Hundredfold Ministries, Int'l

From Scripture (and years of experience) we know that demons will attempt to regain entrance into their former human hosts. Before I understood the principles outlined in this chapter, there were times when I would cast a demon out of someone and it was waiting for him or her at home when he arrived! That is why it is absolutely vital to teach everyone who is set free from a demonic hold how to prevent it from returning. As part of a broader teaching on this subject we should also teach every believer how to keep his family, home, and church free.

Keeping the Captives Free:

The key Scripture verse for staying free is:

As with so much of Scripture, that’s easier said than done! Note there are two things required of us before the devil flees: 1) we must first SUBMIT TO GOD, and then, 2) RESIST THE DEVIL. The demonic world knows this verse as well as we do. So if the demonic realm (in conjunction with our own will) can prevent us from doing either of these things, we have a much harder time staying free.

What does it mean to submit to God? Many people say, “I don’t know the will of God.” Yes, there are times when we don’t know God’s will on a given subject. But certain things are always the will of God. God always wants us to attend church regularly, read our Bible every day, pray every day, be honest in all our dealings, always speak the truth in love, fellowship with Christians - not fellowship with evil doers, and so forth. That is submitting to God in the simplest form. If one does these things with his or her whole heart, he is submitting to God. It is folly to try resisting the devil without first submitting to God.

The second part of this verse is to, “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Psychologists accurately tell us that former addicts, such as drugs or alcohol abusers, are much more likely to remain free if they have a good “support system.” A system that upholds and supports their new, free lifestyle. This is also true of someone freed from demon power.

The best way for the freed person to resist the devil is regular church attendance, Christian fellowship, and participation in social events with other Christians. (Note this is also part of submitting to God). It is best if a team member goes with the person to a few such Christ centered events until he or she feels comfortable in his new Christian setting.

The following is a list of tricks and devices to be aware of as we resist Satan and his demons.

1. Know That Demons Plant Doubt

Remember that demons can plant thoughts into our minds. They are the flaming arrows of the evil one referred to in Ephesians, 6:16. The thoughts will generally take the “hath God said?” form. Often the demon will return and ask, “Were you really set free? ...all of that activity was just hyped imagination...or maybe the demon just deceived everyone.” Then, as you think on that a few moments, the demon may produce some manifestation from outside trying to convince you that it is still inside. If you begin to doubt your freedom, it then tries to reenter!

Remember, the demon’s leader is the father of lies. Satan is a master at deception. If you believe its lies, then it has its way with you. In order to prevent this plan from succeeding you must exercise your will and take every thought captive. Ephesians 6:16 states we have the shield of faith to ward off these flaming arrows! Fellowship and communicating these doubts to other Christians is very necessary, especially for the newly delivered. Two can defeat Satan a whole lot quicker than one.

2. Know That Demons Will Counterattack

Expelled demons will often team up with other demons in an attempt to regain their former host. The tactic is to wait until the newness of freedom has passed for the freed host. Often this is two or three days after their expulsion. Then an all-out attack on the former host comes in the form of depression, loneliness, fear, anxiety, or hopelessness. If the demons can succeed in driving the poor former host to the end of his or her wits with this onslaught, their reentry is simple.

Again, to prevent this demonic assault from succeeding, a deliverance team member must watch the deliveree regularly until this danger passes. Teach the freed person to expect this to happen and to stand guard against it. When it does occur, he or she must make an immediate call for help to a team member. Prayer and praise to the Lord is the best weapon against this kind of attack.

3. Stay Free from Sin

The deliveree must stay free of all known sin. This is especially true if sin was the door that allowed the demon’s initial access. In that case, the demon will do its best to lure the former host back into sin...thereby reopening the door of entry.

Teach the freed person to quickly confess all sin. At the same time teach the true meaning of repentance, the turning away from sin. He or she must understand that the old life style of sin must stop. Often it is not enough simply to tell someone to stop sinning. We must teach them how. Again, Scripture gives us the key.

The Apostle Paul taught the church at Ephesus to “put off” the old and to “put on” the new. Not only must he or she stop sinning, he must start something new. He must start serving the Lord. He must start fellowshipping other Christians. He must start reading his Bible. He must start a daily devotion and prayer life. He must start worshipping the Lord. This is how to “put on” the new life. If a person does these things demons will not be able to successfully return for the old sin-life no longer exists.

