Freedom From 16 Evil Strongholds: Symptoms & Authority Over Evil Spirits

There are sixteen demonic strongholds.

There are also sixteen major and minor prophets in the Old Testament. The following, through extensive research and desperate cries for answers, is what I discovered about each. You must have the presence of the Holy Spirit, His guidance, and God’s Holy Word in order to wage spiritual war and emerge victorious. You also need advisors; those who have already faced the giants and can give you intelligence, “intel,” to help navigate the situation—so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. I learned how to battle and have great success in expelling demons by realizing that satan always mimics Christ and tries to be a mirror reflection.

Please know that I am like everyone else and my priorities are as they are called to be—God first, then spouse, family, and the ministry. I began by becoming familiar with the foundation of these spirits and their fruit. Then, every time I went to take the darkness out, I had the basics and I learned more and more, and little by little my knowledge grew until now when I train and show people of many nations how to pull down and take back what belongs to them.

I want to also point out that the only way I could have gone and done a few of the successful exploits I wrote about was because of years of learning, and making many mistakes. Once I understood, I wanted to help anyone and everyone. Remember, there are many deliverance techniques and ways of doing them. The most important thing I can say to you is to be who you are. As the years have progressed, so have the dos and don’ts. As previously mentioned, one prays this way, another rebukes that way. Sadly, some charge unbearable amounts of money to set people free.

The sixteen demonic spirit strongholds are:

1. Lying Spirit

2. Spirit of Bondage

3. Spirit of Fear

4. Spirit of Heaviness

5. Spirit of Infirmity

6. Spirit of Jealousy

7. Spirit of Haughtiness

8. Spirit of Discord

9. Spirit of Whoredom

10. Seducing Spirit

11. Perverse Spirit

12. Spirit of Divination and Familiar Spirit

13. Antichrist Spirit

14. Unclean Spirit

15. Dumb (mute) and Deaf Spirit

16. Spirit of Lethargy

While I examine each of these 16 strongholds in my book, Power & Authority Over Darkness, let’s look at the first 3 in detail:

1. Lying Spirit

So he said, “I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” And the Lord said, “You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.” Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you (2 Chronicles 18:21-22).

Manifestations:

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

• Lies, strong delusion; statements that deviate from or pervert the truth, to release a false appearance; the spirit “talks too much”

• Suggests; to put (as a thought, plan, or desire) into a person’s mind

• Perverts; diverts to a wrong purpose

• Implies; expresses indirectly: hints at

• Assumes; takes as granted or true, though not proved

• Exaggerates; enlarges (as a statement) beyond normal

• Flatters; praises too much or without sincerity

• Curses; prays for harm to come upon someone

• Gossips; habitually reveals personal or sensational facts

• Babbles; talks enthusiastically or excessively

• Mystifies; perplexes the mind of; makes mysterious

• Misleads; leads in a wrong direction or into a mistaken action or belief

• Misrepresents; represents falsely or unfairly

• Deceives; causes to believe an untruth

• Mistakes; makes a wrong judgment of the character or ability of

• Falsifies; alters so as to deceive

• Religious; relating or devoted to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity

“Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone out into all the land.’” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You shall have peace”’; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you’” (Jeremiah 23:15-17).

The lying spirit is what I refer to as the godfather of the dark underworld. Without the lie, there is nothing. This spirit’s job is to steal, kill, and destroy; to annihilate, to kill your calling, and steal your inheritance. One of the tragedies I have seen is that often when new Christians come into the church, they are given strict rules and regulations, causing greater bondage and fear in their lives than before they came to Christ. It isn’t because of Christ, because we know His yoke is easy and burden is light. It is more often the religious, lying spirit at work in a church. Too many have sadly watered down the Holy Word, using grace as a crutch. Grace is important, and a gift from God, but so many believers misunderstand what grace truly is.

Whenever I do deliverance, I expect that the lying spirit will always be there trying to stop me. It must be bound and then commanded to shut up. This spirit’s true mission is to pervert the truth and will use us to lie, accuse, and blame one another. Often the person needing deliverance will receive mental pictures, seeing things that are not actually there, and hearing what is not actually spoken. Be careful as a deliverance minister. Be aware of your surroundings, your own thoughts and perceptions. Keep in mind what you are there to accomplish—to deliver those out of darkness into the light of Jesus.

We need God’s wisdom and understanding as we navigate through these darker times. The enemy’s job is to lie, twist, and insinuate in order to remove what the Father has given us. He has given us truth and life, not death and destruction. Without the lie, the enemy has nothing, and that is why it is always important to test every spirit. Unfortunately, there have been numerous marriages, families, ministries, and jobs destroyed by the misunderstandings caused by this spirit.

