Deliverance 101
A Crash Course to Freedom.
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free.”
- John 8:31-32
Most churches won’t teach this—but Jesus did.
One-third of Jesus’ recorded ministry was spent casting out demons and healing the oppressed. He gave the same command to His disciples: "Cast out demons” (Matt. 10:1, Mark 16:17, Luke 9:1).
Deliverance is not fringe, optional, or outdated—it’s Biblical, normal, and necessary.
What is Deliverance?
Deliverance is the process of confronting and expelling demonic spirits in the name and authority of Jesus. It’s not about theatrics—it’s about healing the soul, closing open doors, and breaking strongholds so that people can walk in the full freedom of Christ.
Why Christians Need It.
Christians can have demons. Not in their spirit—which is sealed by the Holy Spirit—but in their soul and body. Through trauma, sin, generational curses, or occult involvement, believers can give the enemy “legal rights” to remain. Deliverance is how we revoke those rights, renounce their hold, and drive them out.
Biblical Foundations
Jesus did it: Over two dozen accounts in the Gospels show Him casting out demons.
He commanded us to do it: Matt. 10:1, Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1, Mark 16:17.
It's still needed: Evil spirits didn’t disappear with the apostles. The early church treated deliverance as a normal part of spiritual life—especially in baptism and spiritual formation.
How Demons Get In
Personal sin (e.g. sexual sin, substance abuse)
Generational curses (unrepented sin in your family line)
Trauma (especially abuse, violence, rejection)
Occult involvement (witchcraft, Freemasonry, New Age)
Unforgiveness (a major open door according to Matt. 18:34-35)
Key Concepts
Legal Rights
Demons stay where they have permission. Deliverance exposes those rights, revokes them through repentance and renunciation, and then expels the spirit.
Renunciation
You must verbally renounce every agreement you've made—knowingly or unknowingly—with darkness. This breaks the contract with demons and removes their legal right to you.
Forgiveness
You must forgive those who’ve wronged you. Unforgiveness binds you to torment (Matt. 18). Deliverance won’t stick without it.
Soul Ties
These are unhealthy spiritual bonds formed with other people through sex, trauma, manipulation, or deep emotional entanglement. They must be broken by name.
Strongholds
These are fortified patterns of thinking demons use to hide in your mind. They must be exposed with truth (2 Cor. 10:4-5) and dismantled through inner healing and discipleship.
Inner Healing
Deliverance isn't just about getting rid of demons—it's about healing the wounds that gave them a place. Inner healing addresses the deep soul trauma that opened doors in the first place.
Inner healing focuses on:
Going back to the point of pain (often childhood abuse or trauma)
Replacing the lie believed in the memory with the truth of God
Extending forgiveness
Renouncing shame, bitterness, rejection, and lies believed
Steps in Deliverance
Demons will not leave on their own. You can’t wish them away, pray them away, or hope they’ll get tired and move on. They stay until they’re confronted, identified, and stripped of their legal right to remain. Deliverance is not passive—it’s a strategic operation. You need to know who you’re dealing with, what they're holding onto, and how to break their claim in the name of Jesus.
Here’s how a Biblical exorcism works, step by step:
Discernment
The minister prays, seeks the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and confirms whether demonic influence is suspected to be present. The person receiving ministry may fill out a profile and share personal history, trauma, or recurring struggles.Breaking Legal Rights
The person takes back legal ground by renouncing all known sin, cutting ties to the occult, extending forgiveness, breaking any curses and severing soul ties that have given demons the right to stay.Inner Healing
Emotional wounds or fragmented parts of the soul are brought before the Lord. The truth of God is invited to heal trauma, restore memories, and disarm the enemy’s grip.Confrontation
In the name of Jesus, the minister divides soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12) and commands any demons to manifest and identify themselves. The spirit must name itself, state its function, and reveal whether it is the strongman or part of a larger demonic kingdom. The demon is then commanded to disclose any remaining legal rights—unforgiveness, hidden sin, or unbroken curses or soul ties. If legal rights remain, they must be addressed immediately with the person receiving ministry. Once those rights are broken, the deliverance continues.Binding the Kingdom
Once all legal rights have been broken and the strongman has identified itself, the minister commands the strongman to bind every demon in its kingdom to itself as one. This consolidates the demonic structure, and prevents lesser demons from hiding or lingering. The entire kingdom is now held accountable under the authority of Christ and made ready for judgment and expulsion.
Final Renunciation and Expulsion
With all legal rights revoked and the demonic structure bound together, the minister commands the demon to renounce its claim to the person and prepare for judgment. Under the authority of Jesus Christ, the demon must audibly declare full surrender. It should say something to the effect of:“I (demon’s name) bind myself, and all of my kingdom and kind as one. We come out from every part of this man (or woman). We receive God’s judgment. I (demon’s name) go now to the pit.”
Once the demon has renounced its rights and declared judgment upon itself, the minister commands it—and all spirits under its authority—to go to the pit in Jesus’ name until the person is fully loosed and a visible peace settles over them, confirming the Spirit’s work is complete.
Post-Deliverance Filling
Once the demon has left, the minister prays for the Holy Spirit to fill the person—occupying any place the enemy once held.
Walking It Out
Deliverance is a process—not a one-time event.
While some people experience immediate breakthrough, for many, freedom unfolds in layers over time. Like the Israelites taking the Promised Land “little by little” (Deuteronomy 7:22), your journey to full freedom may happen step by step. Each layer of healing reveals deeper strongholds or unhealed wounds that the enemy has used as footholds.
Once a person is set free, they must walk in that freedom daily by:
Staying in Scripture
The Word of God is your sword (Ephesians 6:17) and your defense against lies of the enemy. Scripture renews your mind (Romans 12:2) and keeps you rooted in truth.
Submitting to Healthy Church Authority
God works through spiritual leadership (Hebrews 13:17). Staying connected to Biblically sound and Spirit-filled oversight protects you from drifting into deception or isolation.
Getting Baptized
If you haven’t been baptized since surrendering your life to Jesus, this is a Biblical step of obedience and cleansing (Acts 2:38).
Staying in Community
Don’t try to walk out your freedom alone. Isolation is dangerous. Healing comes through connection with the Body of Christ (James 5:16).
Guarding Your Mind and Mouth
Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Refuse to agree with the enemy through fear, gossip, slander, self-hatred, or pride. Speak life. Choose words that align with truth and blessing (Proverbs 18:21).
Continuing Inner Healing as Needed
Some wounds take time. When unresolved pain, trauma, or bitterness surfaces, don’t ignore it. Invite the Holy Spirit to continue the healing work in your soul (Psalm 147:3).