The claim that there is no longer any need to cast out demons cannot be found in scripture. Demons have at no point ceased operating so it makes no sense that deliverance would cease. According to Bible prophecy, as we move further into the last days, demonic activity will greatly increase so that the need for deliverance will be greater than ever. (Mt 24, Re chs 6, 9)
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Re 12:12)
“The apostolic gifts were only for that time, and those gifts ceased with the Apostles themselves, as cessationism teaches.”
Deliverance was not an apostolic gift but given to everyone as evidenced by the seventy-two followers who were sent out to preach the gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons.
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name. He replied, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions [both terms used in scripture to signify demons] and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Lk 10:17-18)
There are many scriptures which evidence this but, for the sake of brevity, we can know this with certainty as when the disciples told Jesus they saw someone casting out devils in his name Jesus replied:
“Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us”. (Lk 9:49-50)
No instruction has been given concerning any cessation and indeed this is conspicuous by its absence. What scripture does say is that tongues shall cease and prophecies shall cease, although it doesn’t say when. But then why – and it’s a big why – does that scripture not mention deliverance? We do know that as yet prophecies have not ceased as although the redemptive prophecies have been fulfilled in part there remain many Old Testament prophecies yet to be fulfilled in the last days – the greatest of which is the return of Jesus Christ.
“Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1 Co 13:8)
“Sin should be attributed to the sins of the flesh rather than blamed on demons. Those who do deliverance don’t teach about carnality and that you can’t cast out the flesh, etc.”
It would not be true to say that those who teach deliverance don’t teach about carnality. Understanding about carnality is essential for a correct understanding of how deliverance works. This is clearly illustrated by the story of the man who swept his house clean which tells us we can be delivered of demons but we need to walk that deliverance out as demons can return.
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he comes, he finds it swept and garnished. Then he goes and takes to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” (Lk 11:24-26)
One of the main things that demons do to harass believers is to tempt them to sin and they do that through our flesh as demons feed on uncrucified flesh. Scripture tells us to subjugate the flesh and die to the world – to crucify the old man of the flesh. This is because when we are ruled by the spirit rather than the flesh, then we are not vulnerable to temptation. This is in addition to casting out demons, not instead of it. That is why it is essential to make sure that any teachers we listen to are going by what scripture says not by their own private interpretations and any motivation to sell their latest book or DVD, etc. and that they are teaching the whole counsel of God. (Ac 20:27)
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not for what I would, do I not; but what I hate, that do If then I do that which I would not, I consent to the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good I would I do not: but the evil I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” (Ro 7:14-23)
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:” (Ro 6:4-8)
“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: But every man [believer] is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.” (Ja 1:12-16)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Ro 8:1)
“Believers cannot be indwelt by demons as the Holy Spirit cannot dwell alongside demons.”
True believers cannot be ‘possessed’ as they are sealed by the Holy Spirit:
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory,” (Ep 1:13-14)
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ep 4.30)
The Greek word ‘daimonizomai’ is often translated as ‘demon-possessed’ but simply means to come under the influence of a demon or demons, or ‘subject to demonic oppression’, ‘with an unclean spirit’ or ‘have a demon’.
Demons cannot dwell in a genuine believer’s spirit which is sealed by God, but they can inhabit the mind, the heart and (uncrucified) flesh. Demons do not have to be inside someone to affect or influence them. Even a believer can suffer demonic oppression if he allows his thoughts, actions, or attitudes to be influenced by demons.
We know from numerous testimonies posted online that believers can be attacked, harassed and oppressed etc. long after they are saved, sometimes for many years. For example, someone who has suffered greatly from abuse and consequent trauma may struggle with unforgiveness which can result in bondage, and/or various addictions – or lusts such as for sex or money – due to self-medication.
For various reasons, including false doctrine and following false teachers, various circumstances in life, trauma and abuse, unconfessed sins, and various forms of backsliding, disobedience, pride, or rebellion, etc. not all believers are full of the Holy Spirit.
“Know you not, that to whom you [believers] yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Ro 6:16)
“For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you [believers] such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they [believers] have committed.” (2 Co 12:20-21)
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Co 13:5)
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye [believer] also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” (2 Pe 3:17)
“Wherefore let him [believer] that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Co 10:12)
“Wherefore, my beloved, [believer] as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Ph 2:12)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Ro 12:2)
“Believers cannot be affected by demons because they are owned by God.”
