Deliverance Ministry

When people experience physical or spiritual problems that seem intractable, there are times when they may need deliverance. In the Bible, Jesus cast out evil spirits to free his disciples and followers from bondage and oppression (Mark 6:7-13; Acts 8:4-8). Deliverance ministry is a contemporary movement that crosses denominational boundaries. It is important that those engaged in this ministry be able to discern and minister effectively in the Lord’s name.

Demons can cause physical manifestations such as sweating, vomiting, a rise in heart rate and even seizures. Those who are not well trained in this kind of ministry can be misled by these kinds of physical responses and they must seek the discernment to recognize these as demons, rather than their own natural emotions or other causes. In some cases, these demons will attempt to draw their victims into extended dialogue, requiring them to identify themselves and answer questions, as they did with the demoniacs at Gadara. This is a form of spiritism and should be avoided by those who are involved in deliverance ministry.

While there are good ministries in this Sra Survivors area, there are also a lot of kooky spooky folks who do not have the skills or anointing to do a quality job and can actually harm their victims. Those who engage in this ministry should be part of a church community that cares for them and supports them in their work, especially those who do not have the skill or anointing to do the kind of work needed.

In the past, those who minister in deliverance have sometimes become preoccupied with the demonic and have been obsessed with delivering their victims. The Bible clearly states that salvation is through Christ’s death on the cross and further deliverance is not necessary. Further, this type of ministry can foster a false view that the Bible is not sufficient, reducing all problems to sin and demonic possession, rather than considering them bona fide physical or spiritual problems of the body or mind.

Anyone engaged in deliverance ministry should always have the support of their own church community, be aware of their personal limitations and ensure that they are properly prepared and fit to do this kind of ministry. They should not be encouraged to do more than they are able to do and must have the backing of their Bishop who will pray for them. They should also be prepared to withdraw from a case if it extends beyond their competence or if it crosses professional boundaries with health care professionals and chaplaincies.

It is also very important to have a team of trained support workers to help in the ministry. These workers should be available to the leader of the ministry, to help him or her in any way they can, and to offer wisdom when they are unsure of what to do. They should be able to spot the difference between legitimate issues and those that are demonically influenced, as well as to help their colleagues to deal with the pitfalls that can be encountered in this very demanding form of ministry.