This Will Blow Up Your Notions About Deliverance Ministry

What I am about to say may sound like a stretch of reality. These statements may even conflict with what you currently know about the ministry of deliverance.

Allow these revelations to challenge you and enlarge your understanding of the ministry of biblical deliverance. For anyone who has been raised in the church, deliverance as a topic of ministry is either:

A. Given a general overview concerning Jesus’ ministry. You are likely familiar with the demoniac where Jesus allowed Legion to enter a herd of pigs. Perhaps treating it like it’s a fascinating true story that reads like fiction in some ways.

B. Not discussed or addressed in the church. Anyone who was seen or heard manifesting was removed from the congregation and talk of demons was prohibited.

C. It was taught and discussed, and members of the church were taught to deal with demonic manifestations.

D. Manifestations were brought to the front and addressed by the elders for the congregation to hear and witness.

Whatever your level of understanding is, the next few statements will either challenge or resonate with you; my desire is that they will cause you to ask questions concerning the nature of deliverance and the methods currently used by deliverance ministries all over the world.

After ministering for more than a decade, I have learned many different methods concerning deliverance. Some techniques work and some do not. But when we welcome the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead the experience, He always shows up to gently bring healing and freedom from demonic torment. One area that always concerned me was the fact that receiving freedom from demonic oppression was only part of the total healing package that we offered to people in need. We are made of three parts: spirit, soul, and body. Historically and generally concerning the church, deliverance ministry addressed the spirit and the soul through the casing out of demons. Anything dealing with the body was referred to as a “healing ministry.” Occasionally we would be fortunate enough to have someone on the team who operated in the gift of healing as well. Having that convenience made for an easy referral when physical healing was necessary. I thank God for those whose primary gift is healing; they are vital to the body of Christ. However, why do deliverance ministers often feel inadequate to handle issues of a physical nature? I believe it is because we as a church have drawn a line between the spiritual and the physical where healing is concerned. We have believed that physical healing needs require a different gift set and must be handled differently.

Biblically we never see Jesus draw a line between healing the demonized and the physically afflicted. He healed them together, at the same time! Therefore, we can confidently state that all deliverance ministry can and should be accompanied by some form of physical healing! That is a bold statement, and we will soon see further biblical proof of this statement as well. Furthermore, this article will show through biblical example, testimony, and scientific evidence that physical healing and deliverance go hand in hand every single time.

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” All things pertaining to deliverance ministry must begin and end with Jesus, the example He gave, and the revelation that He continues to give us as we pursue Him. What follows are several biblical confirmations concerning:

1. Our authority as believers

2. The deliverance and healing model presented by Jesus Himself as He ministered deliverance regularly

Deliverance ministry is not a gift or a handy tool that is found exclusively in the toolbox of those who are primarily called to be “deliverance ministers.” Rather, the role of deliverance is as assignment for all who call themselves believers and, as a result, disciples of Jesus.

All Authority

Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority and power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness (Matthew 10:1 AMP).

In this passage, Jesus is modeling an impartation of power and authority to His disciples, the body of believers who follow Him. This event is no small prayer or spiritual act. Jesus summoned the disciples. He recognized the need for deliverance and healing will increase and people will need freedom. Notice that He did not bestow new gifts on them. He did not tell some of the disciples that they were to handle the demonized, while others were to handle the sick and diseased. No, Jesus mantled each of them with power and authority to execute judgment and justice over demons, sickness, and disease. It was all inclusive. There is freedom here for all believers to operate in the power granted by Jesus to be ministers of complete and thorough healing. Let’s keep looking.

Jesus Healed All Who Were Demon Possessed

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them (Matthew 4:23–24).

Here we clearly see Jesus modeling and demonstrating the deliverance and healing method. People who were demonized and who needed healing came to see Him. Jesus simply healed them all. Once again, we do not see a separation—no queuing for a qualified deliverance minister to help them. Where was the triaging of people to be whisked away to prevent commotion and distraction? All were welcome and all were healed together because affliction of either the spirit, the soul, or the body is still an affliction that requires healing. I’m not suggesting that demons be allowed to distract and cause disruption. On the contrary, believers should be equipped to effectively handle these situations by forbidding (binding) demonic manifestations so that the person can receive ministry without becoming a distraction from the corporate goal God has for the public gathering. Likewise, demons must not be allowed to distract ministry during private ministry either. This is why the tools of binding (forbidding) and loosing (permitting) were given to all believers. Make note of the deliverance tools in your spiritual arsenal. Use these tools with confidence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then you will see freedom come in power.

