Inner healing and deliverance is a topic that’s often misunderstood—and sadly, mishandled—by many in the church. It’s been presented as strange or even scary, when in truth, it’s one of the most beautiful, freeing processes a believer can walk through.
With the help of ministries like Mark Virkler, Bev Tucker, and Freedom in Christ, I’ve come to understand that healing and deliverance are not only biblical—they’re deeply personal. And they don’t have to be dramatic. They can be gentle, quiet, and Holy Spirit-led.
In this post, I want to share how I’ve walked through this process and how you can, too. It’s not about formulas—it’s about inviting the Holy Spirit to heal the wounds in your heart and lead you to lasting freedom.
What Is Inner Healing and Deliverance?
Let’s start with what it is—and what it’s not.
Inner healing is about uncovering emotional wounds and lies you’ve believed—often from childhood or trauma—and allowing God to heal those places with His truth.
Deliverance is about removing spiritual attachments or strongholds that may have taken root through sin, generational patterns, or unhealed wounds.
An analogy I heard from Taylor Welch really helped me grasp the difference. Imagine your heart as a garden. The good Farmer—God—plants seeds of love, peace, and truth. But the enemy plants lies and pain. Inner healing is like pulling up the weeds while they’re still small. But if they grow deep, deliverance is needed to uproot them completely.
“Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.” —Matthew 15:13
Mark Virkler says this: Any area of your life that lacks faith, hope, and love probably needs healing or deliverance.
How to Know If You Need Inner Healing or Deliverance
I also look at the fruit in my life. Jesus said,
“You will know them by their fruits.” —Matthew 7:16
Bad fruit might look like:
- Recurring negative thoughts or emotions
- Addictions (alcohol, food, porn, relationships)
- Fear, anxiety, or shame
- Unforgiveness or bitterness
- Physical illness with emotional/spiritual roots
For example, I struggled with emotional eating for years. It wasn’t just a habit—it was rooted in a lie that food would comfort me more than God. When I walked through healing, that pattern began to break.
What Comes First—Healing or Deliverance?
A common question is:
“What comes first—deliverance or inner healing?”
The answer? Most times, inner healing comes first. Once you deal with the wound, the spiritual stronghold (if any) loses its grip.
Bev Tucker teaches that evil spirits need a legal right to stay—something you said, did, or believed that gave them permission. Once that’s broken, they must leave.
“He sent out His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave.” —Psalm 107:20
Simple, Spirit-Led Steps to Begin Inner Healing and Deliverance
This is how I personally walk through the process. It’s not complicated, and you don’t need anyone but the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Step 1: Create a Safe, Quiet Space
I like to play soaking instrumental worship in the background. It quiets my mind and brings my brain into the alpha state, making it easier to tune in to the Holy Spirit.
Step 2: Identify One Issue at a Time
Ask the Lord: “What area do You want to heal today?” Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Whether it’s fear, rejection, anger, or a chronic illness—focus on just one root.
Step 3: Ask When the Seed Was Planted
This is where the healing begins. Ask the Holy Spirit:
“When did this first start?”
He may show you a memory, a word someone spoke over you, or even a generational issue. I struggled with fear for years—and the Lord showed me it started in kindergarten, but had been reinforced over and over.
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” —Proverbs 20:5
Step 4: Repent and Renounce
Repent for any sin, whether it’s yours or something passed down. For example, I dealt with thyroid issues common in my family. I repented on behalf of my bloodline and asked God to break the cycle.
Then, renounce the agreement you made with the lie.
For emotional eating, I said:
“I renounce the lie that food is my comfort. I choose to receive comfort from You, Lord.”
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9
Step 5: Break the Legal Right and Command It to Leave
With calm authority, I say something like:
“I break every legal right the enemy had over me in this area, and I command every spirit attached to it to leave in Jesus’ name.”
No shouting needed—just authority rooted in Christ.
Step 6: Replace the Lie with Truth
This step is crucial. Scripture says,
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” —Proverbs 23:7
Ask the Holy Spirit for a truth from God’s Word to replace the lie. For fear, I use:
“God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7
For sickness:
“By His stripes, I am healed.” —Isaiah 53:5
Sometimes God will lead you to lifestyle changes too. Healing can be spiritual, emotional, and physical. For me, overcoming gluttony meant changing my eating habits as well. Remember, even laziness or gluttony can indicate deeper wounds.
“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” —Psalm 144:1
The Process Is Gentle—and It Works
Inner healing doesn’t always happen in one session. Sometimes it comes in layers. But every time you go through this with the Holy Spirit, something shifts. You feel lighter. Freer. More in tune with who God made you to be.
And the best part? You don’t have to fear the process. It’s not weird. It’s not spooky. It’s just Spirit-led.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me… to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives.” —Isaiah 61:1
Trusted Ministries to Learn More
These are the ministries that helped me walk in freedom:
- Mark Virkler – Communion with God Ministries
- Bev Tucker – Practical, down-to-earth deliverance resources
- Freedom in Christ Ministries – Identity-based healing and discipleship tools
