Complete Deliverance Part 1 by Apostle Joshua Selman: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

This is a discussion on the subject of demonology and deliverance. The goal is to examine the basis for the liberty of the saints — that it is God's desire, made clear in the Bible, that there is a level of liberty the saints in light should walk in, free from the orchestrations of darkness.

This is a kingdom that operates by light, and it is knowledge-dependent. No matter what God says or does, if you are ignorant of the dynamics, it can make what God has said — as potent and as powerful as it is — look helpless in your life.

Hosea 4:6 — My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.

Course Content: Three-Part Series

Part One

1. The biblical basis for the study of Satan and demons
2. The origin of Satan and demon spirits
3. The reality of evil — in scripture and in our world today

Part Two

1. The structure and operation of Satan and demons
2. The biblical concept of deliverance
3. Access points — the gateways that give Satan access to the life of a believer
4. The nature of the flesh — the principal access point Satan has

Part Three

1. Administering deliverance

   • The three levels of complete deliverance

2. Weapons of victory / the whole armor of God
3. Imbalances around the subject of deliverance — what is biblical and what is not

Foundational Scriptures

John 8:36 — So if the Son liberates you, makes you free, then you are really and unquestionably free.

Obadiah 1:17 — But upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness, and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

The idea that deliverance should not happen in the house of God is answered once and for all: upon Mount Zion is the proper place where deliverance should be.

Matthew 6:13 — Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Jesus himself is teaching people how to pray, and he says: make sure this is captured in your prayer. You can become a victim of evil if you are not delivered from it.

Luke 4:18 — The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

Deliverance is not only conducted — deliverance is preached. There is a dimension of deliverance that is preached, not just the laying on of hands.

2 Timothy 4:18 — And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever.

There is something called evil work — the works of darkness programmed against individuals. And the Lord shall deliver from every evil work.

The first mention of the word deliverance in scripture is found in Genesis 45:7, where Joseph speaks to his brothers: God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

The Frequency of "Deliverance" in Scripture

• The word deliver occurs approximately 594 times in the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation
• The word deliverance occurs approximately 179 times across 12 major translations
• In the King James Version specifically, it occurs approximately 41 times

This frequency of occurrence tells us this is a very serious subject.

The Biblical Basis for Studying Satan and Demons

There are many sincere believers and preachers who feel it is anti-kingdom or anti-new creation to ever deal with anything related to Satan. That position comes from a well-meaning place — the concern that studying Satan will fill one's life with fear. But for anyone to become exceptional in anything, they must be exposed to all dimensions of that thing.

When teaching someone to drive professionally, there must be a study on accidents. There is no pilot who becomes professional without studying what to do if and when a plane crashes. That does not mean the goal is to crash — but woe beside the pilot who never went through that lecture.

The Three Tests for Doctrine

The word doctrine comes from the Latin word doctrina — a predefined body of knowledge intended to make a student become something exact. Believers mature through the sound exegesis of doctrine. Any subject is qualified to be a doctrine if it passes these three tests:

1. Old Testament — The subject must be captured in the Old Testament, with scriptural references where it was taught and engaged
2. Jesus in his earthwork — Jesus must have taught that subject or acted in keeping with it during his earthly ministry
3. The apostles and early church — The subject must be captured in the teachings of the apostles and the early church

Any teaching that does not appear in all three cannot claim doctrinal authority — it may be a supporting opinion, but it is not doctrine.

Test One: The Old Testament

The Fall of Man

The first mention of Satan and the operation of evil is found in the fall of man. Satan was absolutely responsible for the fall of man, recorded in Genesis 3 and Genesis 4. It was not only Adam who had a discussion with Satan — even God had a discussion with Satan.

The Book of Job

The story of Job is classically considered in theology the greatest expression of the operation of Satan and darkness over man. The key chapters are:

• Job 1 — the test on his wealth and children
• Job 2 — the test on his health
• Job 42 — the restoration of Job

The book of Job, from a chronological arrangement, is believed to belong somewhere between Genesis and Exodus — making it among the earliest records of the reality of Satan's operation.

