No, deliverance isn’t just a movie about banjos and Burt Reynolds. It’s also not Linda Blair’s head spinning. It is a gift that reaches beyond Hollywood – something we should ALL be grasping onto like our lives depend on it – because our lives depend on it.
If you look up the definition of deliverance, it is the action of being rescued or set free. Set free from what? Ah… that’s where the controversy comes in and opinions scatter.
My friend, deliverance isn’t just another opinion. It’s not just another Christianese word. It’s a gift to the world from God – a gift that we accept few and far between. I hope during my short life here on earth I play a role in changing that. My prayer is for all of us to receive this gift.
Let me say this.. I’m always learning and will never say I’m right about everything. May we always stay teachable to God’s Word and ways. With that said, I want to debunk some of the myths about deliverance. That will certainly take more than one blog post, but today I want to talk about four of the most common misconceptions/myths about deliverance.
1. Christians Don’t Need Deliverance
I was originally taught when I became a believer that you couldn’t be possessed by demons. Many believe once they receive the Holy Spirit, they are free. That is true, in a sense. We are free from condemnation. We are free from hell.
But think about this for a second… If we were all delivered and completely set free the moment we accepted Christ, then spiritual warfare wouldn’t still be a thing, right?
When you hear about those in the Bible who were possessed, that word in the Greek translates to daimonizomai, which means to be under the control of; to be under the influence of.
So.. to sum it up.. we as Christians cannot be owned by demons because be are owned by God. But… we can be under the control/influence of a demon(s).
Unfortunately, so many churches are still teaching us this and that’s exactly what Satan wants. And as long as we continue to believe it, we’ll still be walking around in bondage, not living up to the full potential God created for us.
2. Deliverance Ministry Only Existed When Jesus Was Alive
Jesus was the example of what it looks like to see others delivered. But He wasn’t the final chapter to deliverance. As a matter of fact, He told His disciples in Mark 16:17 that driving out demons would be a sign of being a follower. Guess what? We, as Christians, are His disciples and we get to walk in the same authority He did.
His Word is never void. It is God’s desire for all of His people to be set free and guess who He calls to fulfill that mission? His people.
[ctt template=”5″ link=”XWjUL” via=”yes” ]It is God’s desire for all of His people to be set free and guess who He calls to fulfill that mission? His people. [/ctt]
We are called, as followers of Jesus Christ, to help others find freedom in His name. He has given us the authority to cast out demons in His name. Unfortunately, if fear isn’t keeping us from standing in that authority, it’s other Christian leaders teaching us that such a gift is no longer relevant.
And every time that is taught to the church, Satan smiles.
3. Deliverance Can Only Be Done By Leaders
I used to think casting out demons was something only a select few were called to do. I actually believed this up until recently, actually. But I believe it to be true that all believers are called to be equipped for deliverance ministry. Perhaps some are called to be trained at deeper levels, but we’re all called to help others be set free.
We may not all be in a role of leadership, but we are all believers – all disciples.
Here’s a challenge for you: next time you see someone struggling in addiction, suffering from cancer, or battling depression. Instead of taking them straight to the leadership of the church for healing, what if you laid hands on them and prayed in the name of Jesus for them to be delivered?
I bet you’ll be surprised to see what God does through you. Remember, He moves mountains when we choose to believe, even with the tiniest of faith.
4. Deliverance Is a One-Time Event
I think we get this idea in our heads that deliverance is this ginormous event where demons are cast out, heads spin, people are thrown out of windows, pigs fly off of cliffs, and then everything calms down. Some of that is true.
Deliverance looks different for everyone. Sometimes people are set free in an instant from a particular stronghold. Other times, it may be a process.
I’ll use myself as an example. I have been delivered in many areas, even regarding food. But I’m finding myself stuck somewhere and I”m asking the Lord to show me what it is. My freedom is a process and I know as long as I continue to seek His face, He will show me the root and will deliver me.
But there was a time I had the privilege and honor of watching a woman be delivered from the spirit of suicide. It wasn’t a process. I spoke against the spirit of suicide in the name of Jesus and that spirit left, setting her free from that stronghold.
The moment we decide we’ve been delivered from every stronghold is the moment we’ve opened the door for trouble. None of us will be completely free until the day Jesus comes back to get us.
[ctt template=”5″ link=”3bTfA” via=”yes” ]The moment we decide we’ve been delivered from every stronghold is the moment we’ve opened the door for trouble. [/ctt]
I’ve only scratched the surface, but I wanted to debunk these common myths about deliverance ministry. I also encourage you to dig deeper into this topic. Don’t just take my word for it, and don’t be afraid. Deliverance is a beautiful gift, not something to be terrified of.
Perhaps there’s something you need to be delivered from today. Remember, you can choose freedom this very day. This very moment.