The generally agreed-upon definition of “deliverance ministry” will 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. Biblically, demons or evil spirits are known to be fallen angels that rebelled in heaven with Satan (Revelation 12:4, 9; Isaiah 14:12–20; Ezekiel 28:1–19).
There is certainly quite a bit in Scripture about Satan and his horde of demons. There is little said about deliverance from them, and nothing said about deliverance as a “ministry.” The offices of the church are found in Ephesians 4:11. First were the apostles and prophets, the foundation of the church—with Jesus being the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Next are listed evangelists, then pastors, and teachers. The ability to cast out demons is not listed as a spiritual gift or a ministerial duty.
The Gospels and Acts relate that Jesus and the disciples cast out demons. The teaching portions of the New Testament (Romans through Jude) refer to demonic activity yet do not discuss the method of casting them out, nor are believers exhorted to do so. We are told to put on the whole armor of God to stand against spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:10–18). We are told to resist the devil (James 4:7) and not give him room in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). However, we are not told how to cast him or his demons out of others, or that we should even consider doing so.
It is interesting that we have no record of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples on how to cast out demons, with the possible exceptions of Matthew 12:43–45 and 17:19–21, where some insight is given. When the disciples discovered that demons were subject to them in the name and authority of Jesus, they were joyful (Luke 10:17; cf. Acts 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12). But Jesus told the disciples, “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
Rather than being given a specific “deliverance ministry,” we have an authority in the powerful name of Jesus. One day, John said to Jesus, “We saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.’ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said. ‘For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us’” (Mark 9:38–40). Authority over demons is clearly the power of the Lord at work, whether or not the exorcist has a special ministry of deliverance.
The emphasis in spiritual warfare is highlighted in verses such as 1 John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world [the devil].” The victory is ours because of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Believers can overcome their struggles with the past, habits, and addictions, because “everyone born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4). We need prayer, godly counsel, and the support of a good church, but not necessarily a “deliverance minister.”
We are told to “be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. . . . And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:8–10).
The key to victory in the Christian life is to be filled (controlled and empowered) with the Holy Spirit on a moment-by-moment basis (Ephesians 5:18). The Father knows who are His: “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit will not indwell anyone who is not born again (John 3:3–8; 2 Timothy 2:19; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16), so the first step in spiritual victory is to place our faith in Jesus Christ. Then, rejoice that Jesus is in you and you have His power and His victory.
I'm glad you started this topic. Up front I'd like to address the idea of deliverance ministry. First of all the Lord Jesus' ministry was and is to this day a deliverance ministry. He said in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” We saw Him cast out many demons out of many people in the gospels. The objective of course was "to set at liberty those who are oppressed" and "to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" He came to set us all free from the bondages of sin and the devil and to restore us to God. I'd say that everyone who is a Christian has been set free from sin and the devil who uses sin to keep people in bondage. I remember years ago I went to a church prayer meeting and had an awesome time in the Lord's Presence and afterwards a sister in the Lord asked me to take her to a laundromat to dry some clothes and I opened my small Bible and began to read it silently while we were there and there was a man and woman there I guess washing their clothes also(they were the only other people there besides us). Anyway the lady asked if I was reading a Bible and before I could say yes, the guy said shutup to her and said she should leave us alone. I nodded my head and muttered to the lady yes that I was reading the Bible and next the lady and guy started arguing. The lady was saying, "there is a God" and the guy was saying, "there is no god". I thought it was awkward but stayed out of it and then at some point the guys voice changed and got really deep like you would hear in one of those horror movies (which I no longer watch) and he started saying how he was going to take the lady to hell and torment her. I looked at the sister who I brought to the laundromat confused because I was a new Christian and had never seen anything like that and she said that it was a demon (manifesting in that guy). So we started praying out loud and the guy started freaking out going back and forth and we were trying to witness to the lady but then the guys voice started changing back and forth into a sweet voice towards the lady saying he loved her and a harsh voice towards us and the lady was just saying that she was so