evil spirits. If fleshly appetites, desires and lusts are not brought to the cross, a way for demons to return will be left open. (Gal. 5:19-21,24)

5. Develop a Life of Continuous Praise and Prayer. Praise silences the enemy. Praise is not an attitude of heart; praise is the expression unto God of thankfulness, adoration and joy by speaking, singing, shouting, dancing, leaping, playing musical instruments, clapping the hands, etc. Pray in the Spirit (in tongues) and also in the understanding (I Cor. 14:14). “Pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17).

6. Maintain a Life of Fellowship and Spiritual Ministry It is the sheep that wanders from the flock that is most endangered. Find and fulfill your function within the body of Christ. Desire spiritual gifts and yield to their operation through you within the body of Christ. (See: I Cor. 12:7-14). Keep yourself under authority.

7. Commit Yourself Totally to Christ. Determine that every thought, word and action will reflect the very nature of Christ. Abide in Christ that the fruit of the Spirit might come forth in abundance. Demon spirits are enemies of the fruit of the Spirit. Faith and trust in God is the greatest weapon against the devil’s lies.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph. 6:16

NOTE: Doing these seven things will insure that your “house” (life) is filled after having been cleansed. No demon will be able to return much less bring any others in with him. If a spirit should trick you and regain entrance, see that he is cast out as soon as possible, either by yourself or with the help of other believers. If other areas of demonic activity in your life are subsequently brought to light, seek deliverance, Jesus has made possible complete deliverance. Walk in daily deliverance. Do not settle for anything less!

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more (certain), now that we are reconciled that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His (resurrection) life. Romans 5:10, Amplified.

Chapter 9

Filling The House

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” Matt. 12:43-45

Here we are told in plain language that it is possible for a demon cast out to return, and not only so, but even to bring other and more wicked spirits in with him. The implication is clear. If the “house” is left empty, swept and garnished, it is an open invitation for worse trouble. The house must be filled.

This same account is found in Luke 11:24-26. Let us examine the contexts of these two passages. In Luke’s account Jesus cast out a spirit of dumbness from a man and he was able to speak. Some expressed the belief that Jesus did this by the power of Beelzebub, the chief of the devils. Jesus explained that if this were true, then Satan’s kingdom was divided against itself and therefore could not stand. Then He added, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”

Jesus was addressing a Jewish audience who had developed a religion of negatives. They had taken a lot of things out of their lives, but what had they put in the place of them? Now, they were rejecting the positive that Jesus offered to give them. To emphasize this point Jesus used an illustration that they would understand. If they did not put something positive in their lives after eliminating so many negative things, they would be like a man delivered of demons who did not put anything positive in his life. They would end up in worse condition than they were when they started.

The context in Matthew is even clearer. Jesus had just been condemned for plucking corn on the sabbath. He also healed a man’s withered hand on the sabbath. Again the Pharisees accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub. Jesus showed that their words evidenced an evil heart. They had already seen enough to change their lives, but they had not changed. Unless they changed they would grow worse and worse - like a man cleansed of demons who did not fill his house with something of God.

Jesus is saying that there comes a time when we had better put some positive things in our lives. There must always be a balance between positive and negative factors. After the flesh is crucified and the demons are cast out, we must put in Jesus and let Him rule our lives. In fact, the reason for getting rid of demons is in order to be able to have more of Jesus!

With what do we fill the house? JESUS!

To be filled with Jesus is to be filled with PURITY and POWER. These two words summarize His person. As we shall see, our purity comes through abiding in Christ and the resultant FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, whereas our power comes through the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the resultant GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.

It desperately needs to be understood that this filling of the house does not result from a little routine prayer tacked on to the end of a deliverance ministry. I have cringed more than once when I heard persons say at the conclusion of a ministry, “Now, Lord, fill up all the empty places.” I have seen many persons lose their deliverance because they did not know how to fill their houses, or with what to fill them.

For each demon that is cast out, the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit must replace it. This is the express responsibility of the delivered person. The deliverance minister should stress the fact that each person is responsible for filling his own house.

Filling the House with the Spirit’s Power

One of the last things that Jesus said before he ascended into heaven was, “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” Acts 1:5). We find the fulfillment of this promise in the second chapter of Acts. It is the account of Pentecost:

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4

What was the purpose of this baptism in the Holy Ghost? Jesus explained that it would be an endowment with power (See Acts 1:8). After the baptism came at Pentecost, how was the power manifested? This is an interesting subject which we cannot fully study here, but it may be observed that the power of the Holy Spirit working through the disciples was manifested through the nine supernatural gifts of the Spirit. These gifts are enumerated in I Cor. 12:7-11. They are: (1) The Word of wisdom, (2) The Word of knowledge, (3) Faith, (4) Gifts of healing, (5) Working of miracles, (6) Prophecy, (7) Discerning of spirits, (8) Kinds of tongues and (9) Interpretation of tongues.

The entire book of Acts shows how the power of the Holy Spirit operated through these gifts of the Spirit. Through Peter and John a gift of healing was ministered to the lame man (Ch. 3); words of wisdom and knowledge came to Ananias for ministry to Saul (Ch. 9); Paul dealt with the demon of divination in a damsel harassing his ministry, through discerning the spirit (Ch. 16); Peter spoke the word of faith to Ananias and Sapphira and they fell dead (Ch. 5); through Peter a miracle of resurrection brought Dorcas back to life (Ch. 9); while Peter preached in the home of Cornelius there were tongues and interpretation (Ch. 10); and through a disciple named Agabus the church was blessed through prophecy (Ch. 11).

Demons despise these gifts of the Holy Spirit and cause men to despise them. Why? Because the operation of these supernatural gifts of power counter the work of demons. Their presence and wiles are exposed by the discerning of spirits and the word of knowledge. Their evil is undone by the word of wisdom, faith, gifts of healing and miracles.

Their plans bring harm are thwarted by a (timely word of prophecy or by tongues with interpretation. No wonder demons so strongly oppose these gifts!

These nine gifts were also given to the church for its edification. Satan is the enemy of the church and sets himself against that which is designed to build up the Body of Christ. He makes strong thrusts at the gifts, and especially at tongues which has a special purpose in the edification of the individual believer. (See I Cor. 14:4)

If the person experiencing deliverance has not been baptized in the Holy Spirit he should be encouraged to receive this baptism and to desire the spiritual gifts. We have seen many persons receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit as the climax of a ministry of deliverance. The empowering of the Holy Spirit is important in retaining one’s deliverance.

Those who already have the baptism in the Holy Spirit should be encouraged to “covet earnestly the best gifts” (I Cor. 12:31), and the best gift is the one that will minister to the needs of others in any given situation. It is quite common that hindrances to the gifts are removed through deliverance. There are specialist demons who seek to block the operation of spiritual gifts. After deliverance the house should be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Filling the House with the Spirit’s Fruit

The fruit of the Spirit is enumerated in Galatians 5:22,23. It is: (1) Love, (2) Joy, (3) Peace, (4) Long-suffering, (5) Gentleness, (6) Goodness, (7) Faith, (8) Meekness and (9) Temperance. The nine fruit represent the very nature of Jesus. When the fruit of the Holy Spirit is produced in a believer’s life, he becomes identified with Jesus in character.

Demons are exactly opposite in character to Jesus. They enter a person in order to project their own evil nature through that person. So, what we are after through deliverance is to cast out the demons and their influence in order to replace them with Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit. Unless one understands this and makes it a definite goal, whatever benefits are gained through deliverance will eventually be lost.

Thus, to gain permanent benefit from deliverance, the “house” must be filled and kept filled. Otherwise the evil spirits will return and may return in greater force than before.

Before we go any further we need to get a clear understanding of how the fruit of the Spirit is produced. The answer is found in the parable of The Vine and the Branches:

“The branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:4

Note: The fruit is not produced by independent action or by self effort. It only comes by abiding in the Vine! So the KEY WORD is “abide”. To abide in the Vine means to stay connected to Jesus so that the life of Christ will flow into the branch and the fruit will result. How does one abide? The answer is in verse ten: “IF YE KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YE SHALL ABIDE...” Abiding is synonymous with keeping the Lord’s commandments. And what shall we have by obedience-abiding? Read on! “MY LOVE... MY JOY” - the first of the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

When we obey we have fellowship with the Lord and we obtain His love, His joy and His peace. When we disobey, fellowship with God is broken, and Satan has gained a way of entrance. Let us learn from the example of Jesus. What was Jesus talking about in the context just prior to the parable of the vine and branches?

The prince of this world (Satan) cometh, AND HATH NOTHING IN ME... AND AS THE FATHER GAVE ME COMMANDMENT, EVEN SO I DO. John 14:30,31

Here Jesus explained that the devil had nothing in Him. It was because he was completely obedient to the Father. He never said a word nor performed an act outside the Father’s will. This is why Jesus could declare...

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. John 15: 10

Mr. A had experienced a nervous breakdown some twelve years earlier. He had remained handicapped emotionally even after extensive treatment and hospital care. Finally he heard about the deliverance ministry. Demons responsible for his emotional problems were cast out. He also received a healing of the brain so that things blocked out of his memory through electric shock treatments began to come back. With the return of memory he recalled the name of an orderly in the psychiatric hospital who had done him a serious injustice. He found himself filled with great bitterness and hatred towards that man. He began to entertain thoughts of trying to find the man after all those years and kill him.

At this point Mr. A came to me for further deliverance. It was explained that he must repent of his hatred and forgive that person by an act of his will. It was also shown him that according to Matt. 18:32-35 he could not be delivered from the “tormentors” until he had willed to forgive that man. He would not answer my appeal. For at least five minutes he sat in silence trying to decide whether to keep his hatred or meet God's requirement for deliverance. It took all the strength he could muster but finally he said, “With the help of Jesus I forgive that man.” By this act of his will he paved the way for deliverance.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt. 6:14,15

I have known few others who gained as much through deliverance as this man. When the demons of bitterness, hate, resentment, anger, violence and murder were cast out he immediately replaced them with the love of Jesus - the love that forgives an enemy. Immediately this man’s spiritual life began to blossom. The rivers of living water began to flow out of him and he began to minister truth and life to those about him. His soul was flooded with the peace and joy of the Lord. He had obeyed God’s command to forgive his enemy and had received the fruit of that obedience. Hate was replaced by love.

The Fruit of Joy

J.P. had many problems for a five year-old. His parents had come to the point of separation and divorce. There had been much tension and turmoil in the home from the time of his birth. His mother related to us that J.P. had many fears and constantly clung to her for security. It was obvious that he was very nervous and restless. All in all, he was a rather unhappy child. But his mother had brought him for deliverance ministry. While we ministered to an older brother and sister, he crawled around on his hands and knees wanting to know when it would be his turn. In his childish way he seemed to sense the importance of what was about to take place. He was serious and impatient.

When the first demons were addressed in J.P., the evil spirits pressed his lips together in defiance - a gesture that unmistakably meant, “We don't intend to come out.” But in the name of Jesus they were forced to yield. They came up with much foaming from the mouth and spitting. The battle was not a difficult one but it lasted thirty minutes. J.P. came through grinning and announced, “I’ve got to find a mirror. I feel so good I must look different!” And he did! His face was radiant. With the demons gone, the joy could now come forth.

There are many persons, young and old, like J.P. who are sad. Life has become a burden; there is no victory and no hope of it. How promising to those without joy are the words of Isaiah describing the ministry of Christ and His church:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;”

“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.” Isa. 61:1-3

The Fruit Called Peace

Mrs. B was delivered of a torment spirit. She had been opened up to it by a great fear. The Word says, “Fear hath torment" (I John 4:18). She described how at certain times a frenzied agitation would come over her and completely overpower her. She could not act or think in her usual sober and stable way When in one of these agitated states she would often say, “Why am I acting like this? This isn’t like me.” When the pressure of circumstances which had caused the spirit of torment to activate were lessened, she began to see that a spirit was creating crises in her mind which did not exist in reality.

Each time, after the spirit had vented itself, she felt an ill churning and burning inside, and condemnation. The Word says, “As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18). This torment spirit caused peace to be disrupted, not only in herself but in her family.

After this spirit and several of its companions were cast out, she was engulfed by great peace. The following day she continued to speak of the peace in her inner self. However, the spirit kept making attempts to create fear crises in her mind that would open her up for its return. Twice it succeeded in getting back in, and had to be cast out. She soon caught on to the demon’s tricks, and closed the door with faith and trust in God. She now has total freedom. This has freed her to be a channel for the fruit of the Spirit of peace to flow through her to others.

Chapter 10

Demon Manifestations

When demons are confronted and pressured through spiritual warfare they will sometimes demonstrate their particular natures through the person in a variety of ways. These evil spirits are creatures of darkness. They cannot bear to be brought into the light. When their presence and tactics are exposed they may become excited and frenzied. The manifestations which can come forth seem to be endless. We will have to limit ourselves to a few examples.

Satan and his demons are identified with serpents. “I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions” (Luke 10:19). “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). It is not surprising that serpentine manifestations are sometimes witnessed. These may be in the tongue. They will cause the person to stick out the tongue or cause the tongue to go in and out very rapidly - exactly like a snake’s tongue. The eyes may take on the characteristic of snake’s eyes. (Most of the time the person being delivered will keep his eyes closed. The demons seem to know that the eyes of a person reveal their presence in a more readily observable way than any other.)

Another manifestation of the serpent is through the nose. The person is caused to blow air through the nostrils making a hissing sound. On a few occasions I have witnessed the person thrown to the floor by the power of the indwelling spirits and his body writhe like that of a serpent.

A rather common manifestation occurs in the hands. The hands may become numb or tingle. Sometimes the lingers become extended and rigid. Demons that manifest themselves in these ways through the hands are usually demons of lust, suicide or murder. Other types of evil spirits, especially those associated with wrong use of the hands, may also manifest themselves in this way. Sometimes it is helpful for the person to shake the hands vigorously in order to dislodge the spirits.

Arthritic spirits often manifest themselves in the hands. The hands will become very stiff and the fingers gnarled. This may happen in the hands of teenagers and young persons who as yet have had no visible indications of arthritis, yet the demon of arthritis is already at work on a long range plan. When the demon of arthritis is challenged the hands can take on the appearance of a person who has had arthritis for years and is crippled by it. The demon may also manifest itself by pain and twisting of the body. Many such ailments are aborted through deliverance ministry when the discerning of spirits draws out infirmities and diseases which have not even become evident.

A very awesome manifestation is that of the death spirit. I have found the death spirit present in cases where persons have been close to the point of death through severe sickness, serious operations or attempted suicide. One man who had a spirit of death had once been pronounced officially dead from drowning but had been brought back to life through a doctor’s timely action. When the death spirit manifests itself the eye lids are open and the eye balls roll up into the head. The skin of the person takes on a waxen pallor of death.

A young woman about twenty five years of age came for ministry. She was a very gentle person and had a passive nature. Several demons had been cast out of her and then we were sitting quietly to see how the Holy Spirit would lead. Suddenly her countenance changed dramatically as the next demon surfaced. There is no way to describe the manifestation which came forth - especially through her eyes. Without turning her head her eyes moved to stare at each person in the room. My wife and I were seated on a divan directly in front of her. Three other members of our deliverance team were present along with the woman’s pastor and his wife. I had witnessed many demon manifestations, but this one was different. It gave one the feeling that he was face to face with a ferocious animal and was about to be devoured by it. This manifestation immediately gave way to the manifestation of the spirit of death. Fortunately I had experienced this manifestation before and knew exactly what to do. Others in the room had not witnessed it before and thought surely the woman was actually dead. The demon came out and the young woman was all right.

Odors are another facet of demon manifestation. I recall one time when we were conducting a ministry in a parsonage. The house was filled with an unpleasant odor. It reminded me of cabbage cooking, which to me is an unpleasant odor. Someone even went into the kitchen to see if something was on the stove.

On another occasion I was casting a demon of cancer out of a woman. When the demon came out it was accompanied with a distinct odor with which I was very familiar. It was the same peculiar odor which one encounters in a cancer hospital. I recognized this odor from having pastored in Houston, Texas, where I often visited patients in a large cancer hospital.

Demons may cry out with loud voices. (See Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:23; Luke 4:41; Acts 8:7). We were engaged in a deliverance when a seventeen year old girl came forward. She remarked that she had been involved in witchcraft. I had her take a seat directly in front of me. I opened my Bible and began to read from Deut. 18:9-15, which declares that witchcraft and similar practices are an abomination to the Lord. As I was reading verse 15 which says that God will raise up a Prophet (Jesus) and “unto him ye shall hearken”, a piercing demonic scream came forth from the girl. I looked up quickly to see her hands like claws coming at my Bible, Before I could react, her long fingernails tore through the page of my Bible on the very verse I was reading! We began to command the demons of witchcraft and related spirits to go in the name of Jesus, and she was soon set free from their oppression.

The spirit of pride may manifest itself in several ways. It may cause the person to sit or stand very erect and fold the arms across the chest. It may cause him to tilt the head back with the nose very high in the air. A young minister confided in me that he talked too much. He could not keep from butting in on others’ conversation. He could not discipline himself to let others speak. He felt that what he had to say was so much more important than what others might contribute to a discussion in conversation. The spirit was commanded to name itself. It identified itself as a spirit of importance. The man was seated in a folding steel chair. The spirit caused him to put his nose straight in the air and to lean in his chair backwards. It was necessary for me to hold the man in the chair to keep him from turning it over. The spirit of pride or importance will make a person “think more highly of himself than he ought to think’’

Evil spirits sometimes reveal their presence and nature by pantomiming. During a pre-ministry interview a young minister disclosed that he had been obsessed with worldly dancing and that he would “rather dance than eat”. When the demon of worldly dancing was called out, the man began a rhythmic pantomime. His body began to sway rhythmically, his hands moved back and forth in a clapping motion, and his mouth was moving as though singing although no sound was coming forth. The demon then spoke and said, “I’m singing “Power in the Blood”. The man then picked up a wet bath cloth which we had been using to wipe his face (the previous demons had been coming out with vomiting) and he began to twirl the cloth around and around in cadence. Finally he let the cloth go ... it hit the ceiling and fell to the floor, whereupon the demon laughed fiendishly.

On other occasions we have seen rhythmic and dancing spirits manifest themselves through motions of the body, especially in the swaying of the hips. One young woman whose body vibrated from the manifestation of the rhythmic spirit, disclosed afterward that she had been a professional dancer and worked for a while as a “Go-Go” dancing girl. This spirit proved to be the ruling spirit within her. The devil has his counterfeit and perversion for all that is good and right.

An interesting manifestation came forth when we were ministering to a mother who had a twelve year old son. The son had a crippled arm and hand which she told us had resulted from brain damage at birth. The boy’s wrist was bent and his hand withered and useless. The mother had a tormenting spirit which vexed her continuously over the condition of her son. It would not let her rest but kept her mind concentrated on the son’s condition. When this tormenting spirit was commanded to leave it caused the mother’s arm and hand to assume the exact appearance of her son’s arm and hand!

Pain is a very common manifestation. Many, many times when persons have made appointments for ministry ahead of time, they will report that they acquired a very severe headache, although they are not normally given to headaches. During ministry the demons will often cause headaches or severe pains in various parts of the body. Spirits of nervousness and tension may cause pain in the back or neck. Usually the deliverance minister will lay hands on the area of pain and command the demon to release, whereupon the demon is cast out and the pain is instantly alleviated.

Other manifestations that may be witnessed during deliverance ministry include cramps in the legs and arms, nausea, crying and laughing. The laughing is often a mockery spirit trying to make light of the ministry. A novice might think that the person receiving ministry is lacking in seriousness, but the l laughter is entirely separated from the person's own feelings.

I would estimate that demons speak through one out of twelve persons that we minister to. The average would be higher if we encouraged their speaking. They do not show much variety in what they say. They speak defiantly that they do not intend to leave. They may contend that the person wants them there or threaten to come back if they are cast out. At times they plead not to be cast out, seeking sympathy over what they will do and what will happen to them. It is obvious that demons are tormented by hearing of the blood of Jesus and of the everlasting fate that is just ahead of them. Indwelling demons show a very definite fear of their superiors in the demon ranks. Their talk is sometimes designed to confuse the deliverance minister or to level accusations against him to cause him to fear. For example a demon may say, “I know something about you. Do you want me to tell it right here in front of the others?” But these are only threats and accusations and they never follow through on their threats. Overall, the talking done by demons seems to be a delaying tactic and a possible way of escaping being cast out.

