It is not uncommon for me to receive daily emails from women in different parts of the world, and by God’s grace, the Lord is snatching many from false teaching. Most of these ladies have exited the Word of Faith movement and the New Apostolic Reformation, and they briefly share their stories and ask questions along the way. However, I am increasingly receiving emails from ladies regarding their time in the modern deliverance movement and how much damage it has done to personal relationships and life in general. Additionally, I have also heard from mothers who were never part of this movement, but they have suffered estrangement from adult children who have embraced the teachings from leaders within the deliverance movement. What is the teaching? It is that their mothers have generational curses needing to be broken in order for them (the children) to be free from indwelling demons. These mothers tell heartbreaking stories of restricted communication from their children and grandchildren, forbidding them from sending gifts and even pictures because of potential demonic power that could attach itself to such objects and require further deliverance.

The modern deliverance movement is truly a shackling belief system. It does not bring division according to Scripture, but rather, it divides mercilessly, and it goes beyond what is written and onto popular books by current deliverance ministers. It can take time after exiting such beliefs and practices for an individual to be at peace with past involvement and to discern truth from error. While in this belief system, it seems as if everything is filtered through the lens of the demonic. Life after this movement is filtered through the lens of Scripture and the power of the Gospel, and in this process, much is called into question. There can be guilt and shame due to believing such things, and great conviction comes in knowing that personal participation has influenced and harmed others while diminishing the sufficiency of God and His Word. Some may still struggle long after physically leaving this movement, wondering if struggles and hardships that come are caused by demonic strongholds while also desiring to understand Biblical spiritual warfare.

The question lurking in the recesses of one’s thoughts may be, “Is there freedom after deliverance ministry?” Though the journey out of this can be difficult and challenging, I want to offer encouragement for those who have come out of this movement and to remind you of God’s faithfulness and kindness in bringing you out of such things. The glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ is a light shining bright for us on roads that seem treacherous and dark. The Son of the Living God came and died for our sins, taking upon Him the wrath of God on the cross. He paid our debt in full, and He rose from the dead in three days. He now lives forever, sitting at the right hand of the Father. There is assurance for those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus to save us and to give us eternal life; we have been delivered by Him alone. If that is you, then remember this: He has brought you out of the domain of darkness and into His Son’s kingdom. He has forgiven your sins, including the sin of following false teaching and wandering from the Lord (Colossians 1:13,14). He has given you the Holy Spirit to indwell you and to conform you to the image of Christ, and the Holy Spirit has sealed you for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). He has given you adoption as sons, and you are no longer a slave to sin but to righteousness (Romans 6, 8).

We most certainly are in a spiritual battle, my friend. But for those who are in Christ Jesus, you are free from condemnation. The Spirit of Christ dwells in you, and He helps you to walk according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4). Be encouraged and comforted that your battle against the demonic is outward, not inward. The deliverance movement will keep you in perpetual bondage and never understanding the righteousness of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to kill sin. It will keep you a slave to sin all in the name of a demon. But His Word is helpful to us! Abide in His Word daily and find a solid local church where you can be fed and grow in God’s Word among fellow believers. Remember God and His attributes, and rest in the peace that you have with God and the peace that He gives you as His child. His gospel is truly sufficient to deliver you and to keep you. Do not grow weary. He has not left you alone. Confess your sins before Him and be free of condemnation and enslavement to this movement. He is faithful to forgive and to give you peace, joy, and rest.

For those who have family members and friends entrenched in this movement and who have suffered shipwrecked relationships in the name of deliverance ministry, be encouraged in the Lord. Contend for the faith, faithfully ministering to your loved ones with patience and gentleness when the Lord graciously grants such opportunities. Pray for those who hold to such beliefs, knowing that the Lord is faithful to deliver His sheep. Ask the Lord for wisdom in navigating conversations, always pointing back to the final authority of Scripture. Do not lose hope. Above all, may we all remember daily the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save and to set the captive free. Praise the Lord, there is freedom after such things as deliverance ministry.

Listen to this recent discussion with ladies who shared their testimonies of coming out of deliverance teachings and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Delivered from Deliverance Min – The Lovesick Scribe Podcast – Apple Podcasts

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