Fasting and the Bible

Fasting in the Bible

In the following Bible study, you will learn about different types of fasts, how and when to fast, and Biblical examples to follow.

If you need a spiritual breakthrough in your life, are spiritually dull, can't break free from a particular sin, experiencing relationship difficulties or need direction from the Lord, fasting is highly recommended.

Learn to overcome fasting obstacles and misconceptions, and find the victory you have been desiring in your life and in the lives of those around you!

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Before you start:

• Pray: ask the Lord for insight and understanding of His Word.
• Gather the following tools:
  1. Bible in one or two translations
  2. Dictionary (Webster's 1828 or Bible Dictionary recommended)
  3. Pen and notebook to record your thoughts
  4. Copy of this Bible study (permission is granted to print out for personal use)
• Give yourself one hour periods of study time in a quiet place. Meditate upon what you are studying.

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1. Define fasting.

2. Look up the following verses and fill in the chart below:

Ezra 10:6, 10:10-11 Esther, chapters 4-8 Acts 9:7-19 Exodus 34:28 Deuteronomy 9:9-29, 10:1-11

Matthew 4:1-3 2 Chronicles 20:1-29 Ezra 8:21-23,31 Joel 1:13-14, 2:12,15,18-27 Daniel 10:2-3

Daniel 1:8-17 1 Kings 17:5-7 Matthew 3:4 1 Corinthians 7:5

Bible Verse	Who fasted?	Reason for fasting	Length of fast	Results

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

FASTS:

Supernatural Fasts:

Group fasts:

Partial fasts:

3. In addition to the verses you have already studied, read Psalm 35:13, Ezra 8:21. What are the benefits of fasting?




4. Can you think of other benefits of fasting?




5. What are the different ways to fast?




6. Why would we fast?

FASTING OBSTACLES

Make a list of reasons why you have had difficulty fasting in the past or failed to fast at all:

FACTORS THAT CAN KEEP CHRISTIANS FROM FASTING

• Ignorance - don't know the facts about fasting
• Selfishness - allow temporal desires to cause us to esteem food higher than doing God's will
• Indifference - don't see the need to fast in our own life or the lives of those around us
• Lack of self-control - one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control. We need to deny ourselves and follow Christ (Mark 8:34-35).
• Wrong priorities - placing the good and pleasant above the spiritual (God's desires)
• False concept of Christianity - involves not being aware of what it really means to be a disciple (disciplined follower) of Jesus. Paul gives us an example in 2 Corinthians 11:27:
  
  "In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness..."

TYPES OF FASTS

COMPLETE FAST:

A normal fast is no food, but beverages are allowed (caffeine is to be avoided). Unless supernaturally sustained, you should not do a complete fast for more than 3 days and nights.

Before starting a longer fast (3 days or more):

• Divine direction - don't copy others; be sure you are led of the Lord as to what type of fast and how long.
• No caffeine - discontinue a few days BEFORE the fast
• Eat less the day before a fast to help your body adjust
• eat fruit as a last meal before the fast
• Temptations - know that the evil one will try to discourage and distract you during your fast. Be sure to trust God, not your feelings during this time.

During the fast:

• Dress warmly - you can expect to feel colder during a fast, especially in your hands and feet
• Use warm, not hot, water for showers and baths
• Avoid ice cold beverages
• Exercise regularly, but moderately - if you experience weakness, discontinue
• Fast in secret - don't tell others you are fasting; it is between you and the Lord. You can talk about the benefits or reasons why you fast, but do not give details about a particular fast.

After the fast:

• avoid starches for a few days
• chew your food well
• stop eating when you feel full
• don't become physically active too soon
• eat healthy food

Here is a suggested schedule for reintroducing food after a complete fast:

• DAY 1: liquids every couple of hours in small amounts; fruit juices are great
  
• DAY 2: eat small quantities of fruit, milk and yogurt in small quantities
  
• DAYS 2 and 3: (the longer you fast, the more time you should allow before introducing these foods)
  
• In small quantities: salads, homemade vegetable soup without grease, cooked vegetables
  
• After a few days: cheese, nuts, eggs
  
• Lastly: fish and meats
  

DO NOT UNDERTAKE A COMPLETE FAST IF YOU ARE:

• a diabetic
• malnourished
• pregnant or nursing

PARTIAL FAST:

A partial fast eliminates certain foods, drinks or non-food pleasures. The Lord may lead you to do a partial fast eating and/or drinking certain foods and avoiding others. For example:

• drinking fruit juices
• eating bland foods (foods which are nutritional and yet are not especially pleasant to the taste)
• eliminating meats
• eliminating sweets
• eating only fruit, nuts and vegetables
• abstaining from non-food items like a favorite TV show, or eliminating TV altogether

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References

fasting - a voluntary abstinence from food (Vines), a common practice among Jews, and was continued among Christians; the Hebrew word tsoom means "to cover over" as pertaining to the mouth. Websters 1828 defines it "to abstain from food, beyond the usual time; to omit to take the usual meals, for a time; as, to fast a day or a week; to abstain from food voluntarily, for the mortification of the body or appetities, or as a token of grief, sorrow and affliction; to abstain from food partially, or from particular kinds of food; as, the Catholics fast in Lent."

Much of the information contained in this study was found in:

Edwards, Bob. Spirit-Led Evangelism

Wallis, Arthur. God's Chosen Fast.

Additional links:

The One-Day Fast

Bill Bright's 7 Steps To Successful Fasting and Prayer

Bill Bright's 7 Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer

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How to Begin Your Fast

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How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success. By following these seven basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the Lord more meaningful and spiritually rewarding.