Blind and Mute

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see (Matthew 12:22).

In all of these examples, Jesus provides the undisputed model of deliverance ministry—healing and deliverance working together. This man received physical healing as well as freedom from his demonic oppression. That is our model!

The Demonized Boy

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God (Luke 9:37–43).

Once again, we see Jesus presented with a demonized and tormented individual. It is my belief that this child’s father or family was involved in sin that allowed the demon to enter and establish itself in the family. In this case the man’s child was the victim of an impure familiar spirit. Scripture does not elaborate, but we know that unconfessed and unrepentant sin creates an open door for the enemy to come right in and bind itself to the family bloodline.

Jesus provides our example for deliverance ministry. He also provides us the revelation necessary to continue our growth and do the greater works. Some of the concepts mentioned are revelation from God concerning deliverance ministry. The overarching goal will always be to bring glory to God through the abundant use and demonstration of our gifts as deliverance ministers—to ultimately to see the demonized, bound, and tormented set free from captivity, bondage, and slavery.

Not All Issues Are Demonic: Balance Is Key

Have you ever done something and immediately regretted it? I (Jareb) have a sister five years younger than me. When we were very young I would antagonize her, and she would get riled up and chase me out of her frustration. I loved it and would taunt her just to see her get mad. On one occasion I taunted her as usual, only this time I began to chase her. I was older and faster and she was never able to outrun me. But on this occasion as I was chasing her outside, she ran into the house and quickly closed the glass door behind her. I continued to run, and as the door closed I reached out to push my way into the house after her and my arm went right through the glass door. I’ll spare you the details, but it was a pretty impressive looking crime scene. I had cut my radial artery in two places on my arm and was quickly rushed to the emergency room for care. Looking back on that experience nearly forty years later, I can tell you that I did not make a wise decision. That lack of wisdom on my part was caused by my own stubborn, competitive, immature desire to win.

In yet another example, in 1996 I visited Russia with a group of Christian leaders. During this visit we took the opportunity to visit local landmarks and see the sights. As we were walking down a path en route to our next stop, I suddenly found myself tumbling down an open manhole! The manhole cover was partially removed, and as I blindly stepped on it the cover flipped, and I went down the hole. Thankfully a fair amount of wooden scaffolding broke my fall on the way down to the bottom. I was sore and embarrassed, but in good shape considering the dramatic experience. I was hoisted out of the hole and proceeded on toward my destination just fine.

The point of these stories is to illustrate that I was not oppressed with a demon who caused me to make these mistakes. There was no demon waiting to push me into that hole, nor was there a demon waiting to ensure that I lacerated my arm. I am also not saying that we must make terrible mistakes before we learn our lessons. That is why the book of Proverbs was written. Likewise, if you are caught speeding it’s likely not because you have a speed demon attached to you. Paul puts it this way in Galatians 5:13:

For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another (AMPC).

We must realize that the choices we make have consequences. We do not have immunity or absolution from the consequences of our actions. We have a merciful God, a loving Father who will never send us away; He will never leave (unfasten) us or forsake (abandon) us. One of the ugly truths of our consequences is that sometimes our choices and mistakes lead to open doors for the enemy to come in, torment, and even demonize. Watching the wrong things on TV, accessing the wrong websites on our phone, unhealthy relationships, and participation in ungodly actions open doors and create an environment where demons have an open door to walk right in and make themselves comfortable.

One of the things we will discuss in depth later in this article is the effect our misdeeds have on our DNA and our physical bodies. When I sliced my radial artery, my DNA was marked with the trauma of that experience. That trauma was literally written into the DNA and replicated in every single cell of my body. These marks on our DNA can surface later in life as infirmities, fears, phobias, and mental health concerns.

But God! The truth is that we do not have to be bound any longer by the mistakes of our past. Every door the enemy walked through can be closed. Every cell and all DNA within your body can receive miraculous healing that will manifest outwardly. The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It goes on to say in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (AMP).

