I grew up a Christian, surrounded by church, prayer, and community. Over the years, I have had the chance to see and experience different cultures and even different religions. But one topic I never really dug deep into until recently was deliverance.
Honestly, I started looking into it because I felt stuck. Stuck in the same cycles. Stuck in the same mindset. I wanted to move forward, but it felt like something invisible was holding me back. It was not just bad habits or lack of discipline, it felt deeper. That is when I realized I needed to study what the Bible actually says about deliverance.
What I discovered opened my eyes. Deliverance is not just a churchy topic. It is not just for people who are possessed or for dramatic exorcism stories. Deliverance is for anyone who wants to walk in the freedom God already promised.
What Is Deliverance?
The word deliverance literally means to be rescued, set free, or released from bondage. In the Bible, deliverance is always tied to God’s power to free His people from whatever enslaves them, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles.”
From this, I realized deliverance is not just about demons, it is about God rescuing us from anything that troubles us. For me, that meant patterns of fear, doubt, and insecurity.
Who Needs Deliverance?
When I first asked myself this question, my mind went to extreme cases, people possessed like in the Gospels. But the more I studied, the more I saw that deliverance is for all of us in different ways.
The person struggling with addictions they cannot shake
The woman stuck in toxic relationships over and over again
The man battling anger, lust, or destructive thoughts
Even the Christian who loves God but keeps cycling through fear, insecurity, or anxiety
Romans 7:24–25
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Paul, one of the greatest apostles, admitted he needed deliverance. If he did, we definitely do.
What Does the Bible Say About Deliverance?
Here are some verses that stood out to me in my study:
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Deliverance is not about self-help or willpower. It is about Jesus. When I read this, I realized freedom is not something I have to earn, it is already mine in Christ.
Colossians 1:13–14
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Deliverance is a transfer. God literally takes us out of darkness and moves us into His light. That shift is spiritual, but it affects every part of our lives.
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
This was Jesus declaring His mission. Deliverance is not optional, it is the core of why He came.
Psalm 107:13–14
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.”
What stood out to me here is crying out. Deliverance starts when we admit we cannot do it alone.
How Deliverance Happens
From what I studied in the Bible, deliverance usually comes in three ways:
Through Prayer and Surrender
“Call on me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:15)
I realized that deliverance begins the moment I stop pretending I am strong enough and cry out to God.Through the Word of God
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
Freedom comes when lies are replaced with truth. For me, this meant calling out the lies I believed about my worth and replacing them with scripture.Through the Power of Jesus’ Name
“And these signs will accompany those who believe, In my name they will drive out demons…” (Mark 16:17)
Sometimes the spiritual battle is real. But authority in Jesus’ name means no chain is too strong.
My Reflections on Deliverance
Here is the thing I learned, and I want to be real with you. Deliverance is not always a one-time dramatic moment. Sometimes it is a process. Sometimes God removes things instantly, and sometimes He walks you through layers of healing.
For me, deliverance looked like realizing I did not have to keep carrying the weight of insecurity. I had to stop agreeing with fear. I had to replace my thoughts with God’s Word, again and again. And little by little, I felt lighter.
Practical Steps to Walk in Deliverance
If you are feeling stuck like I was, here are steps you can take:
Pray honestly. Tell God exactly what you feel trapped by
Speak scripture out loud. When Jesus was tempted, He said “It is written” (Matthew 4:4)
Renounce and release. If you have opened doors to sin or toxic influences, confess them and shut them
Ask for help. Talk to a trusted pastor, mentor, or Christian friend. Deliverance is powerful when done in community
Stay filled. Matthew 12:43–45 warns that if we are delivered but do not fill ourselves with God’s Spirit, worse things can return
Final Word
Deliverance is not just about getting unstuck from something, it is about stepping into the freedom Jesus died to give you.
If you are in a place where you feel trapped, do not ignore it. Cry out to God. Fill yourself with His Word. And know this:
2 Thessalonians 3:3
“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Deliverance is not about fear, it is about freedom. And freedom is your portion in Christ.
Your Turn
I want to hear from you. Have you ever experienced a moment where you knew God was delivering you from something, whether it was fear, a habit, or even a toxic relationship? What did that look like for you, and how did it change your life? Share your story in the comments so we can encourage each other and grow together in this journey of freedom.
– Renée
