From time to time, I receive messages from women seeking input surrounding specific teachings in the hyper Charismatic church. It is encouraging to see both brothers and sisters in Christ using Biblical discernment and desiring Biblical truth. There are people coming out of this movement who want clarity and answers after the fog lifts from some areas in life. Recently, I received one of those messages from a sister in Christ. She had come across a social media post from a well known self professing apostle. Here is the post:

“One of the greatest revelations is the revelation of self-deliverance. We can loose ourselves from any control in darkness (Isaiah 52:2). We can exercise power and authority for our own lives. Jesus told us to cast out the beam from our own eye (Luke 6:42). The term cast out is the same word used in reference to casting out demons (ekballo). Take spiritual responsibility for your life. Don’t depend on everyone else for your spiritual well-being. Confess the Word over your life. Pray strong prayers that rout the enemy. Do not allow self-pity to hold you back. Stir yourself up to prayer. This is a key to an overcoming life. “

I am not a theologian so to speak. Having said that, I would like to offer some input, suggestions, and maybe some thought provoking questions for those who are coming out of this movement or are still part of this movement in hopes that the truth according to Scripture will be at the forefront of your Christian walk and that Christ is glorified above all things. Social media has become a prominent way in conveying doctrine and spiritual beliefs, both sound and false. This post is intended to help encourage you in using Biblical discernment and testing as is commanded of us in the Word of God so that we are not led astray. I will use this social media post as an example in testing presented teaching, regardless of who said it, the size of their following, the number of books they have written, or who they know and associate. I hope it provokes you to being a Berean even when it comes to social media and to thinking Biblically. Let’s begin!

It is helpful to first identify the subject in this social media post. The subject is self-deliverance. The first area to test in this post is the use of Scripture. We need to be asking if the Word of God has been properly appropriated in teaching on self-deliverance. Has the context of specific verses been presented while keeping the integrity of Scripture intact?

The first verse referenced was Isaiah 52:2, which says, “Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.” If we take a look at the context and the audience being addressed in this verse, we will see this is being addressed to the Jewish people in Jerusalem and the context is the Lord’s coming salvation. The despair from being captive by a nation of uncircumcised people would cease in the coming time. When we read this verse in its context, we see the gospel mentioned in verse 7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”” Notice who does the delivering in this passage and in the passages to follow, and notice there is no mention of self-deliverance. Rather, God is the Deliverer. Isaiah tells the people of the coming Messiah who will save them from the sin holding them captive. He will make all things new, and He will bring the good news of this salvation. We can conclude from reading this verse in context that Scripture has not been properly appropriated in this social media post.

What about Luke 6:42? Jesus said in this verse, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” What is the context of this verse? Is it self-deliverance? The argument is given in the social media post that the word for “cast out” is the same word used for casting out demons (ekballo). Is this true? Well, yes it is the same word. However, what has not been stated in that post is the fact of Greek words having more than one meaning and that meaning being determined by the words surrounding it. According to BDAG, a Greek Lexicon, the word ekballo has five meanings. In reference to Luke 6:42, this word means “to remove or to take out”. Though there are indeed Scriptural passages which use this word in reference to casting out demons, the use of ekballo in this context has nothing to do with demonic deliverance. Furthermore, the context of Luke 6:42 addresses judging with hypocrisy. The Word of God is wonderfully helpful when we read it in context. Sadly, this media post is unhelpful and misrepresenting God’s own Word.

There are other areas that could be addressed in this social media post, such as the emphasis on declaring the Word of God over oneself, praying to rout the enemy, and placing an emphasis on the teaching of self-deliverance, to name a few. It is important for us to note that the Bible is not for us to use as incantations in our lives. The Word testifies of Jesus Christ, and it provides instruction for us in understanding how to conduct ourselves as believers in Christ. We need to respect the Word of God. We should also understand that prayer is directed toward God, not the devil. We are reminded to whom we are to pray and that He holds the power and the authority. The key to an overcoming life is faith in Jesus Christ, not faith in our faith or faith in self. One of the most disconcerting things about this post was the absence of the gospel of Jesus Christ and even Christ Himself. Rather, it was self focused. The greatest revelation we will ever hear or understand is the salvation granted by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

While there is much that could be said about self-deliverance and the teaching perpetuated about this practice, a question must be asked. Where is self-deliverance in Scripture? I would propose that if we could save ourselves, we would have already done it. I would propose that this teaching promotes bondage. It is ironically Pharisaical, adding man’s oral tradition and teaching as a law and a burden in order to walk in freedom rather than teaching on the Biblical principle of sanctification and true freedom in Christ. It brings confusion and extrabiblical revelation unfounded in the proper context of Scripture. Why would God leave out such an important aspect of the Christian life when 2 Timothy 3:16 clearly states that the Word of God is sufficient for instruction, correction, and training up in righteousness? Where is the teaching on sin and the works of the flesh while ministering about spiritual maturity and being led by the Spirit of God as believers rather than assigning blame to demons at every turn?

We will in a fallen world, but as Christians we have peace with God because of Jesus Christ. It does not mean we will not face difficulty and hardships nor does it mean that we will still not have to deal with crucifying our flesh on a daily basis. Thank God He has not left us alone. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us and to help us in being conformed to the image of Christ and in testifying of Him before others so that God may be glorified. Colossians 1:13-14 says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in who we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” For those coming out of such teaching, Romans 6-8 will help you. Self-deliverance will keep you in a perpetual cycle of confusion. Know what Scripture says in context, and pay attention to what you are essentially endorsing on social media and other sources for Biblical understanding. There is indeed a real devil and real demons, and the best defense against demonic attack in this world is the Word of God. We are to fix our eyes and to set our focus upon Jesus Christ. We look to Him for salvation and for help in our time of need. He is the only Savior.