When demon spirits are cast out they normally leave through the mouth or nose. Spirits are associated with breathing. Both the Hebrews and Greeks had only one word for spirit or breath. The Greek word is pneuma. The Holy Spirit is associated with breath also. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples and “he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost (pneuma)" John 20:22.

Many Christian hymnals contain the hymns "Breathe On Me: Breath of God" and "Holy Spirit, Breathe On Me". This gives us the idea that we are to breathe in the Holy Spirit and to breathe out the evil spirits.

When evil spirits depart we normally expect some sort of manifestation through the mouth or nose. Undoubtedly the most common manifestation is coughing. The cough may be dry but is often accompanied by the bringing up of phlegm. Phlegm may be brought up in excessive amounts.

Similar material may be brought up through vomiting, drooling, spitting or foaming. Persons who receive ministry immediately following a big meal, have been observed to gag and retch violently and throw up large

amounts of mucus without any traces of food. Rarely have we seen food substances brought up from the stomach. Infrequently small amounts of blood may appear. It is not unusual for this material to flow out of a person for an hour or longer.

Other manifestations through the mouth include crying, screaming, sighing, roaring, belching and yawning. Air may be blown through the nose or the person will blow his nose continuously for awhile as though he were having a severe sinus drainage. These various manifestations can vary widely in intensity from something very mild to something quite

dramatic. The degree of manifestation is not indicative of the effectiveness of the deliverance. Persons who yawn or sigh out their demons, are just as delivered as those who have the more violent manifestations.

Chapter 11

Deliverance:

Individual And Group

Private And Public

The ministry of deliverance belongs to the church. It should go right along with preaching, teaching, and healing. In the Great Commission as recorded in Matthew we read …

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: and, 10, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matt. 28:18-20

The casting out of demons is a vital part of that which Jesus commanded his disciples. In Mark's account of the commission he quotes Jesus as saying, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..." Notice the plural pronouns "them" and "they". This suggests that it is a ministry of the church rather than of the individual. Today the Holy Spirit is bringing forth a crash ministry of deliverance in the church because it has been so long neglected and the church must have it to be prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Deliverance CAN take place as part of a regular church service. Jesus did not shrink back from casting out demons publicly and in the place of worship and teaching.

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught ... And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out ... And Jesus rebuked him saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. Mark 1:21,23,25

I have been in services like that. The very presence of those who were moving in the power of God over demon spirits caused the spirits to react and cry out or speak out. It would depend upon the point interruption in the service as to what course was taken. Sometimes spirits were told to be quiet until the message was finished.

The demon would thus be bound until time to cast them out. Again, the situation might lend itself to immediate deliverance. This happened once in a service where I was ministering. At the very end of my message demon spirits took over a man and his wife. They were Christians but had not known the baptism in the Holy Spirit. They had come to the service with the intention of mocking and making fun the "Pentecostals". But during the service they came under conviction.

The message emphasized the power in the blood of Jesus. The woman began to shake violently. When those nearby started to pray for her the demons began to scream through her. When the husband moved to see what he could do to help, the demons in him began to scream shake him. The congregation continued to sing praise songs and let us ministered to the man and his wife in the aisle of the church, until they were free from the demonic seizure. Then both of them were prayed for to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and in a few moments they were speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Both delivered from demons of alcohol and nicotine as well as many other.

They have continued in their Spirit-filled life with great zeal and joy. Up to this point in my own ministry, most of the deliverance been on the basis of a private conference-type ministry. Our deliverance team will go into a church or community. There will be several teaching sessions on demonology and deliverance. The people are encouraged to make appointments for ministry. We will set up appointments much like

a doctor's office. About two hours are scheduled for each person. We strongly encourage ministry for families with both parents and children of all ages participating. About thirty to forty-five minutes of the time is given to a conference and the remainder to the process of deliverance.

This approach to deliverance has proved to have some strong points in its favor. For one thing, the conference discussion brings to light the times and ways that demons were able to gain entrance into the person's

life. The person is able to learn how the various demons operate. This understanding is a big help in their being able to close the doors to the demons after they have been cast out so that they will not be able to regain entrance. Of course the demons are listening to the conversation and realize that their presence is being disclosed and their ways of evil work are being brought to light. This serves to stir up the spirits and by the time you are ready for ministry the demons are usually on the surface and come out more readily. The conference-type ministry has the disadvantage of being time-consuming, but it has the advantage of being more thorough than the public and group deliverance. The heart of Jesus cries out for more workers. In the context of Matt. 10 Jesus is engaged in His ministry of teaching, preaching, healing and CASTING OUT DEMONS.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; PRAY YE THEREFORE THE LORD OF THE HARVEST, THAT HE WILL SEND FORTH LABOURERS INTO HIS HARVEST. Matt. 9:36-38

GROUP MINISTRY

Group ministry involves the casting out of demons from more than one person at a time. The group can vary in size from two to a multitude.

That this can be done has been demonstrated many times by persons moving in deliverance ministry. The deliverance minister will command the demons to go in the name of Jesus. And the demons will begin to

come out. In large groups of a hundred or more, unless there are enough personal workers knowledgeable enough to give adequate help to each individual, some may not receive the ministry they need. In the group

ministry there are some who receive a very adequate deliverance, others may not get as much as they need and some may not get any.

Group ministry can be effective with children. I had the experience of ministering to a group of children, ages seven through twelve. We began by calling for spirits that are common to practically every boy and girl,

e.g. fear, selfishness, resentment and anger. After a list of common spirits had been covered and commanded out, individual children with particular problems were dealt with more specifically. The parents and pastor of

the children were present and assisted with the individual ministries. Two children also received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and one gained liberty in tongues. More has been said about ministry to children in a separate chapter.

It is inconceivable that Jesus ministered to each person individually. He was swarmed by multitudes of persons wanting healing and deliverance everywhere He went. He and the twelve could not have personally ministered to each individual, yet the record makes it clear that he ministered to "all" who came. In Peter's sermon to the household of Cornelius he tells us:

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil. Acts 10:38

Private Or Public Ministry?

Sometimes we are made to feel that we have to make a decision between two things. Do we really have to choose between public or private deliverance? It is evident that the Holy Spirit has directed in both.

Let each believer do it the way the Lord shows him.

Private ministry is important if not essential in some cases. We are finding that most Christians have some dark pages in their lives. There are things which have never been confessed to anyone. Demons thrive

on the hidden and unconfessed sins. They bring guilt and unworthiness to hinder the spiritual growth and witness of the believer. Most persons feel quite comfortable in confessing these things to the deliverance counselor. It is made clear to them that the digging into the past is for the purpose of revealing the doors through which demons entered in order that those doors might be closed forever.

Some individuals require more teaching and encouragement than others in being able to retain their deliverance. Some grasp quickly the techniques of spiritual warfare while others are slow to learn. Some are more vulnerable to attack through other persons in their lives, especially in the home. The minister feels the importance of each case and wants to be at his very best under God, that the person ministered unto will be

able to continue in his deliverance in victory.

Chapter 12

Self-Deliverance

The question is often asked of me, "Can a person deliver himself of demons?" My answer is "Yes", and it is my conviction that a person cannot really keep himself free of demons until he is walking in this dimension of deliverance.

How is it that a person can deliver himself? As a believer (and that is our assumption) he has the same authority as the believer that is moving in deliverance ministry. He has the authority of the name of Jesus!

And Jesus plainly promised them that believe: "In my name shall they cast out devils." (Mark 16:17)

Usually a person needs only to learn how to go about self-deliverance. After a person has experienced an initial deliverance at the hands of an experienced minister he can begin to practice self-deliverance.

He must keep in mind that deliverance is a process. It would be nice if a person could get all indwelling demons out of himself and then forget about them for the rest of his life. But how many of us can keep

ourselves completely free?

If we never sinned in thought, word, or deed, there would never have any need for deliverance. Sin opens the door for demons to enter. This is not to say that each time a person commits a sin a demon enters. Yet, sin is a way by which the door is opened and sometimes it does not take much of an opening.

The biggest problem facing the self-deliveree is that of accurately discerning the spirits. Most persons are prone to confuse demon activities in their lives as merely expressions of human personality. It

is not uncommon for a person to react to the discernment of a certain spirit with, "Oh, I thought that was just me." There are those who want to follow the do-it-yourself route so no one will know about hidden

sins in their lives. This is not a good motive with which to begin self-deliverance.

The Word teaches us that there is a place for confession:

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16

A few cases have come to light where a strong deceiving spirit controls a person to the point he cannot see anything wrong in self. In such cases the person is unable to receive true discernment about himself. I recall one woman who came on the pretense of wanting deliverance. Her true motive soon came to light. She had come to propagate a false doctrine

in which she was caught up. Then she told me that she had "the gift of opening her Bible" to answer questions for herself and others. Before she had come that day she had opened her Bible and placed her finger down at random and she received this message: "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole." She had interpreted this to mean that she had no need for deliverance. During our conference she had revealed that she had lived with a fortune teller for some time during the formative years of her life. The influence of this association had opened her for a "spirit of divination" which operated through her practice of opening the

Bible for answers. There have been times when a Christian has received a word from the Lord in this fashion, but when one depends upon this as a primary way of hearing from God he is treading on thin ice.

One does not need to go around thinking demons all of the time. We are to keep our minds on Jesus and things that are true, honest, pure, lovely and of good report. Yet, when there comes a troubling that is from the evil one we should not hesitate to recognize it for what it is and to deal with it in the authority which our Lord has vested in us. The objective in dealing with the devil is to remove the hindrances to our spiritual fellowship and ministry.

Self-deliverance is experienced in the same way that occurs when a person is ministered to by another. The only difference is that the person delivered in his own minster. He will, by prayer, make his confession to God that he wants no part of the devil and desires the Lord to set him free. The demons will be addressed and called by name, one by one.

After he has commanded several times for a specific demon to go in the name of Jesus, he will begin to expel his breath forcefully a few times or to initiate a cough from as deep as possible.

Since the manifestations vary from person to person no simple explanation can be given as to what to expect. As in other deliverances, This display that accompanies the departure of the demon spirits can vary widely. In my own experience, as soon as I would address the demon I would feel a pressure in my throat followed by coughing and bringing up of phlegm. There would then be a perceptible release that the thing was out. Some individuals are able to accomplish this with greater confidence and aggressiveness than others.

Chapter 13

Intercessory Prayer Warfare

What can be done in behalf of others who are in obvious need of deliverance, but who are not open to receive it? This is a frequently asked question.

The first point of consideration is the person's spiritual condition. II as he or she been born again? Is he or she backslidden? We must remember that salvation is the most basic form of deliverance; it is the deliverance of a man's spirit. The Greek word for "salvation" is soteria,

which denotes deliverance. Thus, the salvation of man's spirit is the first stage of deliverance, and it is the basis for all future deliverances.

Before salvation comes into a person's life, that person is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2: 1). In what sense is he dead? We know he is not physically dead because he is still breathing and moving. We know his soul

(personality) is not dead because he is still thinking, feeling and making decisions. Rather, it is his spirit that is dead. He has no comprehension of it, nor interest in, the Holy Spirit. It takes the quickening power of the Holy Spirit to resurrect a man's spirit, and he needs to be "born again"to a new life (John 3:3). This comes about by the grace of God through faith (Eph. 2:8). That faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). So the priority, first and foremost, is to lead a person to a relationship with Jesus Christ. If this is not possible, and the person is unwilling to accept Christ as Savior, then those who bear the burden of the Lord for that person's spiritual welfare should give themselves to intercessory prayer and stand in the gap.

The lost soul is blinded by satanic power. We should thus pray that the spiritual blindness be removed.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the God of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,

should shine unto them." 2 Cor. 4:3-4

As the gospel is presented to such a person, pray that the same God who commanded light to shine out of darkness will shine into his or her heart, and that Jesus the Savior will be revealed to him. Paul affirms that

this is how he became saved. It is how anyone becomes saved - by the sovereign grace of God.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor. 4:6

Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory Prayer is a powerful tool in the hand of the believer. It can be a necessary tool for both saved and unsaved person alike. Anyone who is closed to the Lord's provision of salvation (or deliverance) is held by

spiritual blindness. And whatever excuse is offered for rejecting salvation (or deliverance) represents some form of deception.

Intercessory Prayer can be used to break through these demonic barriers. Too often Satan the deceiver, is having his way in a person's life precisely because no on has interceded for them, and that person is held in needless bondage.

Jesus taught us to intercede for one another that we might be delivered from the snares of the Devil. He taught us to pray: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Literally, this means "deliver us

from the evil one." Thus all believers are in need of deliverance from the attacks of the enemy, to varying degrees. Notice the pronoun "us" in the Lord's prayer. This suggests we should include others in our cry for deliverance.

Spiritual Warfare

In Paul's mighty exhortation on the Christian's spiritual armor he emphasizes the importance of intercessory warfare prayer in behalf of other believers.

Intercessory prayer is both a defensive and an offensive weapon against the wiles or strategies of the Devil.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Eph. 6:18

Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads us to enter into direct spiritual warfare in behalf of those who are not directly open to ministry. The person's will may be so overridden by demonic forces that he is unable

to respond to available help. No amount of reasoning or persuasion will cause that person to be open to ministry. His will is dominated by the enemy.

Remember, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high (heavenly) places." Eph.6:12

The powers that control the bound person are headquartered in the heavenlies where "the prince of the power of the air" is enthroned. Jesus has given His church the power to bind Satan (see Chapter 15).We must carry the battle right up to the gates of hell and overthrow the strategy that Satan has launched against Him.

" ...Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: And whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matt. 16:18-19

The parents of a twenty-four year old daughter requested us to intercede for her. She had accepted Christ years previously and had attended a Bible college, but at that time had backslidden. She was living

with a man whom she was not married and was also involved in spiritism. She refused all offers of help from her parents.

Together with the parents, Ida Mae and I bound the controlling demons and commanded the spirits in her to release her that she might receive direct ministry. The girl was many miles away from us, but we were operating in the spirit realm where distance is no barrier.

A few days later the girl did a "complete turnabout." She called her parents for help, left her place of sin and agreed to stay in our home to receive deliverance and counsel. Within a few weeks she was restored

and became actively involved in helping us to set other captives free. All of this was the result of spiritual warfare in the heavenlies.

We asked the young woman what she experienced at the exact time that we and her parents were taking authority over the demons that controlled her. She related to us that at that moment her mind became

clear! Prior to that, she could not see any way out of her problems. When the oppression lifted she instantly recognized that her parents loved her and would gladly come to help her. She then made the decision to

cooperate with the spiritual counsel and ministry being offered to her.

One word of caution! We must realize that we cannot control another person's will. Trying to control another person's will is opposite to the goal of deliverance and spiritual warfare, and is tantamount to witchcraft. (This is different from a parent setting limitations on a child or teen's schedule to curb behavior or to protect them - see Chapter 14).

Instead, spiritual warfare has as its goal the releasing of a person's will in order that he can respond directly to the Lord and receive the help God has for him. There is a freedom that often comes into someone's life through intercessory prayer.

In a case where a person is in bondage to sin and to Satan by an ongoing decision of his own will, then he has chosen that path. Binding the Devil in this situation may not cause him to turn. However, binding the work of the enemy in that life provides an atmosphere for change, and the best chance for that person to choose Christ and His Kingdom.

Another note of Warning! There have been some foolish and dangerous things practiced in the name of intercessory prayer warfare, We have known of situations where the intercessor agreed to taking into himself the demons indwelling another person. This is done in the belief that the demons in the unwilling subject for deliverance will leave that person, enter the intercessor and then be be “more easily” expelled from the intercessor.

Satan is ready to play this game! Nowhere in God's word is it even hinted that we should receive demons into ourselves at any time for any reason. Consenting to be demonized opens one up to an influx of evil spirits with no guarantee from Satan that the demons will in turn depart from someone else. The arch deceiver has won again!

We spent the better part of a day delivering a person from hundreds of spirits which had entered and remained in her through her foolish involvement in "accepting someone else's demons." She had even accepted demons by "sitting in" the place of persons who were available for direct ministry. Again, I emphasize that there is no scriptural basis for such ministry.

The Weapon Of Love

In helping one who refuses direct ministry, do not forget the weapon of love. Buried deep within that person lies the need to be loved. You can be sure that he or she has somehow been hurt and rejected.

The ministry of love distinguishes between the person's true self and the indwelling demons, even if those demons manifest hatred, rebellion, suspicion and more. Such discerning love enables those close to the person to love unconditionally and not get blown away by the storms that are generated by his or her unstable personality. Even when that person does not recognize or respond to offered love, we can be assured that it is a spiritual wrestling technique that puts intolerable pressure on the powers of darkness.

Evil spirits are equated with breath and air. The Greek word for spirit (pneuma) in fact means breath or air. Just as carbon monoxide is deadly to our breath so is love to an evil spirit. He cannot exist and work when

surrounded by love. Our agape love forges a weapon that breaks down the demonic, anti-love powers in the lives of others. This is why Jesus taught us to love our enemies. It heaps coals of fire upon their heads. That is, it purifies their minds.

The very people most needful of deliverance are often the most difficult to love. They may turn on us and offended us when we offer compassion and love. But we are commanded to love even those who seem least worthy of love. (See Matt. 5:43-48) In fact, this is exactly the way God delivered us. He loved us even though we were altogether unlovely (See Rom. 5:8). His love broke down our barriers, and His love has the power to break down every spiritual wall. Love is a powerful weapon in the hands of a skilled spiritual warrior.

Praying The Scripture

We must be led of the Holy Spirit in our intercessory prayer warfare. The Holy Spirit will lead the prayer warrior to specific Scriptures. Use these scriptures quickened to you to guide you in prayer. You will be

using "the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God."

For example, in praying for a husband who is not following the Lord, a wife could be led to pray this Paul-type prayer. She could personalize the prayer thusly:

"I do not cease to pray for my husband, Bill, and to desire that Bill might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That Bill might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to Christ's glorious power,

unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." Col. 1:9-11

Let The Spirit Lead

We have set forth some spiritual principles to follow in intercessory prayer warfare, but each situation is, in its own sense, unique. The Holy Spirit knows all the facts and circumstances. He will tailor-make the right course of action for you to follow; The battle for others is a spiritual battle. It cannot be won in the flesh. Its strategy cannot be plotted by human ingenuity. Let the Spirit lead.

Chapter 14

Ministry To Children

Since it has already been shown that demon spirits are able to gain entrance to a fetus and to children, it is obvious that there should be deliverance for them. Demons can be called out of children in the same

way they are called out of older persons. There will be manifestations of the spirits leaving through the mouth and nose as in other deliverances.

Ordinarily, children are quite easily delivered. Since the spirits have not been there very long they are not as deeply embedded in the flesh. There are exceptions to this, as in the cases of children who have been exposed

to demonic attack through severe circumstances. The manifestations of the demons can be quite dramatic, even in children.

A young Christian couple brought their three month old child for ministry. This was their first baby and they had disagreed as to how to discipline the child. The father and mother had a violent argument over

the matter. While they were having this argument the child began to scream, and since the incident it was apparent that the child was suffering from tormenting spirits. My wife held the child in her arms and began to

command the troubling spirits to go in the name of Jesus. As the first spirit came out the baby stiffened and cried out. Two other demons came out in the same way. Then the child grew quiet and relaxed and was soon asleep.

A little four year old girl received deliverance while looking at the pictures in a Bible Story Book. The Holy Spirit guided me as comments on the pictured would be woven smoothly into the identity of the spirits and command for them to come out. As each demon was challenged it would come up and out with a cough. Two other children in the same family, ages six and seven, were ministered to in an informal way. These older children had caused great consternation to the parents. They' were quite rebellious and unmanageable. Following their deliverance there was such a marked change in children's behavior that persons outside the family began to comment on the improvement they saw.

Most children by the age of five or six can be given a simple explanation of what you are going to do before you begin the ministry. They need to know that you are not talking to them but to the spirits in them, otherwise they may be offended or frightened by words of command addressed to the evil spirits. Usually the children are quite cooperative.

