I do not want to be a nice, socially acceptable, liked Christian. The basic beliefs of Christianity are offensive to every spirit and force that opposed Jesus Christ as Lord of the earth. I think I am tired of any fear of man that entertains the idea that a good Christian is a reasonably tolerable human being who never holds controversial convictions. Someone I spoke with recently said they are done being silent. I like this idea too for myself, but from the perspective that Christianity is not a normal and common lifestyle that looks no different from the adjacent unbeliever. I don’t want to blend in, and so in basic Christianity 101, I am addressing a topic that maybe is seen as fringe by the general public but I assure you it’s the power of God – deliverance.

Most people when they think of deliverance think of a kooky stage performer who is possibly styled weird with a mad grab for attention and probably involves theatrics, but in its origin, deliverance was Jesus loving people by delivering them from the suffering they so desperately felt powerless to escape from. Nowadays the general public suffers from the same afflictions but we have fancy words for them, scientific explanations, and societal modifications for their integration. Some people’s identity gravitates around that which afflicts them, sometimes adopted as a form of bragging rights for attention, sometimes people suffer silently alone without telling a soul what they feel or experience in their bodies, minds, or souls that they can’t seem to get free from.

These tendencies of affliction that are scattered among us affect the destinies of lives. More first responders last year took their own lives than died in the line of duty. Wives are abandoned, abused, or smothered. Marriages disintegrate, and criminals commit offenses against other humans. These are all symptoms of thoughts and diseases of the bodies and souls of men and women. Jesus does not give false hope.

When Jesus says the truth shall set you free, he does not mean in a fanciful Zen way that simply restructures how we look at a current affliction. He does not mean that re-posturing our heart and perspective is the solution he’s offering as we continue to suffer. I believe in the power of God. I believe in the authority of Jesus Christ here on earth. I believe that demons exist, are among us, and are influencing our world and daily lives. And I believe that God’s kingdom has dominion over them here and now. This nuance of hierarchy reveals not only the existence of God and his dominion but of his love.

Understand that God is not using his power, his authority, his position of divine leadership to cause suffering. He is not using his authority to oppress, to bind, to rob, and to steal. It’s unfathomable. He is good. And he is using his authority for our best. The cool part is he’s not only ruling from a position of love, but he’s given that authority to us. To me and you. Here and now. To also RULE in this world. This in no way means dominate, control, or manipulate for selfish purposes, but this means to rule in love, and relief, and service, and aid, and …deliverance, freedom, and release from chains.

So getting on to it. The basics of deliverance are that 1) if you have unforgiveness you are imprisoning yourself in suffering so you have to get rid of that NOW. Forgive. It’s the only door Jesus gives us and if you don’t want to, he says he’s going to use your standard for others on yourself. It’s your choice. 2) Our behaviors, words, experiences, thoughts, and choices can invite, welcome, or create agreements with demonic forces. Does this always look evil? No. Fear, worry, anxiety, doubt, unbelief, discouragement, guilt, shame, insecurity can all look 100% normal, socially acceptable, and perfectly reasonable. Even some crimes and relational redefinition are not only acceptable but are celebrated. Are demonic powers being exalted here? Yes, just because something is chosen by an individual doesn’t make it good, or redefine what kingdom it originates from.

Moving on, let’s go to Luke 11. Starting at verse 14, some editor for the bible translation I’m using named this section Jesus and the Prince of Demons. Let me lay it out here for people who don’t have their bible on hand then we’ll continue. Lots of red words in this section, for those of you who don’t know, red words in a bible indicate Jesus talking, as in, pay attention. I can only do color by block here so please ignore the red tag lines that indicate who’s speaking.

Jesus and the Prince of Demons

14 One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, 15 but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 16 Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 18 You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? 19 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 20 But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 21 For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— 22 until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

23 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

24 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”

27 As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!”

28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Basic worldview understandings implied here: demons exist. They are spirits. They enter humans. They inhabit humans and dwell within them. Demons can be cast out. God exists. Satan exists. They both have kingdoms. Their kingdoms have organization and measures of power. Humans have value that is fought over and are resting places for spirits (made to be a resting place for God’s spirit).

