Deliverance - Ministry Environment

Accountability

“And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’” (Acts 19:15). Demons understand authority. Without accountability there is no authority. Accountability empowers authority by establishing unity. Our authority comes from the Father through Jesus Christ. Our accountability is to the Holy Spirit in obedience to God’s Word. And our unity with one another is through the blood of Jesus. Within the local church all must be accountable to pastoral leadership. Apart from that, chaos ensures.

To have a successful deliverance ministry, those who are involved must be accountable to spiritual authority. They should never minister by themselves – and never without pastoral approval. We require that they always be a part of an established team that meets regularly and ministers by appointment. Accountability is acknowledging the benefit that others can bring into any given situation and the correction that can come to keep us on course. In fact, Cleansing Stream Ministry itself was birthed under the leadership of Pastor Jack Hayford and is under the covering of The Church on the Way and their pastor, Jim Tolle.

Safe Environment

It takes courage to confess and renounce sins. Deliverance will falter if a safe place is not provided. For people to feel safe, the following must be true:

• confidentiality is strongly guarded
• the people ministering are trustworthy and mature
• those ministering do not express shock at revelations of sinful behavior
• those receiving ministry are not showcased for others to see
• love and grace are always demonstrated.

Preparation

As a pastor, I have often prayed for people who needed deliverance. I was bothered by how temporary the freedom of some seemed to be. Until the mind is transformed, and until there comes a revelation of what has opened the door to demonic control in the first place, the person is doomed to repeat their ensnared condition. This is why, in our ministry, we require 8 to 10 weeks of preparation prior to receiving hands-on ministry. This is done through viewing video teachings and completing a workbook and homework assignments. There are many ways to accomplish this preparation, but if there is not a change in thinking and a subsequent revelation through the Word of God, destructive behavior patterns are often repeated.

Follow-Through

Once freedom is received, it must then be maintained through ongoing submission to God and purposeful distancing from those activities that led to bondage in the first place. James 4:7 states: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The implication of this verse is clear. We should do whatever it takes to help those who have been delivered to rid themselves of those things that serve as a continuous pull toward their previously ensnared condition.

Just as there are keys to successful deliverance, there are also red flags that can signal failure. As I reviewed with list I realized each has a root in pride. This is no surprise – pride as been at the root of sin from the beginning. If we are unaware of these red flags, we can avoid them and guard the ministry Jesus has entrusted to us.

Here are some observable lasting benefits to those who encompass balanced and biblical deliverance into the lives of their churches:

• an increasingly healthy body of believers who know and understand their authority in Jesus Christ
• an increase in the number of new leaders that will be developed as people are released in their callings
• an increase of protection against the assaults of the enemy as a healed and delivered church will stand against his schemes
• an increase in evangelism as a freed-up believer becomes a witnessing saint
•  an increase in your joy as a leader watching God’s people walk in truth.

As pastors we are friends of the Bridegroom, attempting to prepare the bride for His coming. Preparation means clean and dressed in white. We must make the bride ready for His arrival. The ministry of deliverance can help fulfill that vision. The time is now. The Groom is coming soon.