Why the Church Really Needs to Stop Treating Deliverance Like a Theatrical Show

Years ago, the Lord gave me a love encounter. I went to a business meeting to prophesy over a group of Christian businessmen. I was there with one goal: to love on this group who gave so much back to the kingdom of God.

During the course of the meeting, I felt more love from them than I poured out. It changed the course of my ministry, releasing the love and power of God.

Harsh opinions of deliverance ministry form when people see demons flopping over the floor, people vomiting and acting wild, and other demonic manifestations that aren’t controlled with proper authority and ministry practices. Why does deliverance have to be a big production and a show?

I do not deny there are times it gets a little intense; after all, I am a deliverance minister and have experienced many intense situations. However, where are the power of God and the love of God in our deliverance sessions?

I was recently a guest on the “Greenelines” podcast. The Holy Spirit began to move on the show, and I found myself releasing a prophetic word about the love of God and deliverance. The word was typed up and posted on Charisma magazine. The amount of testimonies and emails I am receiving from this word is remarkable. People are being set free and delivered simply from reading the prophetic word about love.

As I’ve had this conversion of my ministry to one of exuding the love of God, I’ve experienced demons leaving people simply by releasing the love of God and walking in my dominion. I’ve seen people set free by talking to them, loving on them and feeling them break down and release as I give them a hug.

Jesus was firm, He was authoritative, but He was also loving. Why are our expectations in a productive manifestation of demonic activity and power instead of in the love and power of a risen Savior?

If we took possession of the dominion Jesus gave us and walked in our rightful place of authority and love, I think we could see a lot more deliverance happening. People run from deliverance because they don’t want people to see them expelling demons and are scared of how a demon may manifest out of them.

But did you know there is a simplicity to deliverance we can offer all people? We can release the love of God with tender touch, a deep look into their eyes and a warm embrace. Demons can simply come out by crying, yawning, twitching or other natural bodily manifestations (see my book, Discerning and Destroying the Works of Satan, for a list of how demons are expelled). They don’t have to be expelled by thrashing around, acting violent or vomiting. You will receive in deliverance ministry what your expectations are. The more willing you are, the easier it is.

I believe we need to bring the balance back into deliverance ministry and be love vessels. The love of God heals and delivers. When we release His love, anything and everything is possible. Let’s begin to serve the God of love in a new and profound way and release His love to the captives of this world. {eoa}

Kathy DeGraw is a prophetic deliverance minister releasing the love and power of God to ignite and activate people, release prophetic destinies and deliver people from the bondage of the enemy. She is the founder of Kathy DeGraw Ministries and Be Love Outreach. She is the author of several books, including Speak Out, Discerning and Destroying the Works of Satan, Identity Invasion, Who is Speaking? and Warfare Declarations. You can connect with Kathy on Facebook at facebook.com/kathydegraw/ or visit kathydegrawministries.org/.