Since the children may feel more secure with a parent, it is often best for the parent to hold the child during the ministry. The deliverance minister must discern reactions in the child attributable to the spirits being stirred up. The spirits may cause the child to resist being held. He may cry or scream and show signs of great fear. The demons may try various tactics to make one think it is the child being hurt or wronged, so that the minister and/or parent will become so sympathetic with the child that they will stop the ministry and the demons retain their hold.

Especially in ministry with children it is well to remember the fact that it is not the loudness of a command that moves the demon but the authority of the name and of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The

commands can be given with such calmness and matter-of-factness that the child will scarcely realize what is taking place.

How do infants and children keep themselves free from the demons once they are delivered, since they are not competent to protect themselves? It is not the responsibility of the child but of his parents or guardians. I believe you will find in the scripture that when Jesus ministered to children one or both of the parents were present. It is the responsibility of parents to be the spiritual guardians of their children.

The following account is given by my wife, Ida Mae, and will illustrate most of the factors involved in a child's deliverance.

Ida Mae Describes A

Dramatic Child Deliverance

The most graphic child deliverance I (Ida Mae) have ever had was that of a six year old girl. We will call her Mary. Mary's father came to us for deliverance. In the course of the interview he spoke of the difficulty

he had in handling his daughter. He and his wife were divorced and he was raising the girl. He said that she was a most difficult child to handle, being very stubborn, self-willed and rebellious. He was quite concerned since her nature caused him to become so excessively angry that he would punish her too severely. We told him that the girl needed as much

deliverance as he, if not more, and insisted that he bring her to us.

Mary came to us directly from school a few days later. I need to point out that as I was getting acquainted with her and was explaining to her that I wanted to pray for her; she drank about a half a thermos of orange

juice. She was very hyperactive, jumping on and off the church pew, absolutely unable, due to restlessness, to sit while we chatted.

I said, "Mary, your father tells me that you know there are bad spirits."Her eyes widened and she began to tell me very seriously how every night she had to make sure all the doors were locked before she could

go to bed. When she got up in the night to get a drink or go to the bathroom she was afraid and had to know personally that all doors were securely locked. I said, "Yes, that is fear, Mary. You have demons of fear in

your body. They make you afraid and I want to pray for you and make them leave your body. They have gotten inside you and when I pray they will come out of your mouth and leave." She accepted my words with simple, child-like faith.

I asked her to come sit on the bench beside me while I prayed. She did, but she was so restless that I had to take her on my lap to keep her near me. She sat on my lap with her back toward me. I began to pray a prayer of faith and trust that Jesus was going to set her free. The Holy Spirit very plainly told me to keep my voice very quiet... lower than a conversational tone. Also, to consider every word hereafter that came out of Mary's mouth to be a demon speaking or to be demon inspired.

Then I began to address the demons. I said, "Now, you demons indwelling, Mary's body, I want you to know that Mary is covered by the blood of Jesus through her father's relationship to Jesus. Just as the father in the days of Moses sprinkled the blood on the doorpost for the protection of the entire family, so is Mary under the covering of the blood. Demons, I also want you to know that Mary's father has heard and accepted the truth of God's Word concerning you demon spirits. He knows now that it is you he has been struggling against and not Mary."

I became aware that Mary was whispering and leaned around to see if I could catch what she was saying. She was whispering, "I don't like what you are saying." I replied, "I know you don't like it, demons, because I am

exposing you and I have knowledge of you. Mary has been tormented by you from before she was born. While she was still in her mother's womb some of you entered her. But God has said you cannot indwell her body any longer." Again the demon in Mary began to whisper. This time in very tight-jawed defiant words they protested, "I ... don't ... like ... what … what ... you ... are ... saying!" I was careful to keep my voice very quiet as I responded, "It's not going to get any better for you, demon, but worse because you are going to be cast out of her today. You are losing your home." At this the demon screamed out and again retorted, "I don't like what you are saying;now shut up!" I replied, "No, I shall not shut up but rather will continue to talk until you are out of her body."

I continued speaking to the demons softly. "Now, one by one you demons start manifesting yourselves, in the name of Jesus." Immediately Mary began to say in a whisper, "You don't love me; if you did you wouldn't be holding me." I answered, "That's right, rejection demon, you shut her off from love relationships. You make her think nobody loves her. You even make her think God doesn't love her. You are going to come out of her, rejection, in the name of Jesus." One by one the demons began to manifest their nature. They came so quickly I often only had time to name one and another would be to the surface.

The demons were making Mary struggle to get out of my lap although I was still able to hold her rather loosely in my arms. Eventually I had to resort to putting one of her legs between mine, thus holding her in

a vise and bodily restraining her. The demon of hate put her face right up in my face with our noses touching and screamed, "I hate you.” Still speaking quietly 1addressed the demon, "Come out, demon of hate.” She began to scream, “I want a knife, I want a knife.” I inquired. “What do you want with a knife?" The demon clenched Mary's teeth and said, "So

I can kill you." ' 'All right, you demon of murder," I commanded, "you come out in Jesus' name."

Next, Mary stood up, threw her shoulders back, placed her hands on her hips and retorted, "Nobody EVER tells me what to do!" I said,"Defiance, you come out!"

There was a distinct change in voice as the next demon spoke. It said, "I do only what I want to do." I said, "Self-will come out." Then there was another change in voice. "You will never make me come out", said the new voice. "Stubbornness, you have to come out too", I

insisted. Mary then raised her hands like claws and lunged for my face; her eyes were protruding and she was screaming. I said, "Madness, you come out of Mary in Jesus' name." She began to claw her hair and shake

her head violently. I said, "Mental illness and insanity, come out." Next I called for the spirit of schizophrenia. ''You demons of schizophrenia, I call your hand. You bring out your two opposite personalities which you are establishing in her. One of you is rooted in rejection and self-pity and the other is rooted in rebellion and bitterness. Neither one of those personalities is the real Mary. I release and loose the real Mary to be what

Jesus wants her to be." With this she clawed violently at me, scratching my arms, and lunging for me she bit a hole in my blouse. When she came up with part of my blouse in her teeth she looked very startled as though

she expected me to slap her across the face. I could tell it was the real Mary who was startled. I addressed the demons and said, "No, demons, I shall not harm Mary for ruining my blouse because I can separate her

from you. Too long Mary has been punished in her flesh for the things you have done through her. You demons have gone virtually untouched.

It's different today; you demons are taking the punishment and Mary goes free." Mary looked relieved for a second, then the other demons began manifesting themselves.

Finally, after about twenty or thirty minutes of this deliverance procedure Mary began to scream one long scream after another and beg to be turned loose. She would say, "Don't hold my leg! Don't hold my leg! The Holy Spirit gave me understanding that her flesh was now stirred up and that I should release her and have her sit on the bench beside me. I instructed, “Mary, I am going to let you sit on the bench.

Okay?" She was crying softly and said, "I don't like for you to hold me like that." I said, "Well, I'm sorry I had to hold you so tight, but the bad spirits were making you fight me." I was always careful to put the blame on the demons. In her childish way she seemed to appreciate that they were finally catching the blame instead of herself.

Mary sat beside me for a little while and was very still and relaxed. The Holy Spirit told me that I should now give the command quickly for the remaining demons to come out. I said, "Now, in the name of Jesus, I command all demon spirits remaining in Mary to come out. Come

out now in the name of Jesus!"

Immediately Mary became sick at her stomach and before I could reach a paper towel she threw up a large ball of slime. It filled her little hands and mine. She looked up and faintly smiled and then just seemed to turn to peace all over.

Remember, at the beginning of this account I stated that Mary was drinking a thermos of orange juice when she came for ministry. There was not a trace of juice in what she threw up. None of the slime came from her stomach.

Well, we sat there and talked for about fifteen minutes. Mary sat quietly and relaxed, in contrast to the hyperactive nature she had shown earlier.

Her father was astounded. He had watched the stormy deliverance with mixed and confused emotions. Unfamiliar with demon manifestations, and unable to distinguish the many different voices of the demons as my trained ear had done, Mary's father thought that the real Mary was being treated rather roughly and said that once it was all he could do to keep from interfering.

Though I have not personally seen Mary since her deliverance I have received several good reports. Most say, "She's so different." "She just isn't the same." "I can hold her and she responds to love." "You just wouldn't believe she is the same girl."

My eyes get moist even as I write this. She is the only deliverance that ever caused me to weep. The warfare was so tumultuous and the peace afterward so beautiful. I could not keep back the tears. To God be the

glory!

15

Binding and Loosing

The Scripture declares that Jesus has given us power to bind and loose in reference to Satan and his cohorts. The context to this promise is in connection with Peter's declaration concerning Jesus: "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God." Now, note the reply of Jesus:

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: AND WHATSOEVER

THOU SHALT BIND ON EARTH SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN. Matt. 16:18,19

This passage has been controversial in its interpretation. But it makes a lot of sense once one has obtained a little understanding of the Christian's power and authority over demon spirits. What is the immediate context of the authority to bind and loose? The immediate preceding phrase is: "AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT", i.e. the church. In other words, the church is given complete authority over the "gates of hell". The Amplified Bible

translates this, "The gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it - or be strong to its detriment, or hold out against it." Thus, the; church is pictured as militant. Nothing can stop it – not even the forces of satan!

The power to bind and loose in regard to satan is described as "the keys of the kingdom of heaven". The word for "kingdom" is basileia which means "to rule". It is the promise of God's word that those who inherit the kingdom of God will rule with Christ.

For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

Praise God, He has promised that we shall reign, or rule, as kings in life-NOW! How could we do this apart from being able to bind the power of the devil and to loose that which he had already made captive?

This is precisely what the Lord has promised. Christians need to wake up and realize that they have been given much more authority than they have imagined. It is no longer a matter of prayer by which we cry out, "Oh, God, please come and do something about this awful devil that is giving me such a hard time." But it is a matter of rising up in the power of the name of Jesus and telling the devil what he has to do!

What is the meaning of the phrase "shall be bound in heaven ... shall be loosed in heaven"? Williams, the Bible translator, points out for us that the verb form is the perfect passive participle, so the reference is to

things in a state of having been ALREADY forbidden (or permitted).

This tells us that whatever is bound or loosed by the believer is done on the basis that it has already been done "in heaven", i.e. by the Lord himself.

What is it, then, that the Lord has already bound and which he has given us power to bind again? Jesus teaches us: Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Matt. 12:29

The context of this passage finds Jesus casting out demons. His authority for thus doing is challenged by the religious authorities. They accuse him of doing it by the power of the devil himself Jesus is explaining that he is able to control demon spirits and make them obey him because he has already bound the strong man - Satan. ' The fact that the demons obey Him is evidence of Satan being bound. Satan is already bound "in heaven" - by heaven's power. His power is broken. The key is given to us. We have power over him, too. Amen!

The Greek word for "bind" in the passage before us is deo. It means to fasten or tie - as with chains, as an animal tied to keep it from straying.

This is glorious! When Satan is bound he is made inoperable. He loses his ability to act against us. An example of how this works was shown to my wife several years ago. We were just coming into the knowledge of demon spirits and how to deal with them. She was working in a bank. Once or twice a week

a certain customer came into the bank who used very bad language.

He was very loud and extroverted. Each time he opened his mouth he punctuated every phrase with profanity and cursed using the name of Jesus. Since my wife had never been exposed to such foul language in all

of her life she was horrified by it. She began to pray and told God, ''You know that it is not me saying those things and I do not approve of them.

Then God spoke back and said, "That is a spirit of blasphemy causing the man to talk like that, and you have power over it."

My wife had never attempted anything like this before. She was acting on the word that the Lord had given her. The next time the man came in the bank he began to curse and blaspheme as usual. She stood a few

feet away from him and under her breath began to say,"You demon of blasphemy, God has shown me that it is you. I have power over you to bind you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot curse in my

presence and take the name of my Saviour in vain." Of course the man heard none of this but the demon was hearing plenty! The color drained out of his face and he began to gulp as though something was stuck in

his throat. He never said another word of profanity in that bank.

From then on, each time this customer came in she bound the spirits in him and he could not curse. The other employees noticed the change in his

behavior and commented about it. They had no idea what had taken place. But Satan's power had been bound on earth even as it is already bound in heaven.

Satan has his "strong man" appointed over nations, cities, churches, homes and individuals. God is showing us that these strong men have already been defeated and bound by heaven's power.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:8b

To us are given the "keys of the kingdom". There is power to rule over the forces of darkness. We do not have to pray for it. The battle has been won in heaven; we are to bind on earth what has already been bound in heaven.

Then, to what does the loosing refer? The loosing is setting the captive free. Through deliverance ministry the captives are released from the bonds of enslavement which Satan has put about them.

And behold there was a woman which had a SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her,

Woman, thou art LOOSED from thine infirmity. Luke 13:11-12

When the ruler of the synagogue became angry over this deliverance because it was done on the sabbath, Jesus answered: Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath LOOSE his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought

not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom SATAN HATH BOUND, lo, these eighteen years, BE LOOSED FROM THIS BOND on the sabbath day? Luke 13:15,16

The Greek word for "loose" in the text is luo. It is defined in the lexicon as "to loose anything tied or fastened; to loose one bound; to set free; to discharge from prison. To free from bondage or disease (one

held by Satan) by restoration to health." (Thayers)

The victory over demon spirits is already won by Jesus. As far as heaven is concerned every captive is loosed! The principle is the same as in salvation. Jesus provided for every man's salvation. Then why isn't every man saved?The blood must be personally applied. Every man who applies the blood by faith is saved. Those who refuse or neglect to apply that blood are lost. So, Jesus has provided deliverance. It is finished so far as heaven is concerned. The key of loosing the captive is given to the believer. He can loose himself and others on earth because it is already done in heaven! Glory!

Now, there are those who teach that the loosing spoken of means the loosing of the Holy Spirit or angels to fill the vacancy left by the departing demons. Since it has has been shown that the word “loose” is in respect to that which is fettered and bound, how could this possibly refer to the Holy Spirit or angels? Are they in any sense bound?

Furthermore, it is not within the authority of men to command angels. While it is a blessed truth that angels are "ministering spirits" in behalf of all who are heirs of salvation (See Heb. 1:14), it must be carefully noted that they are "SENT FORTH" to minister in our behalf.

Who does the sending forth? That is God's business. We can pray and ask God to release the angels, but there is no precedent in scripture for our commanding or directing them ourselves. It is extremely dangerous to elevate angels to a higher role than is established in scripture, for one thereby begins to look to angels for help rather than to the Lord. This, in fact, amounts to idolatry and may soon degenerate into a "worship of angels" which is altogether forbidden.

(See Col. 2:18). To look to angels rather than God for help is failure to hold the Head in proper respect, that is Christ. (See Col. 2:19).

To reiterate, the binding refers to Satan and demons, and the loosing to the person who has been bound by the forces of darkness. Satan is bound; the victim is loosed! This is what happens as the result of an effective deliverance ministry.

Chapter 16

Pros And Cons On Techniques

And Methods

Although I wish to give you some guidelines, I want to make it clear that this ministry of deliverance should always be under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. There is a tendency among Christians to look

for pat formulas in spiritual ministries instead of remaining dependent upon the leading of the Spirit. I have observed that different persons involved in deliverance ministry utilize somewhat different methods.

This is understandable inasmuch as the Bible does not give much detail as to methods employed by either Jesus or His disciples. We must not get bound up in little rules which we have made for ourselves. How do

such rules come into being? If we get success through using a certain technique, then we are prone to conclude that it was the technique that did the trick. I have found that the Holy Spirit enjoys variety and that we can rely upon Him for whatever technique is required.

What are some of these man-made rules? Someone may tell us that we should never lay hands on a person out of whom we are casting demons. Another person will insist just as strongly that we must always lay hands on the person. Still another will contend that you must rub the person's stomach or pound him on the back in order to get the spirits out. If we start looking for methods and techniques we will end up in hopeless confusion. That is exactly what the devil would like us to do!

The truth of the matter is that the Spirit may direct you to do any of the above mentioned things. The Spirit has led me to do some strange things in deliverance ministries. It is our business to listen to the Spirit and obey. It must have seemed strange to Moses when God told him to strike a rock in order to provide water for the people, or to throw a tree into the bitter waters of Meribah in order to make them sweet. It seems strange that Jesus would spit on the ground and make a little mud pack to put on a blind man's eyes for his healing. What difference does it make as to the technique the Lord chooses so long as the results are forthcoming?

Laying On Of Hands

There are those who contend that Jesus never laid hands on anyone during deliverance. There are at least two instances that indicate otherwise.

One is the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. In Luke 4:29 we are told that "Jesus "rebuked the fever". He treated the fever as a personality.

This indicates that the fever was demonic. The parallel account in Matt. 8:15 says, "And he touched her hand, and the fever left her." A second instance of touching or laying hands on a person for deliverance is the case of the woman who was bowed together by a spirit of infirmity.

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman,

thou art loosed from thine infirmity. AND HE LAID HIS HANDS ON HER: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:11-13

Since there are only a few instances recorded when Jesus laid hands on a person during deliverance, we are not to conclude that the laying on of hands is always necessary. The same principle is true in ministering

for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The scripture indicates that hands were sometimes laid on for the impartation of the Holy Spirit, but there are other instances when this was not done. Again, we need to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as to what we do.

Once we were calling demons out of a sixteen year old boy. The first demon we called for was fear. The boy was taken over by the spirits and was thrown to the floor. Five men present tried to restrain him physically

with only partial success. Several other demons were called up and the violent manifestations accompanied each spirit. Then the Holy Spirit gave a word of knowledge that the manifestation was due to a spirit of violence. The boy was instructed not to let the demon take him over, but to fight it with us, in the Spirit, by continually commanding it to go in Jesus' name. The spirit of violence was cast out without much of a struggle and there was no further display of violence as a number of other demons were cast out. This taught us that one demon present in a person could somehow manifest itself even when other spirits were being called forth.

This proved to be a very helpful bit of understanding. In many subsequent ministries when the person became violent, the demon of violence was cast out and the violent manifestations completely subsided.

One very interesting case was that of a woman about thirty years of age. She was not a physically strong person; and had undergone major abdominal surgery about three months prior to ministry. Nevertheless,

she showed unnatural strength under demon manifestations. As the ministry began she was thrown to the floor and was lying on her back.

Because of the superhuman strength being displayed, one person was assigned to each leg and arm. My wife straddled the woman's right leg and said authoritatively, "This leg isn't going anywhere." Whereupon the woman lifted her off the floor with that one leg!

There were many strong spirits in this woman. The struggle to get each one out was so intense that she was not physically able to bear the casting out of more than one or two demons each day. She was determined to be completely set free and would come each evening after

work for more ministry. It was not until after two weeks of these daily struggles that we found a key. It was learned that when no one touched the woman the spirits would not react as violently. Each time someone

touched her a demon would cry out through her, "Don't touch me." We addressed it as a "Touch-Me-Not' spirit and commanded it to come out.

After this demon was cast out there was no further display of violence. We have encountered the "Touch-Me-Not' demon several times. In some instances the demon reacts only to the touch of a man, and in

other cases only to the touch of a woman. These are cases when it is best not to lay hands on a person.

The cases are much more frequent where the laying on of hands will aid in dislodging the evil spirits. In cases where the spirits are speaking through the person, it occasionally happens that the spirit will cry and whine, "Your hand is hot; it's burning me", or words to that effect.

Demons can feel the anointing of the ministering hand and are tortured by it. Demons can indwell any part of the human body. One of the favorite areas seems to be the lower abdomen. When a hand is laid on this area

in ministry the demons very often come up and out through the mouth more readily. This is why it is wise and helpful to have both men and women involved in the deliverance situation. Women can lay hands on

the women and men on the men.

On one occasion we were ministering to a young woman. I was standing behind her and had my hands on her head. The demons were coming out readily. Then a word of knowledge came to me that I must

take my hands off her immediately. I walked around in front of her in order to see what manifestation was on her face. A spirit of lust had come to the surface which was identified as a "flirting spirit”. Through words

and facial expressions it began to flirt with two of us men present in the room. Since the touch of a male hand would serve to "feed" such a spirit, it became apparent why the Holy Spirit directed me to remove

my hands.

Some of the reasons advanced for not laying on hands in deliverance are based on fear. Some persons have been fearful lest the evil spirit make an attack upon them. I heard one person say that while laying hands on someone during deliverance he felt an evil spirit move from that person into his own hand and up his arm into his body. I personally have had no experience of such an occurrence. I have been laying hands on hundreds of persons over a period of several years and have never been attacked by a demon as the result of such physical contact.

