Beware of the Bondage of some Deliverance Ministries

                       Beware of the Bondage of some Deliverance Ministries     

There is no example in Scripture of a believer in Jesus Christ being demon-possessed. All cases of demonic possession that are recorded in scripture occurred in those who were unbelievers. Deliverance Ministries which therefore preach and teach that Christians can be demon-possessed or something close to it, do the body of Christ a great disservice as they open up believers mentally or consciously to ideas which make them vulnerable to demonic attack and harassment. Such ministries often cause believers to doubt the completeness of the work of Christ on the cross for our eternal salvation and security.

The teaching that Christians can be demon possessed usually emphasises believers going through some form of deliverance to receive Inner healing. Tearing down strongholds, removing legal rights and other such modern teaching often lack Biblical foundations and seriously undermine the doctrine of the ‘all sufficiency of Christ detailed by Paul in Colossians 2:10. In this teaching Paul states emphatically states concerning our salvation and security that we are complete in Him. In fact, the core of the all-sufficiency of Christ in Christendom means that Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, is everything a person needs for salvation, life, and satisfaction. It's the understanding that there is nothing else to add to or supplement Christ in fulfilling God's purpose for humanity. The doctrine affirms that believers don't need to rely on legalistic practices, mystical visions, or hidden knowledge to find favour with God. Everything we need is already in Christ. Jesus’ death and sacrifice on the cross provides the basis for salvation from sin, and deliverance from the powers of darkness. Hence, the concept of Christ's sufficiency is an all or nothing proposition, meaning believers either accept that Christ is all they need or they are trying to supplement His work with their own efforts. Thus, when the core teaching of many deliverance ministries is fully examined, it becomes very evident that much of the teaching is simply another form of legalism. It follows in the same vein as the teaching of those who insist that in spite of Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary which ‘removed the handwriting of ordinances which was against us’ Colossians 2:14, that we still cannot be truly saved except we keep the old Jewish Sabbath. Thus, Christians, though free, can find themselves mentally and spiritually bound by unscriptural teaching.

It has been noted that the generally agreed upon definition of deliverance among many modern deliverance ministry proponents, usually focus on the casting out of demons or spirits in an attempt to solve problems related to specific demons. For example, a deliverance minister may seek to help someone overcome anger by casting out a spirit of anger. Deliverance ministries also focus on tearing down spiritual strongholds in one’s life, finding inner healing, and claiming the victory in Christ over all enemies. Many refer to soul ties, curses, and the legal rights of demons.

Dr. Günther H. Juncker, Professor of New Testament & Greek Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, GA 30598 defines Deliverance Ministry as: ‘the name commonly given to Christian individuals or ministries who believe: (1) that Christians can have demons inside of them; (2) that there are specific methods, techniques, and prayers for discerning the presence of demons and for casting them out; and (3) that such exorcisms are a necessary prerequisite for living a successful and victorious Christian life’.

Ironically not all deliverance ministries say definitively that Christians can be possessed but the semantics of their response suggests otherwise, for while they agree that a Christian cannot be possessed but rather only ‘influenced’ or ‘oppressed’, they theorise and emphasise that there is a space inside the believer’s body referred to as the ‘soul’, where a demon can indwell and that repeated demonic influence and oppression leads to the place where Christians actually become indwelt with demons, creating a need to cast them out.

Consequently, vulnerable individuals, primarily zealous believers, are forced into believing that even though they are saved, they can easily be possessed or overcome through such things as soul ties, family curses, and the like. Gone is the idea that when we came to Christ, we became new creatures. Some persons have reportedly been told that unless and except they go through deliverance, they are never truly saved or delivered.  Such blatant claims, as mentioned earlier, not only imply that Christ’s work on the cross was incomplete, but also attribute almost all personal problems, both physical and spiritual, to theories of demonic possession. The proponents vehemently defend naming specific demons such as anger, lust, pride, and evildoing, etc thereby removing almost all grounds for bona fide non-demonic problems of living as Christians in a sin cursed world. It’s as if somehow, these false teachers don’t recognise legitimate suffering in the Christian life. Yet as Romans 8:18, and other scriptures point out, there is an inherent relationship between suffering, hope, and the future glory of believers. It therefore encourages believers to see their current struggles not as overwhelming but as a temporary part of a larger story. For that reason, Paul says in the verse: ‘For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.’  