Israel's Captivity and Deliverance from Egypt

Nothing is more classic than the story of Israel's captivity and deliverance from Egypt. The complete narrative of the deliverance from Egypt spans Exodus 4–10 (the ten plagues), and the full deliverance story including the Red Sea is found in Exodus 13:17 through 14:31.

Test Two: The Life and Ministry of Jesus

The Temptation of Jesus

Luke 4:1–3 — Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he ate nothing, and when the days were ended, he was afterwards hungry. And the devil said to him, if thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

Jesus did not ignore Satan. He turned to Satan and spoke: It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

If Jesus — who is the Word of God — did not ignore Satan, we should not ignore him either.

Jesus Taught on the Subject of Deliverance

Matthew 12:43–45 — When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Jesus reveals critical information here:

• Demons have specific territories they claim as their own
• Not all spirits are equal — some are more wicked than others
• Multiple demonic spirits can work together as a coordinated team
• Deliverance without filling can leave a person in a worse state than before

When a person's condition is progressively deteriorating, Jesus gives perspective: something may have happened in the spirit that is translating into that worsening situation.

Jesus Administered Deliverance — The Gadarene Demoniac

Luke 8:26–35 — Jesus met a man out of the city of the Gadarenes who had devils long time. Several important truths emerge from this account:

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• Time does not drive out demons — this man had been afflicted for a long time
• Demons are intelligent — they called Jesus by an accurate description of who he truly was
• Multiple demons can inhabit one person — his name was Legion, for many devils had entered him
• Demons can enter animals — the spirits entered a herd of swine and drove them into the lake
• Deliverance has levels — after the spirits departed, the man was found sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind. The demons leaving was not all it took; remaining with Jesus produced the restoration of his mind

The spirit leaving him was not all it took. It took him staying with Jesus, sitting at his feet — and as a result, his mind became right.

Jesus Administered Deliverance — A Father's Son

Luke 9:37–43 — A man cried out: Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son, for he is my only child. A spirit taketh him and he suddenly crieth out, and it teareth him, and he foameth, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. I besought thy disciples to cast him out and they could not.

This account reveals:

• Everyone should be able to cast out demons based on scriptural authority — but in practice, not everyone can
• It takes more than just proximity to Jesus; it requires something deeper — faith and spiritual preparation
• Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the child — two distinct operations in one moment
• Behind many sicknesses are spirits; ministering healing alone may be insufficient. Most times in scripture, Jesus cast out the spirit first, then released the power of God to correct the bodily deformity the spirit had caused

Jesus Funded Ministry Through Changed Lives

Luke 8:1–3 — Certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities followed Jesus, among them Mary Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

The women who had been genuinely delivered went back, produced results with their sound minds, and returned to support the work. This is the most scriptural model of ministry funding: change lives, and the lives changed will not forget.

Building men is greater than building structures. A building can be destroyed, but build men and the men will build the structure. And if it falls, they will build it again.

Peter's Rebuke — Deliverance Among the Seemingly Well

Matthew 16:21–23 — From that time forth Jesus began to show his disciples how he must go to Jerusalem and suffer and be killed and rise again. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying: Be far from thee, Lord, this shall not happen to thee. But Jesus turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan — for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Peter did not know something had happened to him. He was not misbehaving — his compassion was genuine. Yet Satan had slipped through his compassion to give advice that, if heeded, would have prevented the redemption of all mankind.

Sometimes it takes discernment more than the physical appearance of a person to know they need deliverance. They can be well-behaved, calm, even sincere — and still be under influence.

Jesus Commissioned His Disciples to Cast Out Demons

Matthew 10:7–8 — As ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.

If it is true evangelism, you will encounter demons — waiting in men, waiting in cities. Everywhere you find them, cast them out.

Test Three: The Apostles and the Early Church

Philip in Samaria

Acts 8:5–8 — Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. The people with one accord gave heed to the things Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them. And many taken with palsies and that were lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

Paul and the Spirit of Divination

Acts 16:16–19 — As Paul and his companions went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met them, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.

