In “Complete Deliverance (Part Three),” Apostle Joshua Selman concludes this profound teaching series by addressing the deeper aspects of deliverance and focusing on the long-term steps needed to ensure continuous freedom in the believer’s life. In this final part, Apostle Selman provides more insight into practical keys for staying free, the spiritual disciplines required for sustained victory, and the significance of understanding God’s will for total deliverance in the believer’s walk with Christ.
Understanding Deliverance as a Journey
Apostle Selman begins by reiterating that deliverance is not a one-time event but a continuous journey that requires the active participation of the believer. He emphasizes that while initial deliverance can be instantaneous, complete and sustained deliverance often involves a process. Deliverance is a journey that requires intentionality, spiritual maturity, and obedience to God’s principles.
Using Philippians 2:12, where Paul encourages believers to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling,” Apostle Selman explains that this includes understanding how to maintain deliverance in the midst of life’s challenges and temptations. This means that even after being delivered from demonic oppression, curses, or patterns of sin, the believer must engage in spiritual practices to ensure that they do not return to bondage.
Common Obstacles to Sustaining Deliverance
In this segment, Apostle Selman highlights several obstacles that prevent believers from walking in lasting deliverance:
- Lack of Spiritual Growth: Many believers experience deliverance but fail to grow spiritually afterward. Apostle Selman explains that spiritual stagnation can create a vacuum where the enemy can regain access. He stresses the importance of maturing in the knowledge of God’s Word, saying that spiritual maturity equips believers to maintain their freedom and live victoriously.
- Re-Opening Spiritual Doors: Another common obstacle is the re-opening of spiritual doors through willful sin or ignorance. Apostle Selman emphasizes that believers must be conscious of the spiritual gates (eyes, ears, mouth, etc.) through which demonic influences can enter. Returning to former sinful habits, engaging in occultic practices, or forming ungodly alliances can reopen doors that were once closed through deliverance.
- Neglect of Spiritual Discipline: Deliverance is not sustained through a casual approach to spiritual life. Apostle Selman warns against neglecting prayer, fasting, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. These spiritual disciplines serve as protective walls that prevent the enemy from gaining ground. The absence of these practices makes a believer vulnerable to spiritual attacks.
- Unforgiveness and Bitterness: Apostle Selman points out that unforgiveness and unresolved emotional wounds can hinder the work of deliverance. Unforgiveness, bitterness, and holding onto offenses are breeding grounds for demonic oppression. He teaches that emotional healing and the release of forgiveness are necessary to walk in complete deliverance.
- Ignorance of Spiritual Realities: Ignorance remains one of the most dangerous obstacles to sustained deliverance. Apostle Selman urges believers to pursue a deeper understanding of spiritual realities, explaining that knowledge of God’s Word and the principles of the kingdom is essential for maintaining freedom. He quotes John 8:32—“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”—stressing that knowledge and application of the truth are critical.
Keys to Sustaining Deliverance
Apostle Selman proceeds to outline key spiritual principles that believers must engage with to sustain their deliverance:
- Constant Immersion in the Word of God: The Word of God is central to the life of every believer. Apostle Selman teaches that the Word not only brings deliverance but also sustains it. He explains that consistent meditation on Scripture renews the mind, strengthens the spirit, and empowers believers to resist the enemy’s tactics. He uses Joshua 1:8—“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth”—to emphasize the importance of speaking, meditating on, and living by the Word of God.
- A Life of Prayer and Fasting: Prayer and fasting are powerful tools for maintaining spiritual freedom. Apostle Selman explains that prayer fortifies the believer against spiritual attacks and keeps the channels of communication with God open. Fasting, on the other hand, subdues the flesh and sharpens spiritual sensitivity. He highlights Jesus’ instruction in Mark 9:29—“This kind can come out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting”—as a reminder of the power of these disciplines in deliverance.