Yet, because deliverance ministries propose quick fixes to some lifelong problems, they are highly sought after. Thus, deliverance ministries claiming to guarantee a number of cures have risen in popularity. Through the popularity earned and the authenticity claimed due to creative marketing strategies which allow these ministries to successfully foist themselves upon believers, it now seems plausible to many bonafide believers that true security really does need the added steps of deliverance.

The process employed by some deliverance ministry proponents entails: coming into contact with you, praying for you, probably with you, the laying on of hands and most likely the casting out of demons. After that you need to guard against the ever-increasing popular demonic related doctrine of demonic or spiritual ‘backlash’. This is the reprisal said to come for having been delivered. Demonic backlash thus seems akin to the situation in the parable told by Jesus and recorded in Matthew 12:43-45 and Luke 11:24-26. The account details how an unclean spirit returns to repossess a man after being cast out. Only this time, it brings other evil spirits along with it. The implication is that after an evil spirit is expelled, it may wander looking for a place to rest, but failing to find one, it returns to its former home as in the individual's life. On returning and finding the space empty, swept clean, and in order, the spirit recruits seven more evil spirits, making the person's state worse than before. The underlying message of the parable is that spiritual emptiness is fraught with many dangers and hence there is a need for converts to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit rather than allowing one’s mind and thoughts to be empty and vulnerable to evil forces. It therefore emphasises building a right relationship with God as a way of rejecting evil spirits.

There is nothing here to suggest however, that this parable is to Christians. When believers come to Christ and are genuinely saved or born again, God’s Holy Spirit immediately takes up residence in their lives, indwelling them. Consequently, there is no empty room for the enemy to return to occupy as in the parable. If, however, conversion is suspect, then the whole dynamic changes and a completely new scenario ensures requiring a totally different approach. But either way, a truly born-again Christian need not fear demonic backlash or repossession.

The glaring ecclesiastical disaster unknowingly created by these false and unchecked assertions is that the church is made up of both the dead and the living and if all Christians are required to go through deliverance before being truly victorious, secured or saved, it then means that the believer who dies without experiencing such deliverance may be dammed and thus doomed to Hell, since there is no way that we can resurrect the dead and put them through this deliverance to affect and ensure their completeness.

                                                              A search for truth

Because of the nuances created by this debate, a legitimate question which has arisen in the mind of honest Bible truth seekers is this: if indeed believers cannot be demon possessed or controlled in accordance with modern deliverance theology, what then accounts for the many overwhelming or rather unexplained instances of sickness, lack of progress, chaos and suffering affecting supposedly victorious members in the body of Christ?

Though not pretending to know and understand all mysteries and having all the answers, a study of scripture suggests that the answer may be simpler yet more profound than we may imagine. However, before I proceed and give my own understanding of the issue, let us look at an oft quoted scripture which will help me to develop the context for that which I affirm.

Matthew 7: 21-23: Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

This passage is a good place to start in that it makes reference, futuristically, to some of those to whom Christ denies entry into His kingdom or expels from His company not because of their miraculous works but in spite of them. Let me hasten to add that those expelled include, but are not limited to, those doing deliverance ministry. In the passage expulsion does focus mainly on those who did tremendous miracles in the name of Christ including: casting out demons, healing the sick, opening blind eyes etc. The question that has been asked and continues to be asked is this. If casting out demons in this modern way requires such deep spiritual insight as insisted by the spreaders of the deliverance ministry, many of whom insist that persons opposed to deliverance ministries don’t have, that level of insight, how come the same Holy Spirit under whom they operate, is seemingly so silent in allowing them to miss doing the simpler things like: feeding the hungry, comforting the dispossessed, lifting up downtrodden and distressed, visiting widows and prisoners, as well as loving their neighbours and their enemies as themselves?

Let me say again. I am not saying that deliverance ministers are the only ones expelled in Matthew 7:21-23, but rather what I am saying is that many times those who claim to do deliverance ministry are so occupied with it that they often miss the simpler yet equally important critical things of the Gospel. Additionally, in considering the above text, it would be foolhardy to comfort ourselves by saying that the injunction which states that those who were expelled never knew Jesus merely references unbelievers masquerading as Christians doing miracles. It may be better for us to be startled in recognizing the tremendous levels of deception instigated by the enemy which enabled these ministers to do these great miracles, only to be cast out at the end and told, ‘depart from me I never knew you’. What’s even more startling is that in no way does Jesus imply that the works they did were not genuine. This itself is very interesting but to explore it would take us way beyond the scope of this paper and force us into discussing another equally misunderstood issue of election and predestination. Thus, I will leave that other subject alone for now and return to the subject at hand.