The principle is this: no demon can attack us or enter us unless it has an opening to do so. Fear can provide such an opening. If one is afraid that a demon can attack him, then he has given the demon the opening he

needs.

There is a situation that might cause one to think that he has been attacked during a deliverance ministry. For example, a spirit or doubt is being cast out. Another person in the room may hay have a spirit of doubt,

also. As the command is given for "doubt" to come out, the spirits of doubt in both persons may be stirred up and begin to react or manifest themselves. I have witnessed numerous examples of this.

But what about the scripture that says, "Lay hands suddenly on no man" (I Tim. 5:22) Personally I am persuaded that this passage pertains solely to the laying on of hands at ordination and has no application to

the laying on of hands for other purposes such as healing, administering the baptism in the Holy Spirit, or deliverance. Granting that reference could apply to deliverance, there is no prohibition to the laying on of

hands but rather a caution against doing it prematurely. This is a principle applicable to every situation where laying on of hands is used. In effect,

we are not to minister to every person we encounter or minister to a person before he has been adequately prepared.

Again, I emphasize that the thing we must beware of is fear if evil spirits. If the devil can make us afraid of him he has made a successful counterattack. The Bible gives us assurance that we can engage demon spirits in battle with absolutely no fear of their being able to retaliate and harm us.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. Phil. 1:28

Demons will seek to instill fear in those who are ministering. Many times I have heard spirits speaking through the person making threats to do harm. In one deliverance the demon opened the person's 'yes and looking at me with an icy stare, and with the person's face right up in my face, said three times with increasing emphasis each time … "I'll get you! I'LL GET YOU! I'LL GET YOU!" I calmly replied, "No, demon, you will not get me. Jesus said I could tread on you and you could in no no wise harm me. I have no fear of you, so just come out in the the name of Jesus." It came our and no harm resulted.

We must pay no attention to the threats of demon spirits because they are merely liars and accusers. On a number of occasions the demon has threatened by saying, "If you cast me out I will just come into you." (Or

someone in the room is named). The purpose of such a threat is to cause fear and make the deliverance minister cease his attack. Fear is a very common tactic of the enemy, and one must be assured in his own heart

that he truly has nothing to fear. The enemy has already been defeated by Jesus, and at the name of Jesus "every knee must bow;" (Phil. 2:10)

Conversing With Demons

It is not possible to stop all demon talk when dealing with them in deliverance. They will sometimes speak out without warning. They did this with Jesus. But should we converse with them when they are willing

to talk? I have come to a very conservative view on the matter. One should not converse with demons unless the Holy Spirit indicates some specific purpose in doing so.

In delivering the Gaderene, Jesus commanded the spirit to speak by demanding, "What is thy name?" (Mark 5:9). What is to be gained by commanding a spirit to name itself? Experience has proved that a spirit's

power is more readily broken by forcing it to identify itself. Some spirits are much more stubborn or tenacious than others. In most instances when a stubborn spirit is compelled to name itself it will come out. Its power is broken.

However, there is an inherent danger in conversing with demon spirits. One must never allow himself to converse with demons in order to acquire knowledge. The Bible strictly forbids such communication

with demons. (See Deut. 18:10-11). The Christian has the Holy Spirit as his source of knowledge, wisdom and guidance. Even when commanded to tell the truth in the name of Jesus, the demons will still lie on occasion.

Yet, there are times when the Holy Spirit will have you force one demon to tell the names of the other indwelling spirits. Once again, this is for the purpose of breaking down their resistance. It should not become a

substitute for the gift of discerning spirits. We do not have to depend upon the lying mouths of evil spirits to give us information which we can and must get through the Holy Spirit.

When I first began my deliverance ministry I would command the spirits to speak. It did not take long to find out that they all talk about the same things and they mix a little truth with their lies. The novice is prone to want to hear the demons talk, but will soon learn that it is not necessary.

The demons are smart enough to know that as long as they can carry on a conversation they will not have to leave. What they really hate to hear are the words, "Shut up, and come out!" Their talk is usually a delaying

tactic.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, HOLD THY PEACE, AND COME OUT OF HIM. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. Mark 1:23-26

There is also merit in questioning demons even when they are not speaking through the person being delivered. A lady once came to me for deliverance who had many "symptoms" of demon oppression.

Two hours of intense ministry produced no results. There was not the slightest manifestation of a demon being present or leaving. The next day I was reading the Gospel of Mark. When I came to the familiar

account of the Gaderene in chapter five, the Holy Spirit checked me on verse seven where the demon had pled, "torment me not". I went to my Greek lexicon and found that the word "torment' means "to question by

applying torture". I called the lady and had her come back that evening. I began to bombard the spirits with questions:

What is your name? How long have you been there? Are you so foolish as to think you can resist the name of Jesus? etc. Within a few minutes the woman began to cough out the evil spirits. The demons had not spoken through this woman or given any sign of hearing what I said, but the torture of being questioned had broken their power. We can be sure that our questions and commands are being effective even before we see any outward results.

Interruptions During Ministry

Deliverance can be done in a relaxed atmosphere. Experience will increase confidence and enable one to minster without tension. The minister must realize that he is the servant of the Lord Jesus and moving in power and authority granted him. He, and not the demon's power, is in command of the situation.

A ministry may be prolonged. It can extend over several hours. The one being ministered to, as well as the deliverance minister, may need a few minutes to rest. It is usually convenient to break the ministry after a group of spirits has been cast out. No ground is lost when such a break is taken. You simply begin where you left off.

It is often the case that in the midst of a ministry the person will recall other areas where demons have invaded, or the Holy Spirit will make him aware of some pertinent information. It is all right to stop and let him share these things.

However, one must be careful of a ruse of the enemy. The persons being ministered to may say,"I need to get a drink of water" or "I need to go to the restroom" or make some other excuse to leave the room.

Sometimes this will be a demon speaking and not the person. The demon will try to take the person away. If one is alert he need not be victimized by such a trick. How deeply has the person been taken over by the spirits?

Are the eyes glazed or fixed? Is the voice that of the person? What does your own spirit say?

A friend of mine was new in the deliverance field. He and a companion were casting demons out of another man. The spirits had taken the man over and the two men were down on the floor forcibly restraining his

arms and legs. After awhile the man pleaded that they were hurting him and that he needed to rest for a few minutes. Not realizing that it was a demon speaking and not the man himself, they released their holds. As

soon as the legs were released the demon caused the man to kick, and my friend suffered three broken ribs. This is an unusual case, but it certainly emphasizes the need to recognize who is speaking.

Positions Of The Body

Since demons are expelled primarily through the mouth or nose,and may be accompanied by mucus or phlegm, it is best to have the person in a position compatible with such manifestations. One of the

best positions is for the person to be seated in a straight chair and bent forward from the waist with forearms resting on the knees. For shorter ministries the person can be standing. In a few cases the person may want to lie face down on the floor or get on his hands and knees. The position will vary with the type of manifestations that are coming forth.

Usually the person will adjust to whatever position is best without any specific instructions. It is a matter of doing what is normal or natural.

I was present in a service where a minister who is quite prominent in deliverance was conducting a group deliverance. It was a large meeting and over a hundred persons had gone forward for deliverance. The minister asked for those who had had experience in deliverance to mix in with the group to assist. One young man near me was immediately taken over and fell to the floor. He was coughing violently and the demons were coming out with phlegm from his mouth. It was in the summer

and the air-conditioning had gone off and it was unbearably hot.

A little crowd had gathered around and I could see that the man was getting extremely uncomfortable. He had paused in the process of deliverance, and I suggested that he sit up for a few minutes. A man standing nearby rebuked me sharply, and instructed me that it was necessary for the man to remain in the exact position he was in until all the spirits were out. I complied with this request since the man's deliverance was more important than engaging in a debate with the brother. But this is completely contrary to all my experience. The person receiving ministry can be in a comfortable position.

Chapter 17

The Deliverance Team

Jesus established the pattern of team work for His disciples. When He sent the twelve out in ministry He sent them two by two. When He commissioned the seventy He also sent them out two by two. Other

ministry teams are found in the book of Acts. On the first missionary journey there were Paul, Barnabas and John Mark. Later there were Paul and Silas. Barnabas chose John Mark. Aquilla and Priscilla were a husband and wife team. Team ministry is a principle of scripture. It is especially suitable and effective in deliverance ministry.

Size And Composition

How many should ideally compose a deliverance team? This cannot be answered arbitrarily. The situations for deliverance vary. For ministry to an individual a team consisting of from two to six persons is usually appropriate. The team should be composed of both men and women.

Because of the unusual facets to this ministry, a man should not minister alone to a woman or a woman to a man. The best combination is for husbands and wives to minister as a team whenever possible. Since the "laying on of hands" may be used during the ministry, it is best to have both sexes on the team. Men and women should not lay hands on the opposite sex indiscriminately. Also, the person being ministered to sometimes must be physically restrained. Though we do not war against flesh and blood, the demons might demonstrate themselves violently at times, so that the person experiencing deliverance must be restrained from injuring himself or others.

TEAM UNITY

Unity is absolutely essential for a deliverance team. Satan will capitalize on any disunity. He will seek to create disunity by devious methods. Be on constant guard against this tactic. This is well illustrated by an experience in my second involvement in a deliverance ministry. Six or seven of us in a prayer group became involved in an attempt to deliver a woman from demon oppression. Upon being challenged, the demons began to speak readily through the woman. One demon said, “Only one of you is really following the Lord; the rest are just tagging along.” The purpose of this statement was to break our unity - and it did. Each of us immediately began to think that he was the only one following the Lord and became suspicious of the dedication of others. Consequently we lost sight of the enemy and each one’s attention was centered on himself, and on the others.

Any group that works together must learn to flow in the Spirit anti have confidence in one another. When you are in the heat of battle with the demon powers it is no time to settle differences between yourselves.

If there is a discerning of spirits by one of the team members it should bear witness in the spirit of the others. However, it is better to go ahead and challenge a spirit discerned than to hold a discussion on the accuracy of the discernment. An occasional mistake will probably be made in discernment, but this will not defeat the overall ministry.

FUNCTIONS OF TEAM MEMBERS

It must be emphasized that no hard and fast rules can be laid down Each member of the team must be sensitive and obedient to tin leading of the Spirit. It is usually best for only one or two persons to hr commanding the spirits. The others will be in prayer, reading scriptures, praising or singing. Songs emphasizing the blood of Jesus are especially effective and appropriate. It is not unusual for the “lead” to change i several times, especially if the ministry extends to an hour or more. This transition in leadership can be accomplished very smoothly.

It may be difficult for one person to remain in the position of leadership over a long period of time. Have you ever watched a wedge of geese in flight? Then you have a picture of how the leadership responsibility can change from one to another. The lead bird will buffet the wind for a few minutes and then he will drop back in the formation to “rest” while another moves into the lead position to take his place. The deliverance team can cooperate in similar fashion. The aim is to set the captive free and give the glory to Jesus, so it should make no difference who is leading the warfare. Each position on the team is important.

Chapter 18

Should I Be A

Deliverance Minister?

“How did you get into deliverance ministry?” That question is put to me rather often. It surely was not something I desired and sought after. I often tell people, “If you look outside on the ground you will find furrows made by my toes when I was being dragged into this business.” The Lord did not call me into this facet of ministry - He thrust me into it! In Matt. 9:38 Jesus tells His followers to pray that the Lord of the harvest will “send forth” labourers. The literal interpretation is that He will “thrust” or “force out” workers. This is how I experienced “the call”. The Lord did not ask me; He told me!

It was a thrilling discovery to learn that Jesus is “the same yesterday and today and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). When I experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit I discovered that miracles did not end when the twelve apostles died or when the canon of scripture was completed. Miracles are for today. I went to hear Kathryn Kuhlman and witnessed many miracles of healing in that service. My faith was quickened, and I began to think of friends who needed healing.

A fellow pastor was much upon my heart. I wanted to see him healed more than anyone I could think of. For sixteen years he had suffered continuous headaches. This was the result of a serious head injury. Doctors offered no solution. They suggested exploratory brain surgery, but Fred would not consent to such dangerous surgery with so little promise of help. Because of the pain he could not sleep and his nerves were going to pieces. He could not study and make adequate preparation for his sermons. The constant pain made him cross and irritable. His family was under heavy tension. The children could not make any noise.

Everything revolved around Fred’s affliction.

I told Fred that I was going to pray for him until I saw him healed. Every day for a week I spent time in prayer for him. Then one morning as I was praying, the Lord told me that Fred’s problem was due to an evil spirit. Had I really heard the voice of God? How could I share such a revelation with my friend? What would he think? After all, what did I know about demons? I had heard a few references to them at a couple of meetings I had attended, but I had never read anything on the subject. How could I be sure? What should I do?

The impression to share my revelation with Fred would not go away; it grew stronger. One day when we were together I cautiously approached the subject. “Fred, I promised to pray for you until God healed you,” I reminded. “I have been praying for you each day. The other day the Lord told me what your problem is.” I paused for Fred’s reaction. I had his attention all right. “Well, praise the Lord,” he said, “What did the Lord tell you?” “Now, Fred, I don’t know what you will think of this,” I offered, choosing words as carefully as I knew how, “but the Lord told me your headaches were caused by a demon.” I held my breath as I watched his face for a reaction. I didn’t know that Fred was more knowledgeable about demons than I was. He took it in stride. “Well, praise the Lord!” he exclaimed, even appearing jubilant. “Doesn’t the Bible say demons can be cast out? I want you to cast it out of me.”

“Now, wait a minute,” I protested. “I don’t know anything about casting out demons, but I think I might be able to find someone who knows how to do it. Give me a few days to pray about who can do this for you. I’ll let you know as soon as I find someone.”

I went right to prayer asking God to lead me to a deliverance minister. The Lord said, You do it.” So I prayed again. I carefully explained to the Lord how unqualified I was. I must have sounded worse than Moses at the burning bush making excuses as to why he could not lead his people out of Egypt. The Lord would give me no other course. I must perform the ministry.

Many thoughts began to turn over in my mind. What would happen to me if I made a frontal attack against demon spirits? Wouldn’t they make a special target out of me? I would be in trouble for sure. The prospects were frightening.

A week later I talked to Fred again. I told him the results of the prayers. It didn’t seem reasonable that I should be the one to minister to him, but he was completely willing to go along with it. We agreed that we would pray another week and study what the Scriptures had to say on the subject. Then we and our wives would get together and see what would happen.

The day came when we were to have the attempted ministry. Fred and his wife were to meet at our house for dinner, and then we would go over to the church building for the prayer meeting - or whatever it would be. I was rather glad the day was so busy for us. It was necessity to make a business trip out of town. We got back home about two hours before Fred and his wife were due. On my doorstep was a little pamphlet, weighted down with a rock. A friend had come through town and not finding me at home had left the little pamphlet for me. I could hardy believe my eyes as I read the title - “An Introduction to Expelling Demon” by Derek Prince. My friend did not know about the impending ministry. The timing was perfect. It had to be God!

Within a few minutes I had devoured the contents of the pamphlet. It was very practical and crammed with helpful information. We could anticipate some kind of manifestation when the demon came out. At least I felt a little more confident about the whole matter. When Fred arrived I had him and his wife read the booklet before we attempted the ministry.

We spent some time in prayer before we challenged the demon. And I was thinking only in terms of a single demon at the time. My comprehension was not any greater than that. Fred was still on his knees when I suggested that we begin to address the demon. My wife and I laid hands on his head and both of us said, “I command the demon to come out of him in the name of Jesus.” After I had given this command and my wife had repeated it, we waited to see what would happen. Finally I asked, “Did you feel anything, Fred? Do you think anything happened?” Fred shook his head negatively, lie had not sensed anything. We held a brief consultation and decided to try it again.

The command was given several more times. What was happening to Fred? His face was contorting! He was trying to speak, but he could not get any words out. He appeared to be choking. It was no time to slack off now. We continued to command the demon to come out of him. Fred began to cough violently. This lasted for about a minute. Then he slumped sideways to the floor and lay motionless. “Is it out, Fred?” I inquired. “I think so,” he whispered. He could hardly talk. “I’m so weak I cannot get up,” he explained. We prayed for Fred and thanked God for his deliverance. It was at least five minutes before Fred was able to sit up.

Fred’s wife had been sitting and praying all this while. Now I heard her singing softly. I recognized the tune a familiar hymn... “Amazing Grace”. I thought I would join her in the hymn, and as I listened to catch the words I realized she was singing in tongues. A few weeks previously I had prayed for her to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and she had only been able to speak one short phrase in tongues. Now she was singing with complete liberty. The four of us were jubilant.

It was a week later when I saw Fred again. I was eager to get a report on his headache. I was confident that he would tell me it was all gone. “Frank, I don’t know what to make of it,” Fred began, “but I still have my headache. It is not any better.” The sick feeling of disappointment came over me. How could a ministry be so dramatic and yet not be effective? We were both baffled.

Fred told me that he had accepted the call to pastor a church in another state. He would be moving immediately. It was six months before we saw him again. We were on a trip that took us near his new place of ministry, so we drove a few extra miles to have a visit and spend the night. As we had prayer that evening it was decided that we ought to minister to Fred again. During the past months we had learned more about demons. There could be more than one of them. Maybe we didn’t get the one that caused the headache. We would be more persistent.

We had Fred sit in a chair as we gathered around him. He was most cooperative. He was willing to do anything that offered a ray of hope to be rid of the incessant pain that was destroying him. At this point we did not know how to detect different types of spirits and had never received any supernatural discernment on specific demons. So we gave a general command for whatever demons were in him to come out. Each time we commanded, Fred would have a spell of coughing. He could feel a pressure in his throat which would be relieved through coughing. This happened about six times. “Has your headache gone yet?” I quizzed. “No, it hurts worse than ever,” Fred explained. We could tell there was something still inside of Fred. I recalled having listened to a tape on deliverance in which the minister commanded the demons to name themselves. It was decided that we should attempt this.

“What is your name?” I demanded of the demon I felt sure was still in Fred. “In the name of Jesus I command you to tell me your name.” His face began to contort just like it had during the initial ministry. We kept commanding the thing to name itself. Fred’s lips protruded and his mouth contorted into a snarl. Very slowly and in a voice that was scarcely audible there was one word spoken - “P..a..i..n”.

It sounded so simple. Why hadn’t we figured it out before? “Demon of pain, come out of Fred!” Our words were insistent. “In the name of Jesus, come out of him!” Fred’s wife must have sensed in her spirit what was about to happen. She grabbed a newspaper off the coffee table and threw it on the floor between Fred’s feet. Immediately Fred coughed and threw up two big blobs of phlegm onto the paper. The demon was out! And the pain was gone! Almost five years have passed and Fred is still healed. God had answered our prayers!

OVERCOMING FEAR

Fear is keeping many persons from becoming deliverance ministers, both the fear of demons and the fear of men. My original theory about the devil was that if I left him alone he would leave me alone. Nothing could be farther from the truth. To leave the devil alone is to permit him to work unchallenged. We have no reason to fear the devil and his demons because Jesus has conquered them. In I John 3:8 we are reminded that Jesus came into the world for the express purpose of destroying the works of the devil. In Col. 2:15 it is shown that through the cross Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, made a public display of them, and completely triumphed over them.

In order to move against the evil principalities and powers without fear it needs to be understood that Satan has no real power left. He is a liar, deceiver, usurper, trespasser and thief. Jesus has already passed judgment upon him. (See John 16:11). IT IS NOW THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHURCH TO EXECUTE THAT JUDGMENT. When we rise up against the demons with the authority of the name of Jesus and the power of His shed blood, the demons have no choice but to yield. We have no need to fear any enemy stripped of his armour. (See Luke 11:22). He is absolutely defenseless. The only thing the Christian has to fear is fear itself.

Satan, that old liar and deceiver, will try to make you think that he is going to retaliate. He will tell you that he will attack you and your family with sickness, injury or something sinister. But you shall trample him under your feet “and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

When we do not listen to the lies that demons whisper into our ears, they will attack us with lies in the mouths of men. Someone is continually asking me, “Have you heard about Dr. So-and-so and Bro. So-and-so (prominent men in deliverance ministry)? I hear they have ruined their ministries by getting mixed up with demons. They can no longer get invitations to minister anywhere.” But I know for a fact that these men of God have more demands for ministry than they can ever meet. These are lies of the devil to cause fear.