- Engaging in Warfare Prayers: Even after deliverance, the enemy may attempt to return. Apostle Selman emphasizes the need for believers to be vigilant and proactive in engaging in warfare prayers. Citing Ephesians 6:12, which reminds believers that their battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers, he encourages persistent prayers that enforce Christ’s victory over the enemy. Praying in the Spirit, using the name of Jesus, and applying the blood of Jesus are vital elements of spiritual warfare.
- Spiritual Accountability and Fellowship: Apostle Selman stresses the importance of spiritual accountability. He explains that being connected to a spiritual community helps believers grow, stay encouraged, and remain under godly oversight. Isolation is dangerous, especially for those who have recently experienced deliverance. Fellowshipping with other believers, attending church regularly, and staying accountable to spiritual mentors or leaders helps prevent a relapse into old bondages.
- Obedience to God’s Word: Obedience is one of the most important keys to sustaining deliverance. Apostle Selman emphasizes that a lifestyle of consistent obedience to the commands of God closes the doors to the enemy. He quotes 1 Samuel 15:22, where Samuel tells Saul that “obedience is better than sacrifice,” pointing out that disobedience opens the door to rebellion and demonic influence. Obeying God in every area of life, especially in areas of former bondage, is crucial for walking in lasting freedom.
Living a Victorious Life Post-Deliverance
Apostle Selman then shifts focus to the victorious life that believers are meant to live after deliverance. He emphasizes that deliverance is not just about escaping demonic oppression; it is about walking in the fullness of Christ’s victory and fulfilling divine purpose. He explains that every believer is called to live a life of purpose, power, and authority.
He teaches that the victorious Christian life is characterized by:
- Dominion over Sin: Believers are no longer slaves to sin. Through deliverance and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers have the power to overcome sinful desires and habits. Apostle Selman encourages believers to continually rely on the grace of God to resist temptation and walk in holiness.
- Dominion over the Flesh: Apostle Selman explains that the flesh (the carnal nature) can be an enemy of spiritual progress. He teaches that believers must crucify the flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit and live a life led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Overcoming the desires of the flesh is essential to living in freedom.
- Power and Authority in Christ: The believer’s authority in Christ is a central theme in Apostle Selman’s teaching. He reminds the church that they have been given authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). Believers are called to exercise their authority through prayer, decrees, and a bold declaration of the Word of God.
- Fruitfulness and Fulfillment of Purpose: Finally, Apostle Selman emphasizes that the ultimate goal of deliverance is for believers to fulfill their God-given purpose. Deliverance sets the stage for fruitfulness in ministry, business, family life, and every other area. He encourages believers to pursue their divine calling and walk in the blessings of God without fear of returning to bondage.
Practical Application: A Deliverance Lifestyle
In closing, Apostle Selman gives practical steps for maintaining a “deliverance lifestyle”—a way of life that ensures ongoing freedom and victory:
- Daily Fellowship with the Holy Spirit: Cultivate intimacy with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide and empower you daily.
- Guard Your Heart and Mind: Be vigilant about what you expose yourself to, keeping your mind and heart pure through the Word.
- Stay Rooted in God’s Love: Apostle Selman reminds believers that deliverance flows from God’s love. He encourages them to trust in God’s love and stay rooted in their identity as children of God.
- Testify of God’s Goodness: Sharing testimonies of deliverance not only brings glory to God but also serves as a reminder of His power and grace.
Conclusion: Walking in Total Freedom
Apostle Joshua Selman concludes “Complete Deliverance (Part Three)” by declaring that God’s will for every believer is total freedom and abundant life in Christ. He encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, exercise their authority, and pursue a deeper relationship with God. With consistent spiritual discipline, obedience, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, believers can live in lasting freedom and fulfill their God-ordained destinies without fear of returning to bondage.
This final session in the series serves as both an encouragement and a challenge for believers to take responsibility for their spiritual lives, walk in the fullness of God’s promises, and live as testimonies of God’s delivering power.
