In many Christian circles today, deliverance ministry is either not practiced at all or viewed as something reserved for the ultra-spiritual — a select few who are specially anointed to cast out demons and deal with the spiritual realm. But Scripture tells a different story. Deliverance is not a spiritual gift like prophecy or tongues; it is a ministry tied directly to the mission of Jesus and, by extension, the mission of every believer.

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Jesus Himself made it plain: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons…” (Mark 16:17, NIV). Who will drive out demons? Those who believe. Not pastors only. Not prophets. Not those with a certain “gift.” All believers.

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Jesus modeled deliverance throughout His ministry. In Luke 4:18, He declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me… He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” This wasn’t just metaphorical. He literally set people free from demonic bondage. And after showing the disciples how, He sent them out to do the same (Luke 9:1–2). Then, He expanded that call to seventy-two more (Luke 10:17–20), and finally to all believers in the Great Commission.

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Deliverance is a vital evangelism tool because it demonstrates the power and authority of Jesus Christ in a tangible way. People bound in spiritual oppression encounter not just words, but freedom. As Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). When we help set captives free in Jesus’ name, we reveal a Savior who still saves — body, soul, and spirit.

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Some may argue that deliverance requires a special anointing or gift, but nowhere in Scripture is deliverance listed as a spiritual gift (see Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12). That’s because it is a ministry mandate, not a ministry option. We are commanded to resist the devil (James 4:7), expose works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11), and set captives free (Isaiah 61:1–2, echoed by Jesus in Luke 4).

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To shy away from deliverance because it seems messy or “not our gifting” is to surrender part of the Gospel’s power. Instead, we must be equipped, not in fear, but in faith and authority. The name of Jesus is above every name (Philippians 2:9–11), and His Spirit lives in us.

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If you are a follower of Christ, then you are called to carry His light into the darkest places. Deliverance is not a sideshow of the faith — it’s frontline evangelism. It’s time we reclaim it.

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