The Missing Element in Deliverance

In spite of the controversy about demons and deliverance in the church, more times than not, the results of the ministry of casting out demons have been effective and conclusive. Personally, I have seen marvelous transformations in peoples’ lives after unclean spirit powers were evicted and am pragmatic enough to not continue in this ministry without observable results, but again and again in the past thirty-four years, I have witnessed manifest proof— sometimes dramatic to behold—of the validity and efficacy of this ministry.

Yes, there have been many thrilling, joyful encounters, but there have also been grievous disappointments after seeing someone walk away with great relief and victory over numbing oppression and spiritual bondage only to see them eventually lose what had been gloriously obtained.

The challenge has not been getting demons out of believers’ lives but it has been keeping these entities out after they have departed. Jesus warned about the return and counterattack of unclean spirits telling us that they go out for a while but eventually determine to return to what they call “their house.” He made it plain that the question is not whether they will return and try to get back into a person’s life, but what they find when they come back. He said:

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45 NKJ)

It would seem that a house swept and put in order would be a good thing, but such a state in one’s soul evidently leaves room for more unclean spirits than before to dwell there.  There is something very revealing in Jesus’ explanation.

Sweeping a floor doesn’t really clean it. There is still packed-in dirt left. After the sweeping, the floor has to be mopped and scrubbed if it is to be really clean. In other words, after a believer has demons cast out there is a deeper cleansing to be done. Our minds and bodies have been deceived and defiled by trespassers and thieves and can now be cleansed and renewed through the blood of Jesus and the living Word of God. Without this, Jesus said, one would get worse instead of better. Deliverance is not a completion but a step in the right direction toward the deeper work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Surprisingly, the word “garnished” (KJ) or “put in order” (NKJ) comes from the Greek word κοσμέω [kosmeo /kos·meh·o] from which we get our word “cosmetics.” The more accurate meaning is to decorate, adorn or embellish. So Jesus is basically saying that those who only sweep out the unclean spirits and decorate their house to make it look better are only setting themselves up for greater problems from demons.

What’s the best adornment of one’s swept-out house?

Religious stuff! Like those bewitched brethren in Galatia, some become convinced they must keep some point of the Law of Moses, so they go get circumcised or quite eating pork. Others start wearing crosses and so-called Christian tee-shirts or sticking fish symbols on their cars which is perhaps all well meaning but, but according to the teachings of the Apostle Paul, accomplishes nothing spiritual in one’s personal walk with the Lord. (See I Corinthians 8:8; Hebrews 13:9 and Galatians 3:1-5)

Without discipleship and the work of God’s Word into the body, soul and spirit, the delivered Christian can only keep sweeping and finding more decorations for their house. The effort inevitably leads to biblical legalism and bondage worse than before. It makes one look good on the outside, but on the inside there are unresolved problems undetected by others and even the host. The cleansing has not gone deep enough. We could say much more about this but will leave that to future writings.

All the Pharisees looked good and performed perfectly as possible in the Law of Moses, but Jesus called them serpents and sons of Satan. They were religious but not righteous— proper but not purged—pious but not penitent. So we can be doctrinally correct according to our denomination’s dogma—adjust our performance to not do this and not do that—read our bible—pray at each meal—attend church meetings faithfully—even receive deliverance—but still have a house that’s really not cleansed by true repentance, brokenness and total commitment.

Following the ministry of having demons cast out is where the Local Body of Christ comes in. If one who has received deliverance is not integrated into a body of believers who see, understand and receive this part of the ministry of Christ, they will not be able to maintain their sweepings. The deeper work of the Holy Spirit comes through learning to forgive, practicing the Kingdom principles of the Word of God and, most of all, learning to love. This can’t be accomplished without one being truly jointed in a Body of Believers.

Again and again we encounter the dilemma of having believers come to us and receive comprehensive ministry only to return to their church (if they have one) where the leadership either does not believe in or minister deliverance. Consequently, the earnest disciple usually finds his or her conquest fades away.

As I must keep saying, deliverance is not something you receive once or twice and then go on about your way. You don’t go against a formidable enemy, do one battle and win the war. Once the enemies of our soul are confronted and engaged, we must commit to a lifetime of surveillance, walking in the whole armor of God. This armor must be constructed day by day by learning truth, gathering righteousness into our hearts, walking in peace, deflecting fear by trusting our Father, renewing our minds and sharpening our knowledge of God’s wonderful Word. (See Ephesians 6:14-17)

It is no wonder some have been disappointed with deliverance and many believe it has no place in the church of today. But I have experienced and witnessed the fruit of this ministry when the house is thoroughly cleaned and not just adorned with religious trinkets. The mystery of iniquity is still to be solved by most Christians, yet it is the key to the Kingdom of God (See Luke 11:20) and with the missing element adjoined, the only way to perfection in Jesus Christ.

Agape blessings,

Micah