STEP 1: Set Your Objective

Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:

	How long you will fast - one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.)
	The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often)
	What physical or social activities you will restrict
	How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word

Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life's pressures tempt you to abandon it.

STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually

The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

	Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.
	Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
	Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).
	Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
	Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
	Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).
	Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).
	Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
	Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically

Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.

	Do not rush into your fast.
	Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
	Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast. While You Fast Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider: Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician's supervision. Limit your activity. Exercise only moderately. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and comfortable. Rest as much as your schedule will permit. Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the "blahs." Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness. The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake. STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be. Morning Begin your day in praise and worship. Read and meditate on God's Word, preferably on your knees. Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure according to Philippians 2:13. Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond. Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will. Noon Return to prayer and God's Word. Take a short prayer walk. Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community's and nation's leaders, for the world's unreached millions, for your family or special needs. Evening Get alone for an unhurried time of "seeking His face." If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer. Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus. When possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with our Lord in prayer and study of His Word are often better spent alone. A dietary routine is vital as well. Dr. Julio C. Ruibal - a nutritionist, pastor, and specialist in fasting and prayer - suggests a daily schedule and list of juices you may find useful and satisfying. Modify this schedule and the drinks you take to suit your circumstances and tastes. 5 a.m. - 8 a.m. Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended and diluted in 50 percent distilled water if the fruit is acid. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or other fruit juices are generally preferred. If you cannot do your own juicing, buy juices without sugar or additives. 10:30 a.m. - noon Fresh vegetable juice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts. 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Herb tea with a drop of honey. Avoid black tea or any tea with caffeine. 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Broth made from boiling potatoes, celery, and carrots with no salt. After boiling about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it. Tips on Juice Fasting Drinking fruit juice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some natural sugar energy. The taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you to continue. The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. In cold weather, you may enjoy a warm vegetable broth. Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach's sake. Avoid caffeinated drinks. And avoid chewing gum or mints, even if your breath is bad. They stimulate digestive action in your stomach. Breaking Your Fast When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But how you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well-being. STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health. Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly: Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon. While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following: First day: Add a raw salad. Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning. Third day: Add a steamed vegetable. Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet. Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato. A Final Word STEP 7: Expect Results If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers. A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians. It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness. I encourage you to join me in fasting and prayer again and again until we truly experience revival in our homes, our churches, our beloved nation, and throughout the world.

The Most Common Spiritual Roadblocks

The Most Common Spiritual Roadblocks

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Not willing or ready - As elementary as this sounds, many deliverances are unsuccessful because the person was not ready or willing to be truly delivered. They were merely looking for a quick fix for their problem, and were not willing to take the necessary steps to receive and maintain their deliverance.

Unforgiveness - Bitterness is a very popular source of spiritual defilement (Hebrews 12:14). If you don't forgive others, God will not forgive you (Matthew 6:15). Unforgiveness puts us in the hands of tormenters (Matthew 18:23-35), which are demonic spirits.

Strongholds - Strongholds are incorrect thinking patterns in our minds that we see things through. Many people see themselves as failures, so they feel like failures. Others see God as a cruel and dictating taskmaster, which causes them to feel distant and unloved by their heavenly Father. If you have a hard time feeling God's love, you can cast out all the demons in the world, but if you don't see God as a loving God who loves you, it's going to be very difficult to feel and receive His love.

Unconfessed sins - If we confess and repent of our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). But if we choose rather to keep our sins hidden and to ourselves, we cannot expect God's forgiveness. There is also power in confessing our faults to one another, as James 5:16 tells us, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Soul ties - Having a soul tie with somebody means your soul is joined with theirs (1 Corinthians 6:16). Being joined to another person with an unclean soul tie can allow the transference of spirits and bondage between the persons. It is vital to break of all bad soul ties from unhealthy past relationships so that the enemy cannot use them against us.

Cursed objects - The Bible gives us a clear pattern of destroying false gods, idols, and so-called cursed objects. God warns us that bringing a cursed object into our home can bring a curse upon us as well (Deuteronomy 7:26).

Lack of faith - Not understanding or believing God's will or the truth about your situation can keep you in bondage as well. If you don't realize the authority and freedom you have in Christ, it can be very hard to walk in it and eat of it's fruit. Knowledge of the truth is indeed an important tool in our spiritual toolkit.

Un-renounced vows - Vows and oaths bind the soul (Numbers 30:2). The way to break free from any ungodly vows is to repent of it and renounce it verbally in Jesus' name.

Unbroken curses - Both ancestral curses and curses encountered in one's own life must be broken. I believe ancestral sin curses are automatically broken so long as we have accepted Christ, and do not take part in our ancestor's wickedness, but other types of curses must be broken before complete deliverance can be obtained and kept.

Residing spirits - Demons often need to be cast out of a person before they are able to fully overcome many persistent bondages. Demons are often found behind many issues such as fear, depression, physical infirmities (arthritis, cancer, deafness, etc.), mental illnesses, etc. and need to be driven out as Jesus and the early church went about doing.

Your Spiritual Authority

Your Spiritual Authority

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A solid understanding of spiritual authority is vital to build your faith when casting out demons, healing the sick, and exercising your authority over the powers of darkness.

When we have been given authority to cast out demons, but instead we pray that God brings the demon out instead, we are basically asking God to do something that He gave US the tools to do ourselves! Jesus told US to cast out demons! Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to ask God to cast out demons!

Mark 13:34, "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."

How authority works

Authority doesn't beg; authority doesn't ask; authority commands! We are not told to ask God to cast out demons, we are told to do it ourselves! We are not told to beg demons to come out, we are told to CAST them out!

Matthew 8:8-9, 13, "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it... And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour."

