A deliverance ministry is defined as a Christian organization that attempts to cure peoples’ ills by casting out demons. Like most churches and ministries emphasizing, and often over emphasizing, the gifts of the spirit (Romans 12, 1Corinthians 12) there is a mixture of truth and error in their actions and understanding. Unfortunately, this mix is devolving into greater and greater error and less and less truth as more people and organizations pursue “experiences” and “encounters with the spirit” over discernment, trying of spirits, and sound doctrine. The reality is that scripture does not say very much about demons. All the additional information, explanation, and understanding is speculative or experiential even if it is often correct. When not based on scripture but rather on experience or interpretation, this understanding can result in practices that do more harm than good.

There are three facts that are clear from scripture. These are especially illustrated by Jesus’ interaction with demons.

• They are real.

• They are harmful.

• They are subject to authority.

These three truths are surely recognized by every deliverance ministry. It is the non-scriptural or experience based conclusions that cause problems.

By far the biggest error, and most important point of this article, is the frequent failure of these ministries to recognize, or emphasize that sin is a much bigger issue than demons. Do not forget this. Demons expend a great deal of effort enticing you to sin, encouraging you to sin, and even telling you to sin, but they cannot make you sin – not even a person possessed. Far, far more of our problems, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual are the result of sin instead of demons. Demons may not be involved at all. You deal with sin and the consequences of sin through repentance not by casting off, or out, demons.

Our second major point is that deliverance should be a part of all ministries, not a specialty of a few. In none of the lists of spiritual gifts (Romans 12, 1Corinthians 12) is there a “casting out of demons”. The nearest to it is discernment of spirits (1Corinthians 12:10), which does not indicate any extra authority over them. Spiritual authority is a complex subject and is discussed further in our booklet About Demons.

This does not mean that all their conclusions about demons are wrong, but many are at least partly in error. Experience is indeed a good teacher, (we rely on it ourselves), but there is a general failure to ask God about these things and allow Him to instruct us on this subject instead of forming our own doctrine and understanding. There is within Christianity an almost total failure to ask specific questions of God and a lack of instruction on honestly hearing Him. He can and will answer. Direct instruction from God is the source for much of our teaching and understanding of this subject. Why you should believe us and not others is absolutely a valid question and is addressed in our articles How to Try the Spirits and Listening to God.

Let us restate that these ministries are not all bad or totally incorrect. Even in gross error there is usually at least a grain of truth. Nor are all deliverance ministries alike. There is considerable variety in beliefs and teaching even to completely opposite viewpoints on some subjects. Nevertheless, they almost all make some fundamental errors.

Consider Jesus’ ministry and His instructions to the disciples in Mark 3:14-15:

“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:” NKJV

These three functions are exercised together, not as separate specializations or ministries. Healing ministries, deliverance ministries, missionary or revival ministries all tend to miss this point. What they do may be good, but it is out of balance.

We will now briefly address some common beliefs held by many or some deliverance ministries. Again, some of these subjects are covered more thoroughly in About Demons.

Emphasis on “rights” of demons

Demons have no inherent right over you – none whatsoever. Any right they have must be granted by someone with the authority to do so. For instance, you have authority over yourself and parents have authority over their children.

Subscribing to some form of “generational curse”

A curse can only be enacted by someone with the authority to bless. Blessing and cursing are related (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). God obviously has this power and uses it; Exodus 20:5 “…For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,” NKJV

But also consider Ezekiel 18:17-20. “Who has withdrawn his hand from the poor And not received usury or increase, But has executed My judgments And walked in My statutes He shall not die for the iniquity of his father; He shall surely live! “As for his father, Because he cruelly oppressed, Robbed his brother by violence, And did what is not good among his people, Behold, he shall die for his iniquity.”

“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live.” NKJV

Demons have absolutely no power to curse anything, nor does a curse from God equate with demons. Any conclusion that it does is simply not valid.

Belief that a Christian cannot be possessed

The premise that a Christian cannot be possessed is the mistaken belief that spirits cannot co-exist. See our article Can Spirits Co-exist? and the next point.