Several critical observations from this account:

• Spirits are named by their character — the spirit of divination, the lying spirit, the spirit of death
• The spirit of divination brought financial profit — just because rewards are coming does not mean it is of God. The spirit of divination can also bring profits
• The devil can use truth as a weapon — this woman cried out accurate truths about Paul and his companions. When the devil knows you resist lies, he will use truth. Truth is like a knife — it is not only a lie the devil uses; he can use truth and still destroy
• Satan's strategy through promotion — the demon was promoting Paul's ministry so that after Paul left the city, the girl's counterfeit "ministry" would remain. The strategy: don't fight them, support them, so that when they're gone, the demonic substitute continues in their place

Acts 16:18 — Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Commands are issued not in your own name, but in the name of Jesus Christ.

The consequence: when the spirit left, her masters lost their source of income. They seized Paul and Silas and had them beaten and imprisoned.

Casting out demons can have consequences — the spirits will move men, systems, and structures against you. It is not only casting out demons you must know; you must also know how to command deliverance for yourself.

Paul and Silas knew that at midnight, even the chains could be broken. Before standing before Pharaoh, make sure you have seen the burning bush. Before launching a spiritual attack, make sure you are grounded in spiritual fortification. The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.

Two More Scriptural Foundations

1 Peter 5:8 — Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.

When a lion is hungry, it is patient but precise. It singles out one target and pursues it with determined energy. Its two assignments are: first, bring it down; second, go for the throat and hold until death. Satan as a roaring lion is not playing games — he means everything he intends to do.

Revelation 12:7–10 — There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not, neither was their place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world. He was cast into the earth. And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ — for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before God day and night.

2 Corinthians 2:11 — Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Ignorance gives Satan an advantage. One can have knowledge of what they want and yet be ignorant of Satan's devices, and he will still gain the upper hand.

The Origin of Satan

The book of Genesis is largely silent about the beginning of Satan — you would expect the book of beginnings to capture everything, but Genesis starts directly with Satan's character and operation. Three scriptures are used to understand his origin.

Satan Was a Created Being

John 1:3 — All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

Colossians 1:16 — For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in the earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers — all things were created by him and for him.

Ezekiel 28:15 — Thou wast perfect in thy ways in the day that thou wast created, until iniquity was found in thee.

Satan was created by God. No matter what he is or how long he has existed, he is God's creation. Whatever has a beginning can have an ending. It is comforting to know that whoever created Satan can also destroy him.

His Original Identity and Glory

The original name of Satan as revealed in scripture is Lucifer. From the Hebrew, Lucifer means the shining one or the lightbearer — the son of the morning.

Ezekiel 28:12–14 — Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was thy covering — the sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle, and gold. The workmanship of thy timbrels and of thy pipes was prepared in the day that thou wast created. Thou wast the anointed cherub that covereth.

Satan was a cherub — a covering cherub — dwelling in the midst of the stones of fire, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

His Fall

Isaiah 14:12–17 — How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Ezekiel 28:17 — Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty. Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.

The things that corrupted Satan were his beauty and his wisdom. God cast him to the ground.

Revelation 12:8–9 — And prevailed not, neither was their place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the devil and Satan, and was cast into the earth.

Before Satan fell, the earth already existed. Scientists date the earth as millions of years old. The oldest human lineage from Adam is barely above 6,000 years. Yet archaeologists have found evidence of civilizations older than 6,000 years. There is an old story that predates Adam.

What Satan Really Wants: His Two Obsessions

Satan has many names in scripture:

• Devil — from the Greek diabolos, meaning the accuser or the slanderer
• Satan — meaning one who opposes or acts as an adversary
• The thief — John 10:10
• The enemy — in the parable of the wheat and tares
• The evil one
• The prince of the power of the air — Ephesians 2:2
• The spirit that works in the children of disobedience — Ephesians 2:2

John 10:10 — The thief cometh not but for to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.

All of Satan's activity reduces to two obsessions:

1. Dominion
2. Transgenerational allegiance

This is what birthed the concept of witchcraft, altars, and generational patterns. Everything that destroys people and families today is a structure driving these two goals.