With every promise that the Father gives us, there will always be opposition to that promise. The calling on many saints’ lives have been lost by buying into a lie, just like Adam and Eve in the Garden bought into a lie and lost the promise and God’s glory. Once they knew they were naked, it was too late. But that is why Jesus came—to restore us to Himself and the Father. Jesus is our glory, and it is never too late to accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Perhaps you have gone through a divorce, lost a loved one, or fell away from what you believed. Please know that the calling on your life is yes and amen; it is irrefutable. Remembering your calling and who He created you to be is the ammunition you need to say to the lies, “No more!” It is time to remind the enemy of his place, declare the truth out loud, come out of your death clothes, and be whole in Jesus’ name!

Prayer

Pray this prayer with me:

Right now, in the name of Jesus, we bind up the lies of the enemy. I curse every word that has had an assignment on it against me with Your truth. You will not take root or cause my name to be destroyed by your lies and deception. Father, I loose faith to arise and scatter the enemy in Jesus’ powerful name. Whatever I need this day, I am wearing my belt of truth, as I am armed and dangerous! Father, every time the lies come in and want to mislead me from You, I ask Holy Spirit right now for your help to endure the trial and times until full vindication comes. I refuse to settle for less. I thank You for what You’re doing and teaching me. Amen.

My personal weapon of choice is warring in tongues, using my prayer language. I do pray in English or at times a different language, but I find personally a thrust from the natural to the spiritual realm when I pray in tongues, releasing the angels of heaven to move on my behalf.

2. Spirit of Bondage

Bondage is the state of being under the control of another person. People can become imprisoned in every area of their lives; a slave to satan. Every addiction is linked to the spirit of bondage, because they are unable to break free.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

And that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26).

Manifestations:

• Causes submission; to commit to the discretion or decision of another or of others

• Forms a yoke; a device that embraces two parts to hold or unite them in position

• Constrains; compel, force, confine

• Enslaves; to make a slave of (also sex slaves, including children)

• Instills dependency; the quality or state of being influenced by or subject to another

• Commands subjection; a person under the authority of another

• Self-doubt; the enemy can plant self-doubt and you begin to second-guess yourself, which is self-sabotaging. “Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:7-8 NIV).

• Spiritually blind; lacking the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Some denominations believe that speaking in other tongues is of the devil. However, we know this is part of our born-again birthright: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4 NIV).

• Oppressed; burdened psychologically or mentally. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38 NIV). This is our mandate.

• Not saved; in darkness, not yet redeemed. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:16-21).

• Bitterness; a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill will. Bitterness will rob you of your joy and your peace. It leads to either isolation or greater sin. Cain was bitter in his heart toward Abel; being consumed with negativity, he murdered his own brother. “Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good” (Job 21:25 NIV).

• Compulsive; unable to stop; bound in a sin. “The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast” (Proverbs 5:22).

• Bound in chains; unable to break free, enslaved addictions. “For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” (Acts 8:23 NIV).

• Human captivity; under the power of another. Sex slaves. “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:23).

A lot of relationships keep victims broken and unable to be free. This is why there is so much domestic violence of battered and abused adults and children. It is everywhere, a plague within our society. I could write volumes on this spirit alone. It is in our churches as well our schools, neighborhoods, and nations. So many come from dysfunctional homes and are like lost children, groping in the dark for their identity, crying out, “Who am I?” They have never really tasted freedom because they have not received the Spirit of adoption in which they cry out, “Abba Father.” I have seen more of God’s people whole and healed once they receive revelation of who their heavenly Father is. It is like an umbilical cord in the Spirit that goes from God’s heart to theirs.

When you see people struggling with alcohol, drug abuse, or pornography, always remember that it is rooted in spiritual darkness. They are in bondage to this sin. It isn’t flesh and blood we fight against; many of these people have opened doors that they do not know how to shut, and they feel powerless. Many keep searching for the answer. If this is you, do not stop—you will find what you need! Continue to walk in love and keep praying for your loved ones because they will be set free. Love is powerful and disarms bondages.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).

Every shackle and yoke that has been laid on you can be removed. I would remind you first to forgive others and yourself. Many have experienced so much shame. Once you forgive yourself, those chains will fall off and, like Lazarus, you will come forth! No one can disqualify you—except you, yourself.

