Deliverance ministry Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Methods== === Diagnosis === Deliverance ministries focus on casting out the [[Demon|spirit]] or spirits believed to cause an affliction. The person must first be "[[Diagnosis|diagnosed]]" with the presence/possession of an evil spirit, which often requires the participation of a person who is trained or experienced in this area.<ref name=":3" /> This expert may ask questions to learn about the person's life and try to discover if they have committed any [[sin]]s that might invite a demonic presence; if they have, they must [[Repentance|repent]] of that sin as part of the deliverance process.<ref name=":0" /> The expert might question the person about their relationships with their spouse, children, and friends, as poor relationships with closer circle may be evidence of a demonic presence.<ref name=":3" /> They may also ask about their extended family and [[ancestor]]s to determine if the demon might be the result of a family [[curse]].<ref name=":3" /> They can attempt to discern if an object or a room is the source of the demonic activity and help the person understand what may have attached the demon to that object or space.<ref name=":0" /> Some may be able to see demons or hear their names through the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit.]]<ref name=":3" /> Once the source of the demonic presence is identified, it is cast out through the renouncing of any contract made with the spirit and any lies accepted, and commanded to leave by the power of the Holy Spirit.<ref name=":3" /> Some believe that an [[Ordination|ordained]] member of a [[clergy]] must perform the deliverance, while others believe that anyone can have that spiritual power.<ref name=":0" /> [[Diagnosis]] may occur in private spaces, or during public meetings as the Holy Spirit is invited to reveal the presence of demons in the attendees or while the "preacher" walks through the audience forcing demons to manifest themselves in the audience.<ref name=":3" /> === Naming the demon === Revealing the demon's name may be part of the expulsion process, as it gives the person casting out the demon authority over it. This process is not required to cast out the demon, and some adherents do not accept it (some believe that demons can give the wrong name). Still, others believe it is necessary.<ref name=":3" /> The presence may identify itself or be identified as a specific demon (e.g. Jezebel, Asherah, Baal, etc.)<ref name=":0" /> or its "name" might be the name of the sin or affliction it represents (e.g. rebellion, [[gluttony]], sexual perversion, [[anorexia nervosa]]).<ref name=":3" /> Explicitly identifying the problem may prep the healed preacher and the healed personed to expel the demon.<ref name=":3" /> === Expulsion of demons === Various methods are used to expel demons.<ref name=":3" /> Some adherents recite [[Bible#Christian Bibles|Biblical]] verses about casting out demons, or [[Prayer|pray]]; many also invoke "the [[Blood of Christ|blood of Jesus]]," a reference to [[Crucifixion of Jesus|Jesus suffering]] for people's sins and [[Intercession of Christ|intervening]] with [[God in Christianity|God]] on behalf of humanity.<ref name=":3" /> In this context, invoking the blood of Jesus is calling on him to intervene specifically on behalf of the possessed individual.<ref name=":3" /> The person performing the deliverance might touch the possessed person, or [[Anointing|anoint]] them with [[Holy anointing oil|oil]] or [[Holy water|water]].<ref name=":3" /> People may also perform rituals over objects that contain evil spirits, destroy them by breaking or burning them, then remove them from the home.<ref name=":0" /> If a place has evil spirits because of sins committed there in the past, people may repent on behalf of those who committed the sins as part of casting out the evil spirits.<ref name=":0" /> This is meant to force a demon to leave an afflicted person, place, or thing.<ref name=":0" /> The demon may resist the expulsion using the body of the possessed person and may speak, scream, cry, laugh, vomit, or lash out physically.<ref name=":3" /> exorcism or deliverance rituals can be loud, dramatic, and highly emotional experiences for those involved.<ref name=":3" /> Once the demon is gone, people often feel like a weight or darkness has left them.<ref name=":0" /> === Post-deliverance maintenance === According to believers in possession, a demon may return after a successful deliverance meeting if proper precautions are not taken.<ref name=":0" /> To avoid this, a person must pray over their own being as well as their home for God's protection over them. Because the Holy Spirit is believed to be stronger than the demons, the person remains protected. If needed, the person may have to take other steps of action as well, such as removing certain media from their home and creating boundaries with certain individuals who may have "spread" the spirit(s) to them. Certain Christian theologians have held that the wearing of a [[Christian head covering|headcovering]] by Christian females confers protection against [[Fallen angel#Christianity|fallen angels]], which they teach is referenced in {{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|11:3-10|NRSV}}.<ref name="Gordon2015">{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Greg |title=Are Head Coverings Really for Today? |url=https://evangelicalfocus.com/yourblog/929/Are-Head-Coverings-Really-for-Today- |publisher=Evangelical Focus |access-date=2 May 2022 |language=English |date=31 August 2015 |quote=[[K. P. Yohannan]] [founder of the [[Believers Eastern Church]]] says, "Have you considered why there is so much tension and fighting over placing a small piece of cloth on oneโs head? When a woman wears the symbol of Godโs government, a head covering, she is essentially a rebuke to all the fallen angels. Her actions tell them, 'You have rebelled against the Holy God, but I submit to Him and His headship. I choose not to follow your example of rebellion and pride.'"}}</ref><ref name="Richmond2018">{{cite book |last1=Richmond |first1=Raymond Lloyd |title=The Veil of Purity: The Supernatural Purpose of the Chapel Veil |date=11 November 2018 |isbn=978-0-9831171-6-2 |pages=3โ6 |publisher=R. Richmond, Ph.D. |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Weaver2014">{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Brenda M. |title=Why We Wear a Headship Covering |url=https://wilkesbarremennonitechurch.com/about-2/why-we-wear-a-headship-covering/ |publisher=Wilkes-Barre Mennonite Church |access-date=21 April 2023 |language=English |date=20 August 2014}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page