Keeping Free

Reassurance

KEEPING FREE

Having ministered deliverance, bring your time to a close. Don't be pressurised - the person ministering (while remaining sensitive to the HolySpirit) is the one in charge.

REASSURANCE

The person who has received ministry may feel shocked at what has gone before, but that reaction will soon pass. Don't let them think that they are a weird or dreadful case - let them know that they are quite normal, and seek to prevent embarrassment.After ministry a time of worship and thanksgiving is good, the one delivered being encouraged to pray.If the person has not received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and is open, this is often a good time to pray for them as the demons that were a block to receiving have gone. Have a cup of coffee together if there is time.

MOPPING UP

As the encouragement of a chat develops, something may be said that prompts the thought that there may be more to deal with; demons are boasters and even at this stage may give themselves away with a remark such as "I don't think I can cope with this" . So deliverance may continue later.

A PROCESS

Deliverance is a process that often continues over a period of months - seek to make that clear. Point out that self-deliverance is possible, and at the same time tell them not to be afraid to ask for further help. Encourage a positive attitude.

Common questions are"I want to know they're all gone" and "Am I totally free ?".The only way you can answer is "So do I", and "I don't know"; to tell someone that they are totally free is to go beyond what you know unless you have special discernment and leading.

That someone should be able to say "So-and-so told me I've got no demons in me", would only cause problems. If you asked a doctor about your health, he could only reply with honesty, "As far as I know, you have nothing wrong".

EMPHASISE THE NEED TO STAY FREE

Demons will try to return, (Matt 12:43-45)When the evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says I will return to the house I left. When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself and they go in and live there.

And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation. Some know this scripture and it panics them -- that's the extreme reaction you need to guard against, and strike a balance between fear of demons and careless living.

Along with a recognition of the reality of the demonic there needs to be a knowledge of how to keep free - how to 'live above the snake line' as Frank Hammond puts it.So new is the realisation of the demonic to some that there is a natural over­reaction - the parallel with children learning about germs at school who then wash their hands dozens of times a day until they settle down with this truth.

FOLLOW-UP IMPORTANT

Follow-up is always important, and for some it's vital - their pattern of thinking and personal habits and life-style need to undergo a dramatic change. Give counsel, bearing in mind the demons that have been cast out. For example, if the spirits of anger and hatred have been dealt with, your counsel should be to guard against the thought-life, so as to give "no opportunity to the devil" (Eph 4:26-27)"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.Also, encourage the person to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit that is opposite in nature, in this case love.They also need to be on guard against counter attack - things go well for a while and then a rebuff comes along, and they must be careful not to let the spirit back in again e.g. rejection, temptation with alcohol.

Follow-up of those within your own fellowship is obviously easier than those from outside.You must realise that your ministry may not always be welcomed by those in other churches - they don't like the idea that they haven't got all the answers and necessary ministry.Some will look to deliverance as a cure-all, which it is not; it's part of a Christ-centred process of healing, restoration and growth. On the other hand, some will be looking for any excuse to knock deliverance.You seek to help their most hopeless case that they've given up on, and because there is not an instant transformation, that's deliverance proved useless as far as they are concerned. Some people will need ministry again and again, for often the same spirits get back in. Don't let frustration or impatience guide you, let the Lord show you how to persevere.

SHARING

Encourage the person who has been delivered to be open in sharing what the Lord has done, it's not a guilty secret, (Mark 5:18-20) As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.

Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. However, this must be done with wisdom; don't cast your pearls before swine (Christians who are against deliverance, the unsaved who would mock and ridicule), and when it is right to share, be careful about disclosing what you were set free from, (Eph 5:3,12)</p> But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret, if it would shock or scandalise.

KEEPING FREE

1. Live by the scriptures. This is done by an act of choice.
2. Learn to praise God continually, even when it's difficult - it's not hypocritical to praise when you don't feel like it, God is worthy of it always, regardless of your feelings.
3. Protect and guard your thought life, learn to change thoughts and repent quickly.
4. Cultivate right relationships.</p>
5. Submit to discipline, both in the church and at home.

Don't be afraid to spell out what these guidelines mean - some people will need to be told of a specific application of these principles to their situation. Tell them that they should stop going here or there, or seeing such-and-such a person.

GUARD YOUR OWN LIFE AND FAMILY

People involved in this ministry need to guard themselves, as well as those who've been ministered to. Watch for these signs: losing your joy; getting over-tired; getting too involved with a particular need; pride. Beware of thinking that you are the only one who has the necessary gift or insight to deal with a person or problem.

LOOSE HIM AND LET HIM GO