God’s kingdom, (now where all authority has been given to Jesus – who also a HUMAN) holds no contest against demonic influence on other fellow humans. Jesus just shows up and demons have to flee. Just like light and darkness. You turn on the light switch and light and darkness don’t actually fight for the room. Once light–an actual substance of particles and waves–arrives, darkness no longer remains.

Jesus said it is better that he leave after he was resurrected and he ascended into heaven BECAUSE he was sending the HOLY spirit. Another spirit – not a demon – but the spirit of God, that is also meant and designed to rest within us. And live through us. And influence our thoughts, our hearts, our behaviors, all in intimate fellowship, divine exchange, and union with God. This spirit, who is love, who is peace, who is joy, is the spirit we want to influence our lives by CHOICE, not other spirits who want to hurt us, to steal from us, and want our death. God’s spirit is our life.

Earlier in this writing piece, I left off at step number two in basic deliverance. Here’s three 3) renouncing our agreement with these demonic influences on our lives. You don’t want them there? Then use the voice and authority God has given you and say out loud and mean that you renounce your agreement with them. Want some ideas of things that may be influencing your life for starters that generally aren’t fun to deal with or have around in life?

Fear of man, cowardice, timidity, insecurity, abandonment, restlessness, affliction, sickness, torment, disease, agitation, confusion, doubt, double-mindedness, guilt, shame, self-hatred, addiction, idolatry, witchcraft, cursing, vulgarity, lewdness, licentiousness, rejection, defensiveness, self-protection, unworthiness, worthlessness, suicide, death, religious spirits, betrayal, recklessness, covetousness, lying, gossip, slander, adultery, promiscuity, waywardness, vulgarity, bitterness, discouragement, hopelessness, stinginess, fear of lack, foreboding, terror, torment, injury, spiritual attacks, word curses, foul spirits, unclean spirits, mis-sexuality, distraction, wantonness, insomnia, rage, anger, hatred, violence, and more!

Don’t want these things around influencing your mind, your day, your life?  Then renounce them and your agreement with them for starters. 4) Then tell them to leave you. Leave your body. Leave your home. Leave your family. Leave your life. Now. In Jesus’ name.

Jesus has authority, and Jesus’ name has power. Call me crazy, go ahead. It’s true. This is true. This is the difference between people standing around and having a conversation about ideas versus experiencing a solution. Am I saying this will fix everything? Maybe. God has faith in your purpose, in your value, in your worth, in your instrinsic valuableness. You really do. And God wants you to experience life in its fullness. Life as he intended. Remember who you are. Remember what God has spoken over your life. Remember your authority. You are not a victim here. Christ reigns through you. Have faith in him, in Jesus’ cross and resurrection power over even death.

What replaces all these negative things that leave?  What happens when we turn to Christ exercising the authority he has shown us and taught us and sent us out to do unto others?  Peace, rest, stillness, calm, settling, freedom, hope, joy, love, generosity, soundness of mind, clarity of thought, inspiration, creativity, insight, wisdom, truth, feeling comfortable in our own bodies and our own homes, loveliness, gentleness, patience, goodness, thoughtfulness, consideration, faithfulness, strength, healing, listening, openness, ease of laughter, light heartedness, obedience, worship, righteousness, well-being, desire to do good, revelation, presence of God, divine truth, light.

Invite these things into your life, your heart, your mind, your spirit. TRUST GOD. Enough with running around in your spirit already. Refuse that restlessness and resign yourself to God’s sovereignty and care over your life. Refuse to NOT trust him anymore. Stop trying to manage your life independent of your ABSOLUTE dependence on God. Let him take care of you. Let him provide for you. Trust his timing. Trust what he’s already told you. Listen to him. Listen to him again. Spend time with him. Enjoy being alive already. Have fun. Enjoy other people. It’s time to stop being a victim and become a child of God again.

Christ’s authority doesn’t fade, doesn’t diminish, and doesn’t go away.

Happy Freedom Day