Believers are owned by God but the devil is called the thief who comes to kill and destroy (Jn 10:10). Jesus said: “No one can pluck them out of my hand” (Jn 10:28) BUT we have free will and to the extent that we allow it, believers can be affected by the various means that demons use to afflict us. According to scripture, believers can be deceived, seduced, blinded, misled, entangled, enticed [to do evil], enchanted, driven, compelled, enslaved, blocked, bound, entrapped, enslaved, weakened, demonized and tormented, etc. Believers can also be tempted – as Jesus was even though he was without sin.
One of the chief ways the devil attempts to deceive people is by tempting them to believe false doctrine. The following scriptures prove that Christians can succumb to temptation and fall away to the deadly deceptions of demons:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some [believers] shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” (1 Ti 4:1)
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they [believers] will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they [believers] shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Ti 4:1-4)
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jd 1:3)
“Those who believe in deliverance and casting out demons teach that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was insufficient. When Jesus said “It is finished” that meant that what Jesus did on the cross was enough for everyone for all time as we have been cleaned and now we do not need to do anything more. So when someone becomes born again there is no need for further deliverance because Christ said “It is finished” on the cross.”
We know from scripture the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross was sufficient for complete forgiveness of every sin that has ever and will ever be committed. There is nothing we can ever do that can add to that work and that is why Jesus said: “It is finished”.
Jesus defeated the devil and won the victory but that did not mean that was the end of sin or guilt and that no one would ever sin or need forgiveness for sin. Scripture tells us that when Jesus said: “It is finished” it was in reference to the work the Father gave Him to do:
“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (Jn 17:1-26)
We still have our work to do with daily warfare and working out our salvation
We still need to do our part and that’s why Jesus said “Take up your cross and follow me”. (Mt 16:24‑26) And that’s why we have scriptures such as:
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.” (Mt 26:28)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our [believers’] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9)
“So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity – in obedience] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” (Ph 2:12)
“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” (Co 1:22-23)
“For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (He 10:2,19,22)
The claim that deliverance – and the need for it – ceased when Jesus said “It is finished” – or 10 days later at Pentecost – cannot be true as followers of Jesus, including Peter, Philip and Paul, still cast out demons after Jesus had ascended to the Father and after Pentecost.
Peter: “There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,” (Ac 5:16-17)
Philip: “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” (Ac 8:5-8)
Paul: “A certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met Paul. Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out the very hour.” (Ac 16:18)
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches ..” (Ac 19:11-13)
“The teaching that believers need continual deliverance from demons renders the sacrifice on the cross by Jesus powerless. That is a form of bondage.”
It is not normally taught that believers need ‘continual deliverance’ and, if it were taught, then that would be a false teaching. It would be correct to say that some believers may need deliverance from time to time or on occasion. It is true that deliverance can happen in a very short period of time for some, while for others it can take a longer time, a few months or even years in some cases, depending on the various circumstances. There is no good or bad about this, it just is what it is.
For example, if someone has come out of a family where there abuse, the occult, or SRA, there can be various problems such as blocks to memories which can take some time to come up to the surface to be dealt with. It can take some time to come to terms with such things and find forgiveness, etc. There can be a short period where deliverance is needed, or a longer period for some, depending on the particular circumstances, but any deliverance is always carried out through and by the Holy Spirit and the power of God and in the name of Jesus, as Jesus already gained the victory through His work on the cross.
All believers need to do is practice this one scripture: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (Ja 4:7) [As if all the many other scriptures on the subject are superfluous.]
Even if we do have great faith, that cannot somehow magically block demons from working to do what they do. There is an example of this in the Old Testament, when Jezebel went after Elijah with witchcraft spirits that were so wicked it made Elijah want to die. (1Ki 19:4)
Although the sacrifice of Jesus was once for all time, as people continue to sin, there is a constant need for confession and repentance, and renunciation of our sins.
Confession
Redemption
Repentance
Renunciation
Reconciliation
Revocation
Contrition
If it were true that only non-believers need deliverance, not believers – then how are we to explain the parable of the man who swept his house clean? According to this parable, we should not cast demons out of non-believers as they will not have the Holy Spirit and so their situation would be worse than it was before the demons were cast out.
Then the question arises, who should have demons cast out of them? No one – not non-believers or believers either? So then according to this belief, demons should be left to operate freely and unhindered? How does that work when demons have not ceased to operate and scripture tells us demonic activity is set to greatly increase in the Last Days?
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” (Lk 11:24-26)
“Deliverance puts Christians into bondage and promotes false teaching not found in the Bible.”
