Matthew 15 and Mark 7 relay the account of the Canaanite woman who came to Jesus seeking healing for her daughter who was possessed by a demon. Jesus responded by telling the woman it was not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs. The woman in turn responded, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Jesus acknowledged the woman’s faith and healed her daughter. This account displays the glorious promise of salvation first given to the Jewish people and then to the Gentiles.

“Deliverance is the children’s bread” is a common phrase used in deliverance ministries, stating that deliverance from demons is for those who are God’s people. The belief is perpetuated that born-again believers can have indwelling demons, and the people of God deserve this freedom from demons. Based on this belief, gatherings are held to cast demons out of professing Christians, and typically, disturbing manifestations take place from violent shaking, growling, vomiting, and screaming.

Recently, a gathering was held for three days and conducted by multiple deliverance ministers who claimed to have delivered five thousand people from various demons. Both adults and children received deliverance, according to the leaders, and a prophetic word was released to the host of the conference, declaring these meetings to be historic and on par with the Jesus movement. Modern deliverance ministry holds that those who do not practice this are not ministering the full gospel of Jesus Christ, and if pastors are not willing to get on board, then they will miss out on this great move. They claim to cast demons into the abyss, and when questioned about their practices, personal experience and opinion seems to be valued over what Scripture has to say. When listening to some of these individuals, it sounds as if deliverance began with those who do these practices and hold to these teachings today. But there are some thoughts to consider on the matter with regard to the recent events of this conference, and there are concerns about this type of practice.

Deliverance ministry began two thousand years ago when Jesus condescended and came to Earth to deliver us from the penalty of sin by the finished work on the cross. We are encouraged by Luke 4:18 where Jesus reads the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He tells them that the Scripture was fulfilled in their hearing on that day. He is the Deliverer, and He has delivered those who place their faith in Him to cleanse them from all unrighteousness.

The prophetic rhetoric that the deliverance era began at a gathering held a month ago or with specific professing deliverance ministers contradicts Scripture, and it degrades what Christ has done and continues to do through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Modern deliverance ministry has a way of making legends in one’s own mind. It brings reflection on passages such as Jude 8-10 warning of false teachers and prophets, “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.” 2 Peter 2:10-11 is another passage warning of false prophets and teachers rebuking what many recognize as fallen angels.

Books about modern deliverance ministry have been written and popularized. Conferences and online gatherings are held and sensationalized. My concern is that people are being led astray by these practices and away from solid Biblical doctrine and discipleship. For those who are in Christ, be encouraged by the Word of God. Galatians 1:4 reminds us of Paul’s words to fellow believers in Christ giving Himself for our sins and delivering us from the present evil age. Colossians 1:13-14 tells us, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10 encourages us to remember that Jesus has saved those who are in Him from the wrath to come.

The Word of God is so helpful to us, and it renews our minds to help us in our walk with the Lord. From His Word, we can understand that for those who are in Christ, we have been delivered from the penalty of sin. We are delivered from the power of sin as the Holy Spirit abides in us to lead and to guide us into all truth and onward through sanctification. Someday, we will be delivered from the presence of sin. One thing that puzzles me and saddens me is that Christians are being told they are captive to demons and need them cast out. We are not captive to the devil or any demon.

We have been given faith as a gift from God, and we use this faith as a shield to quench the fiery darts of the enemy, including every temptation to sin. We are to abide in God’s written Word. It is the truth we stand upon. We do not stand on personal experience or feelings. We stand upon His holy and authoritative Word. When it comes to the demonic, our battle is without, not within. 1 John 5:19-20 says, “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” There is good news testified of in Scripture. Another narrative is not necessary. Deliverance, the gift of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, is the children’s bread. That understanding is far better than anything else believed.

Listen to the 100th episode of The Lovesick Scribe podcast as I discuss this recent gathering and an episode of the demon slayer podcast following this conference: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: Deliverance Is the Children’s Bread on Apple Podcasts