As a longtime believer and being on a ministry team one of the things I am asked about often is deliverance. Can someone have a demon? What does that look like? How does that happen?

My experience with “deliverance” is a long one. I put deliverance in quotes because some, perhaps a lot of what I believe now is not what I have always believed. Perhaps one day I shall pen the differences.My personal first experience was my own coming out of witchcraft and entering into His marvelous light. My first experience took place in a grocery store with the shedding of an “old man”, the acceptance of Jesus and the loss of voices to only hear one.

My second experience took place not too long after. I was asked if people could pray for me. I agreed. As I stood there, the voices seeming to drone, I remember thinking “this is where I saw people fall down.” I thought maybe I was “supposed” to do that. Well, I never had much choice. The next thing I felt, saw or embraced was a tremendous explosion of light in my chest. Brighter than anything I ever witnessed. I was lifted off the floor and thrown backwards a considerable distance. When I “came to” it was to see a sea of smiling faces.

Deliverance-what are we being delivered from?
Today I have been caught up with the idea of fear and how it affects many. “Fear is not a reality as much as it’s an emotional reaction birthed out of a perception that whatever you’re facing has control over you.” It can affect sleep which can affect hormones, diets and wellbeing. I believe there is a reality to “worrying one’s self to death” that we are witnessing. Keep in mind that the scriptures tell us to “be anxious for nothing.” (Philippians 4:6)

In the Old Testament, it seemed that God was forever admonishing His people to “be not afraid, to fear not!” Fear was their greatest enemy.

To Abraham He spoke these words: “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1

To Moses He spoke these words:  “And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. Exodus 14:13

And to Joshua He spoke this: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Here was God saying, “Good things are coming!” He was saying, “Skip the fear, I‘ve got it!” Fear is a destiny killer. It robs you of freedom, family and faith!

In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Folks-fear is demonic, devil centered and people powered. It does not come from God. It comes from the enemy of our souls. A defeated foe. Ephesians 1:20-21

I have seen fear ruin and destroy so many people. It has robbed the church of its blessings because we have not always understood it. In 1Peter 5:8 it says: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. He is looking for prey. Seeking people. It permeates all areas of our lives if allowed to. “I can’t give because I will not have enough to pay the bills.” “I am afraid of being sick” and soon you are. Fear is a destroyer. It must be removed.

Truth in God’s word reveals our answers.

1 John 4:18 says: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (Perhaps it is to “perfect” love…) Fear carries torment, even punishment we are told. This torment can be “uncontrollable” when we allow fear to reign.

I know many who are plagued by agoraphobia (The fear of crowds), acrophobia (The fear of heights. I personally have struggled with this but overcome it by the power of His love.) and the fear of the dark. (Achluophobia)

Fear is real to those experiencing it. Jesus has come as your deliver though. (I encourage you to meditate on this scripture. I put “all” in bold type.)  Hebrews 2:15 and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

How powerful is fear? (Did you know that over 80% of all feared things never happen? That means that over 80% of our worries are about things which are unimportant, or that we have absolutely no control over. ~From my book There Is NO Stop To The Interrupted Process~.) Let us see the scriptures.

Then the king’s countenance was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. Daniel 5:6 tells us of the loss of personality or countenance for King Belshazzar.

In Genesis 3:10 it caused Adam to fear the unknown.  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Have you ever done something out of fear of others and their thoughts? The fear of man was seen throughout Israel. And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.1 Samuel 17:11 (It would not be the first time fear overtook Saul…)

Fear will often precede failure, but it is also the fear of failure that will cause loss as well. In Matthew 25:25 the man acted from fear of failing, and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.

Have you ever feared what’s ahead? Fear can steal from your destiny. It is the unfathomable fear of the future that often results from personal or corporate disobedience. In Deuteronomy 28:66 one could see this; and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear night and day, and shalt have no assurance of thy life.

As you read some of these you may identify with them. Do you realize that Jesus paid the price for your disobedience, your sin, once and for all? It is your thoughts you will have to renew and your response to fear. Fear is a tempter. Overcome it with your renewed mind and revelation of truth.

Have you done something wrong? Done something that raises your expectation that poverty is your future, maybe forever? Stop! An expectation of poverty, a fear of lack is not truth. Unbelief destroys faith. Oh fear Jehovah, ye his saints; For there is no want to them that fear him. Psalm 34:9

Despite our powerful understanding of healing and divine health, there are many who have a fear of sickness (Nosophobia) and it erodes the quality of their life. There was no sin, no sickness or even a reason to be fearful that has power to stand up to the power of the stripes Jesus bore on the cross. Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.…

Job suffered fear of sickness. He greatly feared. Job 3:25 For the thing which I fear cometh upon me, And that which I am afraid of cometh unto me.

At the crux of it is perhaps the fear of death. (Necrophobia) It seems that everything comes down to a fear of death. The storm in the book of Mark triggered panic and the fear of death was released.  In Mark 4:38 it says And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?

Fear is such a fierce and strong enemy that its very nature can change personalities, cause bondage and even destroy lives. So much occurs in currently dysfunctional world that many seem to fear even their own shadows bowing to man on many levels. Hebrews 13:6 has this to say; So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?

The Bible records the results of fear. We saw that in the scripture from Job. What you fear has the potential and the ability to come upon you. It is critical as a believer to stop it when it rears its ugly head. Even today I shared with a couple my response to fear causing thought process. In Isaiah 54:17 it says: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness which is of me, saith Jehovah. Your response must be “NO-that is not happening!” I have had people try to call me old, sick and found with cancer. My response has and always will be, “Shut up! That is NOT happening!”

Where does fear begin? By what we hear or see. The eye-gate or ear-gate is the opening for words of fear and destruction. Your vigilance on what you see and hear as well as what you say is critically important in the battle against fear. If these “gates” are allowed to receive bad information your mind will be subject to attack. You have a godly response outline in 2 Corinthians 10:5,  casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; The opening of the doors to the mind leave the believer subject to all other acts of the devil. Ephesians 4:27 neither give place to the devil.

Fear will cause paralysis in the individual and cause them to be bound in chains of despair. David recorded in Psalm 23:4 Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Isaiah 41:10-11 tells us, Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that are incensed against thee shall be put to shame and confounded: they that strive with thee shall be as nothing, and shall perish.

God is saying to not be afraid in part because He will never leave us. We are directed to not lose faith or be dismayed. He is our God and will ready us for the battle ahead.

And that folks, you can take to the bank. It is necessary to hold fast to what the Lord has promised you. Because He purchased freedom for you and I, we have a responsibility to be free from fear and all its associated spirits.

Satan can only reach you where you give place to him. As I have said before we are seated above his workings. Jesus spoiled him and principalities, shaming them with defeat and preparing a way for you and I to victory.  2 Corinthians 2:14 tells us But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place.

At the time of our salvation we are made free and free indeed. That is a powerful statement. How was that accomplished? In the garden man was brought to dishonor, but when Jesus conquered Satan He raised us up in honor. Ephesians 2:6 tells us; and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:

Through His grace and mercy we have been given the place of freedom from all things. The only way we can “go back” is to relinquish our understanding of what He has done. Galatians 2:20 says,  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

Your freedom is complete in Him and His righteousness.