Authority is exercised through our spoken word. The power of life and death are in the spoken word: Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Jesus' own authority

One thing that made it clear that Jesus was the son of God, is because He exercised authority that nobody else had access to in history!

He cast out demons using His authority: Mark 1:27, "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him."

He cast out demons with His spoken word: Matthew 8:16, "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word..."

He healed the sick with His spoken word: Luke 7:7, "Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." Also John 5:8, "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."

Jesus has been given authority over everything: Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Authority to heal

Jesus said to, "Heal the sick"! Matthew 10:8, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." I think it's interesting how Jesus didn't tell us to pray and ask God to heal the sick, He told US to heal the sick!

I have never seen where Jesus prayed, "Father, please heal this person!" Instead, we see that Jesus healed people with His spoken Word! In John 5:8, Jesus told the man to, "...Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."

The early church healed people in this same manner. In Acts 3:6, "...Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

Notice in Luke 9:1 that He not only gave His disciples authority over all devils, but also to cure diseases: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

Authority is exercised when there is a RIGHT to exercise it. They weren't praying and asking God to heal people, they had the authority to heal, and they were exercising it with a spoken word, just as Jesus did!

I want to clarify that I'm not saying that prayer can't heal people... because it can (James 5:14-15)... I'm just saying that we are taught to heal the sick using the authority that Jesus gave us! I have seen and heard of many healings that took place through prayer, so I'm not saying not to pray, or that prayer doesn't work. I'm simply saying that we have authority over sickness, and therefore we can exercise our authority to bring about healing in another person's life!

I also think it's interesting how Mark 16:17-18 tells us that healing can come through the laying on of hands: "And these signs shall follow them that believe... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." The laying on of hands can encourage the transferring of power from us into the person and heal them, just like the woman who felt power flow from Jesus when she touched the hem of His garment (Mark 5:30)! Jesus said that those who believe will have the Holy Ghost flowing out of their innermost being (John 7:38-39), and even Peter's shadow healed people (Acts 5:15)!

Authority to cast out demons

Notice that we are never told to beg or coax the demons to come out, neither are we told to pray and ask God to remove them, but we ARE told to cast them out! Matthew 10:8, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." And also look at Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Luke 9:1, "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils..."

Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

Jesus distributes His authority

Mark 13:34, "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."

Jesus is given authority: Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Authority given to Jesus' 12 disciples: Luke 9:1, "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

Authority given to Jesus' 70 disciples: Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

Through Jesus' name

Notice that the authority Jesus gives His people is not to be used in their name, but Jesus' name:

Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Acts 3:6, "...Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

To use somebody's authority through their name is quite an honor! It's like being able to go to the bank and draw out a million dollars on behalf of a wealthy businessman!

Authority has been given to "Them who believe"

Jesus gave His disciples authority to carry out His will here on earth, but they weren't the only ones. He also gave ALL believers authority to heal the sick and cast out devils as well! (Mark 16:17-18)

Authority to cast out demons: Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Authority to heal the sick: Mark 16:17-18, "And these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Mark 13:34, "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."

Authority is accessed through faith

It is also helpful to point out that our spiritual authority is accessed by faith. There is a lot to be learned from the story told in Mark 9:17-29 about how faith allows us to access our authority. When the disciples came across an unusually strong demon that wouldn't budge (verse 18), Jesus made it clear that they lacked faith by calling them faithless (verse 19). He also made it clear that some demons are so strong that a higher than usual level of faith is required to cast them out (verses 28 and 29), and that we can gain that higher level of faith through prayer and fasting (verse 29).

Matthew 17:20, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Are You Ready For True Deliverance?

Ready for deliverance? How To Tell

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As ministers, it is important to be able to recognize situations where a person is not prepared to receive deliverance. Here are some important guidelines to keep in mind when seeing if they are ready to receive and maintain their deliverance:

#1 Are they a Christian?

If they are not a Christian, do not even think of a deliverance session unless the Holy Spirit specifically tells you otherwise. Casting demons out of non-believers is unwise as those spirits can come back 7 times worse.

#2 Are they prepared to give up anything necessary to receive and maintain their deliverance?

Every now and then, we see people who are simply seeking deliverance so that their problems will go away, but they are not willing to give up ungodly things in their life to receive and maintain their deliverance. For example, one person came to me asking for help, but was not willing to stop living a lifestyle of fornication. If they are not willing to give up things in their life that are giving demonic spirits legal grounds, then they are not worthy of or prepared to receive the children's bread (deliverance). Those demons have a right to be there, and many times we will be unable to get those spirits to budge. Even if we do cast them out, they can come right back because they have permission to be there.

#3 Are they willing to seek a close walk with the Lord and spend time with Him each day after their deliverance, so that they can maintain their deliverance?

After a person receives deliverance, it is important to note that demons often like to re-approach that person, and if they are not on their guard, those spirits would love to coax the person to let them back in. If they aren't spending time with God and cultivating their relationship with Him, they will give in much easier (either knowingly or unknowingly) and those spirits could re-gain their access.

#4 Are they prepared to meditate on Bible verses and work hard to keep strongholds torn down?

In many cases, it is vital for that person to renew their mind (including tearing down strongholds) before they are able to walk in complete freedom. This can take time out of their daily lives, and they must be willing to follow through with this if they want to make the most of their deliverance. Demons not only work to build strongholds in our minds, but they also thrive on them and even use them to re-enter people! Strongholds are very powerful and are a tool in the enemy's weaponry... we must be ready to take this tool out of his hands!

#5 Are they willing to communicate everything in their past with their minister so that he can identify any issues that must be worked on in order for that person's deliverance to be effective?