There are literally dozens of scriptures about deliverance and they tell us that deliverance sets people free and out of bondage, not into it. Jesus gave us a short of instructions before he ascended to the Father and this included the instruction to cast out demons. (Mk 16:17-20) Some will claim that this scripture cannot be right because it says we should pick up serpents or drink poison. That cannot be the case as we know from other scriptures that we should not tempt God. (De 6:16, Ex 17:1-7, Mt 4:7)
“They shall take up serpents” is a figurative term used in scripture to mean ‘demons’ not literal snakes. The scripture goes on to say: ‘if’ they drink poison, not that they should drink poison.
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and IF they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mk 16:17-20)
It is true there are many false teachers and false anointings, and false healings today, but there is also genuine healing and another scripture confirms that elders in the church can heal the sick.
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (Ja 5:13-15)
“The Bible doesn’t teach us how to carry out deliverance and if we were supposed to practice it, we would have been told how to.”
The Bible tells us everything we need to know about deliverance. The New Testament mentions Jesus casting out evil spirits 55 times and describes events in detail five times where we are given clear examples. This criticism appears to be motivated by fear where people either deny the demonic or totally avoid it.
While other books could potentially be helpful, most are likely to contain false teaching so some may prefer to keep to the Bible which is the only deliverance manual we need. Jesus Himself told us that casting out demons is done by the power of the Holy Spirit and we know that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The power to cast out demons Is always when we say “In the name of Jesus”. This is not, as blasphemously taught by some, just a ‘tagline’.
“From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE YOU wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Ti 3:15-17)
“If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.” (Lk 11:20)
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Ph 2:9-11)
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.” (Pr 18:10)
“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Co 3:17)
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Ac 4:12)
“Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Mt 17:17-21)
“Deliverance has not been listed as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so therefore it cannot be a gift of the Spirit. “
Deliverance is not listed as a gift of the Spirit because God has given all believers the ability and the authority to cast out demons and so it is not particularly a special gift. Although some may take to it easier than others and find they can specialise the same way that someone might specialise in anything. Discernment of spirits which is listed as one of the gifts of the Spirit would be helpful in deliverance. In scripture, deliverance is regarded as a miraculous power which is one of the gifts of the Spirit.
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions [which are not actual creatures but figurative terms used in scripture for demons], and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Lk 10:19)
“And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” (Lk 4:36)
“Deliverance will encourage demons and help them to cause harm to believers so those who cast out demons and/or teach the casting out of demons are doing the work of the devil.”
The Pharisees accused Jesus of doing the work of the devil. Jesus Himself said he cast out demons by the spirit of God. So then who are we to believe – the Pharisees or Jesus?
“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” (Mt 12:22-28)
“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (He 12:3)
“Those who believe in or practice deliverance see a demon behind every bush.”
There are many Bible prophecies which tell us that demonic activity will greatly increase in the last days. (Re 12:12) There is at least one demon behind every idol – and idols of one sort or another are all around us these days. Some have discernment of spirits which is one of the gifts of the spirit so they may be able to perceive the presence of demons. Nevertheless we are not to focus on them but rather to keep our eyes on Jesus.
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.” (1Jn 5:19)
“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1 Co 10:20)
They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto Devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” (De 32:16-17)
Got Questions says: “There are two extremes in people’s thinking about demons. One says that what we call demons are nothing more than negative thoughts and behaviors that any human being is capable of. Those who hold this view believe that ‘deliverance’ from a ‘demon’ is brought about by the application of self-control; this view is usually accompanied by the discounting of anything supernatural. The other extreme says that any bad happening whatsoever is the work of demons. Those who hold this view often ‘rebuke’ everything from a common cold to a drop in the stock market. The correct emphasis on demonic deliverance lies somewhere between these two extremes. Scripture is clear that demons are real and that they interfere in human affairs (Mt 12:43; Mk 1:26; Ac 8:7). Demons were very much at work in Bible times, and there is no reason to assume that demons are inactive now (1 Pe 5:8).”
“Deliverance ministry ‘demon slayers’ behave in ridiculous ways that bring the Gospel into disrepute. They use fake signs and wonders and make a show of it to entertain people.”
It is not appropriate to make entertainment out of casting out demons as some of the demon-slayer type ministers often do. Demons are perfectly capable of putting on a show, such as pretending to leave – and then come back again – and it is fairly pointless to interrogate them as they are liars.
We ought not to invalidate scripture due to the actions of some false teachers. For obvious reasons the enemy hates deliverance and one of his main lines of attack on God’s word would be to discredit all deliverance. There are also Christian ministries who bring Christianity into disrepute by claiming that the Holy Spirit behaves in ways that we know from scripture the Holy Spirit would never behave. That is all the work of the enemy to create confusion and discredit God’s plan for salvation.
