Spiritual Warfare 4

How to Gain Deliverance from Demonic Influence
Ephesians 6:18-20

Introduction: The “Missing Ingredient”

“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.” Ephesians 6:10-12

** We are in an invisible war.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” Ephesians 6:13-15

** We are to prepare ourselves for battle.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6:16-17

**When we resist the enemy, he will flee from us.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:18-20

**Intercessory prayer is pivotal and essential for deliverance.
Summary of Ephesians 6:18-20 – The means by which believers are to withstand and overcome the attacks of the enemy in spiritual warfare is by consistent, intense, strategic prayer for one another in conjunction with the personal application of the armor of God.

1. Intercessory Prayer is Our Most Powerful and Strategic Weapon in Spiritual Warfare.

• Prayer has a direct impact on spiritual warfare. “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29

• Prayer provides / assists in the deliverance of others who are undergoing spiritual attack. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:31-32

• Power falls where prayer prevails. Church history is replete with examples:
Acts 1:14, 2:42, 3:1, 4:24-35, 6:4-8, 8:14-16, 9:40-42, 10:1-4

2. What Kind of Prayer Brings God’s Deliverance and Power in the Midst of Spiritual Attack?

• Consistent Prayer Ephesians 6:18a

**** “all prayer and supplication” = all kinds of prayer
**** “praying always” = prayer on all occasions
**** “pray . . . in the Spirit” = in communion with and directed by the agency and power of the Holy Spirit

• Intense Prayer Ephesians 6:18b
**** “watching thereunto” = lit. = without sleep, vigilant
**** “with all perseverance” = enduring, not giving up

• Strategic Prayer Ephesians 6:18c-20
**** “open my mouth boldly” = that God’s messengers will be bold
**** “utterance may be given” = God’s message will be clear and have opportunity

Summary: The Missing Ingredient in most Christian’s lives and in most churches is the commitment and regular practice of intercessory prayer. Scripture indicates that consistent, intense, and strategic intercessory prayer will in fact “deliver us from the evil one". The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those people who take time and pray.

3. The Ministry of Deliverance; what are we to do however when the enemy gets a foothold in our life or in the life of someone we know and love?

• Its Validity

**** Jesus regularly exercised this ministry: “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” And “And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.” Mark 1:27, 39

**** The apostles regularly exercised this ministry: Luke 10

**** The early church regularly exercised this ministry: Acts 16

**** The New Testament writers provide clear direction concerning this ministry: James 4:1-10
• Its Problems

· Extremism and fanaticism tend to negatively color this ministry.
· Confusion concerning demon possession versus oppression of believers cloud this ministry’s validity among Christians.
· Fear and ignorance have caused many to simply ignore this ministry.
· Those who engage in this ministry are often tempted by pride or become so singularly focused they fall into theological error.
· Assigning blame of all one’s problems to demonic influence versus assuming personal responsibility and using Biblical common sense call this ministry into question.

• The Cause(s) of Demonic Influence

· Yielding to sin: “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” John 8:34
· Spiritual rebellion: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” 1 Samuel 15:23
· Participating in the occult: Deuteronomy 18:10-11
· Attempting to contact the dead: Deuteronomy 18:11
· Unresolved anger and bitterness: “Be ye angry, and sin not . . . Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27
· Association with those involved in Satanic activity: “Be ye not unequally yoked together” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

• New Testament Evidences of Demonic Influence

· Severe sickness: “one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb:” Matthew 12:22
· Divination (telling the future): “ . . . a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination . . . " Acts 16:16
· Unusual physical strength: “ . . . had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains . . .” Mark 5:3
· Fits of rage: “ . . . neither could any man tame him . . .” Mark 5:4
· Resistance to spiritual help: “ . . . I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” Mark 5:7
· Other voices from within: “My name is Legion: for we are many” Mark 5:9

• The Cure for Demonic Influence

**** General Purpose

1. Victory is through the Cross of Christ: Colossians 2:14-15

2. Victory is in the name of Christ: Matthew 10:1, Acts 5:16

3. Victory is by the power of the Holy Spirit: 1 John 4:4

**** Specific Steps for Deliverance from Demonic Influence

1. Accept Christ: John 1:12

2. Confess sins: 1 John 1:9

3. Renounce works of the devil: 2 Corinthians 4:2

4. Destroy occult objects: Acts 19:17-20 (see also 2 Chronicles 14:2, 23:17)

5. Break friendship with occultists: 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

6. Rest in Christ’s deliverance: Colossians 1:13

7. Resist the devil: James 4:7

8. Meditate on and apply the Word of God: Ephesians 6:17, Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

9. Engage in corporate prayer: Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 18:19