Sometimes people are unwilling to tell anybody about something they've done in their past because it is so embarrassing. This is a trap that the devil uses to keep a person from breaking free. It is important to be able to trust the minister with whom you are sharing your past, but on the other hand it is also a very important step in the deliverance process. There are many things that a knowledgeable minister can pick up on when they hear a person's past. That is how we usually discover strongholds, legal grounds and even the type of demons or demon groupings that are present. Knowing this helps us effectively go forth and minister to that person.

#6 They must be ready to let go of their demon(s).

Some people like holding onto their demons because of the pleasure that spirit(s) may bring them. For example, incubus may bring a woman much sexual pleasure at night, and therefore she does not want to give it up, yet she wants delivered from the problems that it is causing in her life. If a person is not willing to give up a spirit, then there is little we can do to help them.

I must also caution that though a person is struggling in an area of their life, it does not mean they are not sincere and ready to receive deliverance. It is important to discern whether they are prepared to receive deliverance or not, as there will be times when a person cannot stop masturbating or cannot stop lusting, and yet they want so badly to be set free from those bondages. Just because they cannot stop falling in that area, does not mean they are not sincere. It can mean that the spirit has such a grip on them that they are put under so much pressure to give in, that they can barely keep themselves from giving in.

Take for example a spirit of rebellion. It will cause a person to take up a very rebellious personality. On the other hand, if they are wanting to be set free from that, then they are most likely ready for deliverance, but if they enjoy their rebellion and refuse to give it up, then I question whether or not they are ready. The same is true with spirits of lust, addiction, etc., if they realize the bondage they are in and want to be set free, then I would move forward with the deliverance. But if they tell me that they enjoy their addiction and lusting and are not willing to give it up, then it's not time to move forward (unless the Holy Spirit directs otherwise).

Don't take this to an extreme

Although it is not a common problem, I have seen where some deliverance ministers can blame the person for not being ready to receive deliverance when they cannot seem to cast a demon out of them (unsuccessful deliverance), or when they would rather not deal with the person or the demons in them. When a deliverance fails, while it can be the person's fault sometimes, it can also be several reasons that are beyond the knowledge or understanding of the minister (not all legal grounds were removed, not all strongholds were addressed, etc.). However, some ministers use the excuse "you're not sincere" or "you're not ready to receive deliverance". This is heartbreaking, because they are blaming the person in bondage, possibly creating an even worse situation and feelings of failure and unworthiness. It is a shame to see a person who is ready for deliverance be denied and told that they are not ready to receive it. It is important that we be able to discern whether or not the person is prepared to receive deliverance so that we do not fall into this trap.

Demonic Legal Rights: Soul Ties, Curses, Unforgiveness, etc.

Demonic legal rights, Soul Ties, Etc

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The process of deliverance often consists of three main parts: Tearing down strongholds, removing legal rights and then casting out the remaining demons. If you try to cast out demons without taking away the strongholds or legal rights that they are holding onto, then you can't really expect to achieve a complete successful deliverance. Removing these two blockages is vital in going about a complete and successful deliverance.

There is a teaching specifically on Strongholds too that you may want to go through as well.

What are legal rights?

A legal right is something that can give demons an opportunity to enter or harass us, or gives them the right to remain in us even when we try to cast them out. Some of the most common legal rights that are faced when ministering deliverance are:

Sins (especially willful sins): When we commit sin, it gives the enemy a legal right to affect or bother us in one way or another. The deeper the sin, the bigger the door that is opened to the devil. When a person allows unholy thoughts to enter their mind, it can open the door to a demon of lust, which eventually causes the person to commit adultery and the matter is compounded. It starts when the enemy tempts us to think the wrong thing, then when we accept it and make it a habit, it opens the door for the enemy to move in further, then behind the bad habit which can be formed, lies a demonic compulsion that isn't easily resisted. If the person continues down this path, he continues to open more doors to the enemy, and eventually that person finds himself committing adultery, rape, etc. because the feelings and desires the demons push on that person are irresistible. Once he commits those sins, mega doors are then opened, and the problem is like a snowball going down the hill. Sin opens the door to demons, which push us in the direction to more sins, which open us wider to more demons, etc.

The remedy? Repentance! Verbally confess and repent of your sins that have given the enemy legal rights in your life. If you recognize a particular sin or sins that has opened the door to the bondage you are seeking deliverance from, it helps to specifically repent of that sin. Any larger or gross sins you can remember are always good to repent of specifically.

1 John 1:9 tells us to confess our sins. If we don't confess our sins and instead we hide them from God, it leaves that sin remaining in our lives. We need to confess our sins in order to be forgiven.

Soul ties: It is possible for two persons to share spiritual ties (like spiritual bridges that connect the two persons). Some of the most popular and destructive soul ties are formed during an adultery or fornication. 1 Corinthians 6:16 warns us not to have sexual relations with a prostitute because we become one flesh (flesh as in soul realm kind of flesh, not a physical flesh) with that person. This ungodly soul tie is like a rope between two persons that demons can use to their advantage to cross from one person to another. If that person had demons tormenting them, and you had sex with them, it unites the two persons, and therefore a soul tie is created, and the demons tormenting that person can also have rights to torment you. This does not apply to married couples, because there is no unhealthy soul tie created from sex within marriage. The Bible says that the marriage bed is un-defiled, and defilement is required to create an evil soul tie.

The remedy? Repentance, renunciation and breaking of soul ties! First, specifically repent of the sin which caused the soul tie to be formed in the first place. Then you can use your authority in Jesus to break and sever the unholy soul tie. Saying something like this should do the job, "I now renounce, break and sever all unholy soul ties created between myself and _____ through the act of adultery in Jesus' name!"