“There are various scandals around some deliverance ministries.”
There are just as many – if not more – scandals involving sex and/or money around Christian ministries that are cessationist or do not teach deliverance and numerous examples of these can be found of this online.
“The focus of those who practice deliverance is mainly on demons and casting them out, rather than Jesus or the Bible. They make a show of it with themselves at the centre of it.”
Our focus should always be on Jesus. This is one of the ways we can test the spirits (1Jn 4:1-6) as the true Holy Spirit will always point to and glorify Jesus. (Jn 16:13-14). There are Christian ministers who are cessationist and teach that deliverance is not scriptural who make it about them rather than about Jesus. All power and glory belong to God. Someone can have a particular ability or gift to cast out demons but it is always Jesus who delivers and the power to do so is always when we say “in the name of Jesus”.
“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Lk 10:20)
“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and forbids them that would, and casts them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: but he that does evil hath not seen God.” (3 Jn 9-11)
“For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Mt 6:13)
“Deliverance is a money-making business and focused on money rather than God’s word.”
Deliverance is far from being the only aspect of the Gospel that is misused to make money, as there are many other ways the Gospel is used to make money. Not infrequently there are expensive merchandise items available such as books, video courses, CDs and DVDs. That is as common with ministries that teach casting out demons has ceased, as it is with those ministries that teach it has not ceased.
It is not necessary to pay for anything to do with deliverance, books about deliverance, or anything else. That has the potential to lay oneself open to deception, as with any Christian publication or movie, etc. There is more than enough in the way of deliverance itself and information about it that is freely available for no charge, along with renunciation prayers which are freely available on the internet. Scripture says: “Buy the truth and sell it not” and “Freely you have received, freely give”. Yet even in the days of Jesus there were people attempting to make money out of the Gospel. This is where we get the word ‘simony’.
“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, this man is the great power of God. and to him they had regard, Because for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the Apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, thy money perish with thee, because you hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven you. For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” (Ac 8:9-23)
“Deliverance ministers claim special powers for themselves and do not glorify Jesus, so we can know that it is not the work of the Holy Spirit.”
Deliverance – in the same way as anything else to do with Christianity – should not be the result of any particular person’s ‘secret’, ‘hidden’, or ‘expert’ knowledge, expertise or gifts. Demons are cast out by the power of the Holy Spirit when we say “in the name of Jesus”.
Certainly there are ministries that practice deliverance which are not run according to biblical principles but there are just as many – if not more – ministries that do not practice deliverance which are not run according to biblical principles.
This means teaching the whole Counsel of God (Ac 20:27) and the doctrine of Christ:
“Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2 Jn 1:9-11)
In summary, why should deliverance cease when demons haven’t ceased their operations? The last instruction of Jesus to us when he ascended to the Father was to cast out demons. (Mk 16:17-20) This has never been rescinded. Cessationists cannot provide a single scripture to confirm that deliverance has ceased, not a single one. Jesus told us to occupy until he comes. We should not be tempted to listen to the whisperings of the serpent: “Yea, hath God said?”. The gospel was given once to the saints and, in the last chapter of the Bible, God told us not to add to it, neither take away from it, nor to change it in any way. (Re 22:18-19)
Casting Out Demons
Can A Born-Again Christian Have A Demon?
Angels and Demons – A Survey of Biblical Doctrine
What We Know About God and Jesus From the Bible
The Plight of Being Unteachable or the Plight of Knowing Everything
Discerning False Teachers by Milton Green
The Gospel According to MacArthur
The Truth About the Rapture
God Gives Life While Satan Gives Death
Various Levels of Faith
The True Holy Spirit
The Biblical Meaning of Grace
Yea, Hath God Said
What Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Christian Testimonies
How To Get Help Through Prayer
Renunciation Prayers
Prayer for Repentance and Forgiveness
Prayer for Protection Against Demonic Oppression
Prayer To Renounce Rejection
Prayer To Ask To Develop Good Fruit
Prayer To Thank God for Our Saviour
Prayer for Self-Deliverance
Walt Disney himself was adopted from an abusive home and lost his adoptive mother when she died from asphyxiation due to faulty workmanship in a house that he had bought her. It is fairly well documented that Walt Disney was not only a paedophile who liked little boys but a satanist, a type of male witch, a 33rd-degree freemason and member of the Illuminati.
Disney’s first character was Mickey Mouse, voiced by Walt Disney himself for 20 years from 1927 to 1947.