confused. At some point the guy convinced the lady and they kissed and went into a back room and the sister grabbed her clothes and we left. I've never experienced anything quite like that since although I have been at church services where they have said demons were cast out when people went up for prayer and I have seen a number of videos on youtube regarding the subject. My point is that it's real and the objective of God is to try to bring people to Christ and if the devil is in the way, God wants to move him out of the way so a person can be saved. It is all the work of God and like the Lord Jesus said in Mark 9:29, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” I think if we want to see God save people and set them free, we as Christians need to follow the example of the Lord Jesus and obey the Word of God and spend a whole lot more time in pray and fasting and just seeking God. The Lord Jesus also said in Matthew 10:8, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Just be wary of anyone who is asking for money associated with deliverance - the Lord Jesus said "freely give." So He does tell us to do those things but He also said in Luke 24:49, "
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” So I think there is a far closer level of relationship with God in obedience to Him and prayer and worship where when we get there, He shows up and He heals, He saves, and He sets people free from any bondages. It is definitely His work and not ours so He has to be there. I have come to a conclusion lately that if the Lord Jesus shows up to heal someone or set them free, they will be healed and set free. My thoughts have been that we need the Lord Jesus to show up and visit His people because without Him, there is no salvation or healing or deliverance. God bless you and thank you for your starting this topic. Hopefully we'll hear from others on the subject.
Amen. There are many people all over the world in such horrible situations and relationships. We definitely should pray for the freedom of that lady and people in such situations all over the world. It seems to me that it is important for all Christians to get as close to Christ as possible though studying and obeying His Word and spending time with Him in prayer and worship. Like the Lord Jesus said in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." I have said before that its amazing how the Lord Jesus knew the Father more than anyone else on earth yet He also prayed more than anyone on earth. We should follow His example because the world and all Christians need Him. Like the Lord Jesus said, by this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love one for another. Also, like the Apostle Paul said in
Galatians 5, 19-26, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." We should definitely always examine ourselves in the light of God's Word to crucify the flesh so we can display the fruits of God's Spirit.
Imagine if the Lord Jesus were here on earth today, what would His ministry look like? I think it would look exactly like it did then as far as many people being saved and set free. I would dare say that we do see Him now in churches all over the world - the Gospel is preached, people are saved, people are healed, demons are cast out, the blind see, dead are raised.... To be a Christian is to obey and believe what the Lord Jesus said like He said in Mark 16:15-18, "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
scholars have asserted that the ending is in a different style than the rest of the gospel and that it contains 16-22 “non-Marcan” words used in a “non-Marcan” sense. It seems to suggest that Jesus appeared in a different form (v. 12), which could be problematic since Jesus rose in the same body He died in (John 2:19-21). Also, Mark 16:16 can be interpreted to mean that baptism is part of salvation. It isn’t, as is testified by verses that teach justification by faith Rom. 5:1; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9, etc.).
But I would like to ask for further clarity on some of the finer points you wrote about.
1.) Do you believe Jesus could do more miraculous signs and wonders among us today if people would only seek Him more and obey Him more?
Please justify your answer using facts found in scripture.
Also,
2.) Would you please explain your method of biblical interpretation, ie how you determine meaning and how you determine it’s practical application?
For example, Jesus said to cut off your hand if it offends you. How would you interpret that passage and apply it to your life?
I’m asking because some people have applied that passage literally by removing body parts🥺‼️ In another case, some people, after reading the passage about picking up snakes, have literally begun snake handling ministries‼️‼️‼️ They claim their snake handling activities are in response to biblical obedience‼️
Ok, going to stop there for now. But the main concern of question #2 involves interpretation and application of scriptural truth.
I asking because the biblical objective of finding original intent has become a lost art. Original intent seems to have gotten lost somewhere between the new subjectivism and a deluge of unbiblical church tradition.
Luke 18:6-8 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Here we see that God does answer His people who cry out and pray to Him continually.
Matthew 17:19-21 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
We see here that the power of the Lord comes through prayer and fasting to set people free. We know that the Lord Jesus at least at times spent all night in prayer so we know that He spent hours in prayer so we should try to emulate Him and do the same.