Finding the answer

Let’s then address the queries raised above about the overwhelming number of unexplained instances of sickness, lack of progress, chaos and suffering attending supposedly victorious members in the body of Christ. In addition, let’s also briefly consider the many apparent instances of demonic possession be devilling the church and occupying the attention of deliverance ministers today. Let’s also consider why these are they taking place.

I want to begin by asserting that there is much evidence in scripture supporting the position that much of what currently passes for demonic possession in need of deliverance is most likely cases of extreme indiscipline on the part of modern-day believers who are totally unprepared for life in the last days. This indiscipline caused by apostacy, deception, adherence to false teaching and failure to get one’s priorities right, always results in the loss of or almost complete breakdown of Christian ethics. Sadly, this loss of the christian ethics makes way for increased carelessness, unethical conduct, worldliness, selfishness and ungodly behaviour. Note that these are all things Paul warned Timothy against as signs of the last days. ‘Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth’1Timothy 4:1-3. Please note also that Paul’s advice to Timothy in dealing with these conditions influenced by deceptive forces and teachings originating from evil spirits, was not the casting out of demons but rather that to commit himself to a faithful study, meditation and teaching of the word of God as a sure way of delivering the brethren.

Unfortunately, however, in today’s deliverance craze, many well-meaning people have construed the idea that strange actions and behaviours on the part of some church folk are representative of demonic activity which needs to cast out. Hence, old ministries, professing to deal with such cases have been revitalised, and new ones have sprung up, all claiming to have the answer. Deliverance is needed they say. Therefore, these passionate brethren selflessly but ill-advisedly expend their time, energy, facilities, programming and other scarce resources on the matter of deliverance rather than solid Bible teaching. But while to some, the passion and commitment is commendable, much zeal never benefits the cause of Christ except that zeal is reinforced with knowledge. Thus, when Paul encountered similarly bizarre sensual challenges posed by the carnal, ill-disciplined Corinthian brethren, he responded with rebuke, correction and teaching rather than casting out demons. As we know from scripture, the Corinthian brethren stood out in many unwanted ways. This diverse church, planted in a very strategic but challenging early Christian community, faced internal divisions, moral issues, and theological misunderstandings, all of which Paul dealt with spiritually, scripturally, pastorally and intelligently. Thus, in spite of its intense struggles, Paul’s mature guidance and Biblical teaching helped the church to grow and develop, resulting in it playing a significant role in the early spread of Christianity. Hence, the benefits the Psalmists records in Psalms 119 and others psalms, are extoled where much emphasis is laid upon reading, studying, meditation and obeying the word of God as a cure for virtually all human weaknesses.

Sadly however, in many deliverance services and ministries, instances of waywardness, backsliding, animosity, sexual immorality, and the like, are being treated as demonic possession. The result is that spirts of anger, lust, jealousy, bitterness, and other similar human heart conditions are being summoned and cast out. Meanwhile legitimate cases of sickness and diseases needing attention are side stepped. But even so, as many have noticed, it appears that the same demons previously cast out, continue to repeat and therefore have to be cast out almost every year or at almost every deliverance crusade.

Contrary to this however, the apostle James advocates a different remedy for getting rid of the devil and dealing with sinful lust.  In James 4:7 he plainly says: ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’.

The reality is that as Christians we need to be disciplined and prepared to deal with difficult circumstances. We should realise that the enemy, though not possessing us is always after us. In Jesus’ prayers for his disciples. He said: ‘I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth’. John 17: 15-19.

In Luke 22:31-34, in his prayer for Peter, Jesus said to Peter: ‘Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me’.

In this passage Jesus is making it very clear to Peter that the devil will test him to the point where he will deny he even knew Jesus. Yet, His prayer is that when that time comes that Peter’s faith does not fail. Jesus didn’t suggest a casting out spirits of fear and doubt, nor a need to go to deliverance ministry to get delivered. Jesus never advocated the casting out of a demon from Peter, who He knew would deny Him, no more than he attempted to do it from Judas, who he knew to be a thief, a liar and traitor.