There can also be soul ties between yourself and another person, without any sexual relationship involved. Sexual relationships are one of the best way to create a very strong soul tie, but it's not the only way. Other soul ties can be created through unhealthy relationships, such as being so close to a parent that you take their advice over God's advice. Again, repentance and the breaking of the soul ties in Jesus' name is the way to go about solving this problem.

Another thing that could hold back the breaking of a soul tie, is a physical object given to you from the other person, through a sinful relationship. If you were given a ring, or bra or a love gift through an adulterous relationship, for example, then those gift(s) can hold the soul tie together. If the gift is valuable, and not necessarily bad in itself, then it's best to sell the gift. If the gift is demonic or unholy, then it's best to throw away the gift.

Demonic vows: A demonic vow can be like a spiritual signature that the enemy uses as a legal right to gain access into our lives. Demonic vows can be made consciously or unconsciously. Often when a person joins a cult coven (a group of witches), they are required to make vows with the devil. Demonic vows can be made unconsciously just by dabbling with the occult. Just by getting curious about the occult and reading forbidden materials (including horoscopes) can give the enemy your spiritual signature; it tells the enemy know that your interested. Jesus warns us not to make any vows at all. The only vows I can see are practical and good are those made during a marriage ceremony.

The remedy? But if we have made vows that do not glorify God, then we should repent and renounce those vows verbally and seek God's forgiveness. Do this verbally, because vows are made verbally, breaking them is also done verbally.

Unforgiveness: When we don't forgive others, God won't forgive us. When God doesn't forgive us, it leaves our sins remaining, which can give the enemy legal rights into our lives. Read Matthew 18:23-35, and keep in mind that the tormenters they are referring to, are demons. The legal ground the enemy may be standing on to torment you may very well be rooted in unforgiveness! I've heard that the single most common reason that people aren't healed, is because they are holding unforgiveness in their hearts, and I believe it! Forgiveness is not an option; it's a necessity! See my study on "Unforgiveness: Poison" for a more in depth understanding of how unforgiveness works.

The remedy? Repent for holding bitterness in your heart against others, and make a solid choice to forgive those who have wronged you (also confirm your choice by verbally forgiving them), and release the bitterness and hurt from your heart against them.

Ancestral sins: When you involve yourself in the deeper sins or the occult world, you not only open demonic doors in your own life, but also in the lives of your children and grandchildren (Exodus 20:5). If your ancestors have committed gross sins or been involved in the occult, then it's a good idea to confess those sins (to the best of your ability... God knows your heart), and ask Him for forgiveness (Leviticus 26:40-42). Even though you personally aren't guilty of those sins, they may have caused curses in your life, and those curses need to be broken. Common ways to tell if ancestral sins are involved, is if your siblings or ancestors have experienced or are experiencing the same or similar problem that you are.

The remedy? The legal grounds have already been broken! If any spirits are remaining, they must be cast out. For more information, see the teaching on Generational Curses.

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Ancestral sins: When you involve yourself in the deeper sins or the occult world, you not only open demonic doors in your own life, but also in the lives of your children and grandchildren (Exodus 20:5). If your ancestors have committed gross sins or been involved in the occult, then it's a good idea to confess those sins (to the best of your ability... God knows your heart), and ask Him for forgiveness (Leviticus 26:40-42). Even though you personally aren't guilty of those sins, they may have caused curses in your life, and those curses need to be broken. Common ways to tell if ancestral sins are involved, is if your siblings or ancestors have experienced or are experiencing the same or similar problem that you are.

The remedy? Confess the sins of your ancestors, and verbally break any generational curses handed down to you in Jesus' name! Here's a great prayer you can pray:

In the name of Jesus, I confess the sins and iniquities of my parents (name specific sins if known), grandparents (name specific sins if known), and all other ancestors.

In the name of Jesus, and by the power of His blood, I now renounce, break and sever all cords of iniquity and generational curses I have inherited from my parents, grandparents and all other ancestors and break and sever all unholy soul ties formed between myself and my parents, grandparents and all other ancestors.

In the name of Jesus, I now loose myself and my future generations from any bondages passed down to me from my ancestors.

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Childhood rejection: Much demonic bondage is caused during childhood. For example, if a parent shows rejection toward their child, a spirit of rejection may enter.

The remedy? If you have been rejected by either your parents or somebody else, you must make a solid choice to forgive that person(s), and release the hurt in your heart against them. The spirit of rejection is usually present in this situations, and should be renounced.

Points of weakness: When the person experiences weakness, such as emotional shock, physical trauma, fearful experiences during childhood, and other areas to which the natural walls of defense in the physical, spiritual or emotional system of a person are weakened, it leaves us vulnerable for the enemy to attach himself to us. The same is true with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and especially true with drugs, because they lower our defenses, and since demons thrive on weakness, they love to move right in and setup camp.

The remedy? If there was any bitterness involved (say somebody caused the traumatic experience for you, and you are still holding it against them), then you must forgive the person who hurt you, and repent for harboring bitterness in your heart against them. If the point of weakness was caused by your own sin, such as drinking or drugs, then confess and repent of that sin. If the demons entered solely through traumatic experience, and none of it was anybody's fault, then the demons are 100% trespassers in this situation, and need to be told to leave!

Spoken self-curses: The words we say have spiritual value, the Bible says to bless and not curse, and that the tongue has the power of life and death. If you walk around saying, "I wish I could just die," a demon may hear you and can go to God and say, "Look, she wants to die!" and here comes a spirit of death. There is a book titled, "Blessing or Curse: You can choose, " by Derek Prince, which deals with this topic of curses in much detail.

The remedy? Take back what you spoke against yourself, renounce it! Repent for speaking such thing(s), and break the curse(s) in Jesus' name!

