Entering deliverance ministry without rigorous preparation is to walk blindfolded into a lion’s den. Jesus’ sharp rebuke to His disciples after their failure to cast out a demon—“You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you?” (Lk 9:41)—reveals not mere irritation but urgent concern. The boy’s father had pleaded, the crowd watched, yet the nine disciples left behind could do nothing. Why? Jesus later explained: “This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:29, with fasting attested in ancient manuscripts). Their failure exposed a deeper issue: lack of fortification (spiritual strengthening through prayer, Scripture, sacraments, and the communion of saints) and mortification (dying to self through penance, fasting, and self-denial). While Jesus was away with Peter, James, and John at the Transfiguration (Mk 9:2–13), the others grew complacent. They presumed on power without preparation. Jesus’ words—“How much longer must I be with you?”—carry a prophetic ache: Soon I will be taken from you; you must learn to stand in My name. Deliverance demands both disciplines. Without them, the enemy deceives, accuses, and overpowers.
I. The Deception and Tactics of the Enemy
Evil is personal and cunning. The devil’s Hebrew name śāṭān means “adversary” or “accuser” (Job 1:6; Zech 3:1), one who stands against God’s people and slanders them before the throne. His Greek title diabolos means “slanderer” or “divider” (Jn 8:44; Rev 12:9), one who throws lies to fracture faith and fellowship.
His strategies are ancient:
- Deception – “He was a murderer from the beginning…a liar and the father of lies” (Jn 8:44). He twists truth from the start (Gen 3:1–5).
- Accusation – He accuses day and night (Rev 12:10), exploiting shame (Zech 3:1).
- Temptation – “Your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8).
- Oppression – From Legion in the tombs (Mk 5:1–20) to the spirit tormenting the boy (Mk 9:17–18), demons seek embodiment.
- Division – He sows weeds among wheat (Mt 13:25–29), isolating souls.
“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…against spiritual forces of evil” (Eph 6:12).
These “strongholds” (ochyroma) require divine power to demolish (2 Cor 10:4).
II. The Disciples’ Failure: A Warning Against Presumption
The incident in Mark 9 is pivotal. A father begs: “I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not” (Mk 9:18). Jesus groans: “You faithless and perverse generation…” (Mt 17:17). The Greek apistos (faithless) and diestrammenē (perverse, twisted) reveal a double defect: unbelief and moral distortion. They had cast out demons before (Mk 6:13), but now failed. Why?
- No fortification: They neglected sustained prayer. Jesus had been praying on the mountain; they were arguing with scribes (Mk 9:14).
- No mortification: No fasting, no self-denial. They took ministry lightly while the Master was away.
Jesus’ diagnosis is surgical: “This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting.” Fasting mortifies the flesh; prayer fortifies the spirit. Their failure was not lack of authority but lack of preparation. Jesus was training warriors, not spectators.
III. Pride and Lust: The Two Primary Hooks of the Enemy
The devil gains entry through unmortified weaknesses, but two stand out as his favorite footholds: pride and lust. Pride—Satan’s own original sin (“I will ascend…I will make myself like the Most High,” Is 14:13–14)—mirrors his rebellion and blinds the soul to dependence on God; it turns the minister into a target, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6). Lust, whether for power, pleasure, or recognition, opens the door to sensual bondage and compromises authority, as “the flesh lusts against the Spirit” (Gal 5:17). These twin hooks allow the accuser legal ground (topos, Eph 4:27); mortification severs them by crucifying ego and desire, while humility and chastity fortify the soul against counterattack. Without vigilance here, even gifted ministers fall—like the sons of Sceva, whose pride invited violence (Acts 19:13–16).
IV. Fortification: Being Strengthened in Grace
Fortification—from Greek endynamoo, “to empower” (Eph 6:10; Phil 4:13)—is the active reception of divine strength.
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God” (Eph 6:10–11).
A. Prayer and the Spirit
“Pray in the Spirit at all times…keep alert and always persevere” (Eph 6:18).
- Jesus prayed before every major confrontation (Lk 6:12; Mk 1:35).
- “Deliver us from the evil one” (Mt 6:13)—ponēros, the actively malign spirit.
B. The Word and Sacraments
- Scripture: “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17). Jesus wielded “It is written” (Mt 4:4).
- Baptism: “Our old self was crucified with him…we might no longer be enslaved to sin” (Rom 6:6).
- Eucharist: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (Jn 6:54).
- Confession: “Confess your sins to one another” (Jas 5:16)—sin forgiven is ground lost to the enemy.
C. Communion of Saints
“You have come…to the spirits of the righteous made perfect” (Heb 12:22–23).
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” (Heb 12:1).
- Angels: “Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Heb 1:14). Invoke your guardian angel and St. Michael daily—not only on ministry days—so they constantly shield you from the prowling enemy.
