“…but DELIVER us from evil.” — Matthew 6:13 KJV
While the Lord Jesus Christ was teaching His disciples about prayer and fasting, He gave very clear instructions on what not to do, and He also gave precise instructions on what we ought to do in the place of prayer. He further said, “Pray like this…” — Matthew 6:9. This became what we know today as the “Lord’s Prayer.” See Matthew 6.
The concluding petition of the Lord’s Prayer reads: “…but deliver us from evil.” — Matthew 6:13 KJV. Have you ever wondered why The Lord Jesus Christ would tell us to petition God the Father for deliverance from evil, or, as some versions put it, “the evil one”? This petition was not added accidentally but intentionally.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came to earth, died, and resurrected. Still, He instructs us to pray for deliverance. This is because the Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, fully understood humanity’s need for deliverance and our continual need for a Deliverer. He is the only the Deliverer who fully understands the depth of what we need rescuing from.
God desires to deliver His children from evil and from the schemes of the enemy. He desires to rescue us from bondage, captivity, deception, demonic agendas, agents of darkness, disaster, oppression, destructive patterns, spiritual attacks, sickness, fear, and every work that seeks to keep us from walking in the fullness of His will.
Deliverance means rescue, salvation, liberation, emancipation, release, being set free, or being delivered from bondage.
To gain a deeper understanding of deliverance, I want to simplify a few foundational terms. If you desire a deeper teaching on this topic, I encourage you to read Deliverance that Works by Apostle Patrick Odigie. Below are five important terms that help provide a deeper understanding of deliverance and the need for the process. I pray that as you continue reading, The Lord Jesus Christ will reveal to you areas of your life that may need healing, freedom, or deliverance.
Covenant
For God to deliver you fully, He must first be in covenant with you. This is why we accept The Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. This is the first step toward freedom and the beginning of walking in the benefits of our covenant with God.
One thing we must understand is that from the moment you enter into covenant with the Lord, the devil opposes you. However, if the enemy has a covenant with us — whether through our bloodline or through agreements we knowingly or unknowingly enter into — it gives the enemy rights not only to us, but also to things connected to us. According to Apostle Odigie’s book, “the devil’s covenant is to take away from us, not to give.”
Issuing the enemy a bill of divorcement and coming out of agreement with the devil and any spirit attached to such covenants is key to breaking evil covenants.
Identifying those covenants is very important. The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 2:11: “…After all, we are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming.” (GW) If you are unsure whether ungodly covenants exist in your life, spend time with the Lord and ask Him to reveal anything that may be giving the enemy legal access. Jeremiah 33:3 says: “Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know…” (AMPC). When you ask Him, He will answer you, because God wants you delivered.
Curses
Curses can come in many different ways. For a curse to operate in a person’s life, there must be a cause. In Deuteronomy 28, God gives a list of blessings and curses, showing that curses can come upon a person through disobedience. However, The Lord Jesus Christ came to redeem us from every curse. See Galatians 3:13.
Because of Christ, we are no longer without hope. Freedom is available through Him.
Demonic Cycles
Have you ever noticed certain negative patterns in your life or family? Some people experience unexplainable financial setbacks, sicknesses, or repeated hardships at certain times of the year. Some families experience broken marriages or feel they can only go so far in life regardless of how hard they try. If this is happening, it may indicate a demonic cycle.
In Deuteronomy 2:3, God spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” (LSB)
As a child of God, you must seek God for help because this can be a demonic cycle, and God wants to break it and deliver you from it.
Many people are unaware they are trapped in negative patterns, so they simply accept them as normal parts of life. I have even found some who speak openly about these patterns with no intention of doing anything about them. God desires to break cycles and move His children forward!
Points of Contact
The Bible tells us that the devil walks throughout the earth seeking whom he may devour. See Job 1:7 and 1 Peter 5:8.
If there are areas in our lives, homes, bloodlines, habits, or possessions connected to darkness, these can become points of access for the enemy. Sometimes we unknowingly make ourselves vulnerable to the enemy. People may go on vacation and bring back souvenirs that are rooted in witchcraft without realizing it. The enemy can also plant seeds through anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, and other open doors. These things create agreement with the enemy, and he uses them as points of contact to attack and destroy lives.
In these last days, we must be intentional and determined to break free from every captivity of the devil.
Divination
Divination involves seeking knowledge, guidance, or revelation outside of the Holy Spirit. Divination is a sin and clearly forbidden by Scripture. It gives Satan a wide opening into a person’s life and bloodline and can lead to great destruction. The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 10:1: “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!” (NLT) The Lord speaks, guides, and reveals according to His perfect timing.
God continually invites us to come boldly before Him. Seek Him. Ask Him. Wait patiently on Him.
Friend, I pray this has given you insight into some foundational terms related to deliverance. Freedom is available in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is still delivering, healing, restoring, and setting captives free.
To learn more on this topic, I encourage you to read Deliverance that Works by Apostle Patrick Odigie and sign up for our Deliverance and Prophetic Academy. These are two great resources to help you gain a clearer understanding the topic.
The Lord Jesus Christ wants you free!
By: Krisie Stanley
