The Children’s Bread: Why Deliverance Must Return to the Church

For many believers today, the idea of casting out demons sounds distant—like something that happened in Bible times but rarely belongs in the modern Christian experience. Yet Jesus Himself said, “These signs shall follow them that believe: In My name they shall cast out demons…” (Mark 16:17).

This wasn’t a side note. It wasn’t an optional part of ministry. And a person with experience is never at the mercy of a doubter without. It was the first sign Jesus listed for believers. The tragedy is that for much of the Church, casting out demons has become the last sign practiced—if practiced at all.

Meanwhile, Scripture reveals that Jesus cast out demons constantly, as a regular and essential part of setting people free. He saw deliverance as foundational to His mission: destroying the works of the devil, healing broken lives, and releasing people into the fullness of God’s kingdom.

So why is the modern Church so hesitant to embrace deliverance? And why does the Body of Christ suffer from so many areas of bondage, oppression, and defeat?

This blog will explore what deliverance is, why it’s still needed, how demons gain access, and how believers can walk in freedom and help set others free. This is not fringe theology—it’s the inheritance Jesus gave His people. Deliverance is the children’s bread, and it’s time for the Church to reclaim it.

Why So Many Believers Live Defeated Lives

Take a close look at the state of many Christians today. Even among faithful churchgoers you’ll find:

Chronic sickness
Emotional wounds
Depression, anxiety, and torment
Guilt and condemnation from the past
Low self-worth and insecurity
Addictions to alcohol, nicotine, drugs, pornography, or food
Cycles of failure, broken relationships, and repeated hardship

Why do so many who love God still struggle so deeply?

Scripture gives a clear answer:

“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10)
“Your adversary the devil prowls around seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Satan’s objective is destruction, and he uses demonic influence to carry out his plans. These demonic forces seek to weaken believers, steal their joy, destroy their potential, and keep them trapped in cycles that prevent spiritual growth.

Jesus did not ignore this reality—He confronted it. Deliverance was a major part of His ministry, not a rare event. And He expected His followers to continue the same work. He said plainly:

“He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also.” (John 14:12)

This includes preaching, healing, and yes—casting out demons.

So why is the Church so weak today? Because many Christians have neglected the very ministry Jesus gave us to overcome the enemy’s attacks.

Is Deliverance Really for Believers?

One of the most common questions people ask is, “Can a Christian have a demon?”
According to the Bible, the answer is yes—in their soul or body, not their spirit.

Jesus described deliverance as “the children’s bread” (Mark 7:27). In other words, deliverance belongs to the people of God, not the unbelieving world.

When Jesus ministered to the Greek woman whose daughter was tormented, He said He was sent to the “lost sheep of Israel”—people who already had a covenant with God. He wasn’t offering deliverance to pagans; He was offering it to God’s people.

Some Christians object: “But the Holy Spirit lives in me. How can a demon also be in me?”

The answer lies in understanding the structure of the human person and the biblical temple.

The Temple Analogy

The Old Testament temple had three parts:

Holy of Holies — where God’s presence dwelled
Holy Place
Outer Court

Jesus once entered the temple and cast out the money changers who were corrupting it (Mark 11:15). Notice—God’s presence dwelled in the Holy of Holies, but wrongdoing was occurring in other areas of the temple.

Now consider the New Testament truth:

“Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

The believer is also made of three parts:

Spirit — where God dwells
Soul — mind, will, emotions
Body

Demons do not inhabit the believer’s spirit, but they can inhabit the soul or body, just as wrongdoers occupied parts of the physical temple.

Just as Jesus physically cast out the corrupt merchants, believers today must cast out the spiritual “merchants”—demons—that occupy areas of their inner life.

Salvation makes the spirit new, but any demons that gained access to the soul or body must still be driven out.

How Demons Gain Access

Demons do not enter randomly or arbitrarily. They enter through open doors, and the Bible calls these doors sin.

Here are the primary entry points.

1. Generational Curses and Ancestral Sin

Numbers 14:18 says the iniquities of the fathers are visited upon children to the third and fourth generation. This isn’t about God punishing innocent people—it’s about inherited spiritual consequences.

Patterns in your life that resemble your parents or grandparents often stem from generational spirits:

Addictions
Anger
Fear
Poverty
Divorce
Mental illness

These are not just psychological patterns—they can be spiritual ones.