Isaiah 59:1-2, "Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.'
This just speaks to the importance of purity in relation to God's Word because if we are sinning against Him, how can we expect Him to act on our behalf?
John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
This just shows the example that the Lord Jesus left for us. He was always obedient to the Word of God so God was always with Him.
John 15:5-7 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
I think that a big issue is that many people go out and do things on behalf of the Lord Jesus without spending time with Him in prayer and in obedience to His Word so essentially they go without Him. Like He says here, without Him, we can do nothing. When we do see salvation or healing or deliverance happening in the world now, it is the Lord Jesus doing it. I think that's the importance of prayer and fasting is to get us to God and obedience so that He is with us when we minister so that He touches the people - it is not the touch of men that saves or heals or delivers - it is the touch of God that does the salvation, the healing and the deliverance.
2.) Would you please explain your method of biblical interpretation, ie how you determine meaning and how you determine it’s practical application?
Matthew 13:10-11 "And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given."
Based on the above scripture, the Lord Jesus spoke some things in parables.
Luke 10:22-24, "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”
The advantage that the disciples had was that the Lord Jesus was there with them and He explained everything to them.
Matthew 16:16-17, "Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."
Here we see that the Father revealed who the Lord Jesus is to Peter.
Finally in John 14:25-26 the Lord Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
The Holy Spirit also reveals the interpretation and truth of God's Word to His people.
It is also important to remember what Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety." It is important therefore to go to fellow believers and talk to them and listen to ensure we do not misinterpret scripture or go astray.
- In the New Testament, those in Christ are called the body of Christ. If there is someone let's say in a dating relationship and that person tempts a person to fornicate, then they should either separate to ensure salvation or marry to be pure in the sight of God. There are many other examples such as one I heard in the news where a guy convinced a group of men he knew from a bar to rob this wealthy car dealer at his home. They listened and proceeded with the robbery but in the process the guy who persuaded the other men killed the car dealer and his wife in front of 9 of their adopted children. If they had separated, they would have been spared judgement but because they heeded the guy, they are now all in jail for murder charges.
In another case, some people, after reading the passage about picking up snakes, have literally begun snake handling ministries‼️‼️‼️ They claim their snake handling activities are in response to biblical obedience‼️
I think the Bible speaks to the fact that God protects His people but our response should be like the Lord Jesus when the devil tempted Him in Matthew 4:5-7, "Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
So we as Christians should trust that God will protect us if a snake happens to bite us but we shouldn't go looking for snakes to bite us to see if God will heal us. In the same way, most people would not purposely get sick to test to see if God would heal them. That is unwise but if and when we are sick, we pray for God's intervention. Like I said, there is a greater level of prayer where we actually meet with God and that's the place where I believe all Christians should strive to attain.
1.) Do you believe Jesus could do more miraculous signs and wonders among us today if people would only seek Him more and obey Him more?
Please justify your answer using facts found in scripture
🙂🙂 not necessarily our prayers being answered isn't predicated on having a large quantity of faith but like it says in Matthew 17:20 faith of a mustard seed
also if God answered all of our prayers specifically in regards to healing then sick then Hebrews 9:27 would be false
I’ve often thought about the story of Hannah and Samuel. There have been times in my life when I have also sensed a need, or a desire for something. Sometimes God answered my prayers and sometimes it seemed that He didn’t. In those times, when I had a deep longing in my heart, I’ve thought of the story of Hannah and wondered – why does it feel like God answers some prayers and not others?
In Isaiah 55:8-9 it is written, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”
God has a perfect plan for our lives. He sees the beginning from the end, and He has many things to teach us. We can think we know what would be best for us. For example, I should have this job, or marry this person, etc. We can plan out our life and think we have everything under control. But as we see in Isaiah 55:8-9, God’s thoughts are often different than ours. As humans, we are drawn towards seeking earthly gain, and our own comfort. But God’s thoughts are of transforming us from our earthly human tendencies and creating something divine through our situations in life
so it boils down to 1st John 5:14 ..... according to his will be done ‼️
