We all have problems; we all have areas in our lives where we continue getting our butt whoop. It is hard to admit, but we all need deliverance. For some is food, for others is laziness, for others is health, for others is depression, for others is pornography, for others is masturbation, for others is gossiping, for others is jealousy, for others is anger and the list goes on and on. The Bible tells us, 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)

Salvation here is not the salvation of our souls; that salvation from hell can only be provided through Christ and is described as a gift outside of any works or any sense of deserving. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains this point clearly by stating, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV)

The word salvation in Philippians 2:12 is the Greek word sōtēría; meaning “A savior, deliverer. Safety, deliverance, preservation from danger or destruction.”^[1] The word is focused on deliverance and preservation from danger. It makes sense that God places some of that responsibility on our day-to-day life on us. 

We know that fire burns and can kill us, so we don’t burn ourselves unless we want to commit suicide. We have learned early on in our lives that it is not a good idea to play with fire. However, many of us play with spiritual fire every day; we dance with demons every day, and we allow certain things to whoop us every day. Some call it a struggle but are we really struggling, some of us look forward to it, and some of us gave up on this area of our lives a long time ago.

Ephesians 2:8 uses the word “Saved”, which is the Greek word sṓzō, that has almost the same definition, “Safe, delivered. To save, deliver, make whole, preserve safe from danger, loss, destruction.”^[2] In this case the word is used to save us from hell and eternal condemnation. 

Our focus for this article is deliverance; the command of God is for us to work diligently on our deliverance. Now we can’t ignore Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We must surrender to God our will and our works. 

The word “Will” is the Greek word thélō; meaning “To will, wish, desire, implying active volition and purpose.To will, to have in mind, purpose, intend, please.”^[3] Our purpose is attached to our will; that is why when we do things that are not pleasing to God and we continue doing it we lose our way because we lose our purpose. That divine purpose for your life comes from God. Our laziness when it comes down to our deliverance gets in the way. 

Don’t miss the word “Works” in Philippians 2:13, it is the Greek word energéō; meaning “To be at work, to be effective, operative. To work, be active, produce an effect…”^[4] This is where we get the word energy from. Beloved lack of deliverance in our lives will exhaust us; we will end up burned out. This word connects us with the Holy Ghost. First Corinthians 12 is focused on the gifts and works of the Spirit

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)

The word “Activities” here is the Greek word enérgēma; meaning “…The results of the energy of God in the believer. Though enérgēma is translated as “operations,” it is the results energized by God’s grace.”^[5] This is another word that connects us to energy and establishes that energy comes from the Spirit. Therefore, there is no deliverance without the Spirit of God. There is no deliverance without a relationship with the Spirit of God. You can go to Bible studies, you can go to conferences, you can go to deliverance meetings, etc. if we do not have a relationship with God we will go back to the vomit. In Matthew 12:43-45 Jesus tells us the story of a person who was delivered. 

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” (ESV)

Did you see that? “…state of that person is worse than the first.” Jesus also tells us that this is the way evil generations are; we get a quick fix, but then we go right back to doing the evil things we did before and, at the end of the day, we don’t get better, but worse. What happened? Why did this person and so many of us end up going back and getting worse even after experiencing deliverance? 

1. We lose sight of our purpose, our prophetic divine vision. 
2. We disconnect from the Holy Ghost who gives us the energy to press on towards righteousness. 

 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

^[1] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[2] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[3] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[4] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[5] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).