All of us who minister deliverance or healing or who share the gospel or counsel believers have experienced the frustration of doing our best and then seeing nothing change. Sometimes self-doubt creeps in as if we failed in the moment and at other times we simply wonder what went wrong. I was browsing through an old book on my shelf written by a man named Don Basham entitled, Deliver Us From Evil. If you think healing and deliverance has just begun to be practiced in the church, many were doing these things in the 60’s and 70’s.   Don’s book was first published in 1972. He and a few others like Derek Prince were leading lights in renewing this ministry to the contemporary church.

Don’s book is basic and simple. I like that. The other reason I like it is because it reminds me that, as Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. Our current experiences mirror his and his thoughts and experiences confirm that we are still on the right path. I think I’ll share some of his wisdom with you in my next few blogs.

In his book, Basham states, But knowing that Satan and his demons are defeated is one thing: appropriating the benefits of that belief is another. The more I was thrown into this strange ministry, the more complex it seemed to become. Why, for example, should deliverance achieve such spectacular results in one tormented person and fail miserably with another. Gradually, I began to see that there were certain contributing factors, certain requirements or conditions for deliverance. To a large degree, success was determined by whether or not the one seeking help was willing to meet the conditions (p. 147). Basham then goes on to list six of those conditions. Our experience at Mid-Cities confirms his list so I will share it with you and as I do I will make some of my own comments related to his.

1. The person must desire deliverance. I agree. We must recognize that many people only “sort of” want deliverance or want deliverance from one thing but not another (like a sinful relationship). That mindset continues to give the enemy a legal right to continue to harass that individual. Deliverance is most effective when the individual is done with sin and Satan and hates what both have done in his or her life. Everything in the person’s life must be placed under the Lordship of Jesus…not just some things.

2. The person must be willing to admit that he has a demon. Basham’s point here is that, in many cases, the individual must acknowledge that his condition is not just physiological or genetic but that there is a sin component that may have demonic origins. With the sin component comes personal responsibility to repent and renounce that behavior as sin. I’m not sure that the individual must be convinced that he has a demon but he should be open to the possibility. He or she could read my book or any number of books on the topic to understand the reality and possibility of demons if that is an issue.

3. Those ministering deliverance must take authority in the name of Jesus. If we ever believe the deliverance depends on us, our ability, our holiness, or our methodology we will fail. Demons have no regard for us but on for the one whom we represent. We act in the authority and power of Jesus. We must always remember that and make sure that the demons know whom we serve.

4.  It helps to get the demon to name itself. I agree with Don’s statement in principle. If you get the demon’s name it typically comes out easier. It reminds me of kids playing in the yard. When the mother yells, “You kids get in the house,” the kids will usually drift in over the next few minutes as if “you kids” may not have included each one of them. However, when momma says, “Billy Ray, you get in here this minute!” more and quicker action follows. You may know the demon’s name by his fruits – anger, rage, lust, fear, rejection, etc. or the Holy Spirit may reveal the name to you. At times you can command a spirit to reveal his name but he may resist and he may lie. Getting the name is helpful but not necessary.

5. The afflicted person must renounce the demon. Basham makes a good point when he says that repentance of the sin is necessary but renouncing the sin and the demon carries more weight. Repentance says I don’t want to do this anymore. Renouncement says I hate this and want nothing to do with it ever again. I have seen demons persist in the face of anointed and experienced members of a deliveranceteam until the afflicted person gets angry at the demon and commands it to leave with absolute conviction. Half-heartedness on the part of the afflicted still gives the enemy a place.

6. The person must forgive. Unforgiveness is an open door for the enemy. Jesus told us in several places that if we don’t forgive others, the father won’t forgive us. Unforgiven sin gives the enemy legal access to us. Typically, we need to explain biblical forgiveness to people as a decision rather than a feeling and that forgiving a hurtful person doesn’t necessarily mean giving them access to us again. It is simply a decision to no longer require payment for the wrongs done and to release all judgment to God. But it is absolutely necessary for deliverance to be successful.

7. A person must repent of any persistent sin. This was not in Basham’s list, perhaps because it is so obvious, but it needs to be stated. A person must repent of his or her sins because unrepented sin gives the enemy a legal right to harass. We are in agreement with the devil in that slice of our lives if we do not repent and renounce the sin…and any sins of the Fathers that we are aware of. Sometimes people rationalize a particular sin as being “a little sin” or they hold onto a sin that gratifies them or makes them feel powerful or significant. You must explore those possibilities and move them to a sincere acknowledgment and repentance of sin in their lives. Secret sin continues to give the devil a foothold.

If those conditions are not met, you may not accomplish much or anything in your attempts to minister deliverance. Sometimes, individual’s want to start commanding right away without discovering where the enemy has gained entrance and whether or not the person’s heart is aligned with the Jesus. That is like a doctor jumping into surgery without an MRI, a CT scan, or a thorough diagnosis. Not a good idea. If the person’s heart is not right, you may gain some temporary deliverance but more than likely that spirit will return and sometimes bring others with him. Take your time with the diagnosis. It will save you time with the treatment.