A few pastors whom I know, started out in deliverance ministry and the devil told them that they would lose members or that prospective members would be frightened away. Undoubtedly, the devil will cause some to be offended or afraid, but when a pastor begins to guard his own little kingdom at the expense of disobeying Christ’s commission, he will lose much more than he had hoped to gain.

“Have you heard that pastor So-and-so is casting demons out of Christians?” If the devil cannot defeat you with fear tactics and lies, he will resort to criticism in the mouths of others. Two ministers were talking; the first one said, “We have to be very careful these days about false doctrines and false teachers. Why, have you heard that some preacher by the name of Hammond is going around in our area casting demons out of Christians?” (The second minister passed up the opportunity of saying, “Hammond is ministering deliverance to my own block right now.”) “All Hammond ever thinks about is the devil. I believe we should just keep our minds on Jesus.” My, the devil must really delight in getting someone to take up that chorus. The devil will try any trick to keep God’s people out of spiritual warfare... he has everything to gain by it.

Jesus advised his followers to count the cost of discipleship. To serve the Lord requires personal sacrifices. If one is not willing to pay the price he should never commit himself. Consider some of the demands that are made upon the person of the deliverance minister.

1. Time. Deliverance is very time-consuming. This is true from the viewpoint of the amount of time spent with one person and from the large number of persons to whom one may minister. There is such a demand for deliverance today that one who gives himself to this ministry will soon understand why it was said of Jesus...

He ... entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. Mark 7:24

2. Energy. There are times when the deliverance minister will be involved for long hours. Numbers of times our deliverance team has ministered until well past midnight and there would be others still waiting to see us. On a few occasions we have ministered as long as sixteen hours per day for a week or longer. At such times we have received added strength from the Lord. But deliverance ministers may find themselves seeking rest as did Jesus and His disciples.

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. Mark 6:31

3. Patience. There are always those who do not retain their deliverance. They are slow to learn and must be taught and encouraged repeatedly. There is the temptation to spend your time with others who show more promise, but the Lord would have us be patient with the slow learner.

THE MINISTER MUST BE DEDICATED

As one involved in this ministry already, or as one contemplating it, have purpose and a complete dedication. Devote yourself to Christ and others. When the disciples of Jesus failed in their attempt to deliver a lunatic boy from his demon oppression they sought the answer for their failure. Jesus gave them the answer when He said …

O FAITHLESS AND PERVERSE generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. Matt 17:17

Jesus said they were “faithless". The word literally means unfaithful or to not be steadfast. They were charged with not being completely devoted to Christ. Furthermore, He calls them a “perverse generation". The word “perverse” here means to be turned aside. The disciples were more interested in other things than they were in the Kingdom of God. In the parallel account in Mark we read in the context that the disciples were disputing among themselves which of them should be the greatest. No wonder Jesus found them unfaithful and turned aside. No wonder they were powerless.

1. Loving and Wise

One must also have a genuine compassion for others. The deliverance minister will have many opportunities to show the true character of his love. He must be ever ready to go the second mile and turn the other cheek. In our own ministry we have often found it necessary to invite persons to stay in our home for a period of time in order for them to experience an adequate ministry. This requires love, but it also necessitates wisdom. I have had demons in such persons try to take over my home, rule my life and strike out with words of accusation and condemnation. Love for the person will not be expressed by yielding to pressures imposed by demons. After the person has been delivered he will appreciate the fact that you recognized the difference between his person and the demons that spoke or acted through him.

2. Free from Blame

This leads us to observe that the deliverance minister must be free from demonic interference himself before he is qualified to minister to others. Unless he has submitted to needed deliverance for himself he will find an inward resistance and struggle that will seriously hinder his own effectiveness. I learned this lesson myself in attempting to minister to my wife. We realized that demons were responsible for certain tensions between ourselves. One day when we were at home by ourselves we decided to minister to one another in these areas. As I called for the demons to release her, she was thrown to the floor and evil spirits began to speak through her. One demon made a direct accusation against me. I knew that I was guilty of what the demon accused me. It put me under such condemnation that I could not proceed with her deliverance. It was necessary for me to confess my sin, ask her forgiveness and have her cast the demon out of me before I was able to continue with her ministry. This bonded us with love and forgiveness and shut the door on any further interference from the enemy.

3. Bearing Others’ Burdens

A minister of deliverance will listen to many sordid stories of sinful acts and attitudes. He may minister to those who are respected leaders in the church and who have never shared their inner conflicts and failures with others. These are times when he will minister confidentially and in love... bearing others’ burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ. What he has heard will not affect his relationship with that person. He will not allow himself to remember sins that Christ has forgiven or to reflect on ugliness cleansed by deliverance.

The deliverance minister must be like the Old Testament priest who ate the trespass and sin offerings. According to Number 18:8ff, only Aaron and his sons were to eat the flesh of these offerings. “Every male shall eat it.” Other offerings could be eaten by the priest’s household, but only the male priests could eat the sin and trespass offerings. It was their DUTY to eat them. The “male” represents strength. It takes a strong person to perform this ministry. Under the New Testament all believers are priests. As priests it is our duty to “eat” the sin and trespass offerings of others. What is brought to us in the spirit of confession and repentance are consumed and not shared... not even with one’s household!

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (i.e. strong in the Lord), restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering, thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:1-2

4. With Prayer and Fasting

Jesus made it clear that some types of demons are stronger than others, for He said …

This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:29

The disciples had failed in an attempt to deliver a young man from a dumb spirit. In essence Jesus attributed their failure to a lack of spiritual dedication. We, too, can fail for the same reason. Jesus recommended prayer and fasting as the remedy for their spiritual condition. The concept of fasting is being restored to the church today. Fasting is not a way of bargaining for God’s power, but a way of crucifying the flesh that one’s complete affection may be set upon things above and not upon things on the earth. Apart from fasting and prayer one will not develop the spiritual resources adequate for every encounter with the enemy.

BLESSINGS AND BENEFITS

The impression should not be left that the deliverance ministry is all hardship and sacrifice. There are many blessings and benefits. There are many occasions of joy. Even the very deliverance session itself is an opportunity for worship and praise. The Word of God finds a prominent place, for it is the “sword of the Spirit” which thrusts through the foe. Much scripture is also used to teach, correct, instruct and exhort. Then, there is praying in the understanding and praying in the Spirit... prayers of petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise. There is singing that exalts Christ and His sacrifice, and songs of adoration. There is rejoicing over captives set free as the thrill of victory finds expression in crescendos of praise. When deliverance is conducted in such a spiritual atmosphere, power is generated that breaks the resistance of the enemy, in preeminence, and the servants of the Lord are strengthened and edified.

Through this ministry I have met some of the most beautiful people in God’s family. It is heartening to find out how many Christians are seeking the fullest expression of spiritual life possible. All sham and pretense is laid aside, and you get to know people in a hurry. I could never put a price on the value of friendships gained through contacts opened by the deliverance outreach.

And what a joy to see multitudes brought into victory. The most frustrating part of my pastoral ministry was counseling. I was willing to listen, offer advice and give encouragement, but most of the time there was no remedy. Now we are getting to the roots of the problems and there are answers where there used to be none. Christians are being saved from lives of ruin and defeat and brought to stability and fruitfulness.

I have often commented that one of the greatest blessings that has come to me through this ministry is the insight I have gained into the spiritual realm. I have discovered a sharp line of demarcation between the realm of light and the realm of darkness. Spiritual awareness is quickened. Satan’s wiles are much more readily discerned. The path of righteousness before God is plainer than it ever was. It is easier to keep from being drawn into fleshly conflicts with others and to keep the warfare in the heavenlies.

Chapter 19

Practical Suggestions for

the Deliverance Minister

How does one actually go about delivering a person from demon spirits? This is the practical side of deliverance. The suggestions made in this chapter are not offered as the ultimate in procedure. It is our purpose to share what has been gained by study, revelation and experience. We urge each person engaging in deliverance ministry to remain open to the Holy Spirit’s teaching and guidance.

THE MINISTRY ROOM AND EQUIPMENT

When a ministry is planned in advance a suitable place should be sought out. It should be a room so situated that others will not be disturbed or excited by sounds emitted. Of course it should be in a place where the ministry will not be disturbed by outsiders. Chairs should be provided for each one present. A straight chair without arm rests is most suitable for the candidate. It should be placed out in the room in order that the others can gather around. Since there are times when the demons come out with vomiting or spitting up of phlegm there should be equipment to take care of this eventuality. A plastic receptacle such as a wastebasket or bucket is easily obtainable. A supply of paper towels or facial tissues should be available. For record-keeping a notebook and pen should be on hand.

THE PRE-MINISTRY CONFERENCE

We will assume that the candidate for ministry has not come under duress from family or friends and is ready and open for deliverance. It is explained that honesty and humility are keys to effective ministry. The person must know that whatever is shared is done so in confidence and that “his story” will not be divulged. However, those experiencing deliverance should be encouraged to give their own testimony as a witness to the love and power of the Lord. Jesus so encouraged the Gadarene demoniac:

Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed and began to publish in Decapolis (ten cities) how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. Mark 5:19-20

The purpose of the conference is to detect the presence of spirits and uncover their nature. This is done through determining what are or have been problems in the life of the candidate. (See the chapter on “Seven Ways to Determine the Need for Deliverance”). Demons come in through open doors into our lives. The objective of the conference is to determine when and how such doors were opened.

Someone on the deliverance team will act as secretary. At the top of the page write the person’s name, address and date of ministry. The notes taken have a three-fold purpose. (1) They will enable the deliverance team to proceed in an orderly fashion for a thorough ministry. (2) The person delivered may want a copy of the notes to help him understand what demons were dealt with, what their colonies or groupings were, and to know exactly what he must guard against in order to retain his deliverance. (3) The record is also kept by the deliverance team in the event it is needed for follow-up ministry. When a team ministers to scores of persons, it is not possible to remember all of this information.

Have the person begin by recalling experiences and attitudes in early life that would have opened doors for demons to enter. Satan does not operate by any ethical rules and has no compunctions about taking advantage of childhood circumstances. In fact, he will seek to set up circumstances through which he can work and enter. This procedure will uncover such things as rejection, insecurity, loneliness, inferiority, resentment, rebellion, fears, hatred, self-pity, fantasy, jealousy and lying.

The candidate may insist that some of these things are no longer real problems in his life. This may well be true. However, multiplied experiences are proving that once the door was opened for a certain type of demon to enter, it remains until it has been cast out. After one becomes a Christian and develops in spiritual life he gains strength over the influence of indwelling demons. This does not necessarily mean that the evil spirits get discouraged and leave. Jesus never taught any other way to get rid of demons other than to cast them out in His name. We have heard demons complain that they no longer have a comfortable home in the person in which they dwell and that their power over that person has decreased. Yet, the demon had rather stay there than run the risk of not being able to get into someone else. He lives there in the hope of catching the person in a weak moment when he can regain control.

Current problems with the person usually have their roots in earlier life. For example, there may be tension and strife between a husband and wife. It could stem from a spirit of rebellion that entered the wife when she was a little girl and a spirit of resentment that entered the husband when he was only a small boy. These are the facts that the conference will bring to light.

When one demon is detected, begin to look for his companions. (See the chapter on “Common Demon Groupings”). For example, the person may tell you that he has a problem with timidity. Companion spirits may include insecurity, inferiority, shyness and self-pity. When colonies of spirits are detected put them in a list together and deal with the whole colony when the spirits are cast out. If a straggler is left he will try to open the door for the others to return.

There are a few things that will prevent a person from receiving deliverance. The most common is unforgiveness toward others. Those who have any unforgiveness toward anyone else, dead or alive, cannot be delivered. The reason for this is set forth in Matthew 18:21-35. Since God has forgiven us we must forgive others. The penalty for failure to forgive is to be “delivered to the tormentors”... the demon spirits. This can be easily cleared up if the person will pray a prayer of forgiveness toward all who may have offended him.

Involvement in occult practices is a second block or hindrance to ministry. These things pertain to Satan’s kingdom and are serious offenses to God. Any contact with the occult realm, no matter how slight, should not be taken lightly. It should be positively renounced and God’s forgiveness asked. The same is true for involvement in any form of religious cult or false religion.

Yet another thing that will hinder ministry is abortion. If a woman has had an abortion she must confess it as the sin of murder and receive God’s forgiveness. Any man who has been privy to an abortion must also confess his part in it. Once I was ministering to a woman whom I knew quite well. Her ministry was blocked and the demons refused to leave. That night God woke me up and gave me a word of knowledge - “abortion”. I felt that I knew the woman well enough to know that she had never had an abortion, but the next day I asked her if she had had any connection with an abortion. She wanted to know how I knew, and I told her the Lord had revealed it to me. She then told me that three months previously a neighbor lady had come to see her. The neighbor was pregnant with a fourth child. She did not want another child and asked my friend’s opinion about abortion. She counseled the neighbor to have an abortion. When she understood that this was wrong, she confessed it and the rest of the demons began to come out of her.

Some persons well experienced in the deliverance ministry testify that unconfessed adultery will block ministry. It is said that the offense must be confessed to the one sinned against, as the husband confessing his unfaithfulness to the wife and vice versa. My own experience has shown that this is not a fixed requirement to deliverance since demons of lust and adultery have been cast out of persons who have not confessed to their mates. We all know that sin of whatever sort must be confessed to God before deliverance, and it is my personal conviction that one should be completely open to confess adultery to his or her spouse as the Lord directs. One’s mate may not be prepared to hear such a confession. Wisdom is needed. Our objective is to “give no place to the devil”, either by failure to confess or by untimely confession.

THE DELIVERANCE PRAYER

Prayer is especially appropriate at the time of deliverance. Any of those present may wish to lead in prayer. But before the actual deliverance gets underway the candidate should also pray. For this purpose we have found a written prayer to be very effective. Each member of the team keeps a copy of this prayer in the back of his Bible. The particular prayer which we have used is one that we obtained through the ministry of Dr. Derek Prince.

Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. You redeemed me by your blood and I belong to you, and I want to live for you. I confess all my sins-known and unknown-I'm sorry for them all. I renounce them all. I forgive all others as I want you to forgive me. Forgive me now and cleanse me with your blood. I thank you for the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses me now from all sin. And I come to you now as my deliverer. You know my special needs - the thing that binds, that torments, that defiles; that evil spirit, that unclean spirit - I claim the promise of your word, “Whosoever that calleth on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.” I call upon you now. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me and set me free. Satan, I renounce you and all your works. I loose myself from you, in the name of Jesus, and I command you to leave me right now, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

TAKING AUTHORITY OVER SPIRITUAL POWERS

We have already shown in the chapter on “Our Spiritual Warfare”, that demon powers are set in array in a chain of command. Satan has his representatives assigned over nations, cities, churches, homes and individual lives. The scripture, instructs us to engage this power structure in spiritual warfare. Therefore, take authority over all higher powers that have authority over the demons indwelling the one being set free. Bind off these higher powers from interfering in any way with the ministry. Then bind the “strong man” or ruling spirit which is over the lesser demons that indwell the person.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Matt. 2:29

Command all indwelling spirits to unlink themselves from one another. Forbid them to lend help or encouragement to one another in any way.

COMMAND THE DEMONS TO GO

As one of the ministers begins to command the specific demons to go in the name of Jesus, the others in the room will be engaged in prayer, praise, singing and/or reading of Scripture. This should generally be done in subdued voices. In the early stages of my deliverance ministry I would use up my voice in a few hours. It is not the loudness with which we speak that makes the demons tremble and obey, but the authority with which we speak in the name of Jesus!

I usually speak to the demons in this manner: “Demons, I know that you are there. I know of your presence and of your evil works. I tell you that you have no right to stay in this person. This person belongs to Jesus Christ. Jesus purchased him with His own blood. This body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Everything that defiles is cast out. You are a trespasser and you must go. I command you to go now in the name of Jesus.”

The one being delivered should cooperate in the following ways: He should refrain from praise, prayer and speaking in tongues. These are ways of taking in the Holy Spirit, and the mouth and breath must be left free for the departure of the evil spirits. He should be encouraged to enter into the battle with his will. He can address the spirits himself and let the demons know that he is determined that they leave, for he wants no further part with them.

Next, the person being delivered should begin to expel his breath forcefully a few times. Since the spirits come out through the breath, this will help to expel them. Or, he can force a few healthy coughs. Ordinarily this is enough to “prime the pump” and the demons will begin to move out readily with the manifestation being sustained without conscious effort. The voluntary manifestation may not prove to be a manifestation prominent throughout the ministry. The person may force a cough and the demons then begin to yawn themselves out.

Keep commanding the demons until you get results. Confidence increases with experience. Demons seem aware of any lack of confidence in the deliverance minister. As authority of faith grows, the demons will respond more readily.

If no spirits have been released within four or five minutes there may be some hindrance. One young man came for deliverance. We commanded the demons to come out. They immediately began to manifest their presence by shaking his body. The battle was pressed for almost an hour. It was evident that the demons were there and stirred up but none would come out. We stopped to seek the Spirit’s guidance. As we prayed the boy became very nervous and began to go through his pockets excitedly. I asked him what he was looking for. He told me that he was looking for a little St. Christopher medal that he wore for good luck and protection. He finally found it on a chain around his neck and down inside his shirt. We explained that this was an idol that replaced his dependence upon God. He had only been a Christian a few days and was open to teaching. He agreed to remove the idol, renounce it and ask God to forgive him for depending upon it for help. Immediately the demons began to release him. They had no more legal right.

Scriptures, songs and references to the blood of Jesus are packed with power. Some persons do not understand “pleading the blood”. It is not a matter of repeating the word “blood” over and over or of the phrase “I plead the blood”. Rather give testimony of what the blood does for the believer. The blood redeems, cleanses, justifies and sanctifies the believer.

Through the blood of Jesus all our sins are forgiven.

When ministering to a young woman, the demons took her over and she was rolling on the floor all over the room. We were speaking to the demons about the blood of Jesus and the demons pled with us not to speak and sing of the blood. One demon said, “I can’t stand to hear the word.” I commanded the demon to tell me why he could not stand to hear about the blood of Jesus. (I fully understand that we do not get our theology from demon spirits, but this demon spoke the truth.) He said, “Because it' is so red, because it is so warm, because it is alive, and it covers every thing". A little reflection brought to mind that red blood is living blood. Blood that is warm is also living blood. The blood of Jesus is alive\ That is why it is still as powerful today as it was the moment that it flowed from His veins. It is atoning blood. Atone means “to cover”. The demons are defeated by the covering blood of Jesus. Amen!

Chapter 20

Demon Groupings

Demons are identified according to their nature. A demon of hate is called “hate”. Each demon is a specialist. A hate demon does not foster lust - he only promotes hatred. When demons are commanded to name themselves, they will usually name themselves in identity with their nature, e.g. rebellion, cursing, indifference, etc. Occasionally a demon will give a personal name such as “Jim” or “Shirley”. At times they will give foreign names. This is a deceptive measure to keep the deliverance minister from knowing their true nature. The minister should command the demons to reveal their nature, saying, “What is your nature, demon?”

Indwelling demons are seldom found singly; they are together in groups. Such groupings may be referred to as colonies, clans or families. When one demon is detected or discerned, one should immediately be alerted to look for its companions. A group of demons is banded together for the purpose of controlling a particular area of a person’s life. Therefore, there is a very logical pattern of spirits to be found in any particular group. Certain types of spirits are found over and over in the same combinations; however, one must not assume that the combination will always be the same. THE POSSIBILITIES FOR GROUPINGS ARE UNLIMITED.

Within each group there will be a “strong man' or ruling spirit. Often during ministry a ruling spirit will be specifically identified. It is not always necessary that he be identified as a ruling spirit in order to effect the deliverance. Such identification will usually be given reasons. First, the Holy Spirit may be directing an order of procedure. The deliverance minister will want to be alert to whatever battle plan the Lord may give. There are situations where the Lord will direct that the ruling spirit be dealt with first and then his companions. At other times the leading of the Lord will be to drive out the lesser spirits first and the ruling spirit last. There seems to be no real merit in questioning why the Lord leads one way and then another. A good soldier is trained to follow orders without questioning his commander. At times he may be given great latitude in choosing his own route of attack, and at other times his orders are quite specific. The same is true in the battles of spiritual warfare.