- Mary: “He will strike your head” (Gen 3:15). Consecrate yourself to her every morning; her perpetual enmity with the serpent guards you at all hours, not just during prayer sessions.
- Saints: Their prayers never cease. Ask patron saints (e.g., St. Benedict, St. Pio) to walk with you constantly; the evil one watches for any unguarded moment, so their intercession must be a lifelong habit.
V. Mortification: Putting the Flesh to Death
Mortification—from Latin mortificare and Greek nekroo, “to put to death” (Col 3:5; Rom 8:13)—is the execution of the flesh so Christ may reign.
“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom 8:13).
A. Biblical Precedents
- OT: Fasting (Ex 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8; Dan 10:3); sackcloth (Jon 3:6); “a broken and contrite heart” (Ps 51:17).
- Jesus: “Deny themselves and take up their cross daily” (Lk 9:23). Aparneomai—to disown self.
- Paul: “I punish my body and enslave it” (1 Cor 9:27). Hypōpiazō—to bruise, discipline.
B. Why It Defeats the Enemy
- Closes footholds: “Neither give place to the devil” (Eph 4:27). Topos—a base through sin.
- Starves pride: “God opposes the proud” (Jas 4:6). Satan fell by pride (Is 14:13–14).
- Imitates Christ: “He emptied himself” (Phil 2:7).
VI. The Synergy: Fortification + Mortification
FortificationMortification Empowers (endynamoo) Executes (nekroo) Fills with grace Empties of self Arms with God Disarms the flesh
“The weapons of our warfare…have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Cor 10:4).
- Fasting + Prayer: The only remedy for “this kind” (Mk 9:29).
- Almsgiving + Penance: “By almsgiving and faithfulness sins are purged” (Prov 16:6).
VII. Practical Preparation for Deliverance
- Before Ministry
- Fasting: Skip one meal daily or fast fully one day weekly; intensify with a 1–3 day bread-and-water fast before a major session—weakens flesh, sharpens spirit.
- Prayer: Daily Rosary (especially Sorrowful Mysteries), Morning and Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours—builds communion with God; add a personal prayer for protection (e.g., “Lord Jesus, cover me with Your Precious Blood; surround me with Your holy angels; let no evil touch me or my household”).
- Sacraments: Weekly Confession to remove sin’s hooks; daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration to abide in Christ’s presence.
- Anointing: Pray with blessed oil over yourself and team: “Is anyone among you sick?…the prayer of faith will save the sick” (Jas 5:14–15).
- Saints: Invoke St. Michael, guardian angels, and patron saints daily; read a short life of an exorcist-saint (e.g., St. Pio) for inspiration.
- During Confrontation
- Invoke the Name: Begin every command with “In the name of Jesus Christ…”—every knee bows (Phil 2:10).
- Wield Scripture: Speak five power-verses aloud, repeating each 3–7 times; claim God’s sovereignty over yourself and the afflicted:
- “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Is 54:17)—declare divine protection.
- “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you” (Deut 28:7)—proclaim victory.
- “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7)—enforce flight.
- “Behold, I have given you authority…over all the power of the enemy” (Lk 10:19)—assert delegated dominion.
- “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4)—affirm indwelling triumph.
- Command in Humility: Deliver commands in a normal, conversational tone—calm, firm, and clear. Do not shout, yell, or stage theatrics to frighten onlookers; the demon leaves because of the Name of Jesus, not our volume or spectacle. Raised voices are the rare exception when violence erupts and audibility is needed, never the rule. Humility keeps authority pure; pride invites mockery (Acts 19:15).
- After Liberation
- Fill the Void: Lead the person into immediate prayer of thanksgiving, renunciation of sin, and reception of Eucharist—prevents re-entry (Mt 12:43–45).
- Ongoing Discipline: Assign a simple rule: weekly fasting, daily Scripture, monthly Confession; connect them to a prayer group.
VIII. Constant Preparedness: Grace That Overflows
Preparation is not a pre-ministry ritual but a lifelong posture. Cramming grace just before a session leaves the minister drained, as if pouring out a cup hastily filled. Instead, cultivate a constant state of preparedness—daily prayer, regular fasting, frequent sacraments—so grace becomes a spring welling up (Jn 4:14) and overflowing to others. Like a jar continually filled from above, ministry becomes the natural outflow of a soul already full; you give without depletion because you receive without ceasing. This rhythm sustains long-term fruitfulness and protects against burnout or counterattack.
Conclusion: Learn Now, or Fall Later
Jesus’ cry—“How much longer must I be with you?”—was a mentor’s plea. The disciples presumed on yesterday’s power. Today’s demons demand today’s preparation. Fortification builds the soul in grace; mortification crucifies the flesh that betrays it. Only the emptied, empowered soul can stand when the Master is “taken up” (Acts 1:9).
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:19–20).
Only such a vessel can declare:
“In the name of Jesus Christ—come out!” (Mk 16:17).
Vox Divini 