I keep my heart and attitude in check as much as possible. I have my moments, but I really don’t want to be bitter and downright mean. Regrets and guilt are the most powerful weapons the enemy uses to keep us captive to our past. When I get caught in the loop of the past, you know, that rerun that goes over and over in your head, I start decreeing out loud, “No more!” I always come back to the Word; especially I love Deuteronomy 28:6-7 (NIV):

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

Prayer

Father, right now in the name of Jesus Christ, we break free all who have been chained and held in bondage! (Say out loud) Father, I receive the fullness of what the blood of Christ purchased for me at the cross. I refuse to be chained to the past. I refuse to live like this for one more day. I know the enemy wants me defeated, disgusted, and busted, barely getting by, begging for crumbs, because he sees my future. Lord, I am victorious and leading others out of bondage to You. Thank You for leading me to the right people who can help me walk through and get the understanding I need. Thank You, Jesus, I am learning what real love and freedom is. Angels of Heaven, I call forth Heaven’s angelic army to annihilate the enemy at every turn. Thank You, Lord, that one day I will help others receive the revelation and the freedom You have given to me. I am a furious force of Your Holy Spirit and I will not be tamed or shut down. In Jesus’ name, amen and amen.

3. Spirit of Fear (enemy within)

The spirit of fear is an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (fight, flight, freeze, faint). It feeds off of emotions and terrifies the victim. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Manifestations:

• Torment; intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain. It cripples the mind and body. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

• Fear of death; “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

• Tension; a state of mental unrest, often with signs of bodily stress

• Stress; a factor that induces bodily or mental tension

• Worry; to feel or express great care or anxiety

• Agitation; to stir up

• Fright; sudden terror; something that is ugly or shocking. “Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me” (Psalm 55:5).

• Inferiority complex; feeling of little or less importance, value, or merit. This can hold you from your destiny.

• Horrify; to cause to feel horror; appall, daunt dismay

• Terrify; to fill with terror, frighten, scare, terrorize, startle alarm

• Hysteria; a nervous disorder marked especially by defective emotional control: unmanageable fear or outburst of emotion

• Petrify; to make rigid or inactive (as from fear or awe)

• Bullying or belittle; to make one seem little or less. Not being good enough.

• Fear of people; causes a snare or entrapment. Fear of sharing words in church or things behind the scenes that God has revealed. Fearful of the church’s authority so that you shut down or are attacked when you speak. “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet” (Proverbs 29:5 NIV).

• Anxiety; painful uneasiness of mind, usually over an anticipated ill; abnormal apprehension and fear often accompanied by physiological signs (as sweating and increased pulse), by doubt about the nature and reality of the threat itself, and by self-doubt

• Nightmares; a frightening dream; a frightening or horrible experience

• Anorexia nervosa; a serious disorder in eating behavior marked especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss

• Heart attacks; an acute episode of heart disease due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle

• Survivors guilt; you made it out but others didn’t. Why you? “People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Luke 21:26 NIV).

Fear can be very crippling and can manifest itself in many forms in people’s lives. Many people are given medicine to help them achieve balance in their brains, sometimes as simple as sleep aids, sometimes heavier.

The reason people turn to doctors and medicine is because they feel trapped, like they are stuck in their own minds. Many hospital facilities are designed specifically for bipolar depression and patients suffering with schizophrenia, but in most people’s cases this is not necessary. It is estimated that there are around 5.7 million bipolar disorder cases according to the National Institute of Mental Health. They are struggling with debilitating fear—yet God has given us weapons in His Word to help many bound up in chains of fear.

The spirit of fear is an oppressor—so we must use our God-given authority and voices to command the enemy to let the oppressed go free. Since my husband and I have a calling by the Father on our lives, we continued to press on and do His will regardless what people thought or said. But it took much watering of God’s Word over our hearts and minds to dispel the lies of the enemy. I am happy to say that God brought healing and reconciliation. We are happily married again, to each other!

My words to the Father were, “I’ve tried to do my share for the Kingdom all these years. Please, Lord, let me just stay home and be a wife and mom.” For a time and season God allowed me to stay home, but when the season was over, it was over. I knew that there were multitudes out there waiting for freedom. I’ve heard it said that more than one hundred people go to hell every second. Every second! I am a soul-winner first and foremost, and I knew at the core of my being that God was not done with me.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

We are not to fear any evil…

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4)

…or the reproach of people:

Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults (Isaiah 51:7 NIV).

Remember fear as an acronym: FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real.

Prayer

Father, right now, in the name of Jesus Christ, I command the spirit of fear to let go. Devil, I walk by faith and not by sight. No matter what my faith is, it will arise, and all of my enemies, You will scatter in Jesus’ name. I counter fear with my will and the sword of faith. I know, Lord, that my faith has to have action. Today I take action over the fear that has gripped me. I take the chains that have held me captive, and this day the Lord breaks every one—enabling me to defeat every enemy.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 NIV).

Your sword will cut through all of my fear and insecurities. Thank You, Jesus. Amen!

But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” (Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV).

For more prayers to defeat other demonic strongholds, please check out my book, Power & Authority Over Darkness: How To Identify and Defeat 16 Evil Spirits That Want to Destroy You.