A second reason why the ruling spirit may be identified is that it is for the benefit of the person receiving deliverance. It can be quite helpful to know which spirit to be on special guard against in the future. Some spirits are especially tied in with habit patterns that must be changed and areas of the carnal man that must be crucified. Subsequent to deliverance the person will have to fight some battles on his own to maintain his deliverance. It is very helpful to know exactly what one is fighting, and what is flesh and what is demon spirit.

From experience gained through hundreds of deliverance sessions and in dealing with demon groupings, I am persuaded that the ruling spirit is the first spirit to invade a certain area. Because he is the first to gain entrance he can establish himself as the ruler. He then becomes the key to opening the way for other spirits to enter. When demons are being driven out it is not uncommon to give a command to the ruling spirit, “Come out and bring all of your companions with you!” or “Come out and bring all your roots!” If any part of a group is not expelled, the way is left for the group to be let back in. For this reason the deliverance should be as thorough as possible.

More than one spirit of a certain type may be found within a given group. For example, the bitterness colony may contain several demons of resentment. Also, a certain type of demon may be present in more than one group. For example, a demon of anger may be found in the bitterness clan and another anger demon in the perfection clan. In one deliverance several groups of spirits were cast out. In each group there was a spirit of depression. It is only by the operation of the supernatural gift of discernment that one can know that all such combinations of spirits have been dealt with.

The following list of demon groups represents patterns experienced through actual deliverance sessions.

THESE GROUPINGS ARE ONLY SUGGESTIVE OF WHAT MAY BE ENCOUNTERED. THE LISTING IS BY NO MEANS INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE, NOR THE GROUPINGS TO BE INVARIABLE. An explanation is given of some of the groupings listed. This is to offer some insight into the problems caused by particular groups of spirits. Most of the groups are rather self-explanatory.

Your authors believe that the information given in this chapter will prove to be of great practical value to those who are moving into deliverance ministry. It will help anyone to better understand how demons set themselves up in groups. Years of study and experience are condensed into a few pages.

COMMON DEMON GROUPINGS

1. BITTERNESS

Resentment

Hatred

Unforgiveness

Violence

Temper

Anger

Retaliation

Murder

2. REBELLION

Self-will

Stubbornness

Disobedience

Anti-submissiveness

3. STRIFE

Contention

Bickering

Argument

Quarreling

Fighting

4. CONTROL

Possessiveness

Dominance

Witchcraft

5. RETALIATION

Destruction

Spite

Hatred

Sadism

Hurt

Cruelty

6. ACCUSATION

Judging

Criticism

Faultfinding

7. REJECTION

Fear of Rejection

Self-rejection

8. INSECURITY

Inferiority

Self-Pity

Loneliness

Timidity

Shyness

Inadequacy

Ineptness

9. JEALOUSY

Envy

Suspicion

Distrust

Selfishness

10. WITHDRAWAL

Pouting

Daydreaming

Fantasy

Pretension

Unreality

11. ESCAPE

Indifference

Stoicism

Passivity

Sleepiness

Alcohol

Drugs

12 PASSIVITY

Funk

Indifference

Listlessness

Lethargy

13. DEPRESSION

Despair

Despondency

Discouragement

Defeatism

Dejection

Hopelessness

Suicide

Death

Insomnia

Morbidity

14. HEAVINESS

Gloom

Burden

Disgust

15. WORRY

Anxiety

Fear

Dread

Apprehension

16. NERVOUSNESS

Tension

Headaches

Nervous Habits

Restlessness

Excitement

Insomnia

Roving

17. SENSITIVENESS

Self-awareness

Fear of man

Fear of disapproval

18. PERSECUTION

Unfairness

Fear of judgment

Fear of condemnation

Fear of accusation

Fear of reproof

Sensitiveness

19. MENTAL ILLNESS

Insanity

Madness

Mania

Retardation

Senility

Schizophrenia

20. SCHIZOPHRENIA

(See Chapter 21)

21. PARANOIA

Jealousy

Envy

Suspicion

Distrust

Persecution

Fears

Confrontation

22. CONFUSION

Frustration

Incoherence

Forgetfulness

23. DOUBT

Unbelief

Skepticism

24. INDECISION

Procrastination

Compromise

Confusion

Forgetfulness

Indifference

254. SELF-DECEPTION

Self-delusion

Self-seduction

Pride

26. MIND-BINDING

Confusion

Fear of man

Fear of failure

Occult spirits

Spiritism spirits

27. MIND IDOLATRY

Intellectualism

Rationalization

Pride

Ego

28. FEARS (All Kinds)

Phobias (All Kinds)

Hysteria

29. FEAR OF AUTHORITY

Lying

Deceit

30. PRIDE

Ego

Vanity

Self-righteousness

Haughtiness

Importance

Arrogance

31. AFFECTATION

Theatrics

Playacting

Sophistication

Pretension

32. COVETOUSNESS

Stealing

Kleptomania

Material Lust

Greed

Discontent

33. PERFECTION

Pride

Vanity

Ego

Frustration

Criticism

Irritability

Intolerance

Anger

34. COMPETITION

Driving

Argument

Pride

Ego

35. IMPATIENCE

Agitation Frustration

Intolerance

Resentment

Criticism

36. FALSE BURDEN

False responsibility

False compassion

37. GRIEF

Sorrow

Heartache

Heartbreak

Crying

Sadness

Cruel

38. FATIGUE

Tiredness

Weariness

Laziness

39. INFIRMITY

(any disease or sickness)

40. DEATH

41. INHERITANCE

(Physical)

(Emotional)

(Mental)

(Curses)

42. HYPERACTIVITY

Restlessness

Driving

Pressure

43. CURSING

Blasphemy

Course jesting

Gossip

Criticism

Backbiting

Mockery

Belittling

Railing

44. ADDICTIVE & COMPULSIVE

Nicotine

Alcohol

Drugs

Medications

Caffeine

Gluttony

45. GLUTTONY

Nervousness

Compulsive Eating

Resentment

Frustration

Idleness

Self-pity

Self-reward

46. SELF-ACCUSATION

Self-hatred

Self-condemnation

47. GUILT

Condemnation

Shame

Unworthiness

Embarrassment

48. SEXUAL IMPURITY

Lust

Fantasy Lust

Masturbation

Homosexuality

Lesbianism

Adultery

Fornication

Incest

Harlotry

Rape

Exposure

Frigidity

49. CULTS

Jehovah’s Witness

Christian Science

Rosicrucianism

Theosophy

Urantia

Subud

Latihan

Unity

Mormonism

Bahaism

Unitarianism

(Lodges, societies &

social agencies using

the Bible & God as a

basis but omitting

the blood atonement

of Jesus Christ)

50. OCCULT

Ouija Board

Palmistry

Handwriting analysis

Automatic handwriting

ESP

Hypnotism

Horoscope

Astrology

Levitation

Fortune Telling

Water Witching

Tarot Cards

Pendulum

Witchcraft

Black Magic

White Magic

Conjuration

Incantation

Charms

Fetishes

Etc.

51. RELIGIOUS

Ritualism

Formalism

Doctrinal obsession

Seduction

Doctrinal error

Fear of God

Fear of Hell

Fear of lost salvation

Religiosity

Etc.

52. SPIRITISM

Seance

Spirit guides

Necromancy

Etc.

53. FALSE RELIGIONS

Buddhism

Taoism

Hinduism

Islam

Shintoism

Confucianism

Etc.

BITTERNESS

In Hebrews 12:15 a warning is sounded: “lest any root of bitterness springing up TROUBLE you, and thereby many be defiled.” The root of bitterness is responsible for much “trouble”. Bitterness harbored in the heart for any length of time will open the door for demon invasion. This is probably the most common opening for demon activity. In the majority of cases the bitterness is towards someone within the immediate family.

Bitterness spirits keep alive hurtful incidents. Things that happened years ago are as fresh and alive in the memory as if they had only happened today. Thus, the person not only copes with current problems but is ever faced with the backlog of hurts. The spirit of unforgiveness keeps alive every detail of the hurts; reviews them continuously in the person’s mind. The most trivial hurt is neither forgiven nor forgotten.

Whenever the attitude of bitterness is found, one may expect to find the demons of bitterness, resentment and hatred. In some instances the chain of spirits goes on to include other or all of the spirits in the grouping.

REBELLION

Rebellion is the spirit of antichrist - of disobedience and disrespect for authority. God has established authority in the home, church and civil government. God Himself is our supreme authority. To assert self-will above any level of authority in God’s divine order is to entertain demons of rebellion. To keep delivered in this area necessitates complete submission to all God constituted authority

CONTROL

Control spirits are found in such cases as: (1) A parent showing unnatural control over a grown child, (2) husband or wife domineering over the other, (3) a pastor being a dictator rather than a shepherd, (4) a member of a prayer group controlling the group or others in the group. The methods of control may involve false visions, revelations; prophecies and the like. Such control amounts to witchcraft seeking to control another person (getting him to do what you want him to do) by knowingly or unknowingly employing the power of an evil spirit.

The deliverance minister must also be prepared to minister to the victims of control spirits. Have the dominated person renounce all demonic control, declare his release from the bondage on the basis of liberty in Christ Jesus, and adamantly refuse any further control. The freed person must learn to exercise his own will and make his own decisions. He may require personal deliverance from spirits of insecurity, inferiority and fear. Too, spirits of condemnation may try to persuade him that he is hurting the other person to whom he has had such a close attachment. He may need help in being able to separate the person from the demons in the person. When this is accomplished he can love the person but hate the demons that seek to control him.

RETALIATION

This group usually stems out of the root of bitterness. These spirits advocate returning evil for evil. An interesting manifestation has been observed when young children were being delivered of this type of spirit. When a parent was holding the child during the deliverance we have seen the child pinch, bite or hit the parent. The disposition of the child would change instantly once the demons were out. Adults are more likely to retaliate through spiteful acts or words.

REJECTION

The door for the spirit of rejection to enter is most frequently opened during childhood, and even while a baby is still in its mother’s womb. When a child is unwanted, the fetus is opened for the entrance of a demon of rejection. I find that some persons are definitely repelled by such a suggestion. They think it terribly unfair that such a thing be possible. We must remember the devil is no gentleman, and he is not regulated by rules of fair sportsmanship. Rather, he is extremely evil and does not hesitate for a moment to take full advantage of a situation which will foster his evil purposes. Satan delights in finding an Achilles heel for a target, choosing the weakest moments in life to attack. When is a person most defenseless? Before he is given birth and during infancy.

It is said of John the Baptist before he was born, “He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15b). Since the Holy Spirit entered John the Baptist before birth, we need not doubt the ability of a demon spirit to enter a person before birth.

An unwed mother came to me for ministry. Because of the circumstances of the baby’s conception, she admitted that she did not want the child and had considered abortion. At the time of the ministry she was in her eighth month of pregnancy. Several demons were cast out of the fetus, including the spirit of rejection. As these spirits were challenged, the expectant mother experienced sharp pains in the womb area of her body. These pains completely disappeared as the demons came out through the mother’s mouth.

The deliverance minister will do well to question all who come for ministry as to the possibility of rejection. It is extremely common and often very strong. Most children who have been adopted will have spirits of rejection. The very circumstances that necessitated the child’s adoption will have provided an opening for spirits of rejection to gain entrance.

Rejection will usually become a three-headed monster. In addition to the basic spirit of rejection there will be a fear-of rejection spirit and a self-rejection spirit. The presence of these demons is readily evidenced through a person’s inability to receive love or to give love to others. Because he has been rejected he becomes fearful of close relationships through which he could experience further hurt. He is afraid to accept the love of others and holds himself aloof. The way is opened for fear-of-rejection.

Self-rejection comes along to add to the torment. The person who feels that he is rejected by others will decide there is something wrong with himself that makes others not like him. He turns his thoughts inward and begins to hate himself for what he is. This is self-rejection.

INDECISION

These are mental spirits. They are quite common. A person should normally be able to weigh the factors involved and reach a decision, but these spirits can torment a person over making the smallest decision.

Every decision looms as a major crisis. When he cannot decide he postpones. Indecision has led to procrastination, The longer he weighs a matter the more confused he becomes. In desperation or frustration he compromises his decision and settles for less than best. Or he may escape the responsibility of making a decision by forgetting.

In some cases procrastination precedes indecision and is the leading spirit. The clue to a procrastination spirit in a child is when the child is heard to say often, “In a minute.” For example, a mother tells her child to clean up his room. The child replies, “In a minute, Mother.” He really intends to be obedient but the spirit of forgetfulness pulls it out of his mind. When he is reminded he will explain, “Oh, I forgot.” The mother must then exercise authority. When such a situation arises repeatedly the child may become stubborn and rebellious.

SELF-DECEPTION

“The deceived and the deceiver are his” (Job 12:16). The Lord gave us this verse during a ministry to identify a deep problem in Mr. P. For more than twenty years he had been self-deceived in believing that he was on the verge of a great spiritual revelation concerning the Trinity He believed this revelation would astound the entire Christian world. He demonstrated to us how he believed the revelation would come. He carefully folded a sheet of paper several ways and tore small pieces out of it. As each piece of paper was unfolded it was seen to be a symbol or letter. He believed that one day he would be able to tear and interpret Spirit-inspired symbols that would reveal once and for all the mystery of the Godhead. Self-delusion, self-seduction and pride (companion spirits) convinced him that he, an unknown, would become world renowned.

His whole problem had grown out of rejection. His father, a minister, had rejected him from childhood. In an attempt to receive his father’s approval and love he was opened to spirits of delusion which convinced him not only that he would become famous but that his fame would come through a spiritual revelation which would win the admiration of his father.

Renunciation of the delusion was not easy for Mr. P. He had great fear that he would be failing God. In such cases of self-deception the person must be confronted with the error, and the delusion must be renounced. When a person falls out of agreement with the lies of the demons he is able to retain his deliverance.

PERFECTION

There is a place for organization, orderliness and a job well done. The perfection demon makes a bondage out of these attributes. For example, a person has planned his day. He has decided all that he will do and fit it into a schedule. He binds himself to that schedule. He leaves no room for variation. It is a perfect plan. He is proud that he is able to plan and perform so well. Then something or someone interferes with that plan. He grows irritable. Now he is not able to complete his schedule.

He cannot adjust to the interruption. Frustration sets in. Anger rises against the person or thing that has broken his plan. Thus, a whole set of demons is set in motion. The conflict is both inward and outward.

Rejection is often behind perfection. The rejected person strives for perfection in an effort to earn respect and acceptance. In other instances perfection is a compensation for inferiority.

FALSE BURDEN

The devil delights in wearing out the saints. The devil, unlike God, will put more upon God’s children than they are able to bear. Jesus declared that His yoke is easy and His burden light. A false burden is heavy to bear and is usually self-assumed. Even a pious burden for souls may be satanically imposed. God has a time and a way as well as a purpose. Flowing with the Spirit takes out all the strain. Many believers need deliverance from false burdens, responsibilities and compassions - those that are not from God.

RELIGIOUS ERROR

Religious error is a broad designation embracing false religions, Christian cults, occult practices and false doctrines. Involvement with any of these sources of error can open the door for evil spirits. The association or contact need not be extensive.

Any Christian who has had involvement with any kind of religious error should renounce it. In most cases deliverance is needed to free him of oppression. These religious error demons have been found to cause:

mental confusion, binding of the mind, dullness of comprehension, depression, fears, physical pains, physical illnesses, false pride, unteachableness, resistance to Biblical truth and spiritual hindrances (to prayer, Bible reading, sermon listening, gifts of the Spirit and faith).

Chapter 21

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a very common problem. Some authorities in the field of mental illness estimate there may be as many as fifty million persons in the United States who are afflicted to some degree with schizophrenia, “...schizophrenics are estimated to make up about 50% of state psychiatric hospital admissions, with 300,000 new cases every year.” Some cases are acute while others are quite mild, requiring no professional treatment. Schizophrenia has remained a very baffling problem to mental health professionals. The cause and cure has remained shrouded in uncertainty.

The disturbance, distortion and disintegration of personality known as schizophrenia or dementia praecox is frequently encountered by the deliverance minister. Almost every person who comes to us for deliverance is found to have varying degrees of the network of demon spirits which cause schizophrenia. The Lord has graciously given us a special revelation on the problem, which enables us to restore many to wholeness of personality. Since the revelation came to my wife, Ida Mae, I have asked her to write the remainder of this chapter.

THE SCHIZOPHRENIC REVELATION Ida Mae Hammond

We were working very closely in deliverance with a person who did not show much improvement after repeated ministries. This person was very earnest about wanting deliverance. She loved the Lord very much, she believed with all her heart that deliverance was the answer to her problems, and she cried out to the Lord in desperation. She was completely cooperative with the ministry. Nevertheless, the overall results were disappointing.

Time after time we felt that the victory was gained. For a few days her personality would show signs of stability, then suddenly everything would go into upheaval. We would be right back where we started.

Then one night after an especially violent upheaval I was awakened from sleep. The Lord was speaking within my spirit. The Lord said, “I want to give you a revelation of what is Sarah’s problem. The problem is schizophrenia. Now, I was not knowledgeable on the subject. In college I had studied some psychology - enough to be familiar with such general terms as manic depressive, schizophrenia, paranoia, psychosis and neurosis. I reached back in my memory to recall that schizophrenia is sometimes referred to as “split personality”. The Lord gave me this definition: “Schizophrenia is a disturbance, distortion or disintegration of the development of the personality. You will no longer call her Sarah but ‘Sarah One’ and ‘Sarah Two’, for she has more than one personality in her.”

I was still in bed - still had sleep in my eyes - as the Lord continued giving the revelation. He instructed me to put my hands together, palms facing and with fingers laced together tightly. He said this represented what the schizophrenic nature was like. Each hand represented one of the dual personalities within the schizophrenic, neither of which was the real self. They were tightly interlocked. The Lord said, “Your hands represent the nest of demon spirits that make up schizophrenia. I want you to know that it is demonic. It is a nest of demon spirits, and they came into this person’s life when she was very, very young. I will show you how it operates.”

New the Lord instructed me to take my hands apart VERY SLOWLY. As my fingers were slowly disengaged the Lord showed me that these demonic spirits in the schizophrenic must be separated, cast out and given up. The process requires time. It is a shock to the person to discover that so much of his personality is not the real self. He may be afraid to discover what his true personality is. He needs time to adjust and to fall out of agreement with the false demon personalities, point by point. He must come to loathe the schizophrenic personality, and fall out of agreement with it. The Lord recalled to my memory Amos 3:3. “How can two walk together except they be agreed.”

One by one my fingers were disengaged, illustrating the pulling apart of the demonic personalities. (Later, each finger was given a demonic designation). The last two fingers to come apart were the middle fingers on each hand. The Lord showed that these fingers represent the core of the schizophrenic Rejection and Rebellion. When these are finally separated the person can consider himself healed - delivered and knowing who the real self is.

The control demon is called “Schizophrenia” or “Double Mindedness”. The Bible says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). This is the scriptural designation of a schizophrenic. The Amplified translation says:

[For being as he is] a man of two minds-hesitating, dubious, irresolute - [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides).

The phrase translated “two minds” comes from a compound Greek word literally meaning “two souls”.

The next stage of the revelation came a few weeks later. The Lord instructed me to draw the outline of my hands on paper. Then He named the fingers as various demon spirits and showed me how each demon sets itself up in the schizophrenic. The control demon of schizophrenia invites other demons in, in order to cause the distortion of the personality. Schizophrenia ALWAYS begins with “rejection”. It commonly begins in childhood or infancy and sometimes while the child is yet in his mother’s womb. There are many causes for rejection. Perhaps the child was not wanted. Or may have been the wrong sex desired by one or both parents. The condition in the home may have been unsettled. 'There are many “doors” that lead to rejection.

Schizophrenia can be demonically inherited. Notice I said “demonically”. By that I mean it is not in the blood system, not in the genes - it is in the demons! In other words, demons seek to perpetuate their like kind. It is easiest for them to do this within a family. For example, suppose the schizophrenia nature is in the mother. The demons will pick out one or more of her children to feed down through. The schizophrenic mother feels rejection. She is the one who is primarily responsible for feeding love into the family. She is the one who touches, handles and fondles the infant. The rejection within herself creates problems in her relationships with the child. So, the child is opened for rejection by the mother’s instability. I repeat, schizophrenia ALWAYS begins with rejection.

