Guest Author: Jake Kail – Author, Pastor, Teacher
Much of the following is taken from experts of my latest book, Keys for Deliverance:
Jason had been married for ten years at the time I prayed for him. Throughout the entirety of his marriage he had struggled with addiction to pornography, and as would be expected, this put a strain on the relationship. He would have short periods of victory, but could never seem to attain lasting freedom.
Looking for help and permanent change, Jason attended a men’s retreat with the topic of walking in sexual purity. I was one of the speakers and my message was on repentance and deliverance. I shared how sexual sin can often be influenced by unclean spirits, especially when the behavior is compulsive and enslaving. Jesus came to set us free from the power of sin and the kingdom of darkness. For someone to be set free from sexual sin—or any sin for that matter—requires genuine repentance. But if there is a demonic element to the bondage to sin, casting out evil spirits is also an important aspect of finding true freedom.
After I finished the message, I led the whole group of men in a prayer of repentance. Then I began to take authority over unclean spirits and command them to leave in the name of Jesus. When I prayed for Jason, I laid hands on him and commanded the spirits of lust and pornography to come out of him. (I didn’t know anything about his situation at the time; I simply prayed as I felt led by the Holy Spirit.) He immediately doubled over as if he had been punched in the gut, and he felt as though something came out of him.
A year later, Jason attended the same retreat. Except this time, he was not there to receive ministry, but to help minister to others. He testified that he had not viewed pornography since the prayer for deliverance a year prior. For the first time in over ten years, he was truly free!
This testimony brings me to an important question: Is it possible that deliverance from unclean spirits is a “missing link” in the quest for freedom from sexual sin?
What is Deliverance?
“And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.” (Mark 1:39)
The word deliverance refers to setting people free from the influence of evil spirits, or in other words, casting out demons. To be clear, to acknowledge the influence of unclean spirits in a situation like Jason’s does not mean that the person can forfeit responsibility and blame everything on the devil. There is still a need to take personal responsibility and repent of sin, and there is still a need to overcome the flesh. But in many cases, the possibility of demonic influence is not even considered, leaving people like Jason stuck in a cycle of defeat and shame.
Jason’s freedom did not come until he was set free from the influence of evil spirits. Once the demons were gone, the nature of his battle changed dramatically. It is not that he never experienced temptation again; but now he was free to deny lust and choose purity. There was no longer an internal compulsion that seemed out of his control. The cycle of bondage had been broken.
When explaining deliverance ministry, I often teach on the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This story gives a symbolic picture that shows the need for deliverance.
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:43-44)
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead He gave two commands. The first was, “Lazarus, come forth!” Lazarus emerged from the tomb perfectly alive, but he was still bound with graveclothes. So, the next command was “Loose him, and let him go.”
Many Christians today find themselves wrapped in spiritual graveclothes. Like Lazarus, their feet are bound up, keeping them from being able to run the race set before them. Their hands are tied, keeping them from serving as they are intended. Their faces are wrapped, keeping them from knowing their true identity in Christ. They have received God’s salvation and have been raised from the dead spiritually, but they are still bound in certain areas of their lives.
These believers may know that they are forgiven, but they are not experiencing the full freedom that Christ purchased for them on the cross. They have heard the message of salvation (“Lazarus, come forth!”) but not the message of deliverance (“Loose him, and let him go”). They sometimes find themselves in a cycle of defeat: bound by fear, addiction, depression, wounds of the past, bitterness, sin, or other bondages. It’s hard to function when you’re wrapped in graveclothes. But I have seen time and again how people begin to grow rapidly after being set free from the influence of evil spirits.
Deliverance: The Missing Link
God never intended salvation without deliverance. He not only wants us to be forgiven, but also free. Deliverance ministry is certainly not a cure-all, and not all problems or bondages to sin are caused by demons. But there are many people—even sincere believers—who are oppressed by evil spirits and need the ministry of deliverance. Without this crucial ministry, many believers and churches will not move into the fullness of their destiny.
When it comes to breaking free from lust, pornography, and other sexual sins, deliverance from unclean spirits needs to be strongly considered. Pornography is an open door to darkness and often welcomes unclean spirits into a person’s life. Yes, there must absolutely be genuine and deep repentance from sin. There must be a revelation of truth, a willingness to walk in the light, and a receiving of the grace of God to get free. But if unclean spirits are involved, there will often not be deep or lasing freedom until they are expelled.
Freedom from pornography and sexual sin is not only possible, it is what Jesus paid the price for. If you are in need of deliverance, you can use this prayer for deliverance as a way to submit to God and resist the devil (see James 4:8). You can pray through a pray like this on your own, but often it is better to have a trusted friend, mentor, or pastor pray with you.
Don’t settle for bondage when Christ offers you freedom. Repent, call on His name, and drive the unclean spirits out of your life!
For more information on the topic of deliverance, check out Jake’s book:
