Should Christians Seek Help from Deliverance Ministries?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The question, and the three influences toward evil

• The question posed (in the host's frame): we've had several audience members ask you to address the subject of Deliverance Ministries. That's a broad term. But these Ministries seem to focus on casting out demons, or spirits, that are causing problems, in a person's life. Just for example: if a person were struggling with, say, smoking — the minister (as the example styles him) might cast out the demon of nicotine. And many of these Ministries focus on addressing problems, in the lives of Christians, who are purportedly under some type of bondage. Often the terms generational curses, covenants, soul ties, and other terms, are used to describe these spiritual bondages, or control, that is supposedly going on, in a person's life. What influence do demon spirits have, in the lives of Christians ('demon experience Spirits', as the letters stand in the question)? And should Christians seek help, from one of those ministers (as the question styles them)? The answer: well, to answer these questions, we're going to focus on the Bible, as our Authority. Experiences are not our Authority. They're subjective. And they should be interpreted, in accordance with the Bible. Many people have genuine experiences. But how to interpret them ('hownavigation to interpret them', as the letters stand) — how to understand them — is another question. And we don't establish Doctrine, from experiences. Rather, we use the Bible, to help us understand our experiences. So, if you read the Bible — and let's just take an example: first John tells us, that there are three main influences, towards evil. There is the devil, and demons — evil spirits. We believe in the reality of this evil spirit — just as we believe in the reality of God, and the angels, who are good spirits. We believe in the reality of the devil, and demons, who are fallen angels, and evil spirits. So there's that influence. A second influence is the world. And that means: the value system, the culture of the world, that's contrary to God. The lust of the flesh. The lust of the eyes ('the less the eyes', as heard). The pride of life. These things constitute the world. And then there is our own sinful nature: internal lust, or evil desires. We're not born in a state of Innocence, like Adam and Eve were created. But were — we're — born with the nature of sin. There's a disposition, and even a compulsion, to sin. Even a bondage of sin. Without the grace of God, we are going to sin. We're Sinners by Nature. We will commit sinful acts. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive power, to overcome the sinful nature. So what we need to understand is: the influences of evil include evil spirits — but are not limited to evil spirits ('not limited evil spirits', as spoken). So when you examine something like an addiction: there could be a demonic component. But there could be an influence, from the world. And there could be your own flesh: your own sinful nature, and sinful desires. So: while we believe in the reality of evil spirits, not every problem is created by evil spirits. And therefore, not every solution is going to be just attacking evil spirits.

Scriptures: 1 John (book-only)

The Spirit-filled Christian — tempted and oppressed, never possessed

• Now, when it comes to the Christian: we are filled, with the Holy Spirit. Now, some Christians don't really teach that, or don't experience that. And so it would be understandable, that a professing Christian ('a professor and Christian', as heard), who actually is not filled with the spirit, might have a struggle with demons, in a way that we do not. And so their experience would lead them to believe, that Christians have demons — where that is not what scripture teaches. So the Bible would indicate to us: a true Christian not only believes in Jesus Christ, intellectually. Not only has repented of their sins. But has received the gift of the Holy Ghost — actually been filled, with the Holy Ghost. Now, if you think of that term, 'filled': means you're controlled, by God's spirit. Not against your will. Not as a puppet. Or not by force. But by voluntary surrender. So there's no area of your life — if you're filled, there's no area of your life — where the holy spirit is not supreme, or doesn't have Authority. And so I do not believe, that it's scriptural, to think that a Christian could be possessed, with the devil, or an evil spirit. Because that would be contrary, to being filled with the spirit. We are owned, by Jesus Christ. Not by an evil spirit. However: if someone is not a Christian — or maybe they are beginning, or they're in the Journey of being Christian, but have never received the gift of the Holy Ghost — well, yes: it is possible, that they could be possessed, by an evil spirit. Or demonized, you might say. I will say, however: that Christians can be attacked, by the devil. They can be tempted, by the devil. That's clear. Even Jesus was tempted. But he, of course, never sinned. So we sometimes talk about being oppressed. So — and the devil doesn't have power, over Christians, except the power of the bluff. In other words: if he can convince you, that he has power — then he has power. So sometimes we go through trials. We go through temptations (the word stands as 'presentations' in the letters). Maybe we ourselves have failed, personally. We've sinned. And so the devil convinces us, that we're under his control — even when we're really not. To the extent we believe that — then we are under his control ('we are a nurse control', as the letters stand). And so there are times, that he can oppress us. He can make us have thoughts of depression, and discouragement — even suicide. But the true Christian needs to realize: I don't have to be subject to that. I can resist that, in the name of Jesus Christ. And of course, every Christian can be influenced, or tempted, by the devil. So I think it's legitimate, to pray against the devil. In fact, the Lord's Prayer gives us a good example: lead us not into temptation, but Deliver Us from Evil. And some commentators point out: the connotation is 'the evil one'. Not just evil, generically. But the opposing evil force. So certainly, it's biblical: to pray for God's grace, and to pray against evil. To pray against the devil. If there's a time where we feel like we're attacked by the devil — we're influenced, or tempted, or even oppressed — then we should pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. And sometimes we say: I plead the blood of Jesus. That's not a new testament expression. But it goes back, to the Old Testament sacrificial system. But it's a way of saying: I know Jesus died for my sins. He was buried. He rose again. He won victory, over the devil. So I have Victory, through Jesus Christ. And so: I plead the blood of Jesus Christ. Or: I call on the name of Jesus Christ. Christ, in the Book of James, says: resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Both first Peter, and James, talk about how the devil attacks us. But if we resist him, then we have authority over him, in the name of Jesus. Ephesians talks about how Jesus Christ — by his crucifixion, and Resurrection — has already defeated the devil ('is already defeated the devil', as spoken). So the Devil is a defeated foe.

Scriptures: James 4:7

Generational curses — real influence, no mystical bondage

• Now, when it comes to Deliverance Ministries — and you mentioned generational curses: well, I do believe, we're all Sinners by Nature. We're all born into sin. And we inherit that, all the way from Adam, himself — our original Parent, once he fell into sin. But I don't believe there's some mystical thing, whereby, if an ancestor has committed a certain sin, you are bound to that sin. It is true, of course, that the decisions and lifestyles of ancestors — grandparents, parents — can influence us. So, certainly: a person born in a Christian Home has many advantages. Where a person who's not born in a Christian home — or even worse, a person who's born in a home of, say, drug addiction, or prostitution, or paganism, or idolatry — they already have certain things set against them. Because of the freedom of demonic influence. Because of poor teaching. Because of wrong thoughts. Because of wrong examples. But I don't think that's something, that has to be mystically broken. I think all of us — no matter our background, no matter our influence — we all contend with the same thing, that I've already mentioned: the flesh, that's internal — the sinful nature; the world; and the devil. And so the solution is always going to be: the preaching and teaching of the word of God. Prayer, in the name of Jesus. Faith, in Jesus Christ. Repentance from sin. Being filled, with the Holy Ghost. And walking in the spirit. And so we appropriate the victory, that Jesus Christ has already won. We don't have to create a new victory. But we simply apply the victory, that Jesus Christ has already won. So, when it comes to — there are some people, who are possessed by the devil: we can, by Discerning of spirits, we can know when somebody's possessed. We can rebuke them, in Jesus name. And we can cast out the demons. I do believe there has to be, in that person's heart — even though they're bound — there has to be a desire for Freedom. There has to be a desire to overcome. Otherwise — even though we have faith, and we have power — some people have chosen their sinful life. Some people have chosen that demonic influence. So until somewhere in their heart they have a desire to change — then we — God — is not going to force them, against their own will. But God will deliver them.

You can't cast the flesh out — deliverance as the whole church's work

• So, when we Face problems, in our own lives, or in the lives of people we're trying to influence: we should try to discern ('try to deserve', as heard) — there are cases of demonic possession. That's not the typical case. Usually, that could come about, because of gross idolatry. Or maybe gross immorality. Unrestricted involvement, in things that give our minds over to evil — such as drug use, and so forth. So that's a real possibility. And if we discern that: we need to pray, in the name of Jesus, and rebuke the devil. But, as is often said: you can cast The Devil out of someone, but you can't cast the flesh out of someone. So if someone is yielding to The Temptations that beset us — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life — that can develop into addictions. And the solution is not just casting out the devil. Certainly, we can pray against any evil influence. But we don't have to have some special technique, to break an ancient curse, or to cast out a demon. We have to focus on repentance from sin. Faith in God. Spiritual disciplines — that is, a consistent spiritual life: a prayer — prayer; reading the Bible; coming to church; listening to preaching and teaching; having fellowship with godly people; following Godly leadership; and supporting the work of God, with our time, with our tithes and offerings; sharing our testimony. Just learning how to live a life of Faith. Learning to resist temptation. Learning to develop Godly habits, to replace sinful habits. Learning to replace evil influences — such as worldly friends, and worldly activities, that will try to pull us into sin. And we have to minimize those, or replace those, with Godly activities, and wholesome activities. And so there's some practical things, that we have to do — which we consider to be the pursuit of Holiness. So, in most cases, then: simply casting out a demon, or praying against a demonic influence — while that can be helpful, in some cases — that's usually not the total answer. Because it has to go to the more fundamental issues, of: I've got to personally repent of my sins. I must personally put my faith, in Jesus Christ. I must be filled with the spirit. And then, thereafter, I must walk in the spirit. That takes effort, on my part: to cleanse myself, from Evil things; to develop Godly habits; and to develop spiritual disciplines; and to live accordingly. So, while I certainly think it's always important to pray — and intercessory prayer has a strong role, in Breaking the Yokes of bondage, that the devil has placed in our lives — that can't be the total answer. Because the human will has to be involved. And so I would say: yes — there are real evil spirits, that would need to be cast out, whenever they come. Whether they possess a person, or whether influence a person: we rebuke those spirits, and we cast them out. But having done that, then we have to focus on the personal issues, of: Faith; repentance; receiving the spirit; walking in the spirit; pursuing spiritual disciplines ('pursuing spiritual different disciplines', as the letters stand). And so I don't necessarily think we have to have a Deliverance Ministry, that's narrowly focused. I think Deliverance should be part of the ministry, of the whole church. As we pray for Deliverance ('pray from Deliverance', as spoken), of all of these influences. We pray for God, to heal, to deliver, to transform us. To deliver from addictions: to tobacco, alcohol, drugs — which may not — it could have a demonic component, but it's a physical component, as well. And the same way, sinful Lifestyles: adultery, fornication, habitual lying, habitual stealing, homosexual behavior — all those could have demonic influences. And so we pray against those demonic influences. But they also have a strong component, of the human will, the human flesh. And we have to address them, on those levels, as well. In all things: the solution is not just a narrowly defined Ministry, or technique. But it's trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, in his shed blood for us, and applying that Victory, to our lives.

Scripture index: 1 John (book-only); James 4:7.