The Manifold Wisdom Of God
Deliverance?
("the Father ... has delivered us from the power of darkness ...")
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“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father',” Romans 8'15.
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“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1'7.
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"Have you thought about deliverance?". That question is likely to come up in the form of a suggestion. The conversation, or counseling session, is about a Believer having unwanted spiritual experiences. The person feels helpless which causes real concern.
Usually self-questioning about what the cause could be comes into play. "Have I sinned?" "Am I really saved?" "Could it be demon possession?" Freedom from them seems to be impossible.
So is freedom possible? Yes. It is absolutely possible! Spiritual freedom is God's will for all who believe in Jesus.
Anything that robs a Believer of God's peace or joy can be removed today - in Jesus' name.
This is where "deliverance" comes in. Deliverance is the spiritual release from specifically troubling and disturbing personal feelings.
Deliverance is not about casting out demons. That is "exorcism", a ministry to unbelievers.
The wonderful thing is that any Believer with spiritual difficulties of this kind who is reading these words could very well experience spiritual release. For that to happen all that is needed is a receptive frame of mind while reading through this message. Wherever Jesus is Lord the enemy has to leave.
Actually, Believers' knowing that Jesus is Lord is the underlying reason for this message. In the Old Testament God said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4'6). In regard to being aware of Satan's ways the apostle Paul said:
"... for we are not ignorant of his devices," 2 Corinthians 2'11.
If the enemy can convince a Believer, by any means at all, that their problem is master of them he will.
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So, how did "deliverance" come about? Basically it was because conventional counselling was unsuccessful. There were Believers who were known to be sincere and diligent followers of Jesus who found themselves spiritually very troubled.
Deliverance was successful. So much so that, to some, it became the general answer for almost every problem! This brought "the ministry of deliverance" (as it came to be called) into some disrepute.
However, it was like casting out demons. Some deliverance sessions were unruly even chaotic. There were loud commands for evil spirits to come out and/or name themselves. Demons were "manifesting" loudly and there could be other distractions.
This "ministry" method ends up by dishonouring our heavenly Father because the enemy is able to take advantage and cause such things. Remember what the Lord said?
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you," Luke 10'19.
Let's remember, because this ministry is based on the word of Christ the enemy is opposed to it. Nevertheless, in Jesus' name he has to leave.