Defending the Ministry of Deliverance

There is part of me that is saddened by the fact that I feel compelled to write an article titled as above. On the other hand, I do want to educate and share our experience so that others may hopefully benefit.

I have been in full time Christian counseling and deliverance ministry since 2001 and have had many interactions with people who question the ministry of deliverance. 

These encounters range from honest skepticism and seeking to understand to those who are truly antagonistic and almost hateful in their venom against it.

Personally, the premise is very simple and clear. Jesus did deliverance ministry, He trained the disciples to do it and He told the church to do it! He said that if we had faith in Him we would what He had done and more (John 14:12)! He laid out the church’s marching orders clearly in Mark 16:15-19. One of the signs to follow believers was that they would drive out demons (v.17). How much clearer could it be? How can we presume that His words are no longer valid?

We Cannot Defend Every Deliverance Ministry

I do not presume to defend every deliverance ministry out there any more than I would defend every action done by people in the name of Jesus! Many things are ostensibly done in Jesus’ name that I believe He is appalled at! I will, however, defend the ministry of deliverance because we, as His church, are directed to do it and also because our ministry has seen people set free from demonic strongholds and hindrances!

We use a Spirit-led five step process that is effective and have learned much from others who have gone before us. The list is long and distinguished: Derek Prince, Frank & Ida Mae Hammond, Francis MacNutt, Peter Horrobin, Warfare Plus Ministries and Henry Wright to name only a few. These ministries, and many others, minister, or have ministered, deliverance without fanfare and theatrics to and seen the fruit of changed lives and people set free. Deliverance can be done in a reasonable, biblically based, thorough and gentle way and that is our goal.

There are not demons everywhere and we cannot blame the demonic kingdom for everything wrong in our life. By the same measure, I know that there are many people who have been in counseling and church programs for years who cannot get the victory in one or more areas of their life. Christians are on a lifelong walk of sanctification and transformation and deliverance ministry can be a huge help to assist them on that journey!