Cursed objects: Physical objects can carry spiritual value, such as idols, occult books, rings, movies, charms, etc. If you brought any Indian or pagan religion artifacts into your home, you could be opening the door for demons to enter and bother the people within your home. Land can also become defiled by the sins of it's owners (Leviticus 18:27).

The remedy? Burn, destroy or get rid of any physical objects that you have located that could be cursed. Isaiah 2:18, "And the idols he shall utterly abolish." It is Biblical to burn cursed objects. Repent for bringing such objects into your home if you are responsible for them! Land can be cleansed by prayer and repenting of the sins of the previous owners.

Renounce demons: Renounce any known demons that have been invited in (ex. spirit guides), and any interest or involvement in the occult or Satanism. Also renounce any demons that you know need to be cast out. This helps let the demons know that you are no longer interested in having them around.

Other helpful things to look for: When did the bondage start? Try to pinpoint how the problem started and what gave the demons the ability to enter. Look for any involvement in the occult, sins, vows, traumatic experiences, etc. along with any unusual happenings emotionally, spiritually or mentally.

How Your Thoughts Open Demonic Doors

Opening Demonic Doors...Even With Your Thoughts

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Did you know that a person can welcome an evil spirit into their soul without even knowing it? It is not an uncommon scene when a person actually welcomes unclean spirits without having to do anything on the outside -- your thought-life is quite capable of opening doors all by itself! What happens is the enemy (working through unclean spirits) approaches a person at a time of need in their life, and gets the person to agree with the demon's bait. This bait can be very appealing to the person and it can even seem harmless and beneficial at that point and time. The enemy is known to disguise himself as an angel of light, as to deceive people into giving him access into their lives:

2 Corinthians 11:14, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

I feel it is important to understand how the enemy works, so that we can equip ourselves to stand against him schemes. Paul said that they were not ignorant of Satan's devices... this is something that many in the church today cannot cl..

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

The thing I've found with unclean spirits, is that they almost always offer some kind of 'sweet reward' to get a person to grant them access into their life. It could be forbidden sexual pleasure, supernatural power or knowledge of some kind (mind control, fortune telling, etc.), even healing (through occult powers) and physical defense (martial arts). Jesus made it clear that even evil thoughts can defile us (make us vulnerable for spiritual infection):

Matthew 15:19-20, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man..."

When we yield ourselves, whether it be our thoughts, actions and so fourth to the enemy, we are giving him access to our souls (mind, will and emotions). Here is a brief list of some popular spirits and how they often make themselves appealing:

Spirits of rebellion - The spirit seems to take the person's side and whisper to them, "I will stand up for you... I will stand up for YOUR rights!" The spirit is looking for the person to say, "Yeah, I need that!"

Spirits of divination (fortune telling spirit) - The spirit offers the person supernatural secrets into the future that others do not have access to. If the person begins to seek this sort of power, they are letting the demons know that they are welcome.

This is why I cringe every time that somebody tells me how their child is reading Harry Potter books... that child is letting the occult spirits (demons) know that they are interested in what the occult has to offer, and this gives them the right to move right in on that child! I have seen AWFUL things happen to children who have been involved in Harry Potter, yet so many parents are ignorant and convinced that it is a harmless storybook.

Automatic writing - This type of spirit offers beautiful 'out of this world' writings to the person that they wouldn't otherwise be able to produce. However, let's never forget that demonic power is very expensive and lands the person in bondage. Again, when a person begins to seek this forbidden power / ability, they are making themselves available for the spirits to enter.

New age spirits (including Yoga) - Energy healing along with better mental and physical health are offered to the person, when in reality it's only bait to land them in bondage. Again, when a person partakes in Yoga, or seeks energy healing, they are opening themselves up to these spirits.

Spirits behind Karate (including spirits of mind control) - The person is offered an 'out of this world' means of defending them self that the average person does not have. When a person begins to seek this power found in martial arts, they are welcoming spirits of mind control and such to come in and make themselves at home.

When a person breaks a board with their hand, there is an evil spirit that goes ahead of their hand and breaks the board before their skin even touches the board! If you take a macro slow motion video of a young boy breaking a 2x4 in half, you will eye-witness this fact. The same spirits will cause a person to be able to strike a seriously harmful blow to somebody else's body, and do far more than more than a mere physical blow would do the person. That is because evil spirits are involved. One time a man came to Christ after earning a high level ranking in karate, and not long afterwards, his karate instructor said to him, "You have lost the spirit of karate!"

Spirits of lust / perversion - The person is enticed to enter a world of forbidden pleasure. If the person begins to seek such pleasure, they are letting the spirit realm know that it's okay to feed them more pleasure in that area of their life. Once the person has a spirit in them such as lust or sexual perversion, it can become very difficult to resist the strong pull that the spirit has on that person.

Spirits of addiction - These spirits often promise a world of escapism from reality for the person who is trying to cope with life. When a person turns to escapism, it can open them up to addiction which grows into a bondage where spirits of addiction are involved and it seems nearly impossible to break free (without deliverance that is).

Spirits behind cancer - The spirit offers the person a pleasurable 'they will pay' feeling that comes from bitterness and unforgiveness. Let's be honest, it can feel good to hold a grudge... but it will block God's forgiveness for your own sins! (See Matthew 6:15) When a person turns bitter, it invites an evil spirit into their system which will aggravate the cells in their body, which will cause abnormal growths, tumors and such.

Witchcraft & warlock spirits - These spirits offer supernatural power to 'get even' to an offended person. This can be very appealing to somebody who has been rejected or hurt in this world. When a person begins placing curses or seeking to learn about witchcraft, or even seeks to have a witch place a curse for them, it lets the spirits know that they are welcome in that person's life. God's Word tells us not even to seek somebody with occult power, lest we become defiled ourselves:

Leviticus 19:31, "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."