Now, one can have a rejection spirit and not be a schizophrenic. In other words, it is all in the matter of forming a personality. You can have a rejection spirit and still manage to form your own personality and be secure in yourself. To the contrary, the schizophrenic is always floundering ... “Who am I?” The identity of the true self is confused or lost.

Rejection (shown on the left hand in the illustration) is the control demon in one of the personalities set up within the schizophrenic. Rejection depicts a withdrawn type personality. (It is a feeling within -it is agony within... it is a starvation of love... it is insecurity... it is inferiority... it is fantasy... it is unreality - it is all on the inside — “I don’t share in this.”) This is one personality the demons set up.

The second personality set up by the demons is “Rebellion”. (See the middle finger on the right hand in the illustration). When a child does not have satisfactory love relationships in life he grows up being unable to feel and share in love relationships. A rebellion sets in. He begins to fight for love. Or he lashes out at those who have starved him of love. Rebellion asserts itself in stubbornness, self-will and selfishness. Here is another personality. This one is not inward and withdrawn. It is aggressive and lashing out in anger, bitterness, resentment, hatred and retaliation. The schizophrenic is literally under these two opposite powers. He can switch from one type personality to the other in a moment’s time.

The Lord showed me that I was to refer to the schizophrenic person as “Sarah One” and “Sarah Two” - the “Sarah One” being the real person, and the “Sarah Two” the schizophrenic personality which has two sides to it. Therefore, there are really three personalities involved - the real personality, the rejection personality and the rebellion personality. In thirty minutes time one may see all three personalities manifested. Naturally, this brings much confusion to the person himself as well as to others around him.

The real person is neither of the “hands”. The “Real Self” is shown in the illustration between the arms, at the bottom. The demons have not permitted the real self to develop. The schizophrenic does not know his real self. When the schizophrenic begins to be delivered, the real self must have Jesus. Jesus must start growing in the person, developing that personality, and making it what He wants it to be. This is why the schizophrenic deliverance requires time - sometimes several months or even a year, or longer. The deliverance must work in balance with the development of the “Real Self”. It cannot be rushed, for there is nothing for the person to fall back upon. If every demon in the schizophrenic person were suddenly cast out he would feel totally lost. Identity with the “Real Self” requires time. As the schizophrenic nature is knocked out the true personality must come forth to replace it.

Let me illustrate what can happen when a schizophrenic is in the process of deliverance. He may be learning submission to authority. He is faced with a test. There is a situation where he is required to be submissive. He is not in the habit of being submissive. What will he do? Will he fall back into rejection... go to his room? ...cover his face? ...refuse to talk to anyone? Or, will he fall back into rebellion... expressing anger? ...becoming defiant? ...showing stubbornness?

Or, will he permit the nature of Jesus to come forth ...cooperating? ...yielding to authority? ...becoming submissive? The decision is his. He must be willing to fall out of agreement with the demons and to break old habit patterns. The “Real Self” must have become strong enough in Christ to carry through on the right decision.

On the illustration you will see a swirl at the top, between the two hands. This represents a “hurricane”. The schizophrenic person continually creates “storms” around himself. He is caught in these storms, and other, must relate to what is happening. Notice that some of the arrows also carry swirls or “hurricanes”. If the person trying to relate is also unstable he brings his storm into the schizophrenic’s storm. You then have a storm within a storm. Other arrows are straight. These depict persons who are stable and can relate to the “hurricane” in a stable way. Such a person can engage the storm without being damaged or scarred. He is not captured by the turmoil. The deliverance minister must be able to come in as a straight arrow.

These times of storm cause the root of bitterness to form (see right hand) and to be driven deeper and deeper.

Now, let us see what the other fingers on the left hand represent. The “ring finger” is designated lust. The Lord showed me that this demon “weds” a person to the world for love. Lust is rooted in rejection. If one has not received satisfactory love through the normal channels of life, the carnal nature will begin to search for its kind of love-sensual love. Thus, the door is opened for the demon of lust to enter. A companion spirit in this group is fantasy lust which may cause the person to imagine he is some great lover of the motion picture world or to fantasy sexual experiences as a prelude to overt acts. The harlotry spirit in women may first manifest itself in dress and provocativeness. Sexual perversions represent extreme attempts to overcome rejection. Sexual experiences, real or imaginary, can never satisfy the need for genuine love. They are the devil’s substitutes for real love and leave a person ridden with frustration and guilt.

The little finger on the left hand represents insecurity and inferiority. This is yet another manifestation of rejection. The person who has a deep sense of rejection feels insecure and inferior.

The index finger on the left hand is “self-accusation”. This demon causes a person to turn against himself and tears down his sense of personal worth. In most cases we have found “self accusation” coupled with a “compulsion to confess. For example, if the person has fallen into immorality he cannot rest until he has confessed his wrong-doing. He usually confesses to those who should show him the most love. He is driven to do this in an effort to “shock” others into giving him forced attention and thereby find a substitute for love.

Now, let us move to the right hand in the illustration. The middle finger in the illustration is designated “rebellion”. As we have seen, rebellion identifies one of the false personalities set up by the demons. This group of demons may be considered compensating spirits for “rejection”. Rebellion is the opposite of rejection. One is expressive and turbulent, the other is withdrawn and insecure.

The ring finger on the right hand represents self-will. This demon “weds” a person to selfish desires. This opens the way for stubbornness, selfishness and unteachableness. Again, we see the compensation for rejection. Since the person has been rejected or fears rejection he is driven to pamper self... to push self. He is thereby trying to overcome feelings of rejection.

The index finger is called accusation. It, too, is a compensating demon. It draws the attention away from the rejection. It seeks to eliminate a concentration on self by calling attention to others. The left index finger points at self - “I am to blame,” while the right index finger points at others - “You are to blame.” The accusation demon opens the door for companion spirits of judgmentalism.

The little finger on the right hand is self-deception. Its companions are delusion, self-seduction and pride. These three spirits of “self” inflate pride. Pride is another compensation for rejection. One who feels rejected wants to feel important. The spirit of delusion comes along and says, “You are REALLY somebody”; ‘You are a spiritual giant!”, or some other kind of giant. The ego that has been wounded appears to be given a boost. But it is all demonic. It only leads to greater frustration and disappointment.

In one case of ministry, the spirit of self deception had convinced a thirteen year old girl that she was nineteen. She took on another name to go with her other person. She attempted to think, talk and act like an older girl. She was pushed beyond her abilities and her normal maturity. It added greatly to her oppression.

Through the revelation the Lord showed how the thumbs represent the “Paranoid” phase of schizophrenia. Part of it is represented in the left thumb because it is rooted in rejection. On the rejection side are spirits of jealousy and envy. Those who are deficient in reciprocal love relationships become jealous and envious of those who do experience satisfying love. On the rebellion side are spirits of distrust, suspicion, fears and persecution. There is another demon in this later group and it is called “Confrontation with honesty at all cost'. Suspicion and distrust build up in the person until he is compelled to confront the other person. After the confrontation the pressure dies down within him for awhile. But it leaves the attacked person to handle his wounds. The person acting under the influence of paranoid demons is quite insensitive as to how many wounds he causes, yet he is super-sensitive to every offense toward himself.

The revelation portrayed in the fingers and thumbs has proved to be infallible, as judged by numerous ministries with schizophrenics. There is no flaw in it.

The demons listed down the left hand are representative of other spirits that are commonly found within the rejection side of the schizophrenia pattern. These will have some variations from person to person. The listing is suggestive rather than exhaustive. It is apparent in most instances that the demons listed on the left hand are in some way associated with the triad of rejection-type spirits ... rejection, fear of rejection and self rejection.

The listing of demons on the right hand include control and possessiveness. They are directly related to rebellion.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. I Sam. 15:23a

This verse can be interpreted in two ways. First, I interpret it to mean that to God rebellion is as abominable as witchcraft itself. I also interpret it to mean that one who has a rebellious nature has the nature of a witch. The purpose in witchcraft is to control. It is the controlling of another person by knowingly or unknowingly employing the power of evil spirits. Rebellion often leads to control.

Now, let us continue down the right hand. There is a “root of bitterness”. In all of life one does have conflicts. Things DO happen and words ARE spoken that require an attitude of forgiveness. Here lies the problem with the schizophrenic. He is unable to forgive. He has an unforgiving spirit. The things that happened thirty years ago are just as alive as they were the minute they happened. The root of bitterness is kept alive and out of it comes resentment, hatred, anger, retaliation, violence and murder. There can be many other demons attached to such a root of bitterness.

How does the schizophrenic come out of this tangled mess? The three main areas to conquer are REJECTION, REBELLION and THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS. As these areas are conquered the “house'’ (life) must be filled by the giving and receiving of love, by submission to every valid authority and by forgiveness of all persons regardless of the circumstances. When these three areas are conquered the other related spirits lose their strength. Determination is necessary. The person who can persistently say, “I WILL BE DIFFERENT! I WILL NOT LET DEMONS RULE MY LIFE!” will eventually see victory.

Between the hands at the bottom of the illustration is a little, stick figure called “The Real Self”. As the deliverance takes place over a period of time, “The Real Self” must rise up (depicted by arrows) and part the false schizophrenic personalities by falling out of agreement with all of their influence and all that they represent. “The Real Self” must take on the nature of Jesus Himself. Spiritual exercises such as Bible study, prayer, fasting, praise and fellowship with other believers is essential to a successful deliverance. These spiritual exercises will also accelerate the deliverance process as the person’s life is filled with the positive things of Christ Jesus.

It is hard work for both the schizophrenic patient and the deliverance minister. I greatly admire schizophrenics who fight through to victory. I admire these victories above all other deliverances. The Schizophrenia deliverance is the deepest, most involved and most determined deliverance that we have encountered.

Chapter 22

Facing Issues and Questions

There are some things about demons and deliverance that one would be unwise to be dogmatic about. There are some questions for which no complete answers can be found. There are honest differences of opinion between persons who are recognized authorities in the field. Rather than completely ignore these issues and questions I will mention several that are prominent in my own thinking, and make a few comments.

1. Aren’t we less effective than Jesus?

It may be argued, and I believe rightly so, that the New Testament evidence is that Jesus delivered persons from demon spirits with greater authority and dispatch than we are witnessing today. Let us not shrink away from this ministry because we cannot do it perfectly, and wait until we can match the example of Jesus. This is like a person who does not know how to swim deciding not to enter the water until he can do so as an Olympic champion!

I have seen what I believe to be a serious mistake in this area. When results are not immediate some have declared knowingly that it is all a matter of faith. Consequently, they make a practice of commanding all demons to leave a person and rest on “faith” that it is accomplished. But presumption is not faith. When the person is not delivered as a consequence of this so-called faith, then it should be admitted that something went awry.

Some who were supposedly delivered in that fashion have come to my attention. They were suffering from delusion and disappointment. They had been told that they were delivered, but nothing had changed. Was the deliverance minister really honest? Was he unwilling to take the necessary time to see an effective ministry? Was he seeking a short-cut to effectiveness? How can we judge?

One day another minister and I were discussing this thorny question. While we were talking, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said that the church would eventually come into greater power in deliverance. The Spirit said He would give me a preview of what lay ahead.

The other minister’s wife was in the room with us and had requested deliverance ministry. I was directed by the Spirit to give one command for the troubling demons to leave her. None of us moved from our seats. I pointed my finger at the woman across the room and commanded the demons to leave her. There was a minute of silence and then she exploded into coughing. When she realized that she had been delivered, she stood up and lifted her hands in praise to God. She immediately fell to the floor under the power of the anointing that was upon her.

I am not satisfied with the anointing that I have experienced or witnessed generally in the ministry of others. I am believing God for a better day.

Nevertheless, I have definitely experienced some growth in authority. Where spiritual battles formerly required hours, they now require minutes. The demons definitely recognize increased authority and respond more readily and with fewer and less prolonged demonstrations. In a few instances demons in persons in the same room with us have cried out from simply recognizing we were a danger and a threat to them. This seems to parallel the experience of Jesus when He went into the synagogue and an unclean spirit in a man cried out. (See Mark 1:23,26). Let us remain open to the Spirit’s teaching. Undoubtedly the problem lies with man and not with God!

2. How can a Christian have demons?

How can a demon spirit indwell the same body at the same time as the Holy Spirit does? It seems logical to assume that this cannot be possible, but all logic is not truth, and some logic is based on a false premise.

We have taken the position in this writing that Christians can be and are indwelt by demons. The explanation of how this is possible is based primarily, so far as I have determine, on a clear understanding of the difference between soul and spirit. The New Testament word for “spirit’ is “pneuma”. In contradistinction from the natural or “soulish’ the spirit is that part of man which has the ability to grasp and perceive things.

But the natural (i.e. soulish) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14

The word for “soul’ is “psyche”. This world defines the self life - the emotions, the intellect and the will. Paul shows us hows us that man is a three-fold being

And the very God of peace sanctify wholly; and I pray God your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . I Thess. 5:23

The scripture teaches that prior to salvation a man is “dead in trespasses and sins” (See Eph. 2:1). Such a man is not dead physically - his heart is still beating. He is dead spiritually he has no communication with God; he has no perception of divine mysteries. The new birth (salvation) remedies the condition of a man’s spirit-His spirit is quickened - made alive. It is quickened by the Divine presence coming in. Jesus comes into the human spirit and brings in His life

And this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. I John 5:11, 12

From this we see that the Divine Spirit indwells the human spirit at the time of salvation. Demon spirits are confined to the soul and body of a believer. Demons afflict the emotions, the mind, and the will and the physical body not the spirit of a Christian.

The aim of deliverance is to remove the trespassing demon spirits from the soul and body in ordered that Jesus can reign over these areas as well. Jesus has made adequate provision for the whole man, but part of the responsibility now rests upon us as is shown in the following scripture:

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. 2: 12b,13

Of the believer it is said that God is at work “in you,” but the salvation spoken of is not completed. It needs to be “worked out”. The word for “salvation” in this passage is soteria. Thayers Lexicon gives as the primary meaning of this word “deliverance from the molestation of enemies”. The picture becomes clear. Jesus has delivered our SPIRIT from the power of Satan; now He says to us, “Work out your own deliverance from the molestation of enemies until you have freed both SOUL and BODY.”

3. Can a non-Christian be delivered?

The obvious answer to this question is yes. Demons must obey those who exercise the authority of the name of Jesus. I have never ministered deliverance in behalf of an unbeliever, but I do not doubt that demons would respond and obey. Nevertheless, I doubt seriously the wisdom of such a deliverance for two reasons. First, what hope would there be of keeping the demons out? Would they not soon return? One must personally resist the devil, and he has no ground for doing this unless he is submitted unto the Lord. Sin opens the door for the demons to come in, and an unconverted sinner who has not repented of his sins is open prey for the devil. Second, according to scripture, you could do him more harm than good. According to Matthew 12:43-45, when an unclean spirit is cast out he will seek to return. If nothing of God replaces the void the unclean spirit can come back and bring other and more wicked spirits than himself so that “the last state of the man is worse than the first”.

I see no ground for administering deliverance to an unbeliever other than a direct word from the Lord. Only God knows the future and whether he would accept Christ as his Saviour. Besides, what motive would an unbeliever have for wanting deliverance? As long as he remained in his unbelief his motive could not be for the glory of God. His motive would be completely selfish. Deliverance is not a game. It is serious business. It is for those who mean business with God. The question, then, is not CAN a non-Christian be delivered, but SHOULD he be delivered? Normally, his spirit should be delivered first, and that is by the new birth.

1. What happens to demons that are cast out?

The Bible does not have an abundance to say on this subject. Our primary reference is Matt. 12:43. We read:

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Our problem is in knowing how literal an interpretation to give to this verse. Since demons are spirit beings, how would they be affected by a literal wilderness or desert country. Perhaps the words are intended as figurative. Thus, it pictures the demons walking or roaming in a place apart from human habitation. The demon is restless and discontent outside of a human body, for it is only by indwelling and controlling the human life that a demon is able to perpetrate his evil desires.

There is an interesting passage in Job which is most descriptive of those who wander in dry places. Since the book of Job is about a man who was under the attack of Satan, the description is made more meaningful. During deliverances I have used this passage against the demons. I reminded them that they are about to go into dry places. Demons have definitely been tormented by hearing the passage read. They seem to understand better than we that it describes what they are facing. The reader should examine the entire thirtieth chapter of Job from which we quote a few verses.

They are gaunt with want and famine; they gnaw the dry and barren ground, or flee into the wilderness, into the gloom of wasteness and desolation. They pluck saltwort and mallows among the bushes, and roots of the broom for their food or to warm them. They are driven from among men, who shout after them as after a thief. They must dwell in the clefts of frightful valleys [gullies made by torrents], and in holes of the earth and of the rocks. Among the bushes they bray and howl [like wild animals]; beneath the prickly scrub they fling themselves and huddle together. Sons of the worthless and nameless, they have been scourged and crushed out of the land. Job 30:3-8 (Amplified)

1. Can we tell demons where to go?

This question is related to the previous one. Outside of telling us that expelled demons “walk through dry places” there is no suggestion as to what happens to them. It is never reported that Jesus or the disciples ever imposed any judgment on demons by sending them to hell, the pit, or any such place. The demons evidently understand that their final judgment is yet future. They indicated this when they spoke through the Gadarene demoniac.

What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us BEFORE THE TIME? Matt. 8:29

The scripture does not authorize us to impose premature torment upon the demons. That time is fixed by the counsel of God.

Then, can we send them to another country or locality? The demon that identified himself as “Legion” pleaded with Jesus that He not send them to another place.

And he (Legion) besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Mark 5:10

From this it appears that demons can be sent to other parts of the world. Should this be done in every instance or only in certain instances?

There have been times when I was directed of the Holy Spirit to command demons to go to specific countries of the world. In such instances I have heard the demons speak in violent protest. One demon begged not to be sent to Africa, complaining it was too hot there. For some reason they obviously prefer to stay in one locality.

Why did the demons in the Gadarene ask to go into the swine, and why did Jesus grant such permission? Surely Jesus was not in any kind of sympathy with the demons. His reason must have been based on the welfare of the demonized man. It is my own theory that the man would have been severely torn by a legion of spirits resisting being cast out. (Jesus never prevented demons from tearing a person as they came out). Since the demons were allowed a sure place to go they would not put up resistance. As it turned out, the swine soon met with destruction and the demons were again without a “home”.

Demons prefer to indwell humans. Their second choice is an animal. It does not do much for my pride to realize that if a demon cannot indwell me his second choice is a pig! Demons can and do indwell animals.

6. Can we forbid demons to re-enter a person?

On only one occasion are we told that Jesus forbade a demon to return. This was the case of a boy possessed by a dumb and deaf spirit who was brought to Jesus by his father.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and ENTER NO MORE INTO HIM. Mark 9:25

This seems to be an exceptional procedure. As we have seen from Matt. 12: 43-45, a demon will attempt to return and will succeed in doing so unless the delivered person does what is necessary to keep him out. In the case of children, parents are the spiritual guardians. The father in the case in question showed a weakness in faith, saying, “I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” Jesus was encouraging the man’s faith when they were interrupted by a crowd gathering. It may have been that Jesus acted sovereignly in behalf of a child who did not have adequate spiritual protection from his father.

In this case, one example does not seem sufficient evidence upon which to build a precedent. If we had the authority in all cases to forbid the demons to return, it would simplify deliverance, but it would eliminate the effort to stay free which serves to strengthen the believer. Surely the Lord will give us direction in any situation where He purposes to limit the activity of a demon by denying it further access to a person. God IS able to limit Satan’s power against a person. Satan had to get permission from God before he could come against Job.

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. Job 2:6

If God, through a word of knowledge, shows that a demon is prohibited from ever indwelling a person again, one can say to the demon, “Upon the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, enter no more into him.”

7. Should houses be cleansed of evil spirits?

Due to my involvement with demons through deliverance I have heard many reports of unusual demon activities in connection with houses and objects. Frequently I am requested to drive demons out of houses. Books and objects identified with anything related to Satan’s kingdom have been known to attract demons. Sinful activities on the part of former residents account for some houses needing to be cleansed. Many have told of hearing voices or sounds in their houses. Such manifestations are sometimes called “poltergeist’, a German word meaning “knocking or noisy ghosts”.