The harsh truth is that many of us simply cannot fathom how an all-powerful God, Who completely saved us, seemingly often leaves us to confront and overcome such humongous obstacles. Therefore, and rather unfortunately, as has happened throughout Christian history, when faced with difficult or unexplained circumstances, many well-meaning Christians attempt to find answers. Sadly, in presenting answers where none are needed, many construct home-made theologies, similar to much of what is found in deliverance ministries today. Regrettably however, the effects of these remedies prove to be neither biblical nor wholesome and thus mainly tend to attract egotistical sensation seeking followers more interested in signs and wonders than the daily but necessary mundane grind of personal sanctification brought about through submission to the word of God and the Holy Spirit.

                                 Reminder: Why we need to understand our Christian ethic

Christian ethics therefore, also known as moral theology, provides a framework for living a morally upright life and conducting God ordained and approved Christian service. Christian ethics is guided by Christian beliefs and teachings. It is rooted in the Bible as the Bible is the primary source of moral guidance for Christians. The biblical Jesus seen in scripture is the model for our lives and Jesus’ teachings is the central guide to our faith and practice. Love is central to the message of the Bible and the central command is to love God with all our hearts and our neighbours as we love ourselves.   In living out this Christian ethic, we have responsibility to strive to emulate Jesus' teachings and actions in our lives. This includes being faithful in interpreting scripture

Another reality is that many deliverance ministries and ministers, like the average Christian,  often fall victims to the vagaries or works of the flesh as mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21: ‘Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God’. Everything mentioned here is part of the human condition resulting from the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. There is no suggestion on the part of the Apostle in writing to the Galatians believers, that fighting against these things meant that they were possessed and in need of deliverance. Rather, in counselling the brethren in overcoming these sins of the flesh, the apostle declares: ‘This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians5: 16-18. As a counter to such fleshly lust, he says: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.’ Galatians 5:22-25.

Thus, believers going through intense struggles are often, most likely not possessed but rather in need of being taught how to live more disciplined lives. Additionally, a harsh reality of salvation, as I may have mentioned earlier, is that as believers, even though we are saved from the power of sin, as long as we continue to live in the presence of sin, in the confines of our mortal bodies, we are likely to undergo continued challenges and possible struggles until the day we die.  

I know some will balk at my words that we will always have challenges and struggles as indications that I am encouraging believers to surrender to the lies of the enemy and giving place to demons which rather need to be cast out. These same persons who will accuse me of capitulating are undoubtedly of the same mindset as those who in a similar vein embrace an ultra-modern doctrine of prosperity, where we often curse and bind the spirits of poverty and lack as demonic and outside the will of God for his children without realising that from the Old to the New Testament God thoroughly addresses the sobering reality that not all believers will ever be rich and that poverty in itself is not evil but rather is all part of the compelling and complex reality of the gravity of the fall in the Garden of Eden and plays an integral part of Gods plan of redemption. Jesus became poor that we might become rich.

Another so called demon, which is often exorcised or ‘binned’ is one called doubt and unbelief. Yet a correct understanding of the frailties of our human nature and human mind helps us to realize that our faith may never be without doubts, but there is no need to doubt our faith.

Case in point: The Bible tells us that John the Baptist, Jesus’ forerunner both baptized and declared Jesus to be the Messiah, yet several years later when John is in prison awaiting execution, probably depressed and disillusioned from his trials, he sends his disciples to Jesus asking Him: ‘Art thou he that should come? or look we for another’? When the men were come to Jesus, they told him that John the Baptist hath sent them to him, to find out from him, if He was the one that should come? or should they be still looking for the true Messiah. Luke 7: 19-20. On hearing the message and request from John, Jesus did not begin by rebuking the demons of unbelief and doubt which many modern deliverance ministries might have concluded were operating in John. Rather Jesus who was performing miracles at the time, encourages John’s disciples to stay a while and observe:

“And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Luke 7:21

Then Jesus turned to the disciples who had come from John and said: ‘Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.’ John 7:22-23

At no time is there any indication from Jesus or the scriptures that the phase or experiences John is going through, in sending his disciples to confirm what he should have known both intrinsically and extrinsically, physically and spiritually, is anything other than a natural outflow of human frailties and the pressures of life’s circumstances. Furthermore, as soon as John’s disciples departed Jesus turned to his hearers and gave to John the Baptist the greatest commendation God ever gave to a man. ‘John was the greatest man who ever lived’.

