theophostics and deliverance ministry advice

I have recently been asked to join a deliverance ministry at our new church and with all honesty, have been quiet in my response.

The team is very involved in a method called Theophostics, and further investigation has left me perturbed and aware of something amiss.

Apart from the root of this method being a foundational tool in their deliverance/ intercessory prayer meetings, I have also been confused at the method of 'casting out spirits'

eg; ' the spirit of Jezebel, I remove the tenticles from this ladies back and send you to the place ordained for you' ( paraphrased)

My spirit is troubled by the above and I have sought God on this matter as well as His Word. To me, it is not biblical and I discern a greater deviance at work here.

Any thoughts or experience with this type of ministry?

thanks

If somebody is unsaved and has a demonic spirit, you simply have to cast it out. If somebody has simply made room for the devil in their "christian" life, and is being used as a tool for him to cause destruction in the church, it is entirely unbiblical to "rebuke" the demon in their life in the form of prayer. Brethren who have sin in their life simply need to repent of their sin and move on.

Stay far away from deliverance ministries. They are simply playing games with God, the devil, and themselves. There is no Scriptural basis to "deliverance" ministry, let alone "teams," which is why you have to buy their books and go to their seminars/classes to learn what they've learned from "experience."

He whom the Son has set free is free indeed. Suggest to your friends at church that they should stop playing charismatic charades, and that you'll have nothing to do with the magical land of make believe that they've entered into (I say this in love).

Having spent a season of my Christian walk intrigued by the "deliverance" ministries, I have come now to realize that many of these "Christians" that needed to have demons expelled from them, quite possibly had never been regenerated to begin with. I do believe in the reality of demonic possession or oppression and that God has given authority to His people to rebuke and cast them out, BUT...there have definately been gross abuses and extrapulations of this biblical truth. These deliverance ministers will have you looking for demons behind every hiccup and sneeze.

Once I stopped fighting demons and just set my eyes on the glory of God, it was amazing how there were fewer and fewer "demons" to have to battle. I would say, stay away from ministries that major on the aspect of deliverance, instead gravitate towards brother and sisters who are passionate about seeking to know God.

Do you believe that our bodies are just "hosts"
to whatever spirits happen to occupy and use
them?? This silly belief is at the heart of
this so-called deliverance ministry. Our bodies
are meant to Have One and Only One Spirit dwell
within; the HOLY SPIRIT of truth!!

I would like to mention a few thoughts:

#1 Demonic activity is real. For those who have either experienced deliverence from demonic oppression and/or have seen someone else manifesting the demonic, there is little doubt.

#2 Jesus cast out demons but he didn't make a big production out of it and didn't seem to be teaching disciples to major on demonology. Many of these ministries which start to gain extra-Biblical knowledge (often directly from lying demons themselves) seem to have gone awry. Something seems amiss when deliverance ministers feel the need to douse every square inch of their property in anointing oil, memorize complex demands (ie: remove your tentacles from this lady's back) and study evil beings most of the time.

#3 Jesus gives believers power over the demonic. Dave Wilkerson has mentioned how he became very depressed and scared when he started to study a long book about demon powers. When he prayed about it, his impression was that God didn't want Dave concentrating on evil but, rather, on God's glory, goodness and overwhelming power - all much greater than any demon power.

#4 I have found that seeking God wholeheartedly and with obedience produces automatic deliverance. Not to say that the Holy Spirit won't have you pray specifically against some evil spirit but, ultimately, if anyone seeks God and the truth - he/she will be set free.

So I would caution you not to completely disregard the value of prayer for deliverance but be very careful around ministries which get you to concentrate deeply on the details of evil - especially the extra-Biblical ones.

May God lead you and us all in the truth.

Thank you all for confirming my understanding of this. It is difficult when one is in a new church and I have not wanted to throw stones or cause division.

I know what God has called me to, I believe that only the holy Spirit inhabits a true, soul regenerated believer and I do believe, once free, then free indeed!

I wait on the Lord for more guidance and continue to love my brothers and sisters, yet not partake of this line.

It is however, troubling that such things are let rampant in God's house and many people are hurt and this concerns me greatly.

Do we stay in this church or not, well, may God show me His will!

Thanks

Hello,

What you are describing does not sound at all like Theophostic Prayer Ministry. Please refer to www.theophostic.com :-D