How to do deliverance?
Use the authority that is present in Jesus’ name
The way to do that is to use the authority that is given to us by Jesus, who already defeated the evil forces by the cross.
(Col 2:15 NIV) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
(Luke 10:17-19 NIV) The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” {18} He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. {19} I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Combat the devil with the word of God
Jesus showed us how to use the word of God with devastating effect on the devil.
In the wilderness temptation, he countered the attack of the devil with the word of God and eventually the devil had no choice but to leave His presence.
(Luke 4:3-13 NIV) The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” {4} Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.'” {5} The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. {6} And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. {7} So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” {8} Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'” {9} The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. {10} For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; {11} they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” {12} Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” {13} When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Speak to the devil
(Mat 16:21-23 NIV) From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. {22} Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” {23} Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Jesus realized that it was the devil speaking through Peter. He looked at Peter but addressed the devil.
In other examples of Jesus’ ministry, He spoke directly to the demons and commanded them to come out of people. In deliverance we do not just pray to God to get the demons out, we speak to the demons to come out.
Exercising spiritual authority over the demon
(Acts 13:8-11 NIV) But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. {9} Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, {10} “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? {11} Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Paul exercised spiritual authority over the demon and pronounced judgment on it.
Identifying the root of the demonisation
(Mark 9:19-21 NIV) “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” {20} So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. {21} Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered.
We were not told what information Jesus deduced from this answer but this may probably be part of a longer conversation that Jesus had with the father.
In deliverance ministry, people have found it useful to identify the moment of demonisation to try to identify the cause. Effort can then be more specifically directed. For example, it may be found that a person became demonized after visiting a fortune-teller, in which case prayer can be directed towards that particular spirit.
Dangers of doing deliverance
Do not dismiss the devil’s power
Even the archangel, Michael, in talking to Satan is shown to have shown him proper respect. He did not rebuke the devil but is pleased to let God do the rebuking.
(Jude 1:9 NIV) But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Christians who are dismissive of the devil’s power often demonstrate amazing naivety, arrogance and pride when talking to Satan, and consequently open themselves to his attacks.
Only those committed to Jesus should be involved in the ministry
(Acts 19:13-20 NIV) Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” {14} Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. {15} One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” {16} Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. {17} When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. {18} Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. {19} A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. {20} In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.