‘And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, what went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.  This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  For I say unto you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.  And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. And the Lord said, whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children. (Luke 7:24-35).

I am however tempted to believe, that given the thrust of many modern-day deliverance ministries, they would not have been as forgiving as Jesus was but may well have rebuked John and his demons of unbelief and doubt as well as casting out the added spirits of wavering and forgetfulness. I also am tempted to believe that doubting Thomas may have been ‘clobbered’ for daring to disbelieve that the one standing before him was the Resurrected One. In todays deliverance environment, Thomas might have had his arrogance and faithlessness rebuked rather than his doubts satisfied and his faith strengthened as Jesus did. Yet in both instances Jesus displays understanding of the mental and psychological difficulties these men were facing and helped both of them accordingly. His responses underscore what He desires for us in the many trying circumstances we may face, and His counsel still is that our faith fail not and thus He counsels not to faint.

Additionally, our failure to conquer evil is not attributable to a divine power shortage, but rather to human negligence, as is evidenced in Matthew 17:14-18. There are many instances recorded in which Satan and his hosts suffered total defeat from Christ's followers exercising faith in His name. This can and should be the experience of the church today’. Note also that Christ's exorcisms were very brief Matt. 8:32; 17:18. But as many of us who have witnessed modern deliverance ministry can confess some counterfeit sessions extend for hours on end. During some of these times, people are made to scream, squirm, twist, and vomit, as well as endure being punched, kicked, massaged, or even fondled.  Another concern is that whatever is spoken by the demons during the exorcism in modern deliverance is taken to be truthful by the exorcists, even though John 8:44 warns us that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. The question is therefore asked: How can we trust anything a demon says?

In concluding, let me make a brief reference as to why there is such negligence on the part of believers. I find the wisdom literature in scripture, particularly the book of Ecclesiastes rather insightful on the issue. In his exposition on life, the writer determines that much of the frustration we encounter in life springs primarily from the unnerving reality that life is virtually a monotonous round. Thus, no matter how hard we try, the mundane nature of life, after the fall, even for Christians poses a significant challenge which can immobilise or dampen the most ardent individual. Hence, even ardent believers when called upon to traverse the daily path of life, tend to find the challenge of summoning the faith, enthusiasm, patience and courage to match the unceasing demands of everyday life fatiguing. Hence the mission of getting past the laborious, unceasing, cyclical task of keeping one’s life in order without wavering, is something the best of us fail to do. Deliverance ministries, who themselves are subject to the same fate, need to admit that no amount of deliverance sessions will absolve us of the need to discipline our lives and daily subdue the flesh, to obey the law of God in faith, believing that there is benefit to this painful, oft excruciating, daily exercise.

However, in spite all that I have said, I affirm that deliverance remains an integral part of the gospel message. Unfortunately, modern proponents have hijacked the doctrine, if it can be called such, and use its tenants to predicate a weak, unsavory form of teaching which severely undermines the whole truth of scripture on the matter. As a result, though I do not support everything said by those who oppose deliverance ministry, I believe the body of Christ needs to wake up and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not re-entangled with any kind of new bondages.

For references, I have included below some simple web pages I read in preparing this piece. I have also used the information from one of those sites in expanding on what some of the terminology referenced above entails.

http://www.gotquestions.org/deliverance-ministry.html

http://www.allaboutgod.com/deliverance-ministries.htm

http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue78.htm

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/.../beware-of...

http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/christian_demon.php

http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/deliverance_ministry.php

*Inner healing: Many times, when a person has been abused, rejected, wounded, or hurt in some way, there is an emotional wound that needs to be healed. Demons will use these wounds and weaknesses against the person, as leverage to hold them in bondage and get them to re-open doors so that they can re-enter.

*Tearing down strongholds: Strongholds are incorrect thinking patterns that people develop over time, and are often set up and nurtured by demons through lies and deception. Demons thrive on strongholds, and use them to hang around a person and torment them.

*Removing legal rights: Legal rights are things that give demons permission to enter and remain in our lives. Before demons can often be cast out, it is important to address and remove these legal rights. The teaching on Legal Rights lists the most common legal rights and how you can go about removing them. Failing to remove legal rights can hold up deliverance very easily.