“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”  (Isaiah 8:20)

In all matters of faith and practice, Scripture remains the final authority.

 And yet, when it comes to deliverance, many have leaned not on the Word, but on tokens: oil, water, salt, handkerchiefs, as if spiritual power were something to be bottled, sprinkled, or waved around.

But Christ is our model for deliverance. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons by the authority of His name, not by ritual objects.

Matthew 8:10 celebrates a centurion who believed Jesus could heal just by speaking a word. That’s the kind of faith that made Jesus marvel: not reliance on props.

Philippians 2:9–11 tells us:

God gave Him the name above all names… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

That’s the power. 

That’s the authority. 

And it’s available to us, not through elements, but through identity.

Isaiah 54:17 reminds us that “every tongue that rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn.” 

That’s not done with saltwater. It’s done by standing firm in who we are in Christ.

Demons don’t flee because of rituals. They flee because of faith.

The Bible says: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

And again: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)

Faith isn’t an accessory. It’s the entire weapon.

1 John 5:4-5 declares:

“Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”

I speak as someone who served over 20 years as a missionary in occult-dominated regions. 

I’ve seen the real battle. 

I’ve seen darkness tremble, not at oil, but at the authority of a believer who knows their position in Christ.

Yes, Christ once used mud to heal: but He never said, “Go and make mud kits for ministry.” 

The method was never meant to be the model. 

He gave us power, not paraphernalia.

The Church doesn’t need more tokens. 

It needs power from on high.

Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” (Acts 1:8)

Let’s stop spiritual theatrics.

Let’s return to the Word.

Let’s walk in the authority we’ve already been given.

The Name of Jesus is still enough.

Shalom!

Dr. Hephzibah Christly TheSpiritualWarrior, June 1st, 2025