Dominion and Allegiance Revealed in the Temptation

Matthew 4:8–9 — The devil taketh Jesus into an exceeding high mountain and sheweth him all the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them, and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Satan can suddenly become a giver — if you satisfy that condition.

Satan does not need your money. He does not need your health, your political position, your prosperity, your ministry, or longevity in your family. There is one thing he needs: fall down and worship.

The obsession for control and the obsession for human worship is the classic character of Satan. Those operating under satanic influence can be identified by these two drives — the compulsion to dominate and the demand for devotion.

Why Satan Hates Humanity

Romans 8:29–30 — For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

The entire agenda of man was not executed in real time — it was predestined, foreordained. There was a time when God designed that he would create a being in his own image and likeness. Satan, as the lightbearer — the custodian of the wisdom and mysteries of God — must have had access to that information by virtue of his office.

This is what gave him the idea: if God can create another species in his image and likeness, I will be like the most High. That desire became his rebellion.

Satan's arch enemy is not God — God is his Creator. Even in his fallen state, he acknowledges God. Satan's arch enemy is man.

Psalm 8:4–6 — What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than Elohim — and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.

God exalted man even above the cherubim, above every other created thing. This is the position Satan wanted. This is the position Satan fights to strip from every human being.

How Satan Establishes Transgenerational Allegiance

Satan studied what is most dear to each person. He identifies the assignment, the family, the business — and fashions an attack to strangle those things. When the pain becomes unbearable, someone appears with an offer of relief through a covenant.

Families in generations past, facing drought, famine, or disease, would turn to whatever medium offered solutions. Satan is a giver — if you satisfy his condition. They gave worship, and transgenerational allegiance was established. Children born into those families inherited the covenant without knowing it.

When one stands before Jesus and receives him as Lord, the declaration is made: everything that comes from me will no longer serve Satan. And Satan says: you have drawn the line. Everything that threatens his allegiance, he will fight through men, through systems, through circumstances.

Interpret everything that happens in your life from the lens of who Satan is — not the lens of the village or family background. That is too small. Satan does not attack anything for itself; he verifies whether there is something in your destiny that threatens his agenda, and then attacks it with everything he has.

The Greatest Deliverance

The greatest deliverance is the translation from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. Rejecting Jesus and rejecting the offer of salvation is itself part of Satan's strategy to keep people bound. He has every legitimate ground over a life until the blood of Jesus opens the way to that new and living covenant.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come by the blood of the Lamb, and I decree and declare that no weapon fashioned against me, fashioned against my destiny, shall prosper. No weapon against my health, no weapon against the work of the Lord committed to me, no weapon against my children, my job, my career, my spiritual life.

Father, by the blood of Jesus — the blood of the eternal covenant that speaks better things than the blood of Abel — I dissociate myself from ancestry. I dissociate myself from covenants. I dissociate myself from the activities of bloodline and inheritance. I declare that I have been called out of every tribe, out of every tongue, out of every nation. I am seated with Christ.

He who the Son sets free is free indeed — really and unquestionably free. Free from curses, free from yokes, free from bondages of darkness.

Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph. My background does not have to be a disadvantage over me. Because upon Mount Zion there shall be deliverance and holiness, and the sons of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

The Lord shall deliver you from every evil work. May the Lord honor your faith and your persistence in the name of Jesus Christ.

Practical Instructions for This Series

• Fasting — Discipline yourself to fast at least one day per week. Thursday is recommended. Fast from whatever hour you choose through the evening
• Prayer — Take one dedicated hour in the night to pray in tongues. Choose any hour — 11pm to midnight, 12 to 1am, or earlier depending on your schedule
• Testimony — When you experience breakthrough, do not stay silent. Report what God has done
• Exceptions from fasting — Pregnant women are not required to fast. Those with medical conditions should not fast against medical advice

This teaching is one of the greatest threats to the power of darkness — because the power of darkness is the absence of light. When light comes, you gain perspective. You can look at a long-standing battle and say: this is not about me. I have found in the volume of the books that there is something in my destiny that Satan has been fighting.