Occult spirits - The lure of supernatural power and knowledge of the unknown. When a person seeks such occult power and knowledge, they are making themselves available to those spirits.

Spirits of bondage - A person may think it's best to make a vow, in order to help them stay motivated to do or not do something, however, the Bible is clear that oaths can bind the soul (see Numbers 30), and it's not uncommon to find scenarios where a person has unclean spirits that entered in through vows that they have made in the past. Rash vows can be forgiven (Leviticus 5:4-11), and must be renounced (taken back) verbally. I also recommend verbally breaking the vow in Jesus' name and declaring it void by the power of the Blood of Jesus.

Spirits of self-pity, etc. - The spirit whispers to the person, "You poor thing! You deserve much better than that!" When a person agrees with such thinking, they are welcoming such spirits into their souls (mind, will and emotions). After all, it can feel good when "SOMEBODY" agrees with that person's pity party!

And the list goes on! These are just a few of the ways that demons make themselves appealing to a person's fleshly desires. When we leave the Word of God behind and seek to satisfy our own fleshly appetites, it can give unclean spirits access into our lives. Most people do not even realize what they are getting themselves into, and then they wonder why they have lost control in that area of their lives afterwards!

Generational Curses

Generational Curses

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Have you ever seen a family where the father has a problem with uncontrollable anger, his son seems to have been 'handed it', and the grandpa had the same problem? Or have you noticed that not only do you suffer from something such as persistent irrational fears or depression, but your mother and her father also suffered from it as well? There are many people today who are living under bondage that the sins of their forefathers has brought them under.

Exodus 34:7, "Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting (punishing) the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."

Lamentations 5:7, "Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne (been punished for) their iniquities."

This is beyond learned behavior; many children learn to be messy if their parents are messy. This is a spiritual bondage that is passed down from one generation to another. Some symptoms of a generational curse is a continual negative pattern of something being handed down from generation to generation. Often people who are adopted end up with the same characteristics as their birth parents, not because they were around their birth parents to learn how they behaved, but because they inherited their spiritual bondage. Some common symptoms of generational curses are family illnesses that seem to just walk from one person down to the next (cancer is a common physical manifestation of a spiritual bondage), continual financial difficulties (they continually hit roadblocks in their finances), mental problems, persistent irrational fears and depression. Anything that seems to be a persistent struggle or problem that was handed down from one generation to another may very well be a generational curse.

The purpose of a generational curse

I believe the reason God would punish the future generations with the sins of their fathers, is because of God's bitter hatred for sin. He would require somebody who practiced witchcraft to be put to death (Exodus 22:18). He knows that one of the most prized possessions you have, is your children, and therefore it makes sin a lot harder to commit when you realize that you are not the only one that is being punished for it, but also your own children are going to pay the price for your foolishness. That's what I believe is the reason behind generational curses. The whole human race fell thanks to Adam's sin for that matter.

The price for generational curses has been paid!

The good news is that once you accept Jesus, the transference of bondage stops from your ancestors by means of generational curses. You can no longer receive spiritual bondages in this manner from your parents once you accept Jesus!

Christ was made a curse, so we can be freed from the curses that sin (both our sins and those of our forefathers) has brought us. Galatians 3:13, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

Once you become a child of God, no longer will the sins of your forefathers cause curses to transfer into your life: Jeremiah 31:29-30, "In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge."

So why are there so many believers who seem to be living under a generational curse? This has puzzled me before I understood how it works too. What may need to be dealt with though, is any bondage that was already passed down to you before you came into covenant with God. The legal grounds are certainly paid for on the cross and therefore broken. The only thing left to do is cast out any spirits that have gained entrance before you accepted Jesus.

Non-believers are still affected

Even after Jeremiah 31:29-30 makes it clear that believers are redeemed from generational curses, the next chapter in Jeremiah (32:18) clearly says, "Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name." Apparently, generational curses are still in effect, but for who is the big question.

Ezekiel 18:2-3 tells us, "What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel." (Note the keywords "in Israel"... this is referring to those who are in covenant with God, which are us believers, not the rest of the world.)

Obviously, generational curses are alive and well in the lives of those who are outside the new covenant with God (non-believers).

'Triggering' the effects of a generational curse

It is possible for demons to enter a child before he accepts Jesus, then remain dormant or hidden in that child's life until some time later in his or her life when it manifests (or makes itself known). Sometimes when a person heads for the ministry, it seems like the devil kicks up his ugly heels and causes havoc for that person. Other times, a line of fear runs in the family tree, but isn't manifested in a person's life until they get themselves involved in something fearful, such as watching a demonic movie. All of a sudden, the spirits in that person's life "come alive" so to speak, and make themselves known. They were there all along, but just now they have come out into the open. The solution is to cast them out.

If you have involved yourself in any sin or opened any doors in your own life while 'awaking' or triggering the spirits, then it's important that you clear up any legal grounds (or strongholds) that you gave the enemy in your own life relating to the bondage. For example, if you have went to see a demonic movie, and it seemed to have triggered spirits of fear in your life that were handed down to you, then it's important to repent for going to see such a movie before trying to cast out any spirits. It's also possible that you picked up the spirits from such a movie without them even being there in the first place, and/or added to spirits that were already inside you. It's always a good idea to clear up any legal grounds or strongholds in your own life before casting spirits out.