2. Wounds From the Womb and Childhood

Demons can enter when a child is:

Rejected in the womb
Unwanted
Exposed to fear or trauma
Abused or neglected
Raised in an unstable or violent environment

Children are spiritually vulnerable. Doors opened early can affect a person for life unless dealt with through deliverance.

3. Trauma and Sin in Adulthood

All sin creates a landing place for the enemy, including:

Sexual sin
Bitterness and unforgiveness
Occult involvement
Substance abuse
Rage, hatred, or deep resentment
Chronic fear
Rebellion

The demonic realm operates on legal rights. Where sin remains unconfessed, demons find permission to remain.

4. Curses

Proverbs 26:2 says, “The curse causeless shall not come.”
Curses always have a cause—and that cause is sin.

Curses are not simply negative words; they are spiritual assignments enforced by demons. To break a curse, one must break the demonic power behind it.

How Deliverance Happens

Deliverance isn’t about rituals, fear, or sensationalism. It is simply exercising the authority Jesus gave believers.

Here is the biblical process:

1. Bind the Demons

Jesus described binding the “strong man” before plundering his house (Matthew 12:29). Before casting demons out, you bind them in Jesus’ name to prevent interference.

2. Confess and Repent of Sin

Confession removes the legal right demons have to remain.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us…” (1 John 1:9)

Repentance slams the door in the enemy’s face.

3. Break Curses

This includes:

Breaking personal sin-related curses
Breaking generational curses
Renouncing any sinful covenants
Forgiving those who harmed you

This cuts off the spiritual roots demons cling to.

4. Cast the Demons Out

This is where the authority of Jesus is applied:

Speak directly to the spirits.
Command them to leave in Jesus’ name.
Continue until they release every area: emotional, physical, mental, and behavioral.

God told Israel they would take the land little by little (Exodus 23:30). Deliverance is often progressive because God is restoring the whole heart, step by step.

Staying Free: Filling the House

Deliverance isn’t just about casting demons out—it’s about filling yourself with God’s presence so they cannot come back.

Jesus warned a man He healed:

“Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you.” (John 5:14)

Freedom must be maintained.

Here’s how:

1. Fill yourself with the Word

Read it, speak it, confess it, obey it.

2. Pray continually

Pray in the Spirit and with your understanding.

3. Guard your thought life

Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

4. Forgive quickly

Unforgiveness reopens doors.

5. Stay in community

Isolation breeds spiritual vulnerability.

6. Walk in holiness

Avoid people, habits, and environments that open doors to old patterns.

7. Worship regularly

Worship fills your “house” with God’s presence.

Freedom is not hard, but it must be actively maintained.

Why the Church Must Restore the Ministry of Deliverance

Everywhere Jesus went, He preached, healed, and cast out demons. This wasn’t optional—it was core to His mission.

Yet many believers have never been taught about deliverance, never experienced deliverance, and never helped others walk in freedom. This leaves people limping through life, wounded and oppressed while the enemy wreaks havoc.

But Jesus commissioned His followers to continue the same works:

Preach the gospel
Heal the sick
Cast out demons
Set captives free

The early Church practiced deliverance. The apostles practiced deliverance. Church history is full of believers who practiced deliverance.

Why should the modern Church be any different?

God wants:

Whole believers
Strong families
Pure hearts
Healthy minds
Delivered churches
Empowered disciples

Deliverance is not a fringe doctrine. It is a central part of Jesus’ mission and the inheritance of God’s people.

The Results of Deliverance

When believers embrace deliverance as part of their walk with God, powerful transformation happens:

Addictions break
Emotional wounds heal
Mental torment lifts
Relationships are restored
Confidence rises
Sin loses its grip
Fear disappears
Destiny becomes clear
Peace and joy return

Paul gave a promise to believers who actively resist the enemy:

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)

Deliverance is not a one-time event but a lifestyle of pursuing freedom and helping others receive the same.

Final Thoughts: Freedom Belongs to You

Deliverance is not scary. It’s not dramatic. It’s not rare. It is simply the process of removing spiritual obstacles so you can live in the fullness of God’s love, joy, and purpose.

Jesus paid for your freedom.
Jesus modeled your freedom.
Jesus commanded you to walk in your freedom.
And Jesus empowered you to help others find theirs.

Deliverance isn’t strange—it’s biblical.
It isn’t optional—it’s necessary.
It isn’t outdated—it’s urgently needed.
It isn’t for a few—it’s for all of God’s children.

Deliverance is the children’s bread, and the Father is inviting His Church to come back to the table.

DELIVERANCE: THE BASICS