Q: In the women’s ministry at my church, there is a woman who encourages many of the Bible study facilitators to attend an outside event/separate ministry to receive deliverance. 

At first, I was intrigued, but then after prayer and research, started to have discernment about this. I’m looking for clarification on the topic. 

My understanding is Jesus is the deliverer. Through daily practice of prayer on our own and with others, reading the Word, and tuning into the Holy Spirit- we will be sanctified and therefore delivered from (rejection, anger, addiction, etc). 

This event is where people are praying over you individually but in a corporate setting and they are claiming to deliver you of evil spirits. That seems to be elevating people over God. This deliverance ministry does claim Jesus as Lord but this doesn't seem biblically sound. Can you clarify more on this topic?

Summary

In this episode, Dr. E addresses a listener’s concern about deliverance ministry that claims to free people from evil spirits through prayer and pronouncement. While Scripture records Jesus and the apostles casting out demons, Dr. E emphasizes that the New Testament never instructs believers or churches to continue these practices as an ongoing ministry. Instead, the biblical pattern for Christians is to stand firm in the faith, resist temptation, and live under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Dr. E explains that a believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by demons, though Satan and his forces will harass and tempt us. The danger of deliverance ministries, he notes, is that they can elevate human leaders and rituals above Christ, and in doing so, diminish the sufficiency of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. True freedom does not come through formulaic prayers or rituals, but by walking faithfully with God through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.

Ultimately, Dr. E encourages discernment. If something feels unbiblical, measure it against Scripture. Christ is enough, and believers can live in confidence that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

Takeaways

Scripture records demonic encounters, but it never prescribes ongoing deliverance rituals for the church.

A believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by demons.

Temptation and harassment are real, but God calls us to stand firm and resist.

Deliverance ministries risk undermining Christ’s finished work by adding extra steps.

Discernment is vital—if something feels unbiblical, test it against God’s Word.

True freedom comes through Christ’s sacrifice and walking with God’s Word, Spirit, and people.

Links Mentioned

Alisa Childers Youtube Channel

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