Deliverance Ministry: “Will It Work For Me?”

Many of our (potential) clients pose this question to us and it is often couched in other terms:

“Have you had success with cases like this?”

“Do you think you can help me?”

It’s a very fair question and we are accustomed to hearing it frequently. 

In this article, I will share my verbal response as well as some exhortations I impart to each person.

At Above & Beyond, we have long accepted, understood and received the mandate to drive out demons. Jesus has given his Church power and authority over the demonic realm and indicated that it was one of the signs to follow believer’s (Mark 16”17).

It’s settled for us, but many who find us are unsure and I try to do all that I can to help them stir up their faith for Jesus to move in their situation.

Help Me With My Unbelief

In Mark 9:17-25, we read the account of a loving father who has brought his son first to the disciples and then to Jesus so that a demon could be driven out of him. This man had persevered, experienced disappointment and had stirred up his faith once again to come before Jesus.

He asked Jesus to have pity on them and if he was able to anything, to help them.

There is much we can learn from this account.

Jesus said that all was possible for him who believes and then asked him a simple question.

The father’s answer endures for the ages: “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”. Jesus then drove the spirit out of his tormented young son.

What can we learn from this encounter?

• The man had enough faith to come to Jesus again, even after his disciples had failed.
• The father expressed his actual condition; it was desperation coupled with some level of faith and hope in God that brought him there but his natural senses were doubting.
• Jesus did not send the man away to get more faith nor berate him for his honesty, rather he honored his step of faith.
  We also see other instances in the Gospels where Jesus would assure the person that he ministered to that their “faith” had healed them, even as He ministered to them.

When I get asked this question, I will generally answer as follows:

1. Their level of faith matters. I try to assess during the interview session if someone is getting help under duress or if they actually want change in their life. If they are sincere, then I assure them that they had enough faith (and desperation, in most cases) to make the appointment to come in and Jesus can work with that.
2. I encourage them to stir up their faith. During the preparatory process for the actual deliverance ministry session (the fourth one), I do all that I can to teach them about God’s love, will, and provision for their freedom. It is often difficult to undo a lifetime of wrong teaching or understanding of God’s love for them. Some doubt that He will do a work because He is punishing them for past sins and failures.Others just cannot see themselves worthy of receiving deliverance and healing and I pray for revelation for them as we go through the process.Here’s an explicit encouragement I frequently relate: “If you will stir up your faith and do the homework we ask you to do, I guarantee you that God will do a work in your life!”. I have never seen the Lord not respond to this challenge!I do not guarantee that they will necessarily be delivered from every demon but I feel quite comfortable exhorting people to follow the example of those found in scripture.There is not a single example of anyone in the Gospels who came to Jesus in faith that did not receive healing or deliverance from Him! He is the same, yesterday today and forever, even as He ministers through His body, and I have seen His faithfulness endure in this area to this day.
3. I put the onus on them! Many are inclined to look to the man or woman of God for their source. I tell them that Jesus is their healer and deliverer and that’s not up to me. I know that the Lord will work through me and many are encouraged by the testimonies on our website. If they can be convinced of God’s goodness and hearts towards them, then they just really need to do their part, which includes diligently preparing the homework that we give them.Depending upon each situation and which concerns address, I will sometimes relate the previous scripture account in Mark 9. It is acceptable to go before the Lord and confess one’s doubts while at the same time willfully professing faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, which includes deliverance and freedom.

If you are contemplating receiving deliverance, counseling or some other type of help from a Christian/Pastoral source, I hope that this article will help you.

It is not your faith that heals or delivers, or else every religion or movement would offer the same promise. The person of Jesus is a believer’s source, but our hope and expectancy for Him to move on our behalf is a critical part of the process. Stir up your faith and get the help that you need!

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