4. Seven More Wicked Spirits Return

Jesus taught that when an expelled evil spirit finds no place to dwell it returns to its former host. If it finds the place unoccupied, it not only returns, but brings with itself seven even more wicked spirits to live there. (Mat 12:44).Teach everyone freed from demons to occupy their entire being with godliness! He or she must become occupied with the person of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. Daily Bible reading, Christian fellowship, worship, and regular Bible study is a must. One cannot come to Jesus, be set free from demons, and then sit and do nothing. That’s exactly what Jesus warned against! To stay free, one must actively pursue God and His righteousness. (Here again is one of the biggest reasons for going very slowly in delivering an unbeliever. If he does not accept Christ first, he may end up in a worse position).

5. The Armor of God

Mark Ephesians 6:10-18 and II Corinthians 10:3-5 in the person’s Bible. They are:

Instruct him or her to commit these two Scriptures to memory. (We all need to know them by memory!) Teach him about the protection of the armor of the spirit. Teach him that he has the power to demolish arguments. Teach him to take every thought captive unto Jesus Christ. It is extremely important that he or she learn of the power available from Scripture. Remember, every time Satan spoke his tempting words to Jesus, He answered, “IT IS WRITTEN...”! Knowing what is written provides that newly freed believer with the same ability to put the devil to flight.

6. He or She Must be Forceful

Some people need to learn to be forceful in the spiritual realm. This doesn’t apply to everyone. Some are just naturally more comfortable being forceful. But those who have a compliant, retiring personality must be taught how to stand against the enemy. If the freed person has such a personality, instruct him or her how to be forceful with the demonic world. Teach him what Jesus meant when He said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men (and women) lay hold of it.” (Mat 11:12 NIV, emphasis added).

There are certain things that can be gotten only by force. The kingdom of heaven is one - and certainly remaining free from demon power is another! He or she must be forceful with the demons when they return with their deceitful schemes.

Protecting Your Family

Part of staying free involves the head of household properly exercising his or her authority. This principle applies to all believers - not just those freed from demonic power. Scripture makes it clear in I Corinthians, Chapter 11 that God ordained a chain of authority within the family. He set Christ above the family, the husband as head of the family, the wife under him, and the children under them. It is important to understand at this point that if there isn’t a godly husband present, the senior member of the family is the spiritual head of the family. The head may be the father, mother, or an older brother or sister.

What is the God-ordained function of the head of household? It is twofold. The first is to make provision for the natural needs of the family. These needs include food, shelter, clothing, and so forth. The second function of the head of household is to make provision for the spiritual needs and protection of the family. These include honoring the Lord through family church attendance, prayer for the family, family devotions, setting a good example, and being the spiritual protector of the family.

Most Christian heads of household do these two things with varying degrees of success. But I believe that few heads of households really understand their role as spiritual protectors. Few fathers (or mothers) in this world sit idly by doing nothing as an outsider physically abuses a member of his family. No, in an instant, a father springs into action defending his wife or child. And so he should. Yet, millions of fathers sit idly by while the forces of darkness plunder, exploit, oppress, inflict and otherwise abuse his family members! For example, I have seen demonic forces rob the health, finances, peace and even the material possessions of family after family and go completely unchallenged by the spiritual head of household. There are two reasons for this inaction on the father’s, or head of household’s part. One, he or she doesn’t know there is an enemy because the enemy is unseen. And two, they most often do not know God has given them authority (or power) to stop/prevent this abuse. Once the spiritual head of household learns what is happening and takes authority over the demonic attack, there is an immediate release.

I recognized this principle long ago and began applying it to my family. In fact, I take the idea one step farther. Jesus gave me authority to guard my family spiritually. I tie that authority to the power to bind and loose “things on earth.” Jesus said,

Based on this understanding I go to the Lord in prayer every day, usually early in the morning. First, I bless Him, telling Him how worthy He is. I thank Him for my family and all the things He has done for us. After I have spent a few minutes saying “good morning” to the Lord, I remind Him that He has given me power to bind things on earth and to loose things on earth. Then I loose God’s blessings on myself and my family (naming each family member), loosing whatever each needs for godliness from the throne of God. Once that is done, I exercise my spiritual binding authority.

I make a verbal declaration aloud to principalities and powers. This declaration goes something like this:

Satan, principalities, powers, and demonic forces, I declare to you that this day my family members (then I name each of them, including myself) are off-limits to you. You have no power or authority to harm them or to touch them in any way. You will stay away from us, our plans, our  finances, our belongings - everything we have. I am using the authority Jesus gave me over you to bind you.”

(Note this authority of protection does not extend to adult or young adult members of the family who are in wilful sin).

Since I began exercising this authority, there has been much less sickness, fewer financial problems, and fewer relationship problems. In general our family has enjoyed a greater sense of well being. I thank God He gave us this authority.