A Biblical approach to
the ministry of deliverance
Jesus referred to deliverance as children's bread
and said it was not fit to cast before dogs
(those outside of covenant with God)
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Deliverance is not meant for non-believers
In Colossians 2:13-15, we are told of the means by which Jesus paved the way for our deliverance:
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
Had Jesus not forgiven our sins, the principalities and powers spoken of here would not have been spoiled (disarmed). The demonic kingdom, which works through demonic spirits, would have legal grounds in our lives because of our sins.
Before you can effectively cast demons out of a person and rest assured that they will not return, the legal grounds must first be removed. Jesus tells us clearly in Matthew 12:43-45 that if you cast demons out of a non-believer, who has not had his legal grounds removed, they are bound to return, each wicked spirit bringing 7 more even worse evil spirits with it:
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation."
As you can see, this warning applies to the non-believers, who are considered wicked and have not receive atoning for their sins. The demonic spirits will still have the legal grounds in that person's life, and can freely return as they please. In order for a deliverance to be successful and bring lasting results, the person must be a believer. Casting demonic spirits out of non-believers is only setting them up for an much worse disaster.
Jesus made it clear that deliverance is children's bread
In Mark 7:25-27, we find a woman who was a Gentile, and therefore outside of covenant with God, and her daughter had an unclean spirit. Jesus referred to deliverance as children's bread and made it clear that it is not proper to take what belongs to children (those in covenant with God) and cast it before dogs (those outside covenant with God):
"...For it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."
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