As we enter this next shift, the Lord continues to highlight one of the most critical elements for complete inner healing and restoration: deliverance. As defined by Webster’s dictionary, deliverance is a liberation or rescue (1), indicating that not being delivered results in enslavement or peril. As we are called to walk in the spirit of the freedom of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17), deliverance is required in order for us to do so.
A key foundation in deliverance ministry is facing areas of un-forgiveness toward ourselves and others, in order to be liberated or rescued from the burden of un-forgiveness. Un-forgiveness is not a spirit or a fruit of the Lord, and in fact it is the complete opposite to His nature, therefore it does not align with His characteristics (spiritual fruits). According to the apostle Peter, un-forgiveness is a blemish on our soul that must be removed (1 Peter 1:19), for us to be able to be presented holy to the Lord (Ephesians 5:27).
that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:27
In Hebrew thought, a blemish is symbolic of sin, and sin can furthermore be explained as ‘missing the mark,’ the mark being the characteristics of the Lord (His Word/law). If our aim is to be like our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:48) but we are carrying characteristics that He does not embody (i.e. un-forgiveness), we have sin in our lives or are ‘missing the mark.’
To gain the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, to exemplify His nature, we must have right understanding (righteousness) of who He is and who He created us to be, through His Word. Righteousness can only be obtained through understanding the Lord’s Word (Galatians 2:21) and believing in it (Philippians 3:9). The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:26 “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” therefore it is by His Word that we are washed of our sin and can attain His wisdom. Receiving the washing of the Word and sanctifying ourselves is the process of removing the stains and blemishes from our soul.
Blemishes, or imperfections, can be deeply rooted within the soul by un-forgiveness
Blemishes, or imperfections, can be deeply rooted within the soul by un-forgiveness, and can then become masked by many different characteristics in order to hide the source of the hurt or wound. For example, a young child, being alone with someone they trust, is touched inappropriately and unable to defend themselves. The child does not understand why this has happened to them, as they are innocent, impressionable, and immature. Eventually, the child comes into agreement with the idea that there is something wrong with them, and that the incident that occurred is their own fault (not that of the perpetrator). Due to shame and fear, the child does not tell anyone what happened to them and carries this un-forgiveness toward themselves and the perpetrator for years, even decades. They then grow up to be an adult who has insecurity and trust issues, attributes of a deeply rooted wound or hurt they received as a young child. The person may not think of that incident every day or at all, however it is something that is deeply rooted within them and engrafted into their souls. There needs to be a washing, a cleansing, and an uprooting by the water of Word, to bring the inner healing this person needs, thus freeing them from the bondage of un-forgiveness.
There needs to be a washing, a cleansing, and an uprooting by the water of Word, to bring the inner healing this person needs, thus freeing them from the bondage of un-forgiveness.
Because we do not battle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), we must understand that the perpetrator or individual who caused the hurt or wound, may have been wounded themselves (which is often the case). We must not look at the outer appearance of people and understand that everything we experience is a spiritual battle. The actions are an attribute of the person’s inner misunderstanding (unrighteousness) of God, and who He made them to be, and may be a symptom that provides a clear image of a blemish or imperfection within their soul.
As we learn how to forgive as Christ also forgave (Ephesians 4:31), we begin to receive an inner healing and in order to forgive others, we must first forgive ourselves (Mark 11:26).
Deliverance is an authority that the Lord has bestowed upon us to set others free from the entanglement of un-forgiveness and bondage (Galatians 5:1). In order to have this authority and a deliverance ministry, there must be an experiential process; we must walk through, or experience something, in order to have the power to walk others through the same successfully. By overcoming un-forgiveness, we have gained authority in this area and can walk someone else through the same process of deliverance, resulting in their freedom from sin. So, to assist in bringing healing to others with the power and authority of Christ, we must first be healed. We can attain this healing through learning the spiritual understanding of the Lord’s Word (2 Corinthians 3:6) and through our intimacy with Him (a personal relationship with the Lord).
We can attain this healing through learning the spiritual understanding of the Lord’s Word and through our intimacy with Him.
Our carnal reasoning and carnal desires are laid down as we place Him above all else. This comes by obedience and the response to the call and purpose of our lives and grasping the right understanding of who the Lord is in us.
As we are being prepared in the secrets of the kingdom, the moral and spiritual understandings of the Lord’s Word work hand in hand. By this process of deliverance and discipleship, we cut and shatter the barrier and stronghold(s) of the enemy, solely by the impartation of the strength and wealth (of His Word) that destroys false understandings that come against the Lord and Savior in us. This engrafted hidden wisdom brings in power and authority to restore, renew, and DELIVER!
References:
1. Webster Dictionary https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deliverance?src=search-dict-hed
2. All scripture references: New King James Version.