One of the areas believers must take to heart is our involvement in the opening of doors to the enemy. Each time we willingly and knowingly sin we open ourselves for demonic attack. For example, evil and lustful images appear in front of us frequently—some are unavoidable. It is not the first innocent glance that is the issue; it’s the second and subsequent glances that move us from innocence to willing participation with evil. At that moment, we’ve opened a door and invited the enemy in to rent free space in our minds. Another example would be choosing to watch a TV show where the plot revolves around witchcraft and casting spells. In this example we have opened a couple doors to the enemy. First, your eyes are direct entry points to your mind and your soul. By watching, you have shown the demonic realm an open door into your life. The next door opened is to your home. The entertainment center in your home is both a spiritual and worldly portal into your home. Allowing demonic entertainment is allowing, even inviting that spirit to invade your home as well. I’ve worked with too many people who are oppressed as a direct result of what they allowed into the home through their television. Think about the children in your home; even if they do not see the content directly, if you are watching demonic, occult, horror, sexual, or witchcraft entertainment then you are welcoming those spirits into the atmosphere you share with your family, children, guests, and anyone else who comes into your home. Instead, cultivate an atmosphere of God’s presence. Wouldn’t it be preferable to saturate our families, children, and guests with the glory of God instead?

One of the many messages we will impart in this article is that as believers, we have the God-given power to literally heal our physical and spiritual bodies using the words in our mouth and the thoughts in our mind. This healing requires our alignment with truth and with what God says about us. If we were made to be more than conquerors, why do we let infirmity, disease, and demonic torment continue to invade the holy temples of our bodies? We will demonstrate how you can partner with the power of God to drive demons out and heal your body from all infirmity, even if you have willingly partnered with it in your past.

All Deliverance Is Accompanied by Physical Healing

I’ve provided scriptural evidence that physical healing accompanies the ministry of deliverance. Traditional deliverance ministry is truly a God-send to those in demonic captivity. Yet God has provided revelation that moves us beyond traditional deliverance ministry, and our desire is for you to be a catalyst of that knowledge. In Matthew 10:1 Jesus called His disciples into a private meeting. During this meeting, Jesus imparted to them both power and authority over demonic spirits, disease, and infirmity. Can you picture sitting in that meeting? Jesus set up the format of the meeting—it was not to be a discussion; they were not about to discuss plans for how to handle people with problems. This was a top-down message that was intended to clearly ordain them with spiritual authority and power over all things spiritual and physical. Did you ever wonder why Jesus spoke of demonic oppression and infirmity together in that meeting? I believe it was because, regardless of the definition, bondage is bondage, sickness is sickness, and infirmity is infirmity. They all affect the body and they all impair God’s people from walking in their destiny. Jesus knew He needed ambassadors of His to carry power and authority so that when used properly it could assist all His followers through the rest of history toward walking in their true identities. The truth is the disciples in that meeting were the very first ordained and commissioned deliverance ministers. They were released to render judgment on every demonic assignment in the earth.

Today, you and I also represent the kingdom as God’s ambassadors. We are deliverance ministers of freedom. We have been commissioned to go into the world, preaching, teaching, healing the sick, and casting out demons.

From a scientific perspective, the demons attacking God’s people know they have access through our thoughts. This is why the Bible tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” The demonic realm knows this, and they try very hard to influence us through our thoughts. Scientifically speaking, our thoughts are physical objects, they are observable, and each one of them impacts every one of the trillions of cells within our bodies. So if the enemy can invade our thought life, then our physical bodies will react in kind. Dr. Bruce Lipton who specializes in cell biology says this:

Your thoughts are things. They are actual proteins called neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline which attach to cell membranes and cause your genes to express themselves. And that expression, that gene expression is inheritable over the next few generations. So, you are not a victim of your genes, you have some control over how they are expressed. (1)

One thing that is vital to Christian growth is the enormity and responsibility of the great commission. For some it means traveling and evangelizing the world with the good news of the gospel. However, it is more than that. As an ordained and commissioned deliverance minister I see it as a calling to all believers as needed in their daily lives. Not just nice thing to do, but a must do. Jesus did not say, “Some of you will heal infirmities, and some of you will cast out demons.” No, He commissioned every believer for the entire package. We are to be known as universal deliverance ministers. We do it all!

Starting now, let’s begin to acknowledge the power and authority we carry as believers in Jesus to change lives and minister identity. One caveat—this power and authority are not to be a plaque on the wall as an acknowledgment of our credentials. We are sons and daughters of the King. True sons and daughters don’t boast of their abilities. However, as believers in Jesus we must acknowledge and declare over ourselves the truth that we have this power and authority. Only then can it be used to bring glory to God, set the captives free, and to literally heal the broken hearted.

Note

1. Dr. Ron Ehrlich, “Dr. Bruce Lipton – A New Hope: Epigenetics and the Subconscious Mind,” Unstress with Dr. Ron Ehrlich, accessed June 21, 2021, https://drronehrlich.com/dr-bruce-lipton-a-new-hope-epigenetics-and-the-subconscious-mind-2