While ministering to a nine year old girl, the mother told us that the girl awakened every night in the middle of the night. She would be very frightened. They could not account for this.

The ministry for the girl turned up nothing that was suspect. We asked that we might inspect the girl’s bedroom. Three things were found in the room which we had discovered could attract evil spirits. There was a book about a witch - secured through the public school. Then there was a big, stuffed toy frog, and over the girl’s bed was a mobile from which dangled half a dozen little owl images that glowed in the dark.

The family agreed to remove these objects and destroy them. We commanded all demons hiding in the room to leave immediately in the name of Jesus, and pled the covering of the blood of Jesus over the girl. The girl has slept peacefully ever since.

What about the owls and frogs? These are classified among the creatures mentioned in Deut. 14:7-19 as being unclean and abominable. They are types of demon spirits. My ministry has taken me into many homes, and I have become aware of how many of these unclean creatures are being made into art objects and used for decorations.

This is especially true of owls and frogs. It is more than coincidence that both of these are creatures of darkness. They come out at night and hunt their prey. Demons are also creatures of darkness. They cannot operate in the light!

In another home we found a twelve year old boy who was having trouble sleeping. He was very nervous and fearful. The home was filled with many objects that had been brought from the mission fields of Africa. There was a witch’s mask, and fetishes used by witch doctors and in heathen worship. Sometimes the economic or sentimental value of such objects mean more to persons than the welfare of the family. Hear what God told His people, Israel, about such things:

The graven images of their gods you shall burn with fire; you shall not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be ensnared by it; for IT IS AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD YOUR GOD. Neither shall you bring an abomination (an idol) into your house, lest you be ensnared by it; FOR IT IS AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD YOUR GOD. Deut. 7:25,26 (Amplified)

Demons are definitely attracted to houses by objects and literature that pertain to false religions, cults, the occult and spiritism. All such materials should be burned or otherwise destroyed. Houses or buildings which are suspect of demon infestation should be cleansed by the authority of the name of Jesus. Those who live in such places should stand on the provisions of the blood of Christ.

1. Is it necessary to call demons out by specific names?

Some interesting things arise in the course of deliverance ministry in regard to names or designations for demons. There are times when demons will come out without being designated. Such a deliverance can continue for an hour without any specific spirits being called for. In other situations the very opposite is true. No demon will come out until it is called by name.

In one deliverance I had called out a demon of rejection. Later on a fear of rejection was discerned. I asked, “Why are you still there? Why didn't you come out when I called for rejection?” The demon responded, “Because you didn’t call for me by my name. I am not ‘rejection” I' am ‘fear of rejection’.”

Demons will usually respond to a description of what they are causing. For example, “You demon that is causing this person to have those bad dreams at night.” Most demons will accept this approach in lieu of a specific title, and will come out.

I am personally of the opinion that a demon’s insistence upon being called by a particular designation is a delaying tactic. I have had demons balk at coming out by declaring, “But that’s not my name.” In such cases I usually say, “Well, you have to come out anyhow.” And they come out.

The main value in knowing the names or designations of the demons is in enabling the one delivered to know what was accomplished. When any of the demons try to come back, it is important to know which ones were cast out. In this way the person can be on the alert and can also deal with that area in the flesh so as to close the door against demons re-entering.

Some demons are very boastful. They seem to enjoy telling their names. One such demon spoke loftily, “I be only he left,” thus claiming he was the last demon to be cast out. He continued, “I be the pride. All pride come through me.”

Chapter 23

The Final Conflict

We all know that throughout Biblical history, God on occasion spoke to His servants through visions and dreams. On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted from the prophet Joel:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS. Acts 2:17

On July 9, 1970 the Lord spoke to me in a spiritual dream. He made it clear to me that I was to minister the truth shown to me through this dream. I pray that it will be a blessing and inspiration to you as it has been to many others with whom it has been shared.

THE DREAM

As the dream began I found myself entering a large stadium.

The stands were completely filled with people, and there was an air of excitement and expectancy over what was about to take place. It was to be a baseball game, and I was to be one of the players. I was already in my uniform. The uniform my team was red and white. I saw members of the opposing team and they were dressed in black and white uniforms.

As I moved onto the field I realized that all of my teammates were on the sideline in a heated controversy with all of the members of the opposing team. I wanted no part in the rhubarb and walked onto the field, hoping that the others would soon join me there. As I moved onto the field one of the opposing team members moved out with me. My mind was filled with concern to get on with the engagement. From the position of the sun I knew there were about two hours of daylight remaining. The action must get started soon.

Finally the argument on the sideline broke up, and the teams began to take their positions. Our team was to be in the field and the opposing team at bat. I had walked out into left field realizing that I had not yet been given an assignment as to the position I would play. I looked for my coach and saw that he was in the middle of the field. He motioned for me to cover third base, and I immediately took my position there.

Our team began to “talk it up”, as they say. We were all shouting words of encouragement to one another and getting into the spirit of the engagement Next, we began doing our limbering-up exercises -stretching our arms, flexing our knees and bending our backs. It was now time for the game to get started.

The pitcher threw the first ball across the plate. The opposing batter slashed into it with all his might. He hit a very high, fly ball. I watched it as it went high over my head and back, back, back falling foul outside the playing field. Fear gripped my heart. I thought, “If all of their players are that strong what chance do we have?” I realized that I must be very alert. I shifted my weight from foot to foot. If the next ball should come in my direction I must be as agile as a cat ready to spring in any direction to catch the ball and get the player out. At this point the dream ended. When I woke up and began to recall the dream my initial reaction was one of disappointment. I love baseball and was disappointed that I did not get to finish the dream.

THE INTERPRETATION

A spiritual dream cannot be figured out - it must be interpreted. As the Holy Spirit recalled the dream to me the next morning He began to give me the interpretation. I grabbed a pencil and paper and began to write the interpretation as fast as I could. The whole thing was made clear in a few moments time. It was written out without interruption just as the Spirit was giving it to me.

The playing field represented the whole world. The stands filled with spectators is the picture presented in Hebrews 12:1.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses …

The Lord told me that those in the stands were the great cloud of witnesses. They were all of the Christians who have ever lived and were now looking down upon the world from their heavenly position. All of the patriarchs and saints of the Old and New Testament eras were in the stands. There were Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Peter, James and John and all the rest. They were the ones who had been in the “pennant races” in former generations. Many of them had done well and were in the “hall of fame” as recorded in Hebrews chapter eleven. They were looking with keenest of anticipation to see how those of us on the field in this generation would do.

Then the Lord said to me, “THIS IS THE WORLD SERIES! THIS IS THE FINAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FORCES OF EVIL AND THE FORCES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. THIS IS TO DETERMINE THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!”

Then I was told the meaning of the uniforms. Our uniforms were red and white. Red represents the blood of Jesus. It marks us as those who belong to the Lord. The blood speaks of our power in Christ Jesus. “They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb ...” (Rev. 12:11). The white speaks of purity. Those on the Lord’s team today must be, marked by purity. The Spirit is laying strong emphasis upon personal holiness and practical righteousness. This is no time to be walking with one foot in the world and the other in the Kingdom of God!

The opposing team was dressed in black and white. Black is the symbol of evil. It characterizes Satan and his evil works. The opposing team was clearly identified as the Devil and his host of demon spirits. I was puzzled. The devil’s team also had white in its uniforms. What could this mean? While the question was being formed in my mind the Spirit was giving answer... The black and white represents a mixture of evil and good. Satan never comes at us with all blackness and evil. He comes to us with white as well. The black and white represents a mixture of truth and error. This is one of Satan’s greatest strategic mixtures. Today, as never before, there is a mixture of good and evil; truth and error.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. I Tim. 4:1

Why was I in this conflict? The Lord showed me that my presence in the encounter was that of a representative person. I was representative of the many Christians who are moving onto the field of spiritual conflict to carry the offensive against the forces of hell.

I inquired, “But, Lord, why are all of my teammates on the sideline in an argument with the opposing team?” The Lord explained that this is just another tactic of the enemy. He tries to get God’s people on the sideline, and out of the main action and keep them tied up. He showed me that this represents the divisions of denominational Christianity. The devil has Christians on the sideline defending their own doctrines and traditions, little realizing that they have been deceived by the devil. It is time for God’s people to come into a unity and get on with the business at hand! In reality this is what is happening as a result of the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit throughout the world today.

My concern was that the day was about over. Only a couple of hours of daylight remained. Truly, the night is coming when no man can work. We are living in the final hours of human history. We must make every minute count. We must realize that as Christians we must get onto the field and defeat Satan and his hosts.

Finally the teams began to move onto the field. One man does not make a team! The phase of church life that we are moving into requires team work... unity! The Lord then reminded me that there were nine players on a baseball team. The number nine suggests the nine gifts of the Spirit and the nine fruits of the Spirit. Those on the Lord’s team in this final conflict with the forces of Satan will be operating under the direction of the Holy Spirit, The gifts of the Spirit - the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues (See I Cor. 12:8-10) - will operate in their ministry. The fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance - will be in evidence. (See Gal. 5:22,23). Praise the Lord! He is bringing His team onto the field in our day. It is a Spirit-filled team. The gifts of the Spirit are being restored to the church. The fruits are being evidenced among God’s people as never before. The barriers which have separated us and kept us sidelined for so long are being overcome. Denominational barriers are crumbling. Dividing doctrinal questions are being buried. Jesus is Lord! We are experiencing the flow of love. We are on common ground. We can worship and minister together under the Holy Spirit.

When I moved onto the field an opposing team member moved out with me. In actual experience I moved onto the field of conflict when I experienced the Holy Spirit. It was then that I was endued with power and became a threat to the devil. It was after that experience that the gifts of the Spirit began to operate in my ministry, and most of the resultant power was directed at the devil. The baptism in the Holy Spirit certainly did not spell an end to my problems - in truth my problems seemed greater than ever. Overnight most of my friends became enemies who rejected me and accused me of pride and deception. Fear gripped my heart and I wondered what would become of me. The demon powers had moved onto the field to counter me!

At this point I was standing in left field. Do you know what it means to be in left field? This expression has been used to describe a person who is confused and does not know where he is. I knew I was in the conflict and on the field but had no idea what my part was. This adequately and graphically describes my dilemma following the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Does not this describe a lot of Christians? They are in left field. They have never really found the will of God for their lives. They are wandering aimlessly. They are of no real help to the team. The place they are to fill is left empty. There is a gap in the ranks. But the Coach is there ready to give direction! Who is the Coach? He is the Holy Spirit. And where is He to be found? This was a strange feature of the dream. Ordinarily the coach is on the sidelines or in the dugout. But here the coach was right in the middle of the field. Where is the Holy Spirit today? He is right in the very midst of us. He is there to give us direction as we look to Him. He showed me that I was to be at third base. We will come to the meaning of this in a moment.

The various team members were quickly finding their positions. The game would soon be underway. We began to shout words of encouragement to one another. Oh, what a beautiful picture of the church.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 10: 24,25

Then began our exercises. The Lord showed me that the physical exercises of ball players parallel the Christian’s spiritual exercises. If we are to stay in shape for spiritual conflict we must follow the rules and disciplines of spiritual exercise flexing our knees in prayer, lifting our arms in praise, bending our backs in worship! Hallelujah! The participants in a world championship conflict will always be in top condition. Let it not be said of us that...

The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. Luke 16: 8b

If men in the sports arena can discipline their lives and stay in the best of condition to achieve an earthly crown, how much more should the Christian pay the price to be fully prepared for the greatest conflict of all

Now, it was time for the conflict to begin. God showed me that our team was in the field on the defense. He told me that I His people had been in this position long enough. It was time to take the upper hand of the devil and get on the offensive. A good defense is important, but it is the offensive team that scores. Through spiritual warfare the church is taking the offensive today. Demons are being cast out. Principalities and powers of spiritual darkness are being assailed and defeated. Jesus once said...

If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. Luke 11:20

This is the day of spiritual battle and spiritual victory. Before the Kingdom of God can ever become a reality in your life or mine, the forces of hell that beset us must be faced and overcome. Before the church can fulfill that which the Lord prophesied concerning His victorious church (Matt. 16:18) it must take the offensive against the devil. The message and practice of spiritual warfare is spreading rapidly today throughout the church. The devil is being resisted and he is forced to flee. For the first time we are seeing the backside of the devil. It is a beautiful sight!

I am reminded of the story of the boys who were playing ball out in a field one day. A man was passing by. He asked one of the boys how the game was going. The boy replied that it was going fine. The man inquired as to the score. The boy said it was 35 to 0. The man wanted to know in whose favor. The boy said that it was in favor of the other team. Then the man commented that the boy’s team was getting beaten very badly. The boy looked puzzled and said , “Oh, no, Sir! We are not getting beat.” Now the man was puzzled. He wanted to know how the boy figured that they were not being defeated when they were behind 35 to 0.

Whereupon the boy explained, “Sir, we haven’t come to bat yet.”

What a picture of the church! The devil has been running up the score. But now it is time for the church to take the offensive and defeat the devil. Amen!

Then the first ball was pitched. The opposing batter hit the ball very hard. The ball went very high and far but fell foul. The Lord said, “I want to show you the work of the enemy. It is like that ball that was hit. The enemy does have some power. And what he does is often very high and impressive, but it is ‘foul’ all the way.”

The fear that struck my heart is common to many of God’s servants when they see all that the devil is doing. They wonder if there is any chance of victory. They begin to think in terms of being caught off in a rapture. But God is not bringing forth that kind of a church! He is Lord of a militant church. He has been waiting for a generation like ours to take the field. Under his leadership it will be done. The enemy will be defeated. Are you on the team? Are you taking the offensive against the devil?

I realized at this point in the dream that I must be ready. I must be my best. I must be able to move in any direction required and get the opponent out.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15,16

The dream seemed to have ended prematurely. I inquired of the Lord as to why I was not permitted to see the finish of the game. The Lord asked me in return why I wanted to see it through to the end. I explained that I was desirous of knowing the outcome. The Lord then said a beautiful thing to me, “Son”, He said, “you do not need to know the outcome; you already know it. My Word has promised you that you are on the winning team. It will be even as I have said. No, you do not need to know the outcome, but you do need to know that THE FINAL CONFLICT HAS BEGUN!”

Yes, dear Christian friend, we are in the end of the age. The final conflict between the forces of Satan and the army of God is ALREADY under way. We see the evidences of it on every side. It is the call unto battle. There is no more time to delay. The warfare is on! Are you involved?

THE SEQUEL

The interpretation of the dream had not ended. I was given the meaning of the bases. First base represented social relationships, second base was business relationships, third base was church relationships. This is why I was assigned to third base. It was my business to put the devil out when he tried to get on third base - in the church.

Home base represented just what it signified - home relationships. The Spirit showed me that everything began at home base and ended at home base. When the members of the Lord’s team came to bat they had to start at home and get a hit there. No matter how impressively they ran the bases of social, business or even church relationships, if they had not gotten started right at home they were nothing but hypocrites!

God is placing an emphasis upon right home-life today. He is setting our homes in order. He is restoring the husband and father to his place of authority in the home. The home is becoming the center of spiritual life. This is God’s divine order. We cannot be right in any other relationship in life until our lives are right at home. The devil’s team is throwing fast balls and curve balls at home. The devil must be defeated first of all in his onslaught against our homes. Each member of the family must assume the roll that God has ordained:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord ... Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Eph. 5:22,25, 6:1

The first test for Christian living comes at home. If the love, joy and peace of the Holy Spirit does not issue from our lives in relationship with members of our own household, then Satan has gained a victory over us. When it becomes apparent that Satan has already gained a foothold in our home and through oneself, it is a call to spiritual warfare. Defeat the devil in your own life and in your family and then you will be able to carry the warfare on into other areas of life.

In His parable of the mote and the beam Jesus showed us that we must get our own life in order before we can minister to others. Let’s be sure there are no pigs in our own parlors.

Reflections

Frank Hammond

Deliverance from evil spirits has always been available for God’s people. Jesus, by example, performed His mission to “set the captives free” when He walked among us. Before His ascension He passed the torch of liberation to His followers. Throughout history the church at large has never fully negated the role of Satan and his cohorts in the lives of believers. Whether the formal role of exorcist in the Catholic tradition, or the struggles of John Bunyan’s pilgrim, no devout believer would deny that opposition and oppression of the fiercest kind has always existed.

What has been lost, however, is the specific ministry of casting demons out of hurting believers. It is clear to the church that the end is near, and along with the coming events great Satanic activity. Satan knows that his time is short. It is no coincidence that beginning in the late 1960’s the Holy Spirit began equipping the saints with more specific knowledge of deliverance. This knowledge has spread ever so slowly, but in ever increasing ways. It has become obvious to those in the deliverance ministry that the flesh must not only be crucified, but the demons also cast out. As this age draws to a close the church is seeing increasing chaos in people’s lives. Whether in the areas of evil spirits, generational curses, destructive soul ties, or evil territorial dominion, God is equipping His people to deal with such forces, and to walk in victory.

Pigs in the Parlor was a landmark book and has continued to be a source of revelation for thousands who desperately desire freedom from bondage.

This edition celebrates more than 30 years of Pigs In The Parlor being in print. When first published in 1973, there were very few books on deliverance and spiritual warfare in print. At that time, Dr. Derek Prince and Don Basham were active in deliverance, and although they had published books on demonology there was little work available on ministering deliverance. They informed me that they had no plans for writing such a book, and Dr. Prince suggested that I should write the book myself. This idea was laughable as I had never written a book, and it had never crossed my mind that I should - or could - write the practical guide to deliverance that we envisioned. After all, my wife Ida Mae and I had been involved in deliverance ministry for only five years.

I began to develop various topics on deliverance which eventually became chapters. The last chapter written was “The Schizophrenia Revelation.” Ida Mae had only recently received this revelation, and we were beginning to see how applicable it was to most of the people who came to us for deliverance. At first thought I considered doing research on schizophrenia, since we were not schooled in psychology or psychiatry. The Holy Spirit stopped me as I took my first steps toward the library. He said, “I do not want what I have given to be mixed with what the world thinks.” So, the chapter was written just as Ida Mae received it from the Lord.

All the time while I worked on the manuscript the devil was whispering in my ear, “You’re wasting your time; no one will publish it. Even if it were published, no one will read it.” God’s Word tells us that the devil is a liar and “there is no truth in him” (John 8:44). Time has proven how right this is, because over a million copies of Pigs In the Parlor have been distributed, and the book has been published in eighteen languages! Pigs In The Parlor has been listed in the top ten best selling books within the Charismatic marketplace. For several months it has been at #1.

God supernaturally led us to Bill Banks and Impact Christian Books as our publisher. I had no clue as to how to go about getting a book published, however I had read a testimony of Bill’s miracle healing from terminal cancer in an Aglow Magazine. The article mentioned that he had a publishing business. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart ever so clearly, “Send Bill Banks the manuscript.” Unknown to me, Bill Banks was also involved in deliverance ministry. While reading the manuscript he received a “key” on how to minister to someone who was coming to him to be set free from demonic oppression; this was his confirmation for publishing the book. So began a close friendship which has lasted more than thirty years. As Paul Harvey would say, “Now you know the rest of the story.”

Our vision has always been beyond individual deliverance; we have labored to help pastors and churches establish deliverance ministry in local churches. We praise the Lord for the expansion of involvement that we have witnessed. There is currently a surge of fresh interest in deliverance impacting denominational churches as the scriptural basis and practical need for deliverance is recognized. We thank God for thrusting us into this fruitful field.

- Frank Hammond

In Honor of

Frank & Ida Mae Hammond

The Authors of PIGS IN THE PARLOR

Frank Hammond has ministered personally to thousands of people around the world and to many thousands more through his anointed books. Ida Mae joined him often in ministry and was an anointed worker for the Kingdom. Ida Mae went home to be with the Lord on June 8, 1997. Frank went home to be with the Lord and his wife on March 17, 2005.

Their standard-setting book on deliverance, Pigs in the Parlor, has reached over 1 million readers. It has been responsible for setting many captives free as well as opening eyes to the need for deliverance in the Body of Christ. Their work has influenced countless others through churches and ministries inspired by their teachings.

We miss their gentle natures and their servant-hearts. We also rejoice that the truths in their books will continue to set many captive frees.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19