“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Deliverance is an interesting topic. One of the Missions of Christ was to deliver us from the hand of Satan – Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

In recent times, deliverance has become more understood among believer’s and Christians are now walking in this Freedom because of the knowledge rooted in Gods WORD. On thing I have noticed though is that people always link a person needing deliverance to sin but it is rarely acknowledged that sometimes, people are also attacked due to their faithfulness to God. They face heavier attacks because they are a threat to the enemy. 

I am a product of this and didn’t understand till I made it to this age. I would have terrors and sleepless nights, pains in my body that seemed inescapable and so much more. Interestingly, I found that they happened and increased when was God was about to do something in my life, or, when l got deeper in my relationship with Christ. Don’t get me wrong, at a point in my life I strayed from God and ended up with open doors resulting in me having to repent and go through deliverance.  However, it got to a point where I began to understand that the attacks were due to destiny. I am telling you from personal experience, I know the enemy wanted to take me out before I hit 30… but he has no power over me because I belong to Jesus! I used to question God so much why I went through those things and even sometimes, I still battle with attacks…… BUT now I get it!

I didn’t come to the revelation by myself, multiple people in my life who are rooted in God, filled with the Holy Spirit and well vested in scripture shared with me that it is not because I have sinned but because I am a threat to the camp of the enemy. And indeed, there are examples of people in the Word who face oppression/attacks of different sorts from the enemy. Not because they had/have done wrong, but because they refused to be unfaithful to God. 

During my quiet time the Holy Spirit gave me biblical examples to help me stand steadfast and to continue in my walk with Christ, regardless of what I face:  

• The man who was born blind – His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬
• Job – “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” Job‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬
• Lazarus – John 11: 15 NIV “When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”” John‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
• Paul – “or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In each of these instances, each person faced a form of oppression (usually sickness), not necessarily because of sin but rather to show God’s glory. He tests our faithfulness during hardships, and even in Paul’s case, he keeps us from becoming puffed up. I share this message not to glorify the enemy but rather to encourage you. 

You have prayed, fasted and currently live a life of repentance, but some attacks don’t seem to shift and even if they do, they tend to happen again during big milestones or during times God wants to use you. You need to understand this is a constant battle to remain in Christ, so don’t give up. Remember God is still good and is in control, you have victory, just keep your trust in Him.