What advice would you give to someone who was contemplating an exorcism?

When people have asked me about exorcisms, as everyone’s healing journey is unique, we tend to talk about, why they are considering an exorcism? Who are they considering to minister to them?  How they think the ministry will occur? What outcome are they expecting?

Why are they considering an exorcism?

Often people consider inner healing and deliverance ministry after they have tried many other ways to resolve dysfunctional areas of their lives, yet they simply know they are still not healed.  I believe the judgment and shame in contemporary western societies towards the thought of being “demon possessed” (or call it what you want) stops many people receiving the healing that may benefit them.  After all I have experienced and witnessed I simply believe if a dysfunctional area of someone’s life is spiritually based, then it needs to be spiritually addressed.

For years I was educated unknowingly by the media and people's opinions regarding the supernatural realms, which ultimately influenced my perceptions and thoughts towards exorcisms / deliverance ministry.  The lies I believed caused me to reject the very thing that would bring me the healing I so desperately desired. It has been a very humbling process to allow God to heal and set me free, but I am so incredibly grateful for it.

If people have tried many ways to be healed, but they still struggle in areas of their lives; I see no harm in praying for God to reveal any areas of their hearts He would want to heal and set free.  God won’t create a stronghold within someone’s soul just so that they can receive inner healing and deliverance ministry.  In the same way, a good physician wouldn’t inject a patient with bacteria so they could experience how antibiotics work.

Who are they considering to minister to them?  

I would only consider anyone to minister to me who are Christians, trained, experienced and are under or closely connected to pastoral authority, care and review.

If Jesus is not the foundation from which all ministry is based, I would advise you to have nothing to do with it.  Jesus is the only one who has defeated the devil.

If possible it is very valuable to have other Christians supporting you through prayer, friendship and help as you go through deliverance ministry.  

How do they think the ministry will occur?

Often people think, ‘Just cast the demon out and everything will be fixed.’  I wish it was that easy, but often it’s not.  If you saw your doctor because you found a lump in your body, would you expect your doctor to take a scalpel, cut you open straight away and pull the lump out of your body?

Usually, when someone finds a lump in their body the doctor refers them to a suitable surgeon.  Once the surgeon had diagnosed the condition, a procedure would be planned to remove the lump.  After the operation, an aftercare plan is in place, which enables patients to achieve the most optimal outcome from the surgery.

Inner healing and deliverance ministry is similar.  For example, if someone has an anger issue and decides to seek a way to resolve it, and if that behavior is spiritually based, hopefully he/she is able to meet with prayer ministers whom God can use to bring healing and spiritual freedom in that area of life. Afterward the person needs to be gentle with oneself.  Spending time with God and reading Scriptures that affirm the healing helps.  Proverbs 15:1 says, A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. NLT. They also need to resist any behavior or thought process that would realign them with anger, e.g. harsh words.   

I have always found the hardest part of this ministry to be the inner healing.  God tells us, The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out.  But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be. Jeremiah 17:9-10 MSG.  When God has uprooted the dark things within my heart, I’ve never felt good, and have generally prayed for strength and courage to face it and walk through the healing process.

When someone is willing to face the brokenness within his/her heart, and trust God in the healing process, I absolutely admire them, probably because I’ve experienced how tough it can be.  But through this I have also experienced God’s faithfulness again and again!

What outcome are they expecting?

People’s expected outcomes are as varied as they are.  Ultimately, I believe the real fruit from this ministry is that we are able to be who God created us to be, and have an amazing relationship with Him.  Allowing God to heal us usually involves a process that only God knows (and usually involves a whole lot more than just inner healing and deliverance), but it is always our choice as to whether we will do what is needed to receive it.

I have always experienced an increase of righteousness; peace and joy in my life whenever I have received inner healing and deliverance.  But what I value most from the inner healing and deliverance ministry is my ability to know God and hear His voice more.

I highly recommend you watch Bob Larson’s core teachings called ‘Larson’s Library’ and ask God to show you anything that is relevant to you as you watch them.  A link to Bob’s website can be found on the RESOURCE page of this website.