Deliverance Myths Busted: Returning to Biblical Basics - Part 3

Part 3: The Problem with Modern Deliverance Practices

Let’s be real for a second—there’s something strange going on in modern deliverance ministries. It’s not uncommon to hear about sessions that last hours, or even days, where people engage in complex rituals, prolonged prayers, and lengthy confrontations with demons. This stands in sharp contrast to the immediate and decisive deliverances we see in the Bible. So, what gives? Why does it seem so complicated today compared to what we read in Scripture?

In this article, we’re going to get into the nitty-gritty of why modern deliverance practices sometimes feel like they drag on and on. We’ll also explore some misconceptions that may be at play and what might be slowing things down—spiritual authority, sin, unnecessary rituals, and maybe even a few misunderstandings about how deliverance is supposed to work.

I. Jesus and the Apostles: Quick and Decisive Deliverance

Let’s take a moment to go back to the source. Jesus and the apostles never had drawn-out deliverance sessions. They didn’t perform long rituals or get into conversations with demons. Instead, they commanded the spirits to leave—and they did. Simple, right?

Mark 5:1-13 (The Gerasene Demoniac):
Here’s a guy filled with a “legion” of demons, living in the tombs, breaking chains, and howling day and night. But when Jesus shows up, it’s over in minutes. Jesus speaks, the demons leave, and the man is free. No hours of back-and-forth, no special chants—just authority.
Acts 16:16-18 (Paul and the Slave Girl):
When Paul encounters a girl possessed by a spirit of divination, he doesn’t drag it out. He commands the spirit to leave in the name of Jesus Christ, and it leaves “that same hour.” Again, we see immediacy and authority in action.

Now, think about how this compares to some modern deliverance ministries, where deliverance might take several hours, if not multiple sessions, to see results. So, what’s happening?

II. What’s Going On Today?

Many people who participate in deliverance ministries are sincere. They want to help others break free from demonic oppression, and they believe that prolonged prayers and rituals are necessary to achieve this. But let’s unpack a few things that may be at play in these extended sessions.

A. Lack of Spiritual Authority or Faith

One key factor that could be making deliverances take longer today is a lack of spiritual authority or faith on the part of the minister or even the person receiving deliverance. Remember what happened when the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon?

Matthew 17:19-20:
After failing to cast out a demon, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t do it. Jesus replied, “Because of your little faith.” He didn’t sugarcoat it. He went on to explain that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains. Faith and spiritual authority go hand in hand when dealing with the demonic.

Sometimes, it’s possible that the people involved in deliverance simply don’t have the confidence or faith in the authority they’ve been given through Christ. And without that authority, the process becomes a lot harder than it needs to be.

B. Unrepented Sin and Strongholds

Another reason deliverances can take longer today is that the person being delivered may have strongholds or areas of unrepented sin in their life. This can slow down the process, making it feel like you’re hitting a brick wall.

Ephesians 4:27:
Paul warns believers not to give the devil a “foothold” by holding onto sin. If someone is unwilling to let go of sin—whether it’s bitterness, unforgiveness, or some other stronghold—the enemy can cling to that area of their life.

If a person isn’t fully surrendered to God or is holding onto something they need to repent of, the demonic influence might not be fully broken. Think of it like trying to evict someone from a house, but they’ve still got the keys to one of the rooms—they’re not going to leave easily.

C. Modern-Day Rituals and Overcomplications

In today’s deliverance ministries, we often see a reliance on rituals that go beyond what we find in Scripture. Some ministers use long, drawn-out processes, engaging in repetitive prayers or specific rituals that, quite frankly, don’t seem necessary.

In Scripture, Deliverance Was Simple:
Jesus and the apostles never complicated things. They didn’t need to know the demon’s name, its background, or what specific sins led to its entry. They simply commanded the demon to leave, and it left. It wasn’t about lengthy rituals, but about faith in the power of Jesus’ name.

In modern ministries, however, there’s often a belief that you need to go through a process to “wear down” the demon. This could involve rituals like asking the demon’s name or repeatedly commanding it to leave, even when it seems like nothing’s happening. But this might only give more attention to the demon, rather than focusing on the authority of Jesus.

D. The Emphasis on Demonic Names

One major misconception in modern deliverance practices is the idea that asking for the demon’s name is essential to casting it out. But is this biblical?

Mark 5:9 (The Gerasene Demoniac):
In this case, Jesus asked the demon’s name, and it responded with “Legion, for we are many.” But here’s the thing—this is the only time in Scripture that Jesus asks for a demon’s name. In every other instance, He simply commands the demon to leave, and it obeys.

Nowhere does the Bible instruct believers to consult with demons or ask them for information. In fact, consulting with spirits is strictly forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, where it’s considered a form of divination. So, why do some modern ministries emphasize getting the demon to speak its name? It’s possible they’ve adopted practices that focus more on the demonic than on the power of Jesus.

III. Delayed Deliverance: Spiritual Resistance or Human Error?

Now, we’re not saying that every case of prolonged deliverance is due to human error. There are spiritual battles that take time, and sometimes there’s resistance from demonic forces that requires perseverance in prayer.

Mark 9:29:
When the disciples couldn’t cast out a certain demon, Jesus explained, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.” There are levels of spiritual warfare where more intense preparation is required. Fasting and prayer align our hearts with God and strengthen our authority in difficult battles.

But even in these cases, deliverance is still about spiritual authority and faith—not about prolonging the confrontation. It’s important to approach deliverance with the understanding that Jesus’ authority is immediate and sufficient.

IV. Returning to Biblical Simplicity

At the heart of it, deliverance isn’t supposed to be complicated. The authority of Christ is enough, and believers have been given that authority.

Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
Jesus makes it clear that His followers have the power to overcome the enemy. The key is to use that authority confidently.

V. Conclusion: Simplifying Deliverance for Today

It’s time to cut through the confusion surrounding modern deliverance practices. The Bible shows us that deliverance was quick, simple, and rooted in faith and authority in Jesus. But today, the problem often lies in a mix of misconceptions, unnecessary rituals, and perhaps a lack of understanding about the power of Christ.

Instead of focusing on lengthy rituals or consulting demons, believers need to reclaim the simplicity of biblical deliverance. The authority given to us by Jesus is enough to set people free.

In the next article, we’ll dive deeper into the difference between biblical deliverance and ritualistic deliverance, and how we can avoid the traps of overcomplicating things. Stay tuned.

Glossary:

Spiritual Authority: The power given by God to believers to command and exercise dominion over demonic forces through the name of Jesus.
Unrepented Sin: Sin that hasn’t been confessed or turned away from, often leaving an open door for the enemy to have influence.
Stronghold: A persistent area of sin or deception in a person’s life that allows demonic influence or control.
Demonic Possession: When a demon fully controls a person’s mind, body, and spirit.
Demonic Oppression: When a demon influences or harasses a person without taking full control.
Foothold: A point of vulnerability in a believer’s life, often caused by sin, where the enemy can gain influence.
Divination: Seeking information or power from supernatural sources other than God, often forbidden in Scripture.