I believe unforgiveness is a great way to 'trigger' generational spirits, so I would be on the lookout for any bitterness or unforgiveness in your heart as well. A common sight is when a spirit of cancer is running down the family tree, and I believe bitterness is a great way to trigger those spirits. Unforgiveness is a serious sin that blocks the forgiveness of your own sins (Matthew 6:15), which creates ample legal grounds for the enemy in your life. Unforgiveness in itself puts us into the enemy's hands (Matthew 18:23-35), say nothing about awaking any evil spirits in us already!

The curse may be canceled, but the demons may remain

Just as other demons don't automatically leave at the time of salvation... neither do the demons that you get from your ancestors automatically leave you either.

Let's say that you accept Jesus at age 15. Because you were born a sinner and outside of God's covenant, you were still living under the curses handed down to you and demons can enter you through those curses. Once you've accepted Jesus, those curses are broken automatically, but often the demons that entered in before you accepted Jesus still need to be cast out. In other words, the curse is already broken, and there's no need for you to break any generational curses. But the demons who entered into you through those curses before you accepted Jesus may still need to be cast out. That's why it seems so many believers are living under generational curses, when the Bible makes it clear that we have been freed from any curses handed down from our forefathers!

My parents have almost perfect health well into their 60's, while it seems the family tree has many health problems that have been handed down from the forefathers. My parents seem almost immune from the health problems in the family tree! Sure, they take care of their bodies, but they also believe that they have been freed from the curses handed down in the family tree, and since no demons have entered them to take advantage of those old curses, they were freed from the effects simply by standing on what Jesus had done for them on the cross!

On the other hand, if demons have entered you through curses handed down to you before you became a Christian, then those demons may need to be cast out. Demons often don't leave on their own accord, and when they don't, the remedy to get rid of them is by casting them out.

There's a neat story in Mark 9:17-27, where Jesus deals with what is almost certainly a generational curse (verse 21). Notice that Jesus didn't have the boy confess the sins or iniquities of his ancestors, He cast out the demons that entered in through the curse. That's how I believe we are to deal with the affects of a generational curse; since the curse has been broken, all there is left to do is just cast the demons out that entered into that person's life back before they became a Christian (before the curse was broken).

Confess what is rightfully yours!

We know that our generational curses have been broken in Jesus' name, but I still like to verbally confess what is going on and what is rightfully ours anyways, because there's power in our verbal confessions, and helps us to realize that we are set free, and also lets the enemy know that he's in trouble! Here's a great sample confession prayer you can use to do just that:

In the name of Jesus, I confess the sins and iniquities of my parents (name specific sins if known), grandparents (name specific sins if known), and all other ancestors. I declare that by the blood of Jesus, these sins have been forgiven and Satan and his demons can no longer use these sins as legal grounds in my life!

In the name of Jesus, and by the power of His blood, I now declare that all generational curses have been renounced, broken and severed, and that I am no longer under their bondage!

In the name of Jesus, I declare myself and my future generations loosed from any bondages passed down to me from my ancestors. AMEN!

Another factor to consider

There are other things that can 'seem' like generational curses, but aren't. Perhaps the most common is if there is an ungodly soul tie formed between you and one of your ancestors, that can also allow for the transferring of spirits. There is more to learn on this subject in the teaching on Soul Ties.

Ignorance: Another source of bondage!

I also believe that some people can live under what SEEMS like a generational curse, simply because they believe it's still in affect! We need to know that it is NO LONGER in affect, and we have been FREED from any generational curses we used to live under! Jesus makes it very clear that we can be held in bondage to sin through ignorance (John 8:31-36), and I believe the same is true with bondage to generational curses.

In a nutshell

To wrap it up in a nutshell, I don't believe Christians can live under generational curses... but I do believe they can be affected by spirits that have entered through those curses before they accepted Jesus. Just like many people's past actions before they came to Christ have landed them in demonic bondage and caused them to pick up demons. Those demons are not automatically shed at the time of salvation, they often need to be cast out. The same is true with demons that enter in through generational curses (a doorway to demons).

How you deal with a spirit that has entered through a generational curse is very simple: Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..." Learn of the Spiritual Authority that Jesus has given you over demon spirits, and by faith, you can command those spirits to leave you in Jesus' name! If you can't seem to get them out, try prayer and fasting, as Jesus clearly stated, some demons won't come out unless you have a higher level of faith that only prayer and fasting can bring you into (Matthew 17:19-21). If you are facing heavier bondages, it is recommended to seek deliverance through a man or woman of God who is knowledgeable and working in the ministry of deliverance. Before seeking out a deliverance through another person or minister, I recommend reading the teaching on Seeking a Deliverance.

Another type of generational curse

The type of curses handed down as a result of an ancestors sin is automatically atoned for on the cross, providing we don't hide the sins of our forefathers in our hearts (holding sin in our hearts is never a good idea - whether its ours of the sins of our ancestors). But there's another kind of generational curse that is handed down, and it's a spoken curse that takes a toll on future generations as well. We can see this kind of curse in action in Genesis 9:24-25, "And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." As the Bible goes on to say, this curse ended up affecting an entire nation! I believe these kinds of curses may need to be renounced and broken. If you are unsure of whether a curse should be broken, I recommend breaking it anyways, just so you know it's broken. It doesn't hurt to break a curse that's already been broken. Here's a sample prayer you can pray that you can use to break yourself free from spoken generational curses:

In the name of Jesus, and by the power of His blood, I now renounce, break and sever all curses that have been handed down to me from my ancestors. In the name of Jesus, I now loose myself and my future generations from any bondages passed down to me from my ancestors!

Again, if a curse has landed on you and has been broken, it still doesn't mean you are delivered from the spirits that entered in through that curse. You may still need further deliverance to have the spirits cast out that took advantage of the curses handed to you.