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The Expulsion of the Money Changers (1750) by Giandomenico Tiepolo. Edited by Bryan Arcebal
Nine minutes in, and it looked like we’d won.
Anne’s tension washed away.
The pain? Gone.
Her face? Calm.
Even the atmosphere felt lighter.
We sat there breathing happy sighs of relief.
I started recapping the win, narrating like it was a war story.
Anne smiled. It finally felt done.
Then, all at once, she winced hard.
She leaned forward while grabbing her head.
The pain was back.
Stabbing this time.
This wasn’t supposed to be happening.
Anne wasn’t some casual Christian.
Over the past year, she’d seen chronic pain healed, injuries reversed, God had even taught her how to lay hands on herself and command healing, in Jesus’ name.
Time after time, it worked.
But out of nowhere, her body started glitching.
Stabbing headaches. Shooting nerve pain.
A blackout that put her in the ER.
The doctors said “micro-seizure,” but couldn’t pin down the cause.
Legally, that meant Anne wasn’t allowed to drive for six months.
She was stuck.
At home.
Alone.
I showed up that afternoon to investigate.
“I think this is a spirit of infirmity,” I told her.
Anne gave me a worried expression.
“One thing I want you to know: your spirit isn’t possessed. That part of you is sealed in Christ, untouchable. What we’re dealing with is a squatter. Something trying to torment your body to change your beliefs about God’s goodness and who you are. Even more than the pain… that’s why we’ve got to kick it out”
Anne nodded.
“The best way to handle an unclean spirit like this is to move aggressively.”
I continued, “Think of it this way. I could flick someone’s arm a hundred times and eventually leave a bruise, or throw a hard punch. Same outcome, but one takes longer and is far more annoying.”
“We’re going to throw that punch.”
She gave a grin and agreed. “Let’s do it.”
I laid hands on her shoulder and began commanding the spirit to leave in Jesus’ name, firmly and directly.
The pain didn’t leave. It began to move.
From her temple to her neck.
Then her neck to her back.
It bounced around, searching for a new hiding spot.
As I commanded, Anne remained steady, praying quietly.
No fear.
No flinching.
After nine minutes of continual commanding and prayer, it stopped.
It was gone.
Or so we thought…
As I blathered on about our spiritual victory, Holy Spirit spoke to Anne urgently.
“Stop him and say something. It’s not gone yet!”
She interrupted me and I stopped mid-sentence.
I laid hands and began commanding: harder, sharper, more resolute.
Anne prayed with fire from the Holy Spirit.
The unclean spirit fought back much harder this time.
As we pressed in, progress felt slow.
Anne’s pain kept ebbing and flowing, stabbing at her head, neck and shoulder over and over again.
Anne’s hands clenched.
Her eyes shut tight.
You could feel the spiritual opposition thick in the air as we pushed through.
What had just been a tiny bit of resistance only a few minutes ago raged as the spirit desperately tried to cling on.
After what felt like an eternity, the momentum shifted.
The grip around Anne’s head and neck loosened.
Her pain began to fade.
This time, we didn’t back off when the symptoms eased.
We didn’t even stop when the pain was gone.
We only stopped periodically to ask Holy Spirit, “Is it over, Lord?”
Then finally, clear and strong, He answered: “Yes.”
It was done.
We collapsed into our chairs, drained but relieved.
I learned something that day.
God can use any believer to deliver someone.
It’s not about perfect words, techniques, or knowledge.
It’s about listening:
Not to your gut.
But to Him.
If God can use me to evict a spiritual squatter,
even after I got cocky and stopped short,
He can use you too.
Don’t make my mistake.
Don’t trust the symptoms.
Don’t trust the silence.
Wait for His signal.
Then deliver the final blow.

You’ve Got the Badge. Now Use It.
Original graphic by Bryan Arcebal
Deliverance isn’t reserved for pastors or a deliverance team.
If you’re in Christ, you’ve already been deputized.
You carry the badge: His name.
“In My name they will cast out demons…”
That’s not a metaphor. It’s a mission.
You’re not the power source, but you are the enforcer.
When unclean spirits harass someone, they’re trespassing. And your job is to serve the eviction notice—not by a feeling or a formula: by faith and authority.
“We are ambassadors for Christ…”
Ambassadors represent the power of their kingdom. They carry the full weight of the One who sent them in word and deed.
When the pain spikes…
When fear creeps in…
When it looks like it’s over, but isn’t…
You speak.
No fear. No theatrics.
Rather clarity, confidence, and His name.
And you keep speaking until the Holy Spirit says it's gone.
You’re not trying to overpower darkness.
You’re enforcing a victory that’s already been won.
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Himself”
He’s got all the authority.
He gave you the badge.
Now go.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…"
Until next time,
Addison

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