Day 14

Deeper for Deliverance

Those who came to Jesus intentionally for further engagement in a relationship with Him as Lord were all set free of the demons/evil spirits tormenting them. Some were delivered even before a relationship ensued.

The Man With A Legion

A man described as the madman of Gadara who had several thousand demons (that’s a lot) in him was set free of demonic possession. He ran toward Jesus rather than run away from Jesus as is characteristic of unclean spirits. The account is recorded in Chapter 5 of Mark’s Gospel by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ² And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴ because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” ⁸ For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” ⁹ Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” ¹⁰ Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

¹¹ Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. ¹² So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” ¹³ And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

Mark 5:1-13 NKJV

Do you see in Verse 5 how it says that when the demoniac saw Jesus from afar he ran towards him? He did not run away from The Living Christ. He summoned the very last ounce of strength in a moment of lucidity and took a chance to be set free. Glory be to God! Notice also that the 2,000 swine possessed by the evil spirits ran (away from Jesus) headlong into the sea and drowned. There are many other examples of foul spirits being driven out of people by the Lord and the early Apostles. One time Paul cast out an evil spirit pretending to have good intentions from a slave girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination. She was being used by evil men to make lots of money. See Acts 16:16-19.

Mary Magdalene

Jesus set Mary of Magda free from the control of seven demons.

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, ² and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, ³ and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

Luke 8:1-3 NKJV

The Flesh Our First Enemy

Some Christians suffer from the influence of demonic forces and are unaware this is the case. They may not have been taught how to identify evil spirits at work and how to overcome and have victory over the powers of darkness. Whole denominational movements in some cases have carried on with little or no knowledge about satan’s minions. Please note that not everything wrong or bad that people do is a work of evil spirits. We must understand and take responsibility for what the Bible calls “the works of the flesh.” See Galatians 5:19-21. However, that is where in most cases everything begins. An example is how Judas began by stealing the money from Jesus’ treasury and from there on one day “satan entered him.” He opened the door for the enemy to possess his soul by stealing consistently and refusing to repent. See John 12:3-6 and John 13:27.

Examine Yourself

How would you know if you need deliverance from demonic influence? First off unclean spirits influence people to do things that God hates as an affront to Him. The first clue that things may be awry is an uncontrolled obsession. An uncanny obsession with any sinful habit resulting in an addiction and a total loss of control even in a seasonal manner is the work of evil spirits influencing a soul (like Judas Iscariot.) A person could be oppressed, obsessed, or possessed by an evil spirit. Possession leads to an absolute lack of self-control with the evil spirit occupying the individual.

Do you know someone being bothered by demons you know or even yourself? You can start the process of Self Deliverance. Run to Jesus! We will talk about that in tomorrow’s devotional.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10 NKJV

Let Us Pray

Let Us Host The Presence Of God

Prayer Items

Please read and use the verses provided below for prayer following the “Model Prayer” Template

• Psalm 18:46-50. Give thanks to God for the completion of Day 13. Thank Him for making it to Day 14. Ask for continued strength to complete the fast for yourself and others embarking on this fast. Thank God for His answers in this regard.
• Matthew 6:9. Hallow (honor and respect greatly) His name. He is the Builder
• Matthew 6:10, Mark 16:17. The Lord’s will is that we are free from demonic obsession, oppression, or possession. Take the authority given to you in Jesus’ name and cast out devils operating in and around any environment you have jurisdiction over such as your own home.
• Matthew 6:11, Genesis 26:1-3 and 12. As groceries and other essentials increase in price due to inflation and getting worse pray that the Lord will provide as He did for Elijah
• Matthew 6:12, Matthew 5:23-24. Forgiveness and reconciliation are important if our gift must be accepted at the Altar of Prayer. Please note that some people may not want reconciliation. You’re off the hook if that is the case. See Matthew 18:15-17
• Matthew 6:13b, Luke 10:17-19. Pray with authority over every machination of the evil and lawless one.
• Matthew 6:13c, Revelation 5:8-10. Praise Him for His Kingdom, Power, and Dominion are forever. Glory Hallelujah!