Belief that everyone is full of demons from the womb, Christians included

This is flat out bad theology. See Born in Sin? for a more thorough discussion of this subject. Possession, which means a demon is in you as opposed to outside you, requires permission. This permission is usually obtained by subterfuge or trickery, not openly, except for some involved in the occult who actually seek possession. Actual possession is not common in anyone, but can indeed happen to a Christian. Note that even in possession the demon does not own you. You do not acquire demons in the womb.

Belief that you must be a Christian to be delivered

Jesus delivered many, and none were Christians. Even if you substitute believer for Christian there is no way to know or to prove that all of them were believers.

A belief that there is a difference between demons and fallen angel

This theory purports that demons are the result of union between Satan and the daughters of men (Genius 6:4) and that fallen angels are not demons but something else. Although sexual attacks by demons do occur, Satan and demons absolutely cannot procreate. Demons and fallen angels are the same beings.

The practice of mass or group deliverance

There is no scriptural basis for this. In every recorded incidence of deliverance, Jesus and the apostles dealt with individuals not groups.

Maintaining elaborate or extensive lists or databases of demon’s names

Where many of these names originated is usually not addressed. Although knowing a demon’s name can be helpful, it is not required. You do not need to know a name to exercise authority. You don’t need to ask the demon it’s name – you do not need to talk to it at all. In fact, talking to it is generally not a good idea for a number of reasons. It is, at best, a distraction and, at worst, they will feed you some lies mixed with truth and you may have trouble dealing with or separating one from the other.

Now we will address a few comments to those practicing deliverance and to those needing it.

A few recognize that demons can be destroyed (Mark 1:24), but very few have the power to actually do this. This level of authority must be exercised very carefully, for fallen angels are also God’s children and He loves them still. There is the possibility of redemption even for them, but if they are destroyed that possibility is removed. Nevertheless, there are occasions when this authority has been exercised and will be again (1Cor 6:3). God does not wish this, but it is necessary.

Never underestimate your enemy. Some demons are very, very good at what they do. Some are silly, very obvious, and easy to deal with. Others are excellent lawyers, requiring that every “i“ be dotted and every “t” crossed before they will obey. Many enjoy playing with you and will drag things out just for the fun of it. They are all ultimately subject to authority but have many ways to try and convince you otherwise. They also make great effort to convince you that you have failed when you have actually succeeded. And please believe me; there is plenty of phony deliverance going on, i.e. demons pretending to leave when they have not.

Deliverance and authority over demons is a complicated subject, but paradoxically it is also very simple. Exercise your authority with understanding and do not become bogged down in distractions, half truths, and misdirection. A lot of effort is being expended trying to identify rights, the origins of curses, and chasing after demons when the real problem is sin. This incorrect focus accomplishes nothing and in the end demonic influence may have actually increased. Often a demon will simply move and not be eliminated at all.

You must understand Satan’s devices in order to overcome them. Demons love to play with you. You must play by God’s rules, not theirs, if you are to win deliverance for the oppressed or possessed. Just because someone has written many books and been around for years does not mean they necessarily know what they are doing. Too often they simply pass on error and ineffective techniques based on human reasoning mixed with some truth. You can do better, you should do better, you must do better. Rely on God and not man if you want to succeed.

To those in need of deliverance; have you repented? That means you not only regret your sin but have stopped, or are fighting to stop, the sin. Do this first and it may get rid of the problem altogether. If it does not and your own deliverance prayers are ineffective, then seek competent help. We suggest you judge by how simple they keep the process. Convoluted, elaborate programs are not required. The exercise of authority is required. All Christian ministers have authority over demons. Many are not comfortable with exercising it, and many don’t understand it very well, but they all have it. Find one who is willing to help.

We suggest avoiding those who specialize in deliverance. They are typically too narrowly focused. You need a compassionate, understanding, and willing generalist. Your best bet is an independent mildly charismatic or Pentecostal church. Avoid the extreme charismatic or signs and wonders type of organizations. Do not be afraid to call around and ask about their approach. Most importantly, ask God to lead you to the right place.

If all else fails and you have diligently pursued a local solution without success, you may contact us. It is much better to have face to face contact, but that is not absolutely necessary. Please understand that we have limited resources and no one is dedicated to this type of activity. In order to help you we may need to fore go something else. This does not mean we are unwilling to help, quite the contrary, but please do try local options first.