“People
are beaten, berated, subjected to psychological manipulation during an
exorcism.”
“Exorcism should only happen with a collaboration of professionals such as
doctors.”
“Mental health issues are treated as spiritual problems that only need prayer.”
“Exorcism is incredibly rare and should seldom be attempted.”
Each of these statements was made in a recent British news story about the rise of exorcism around the world, which the reporter called “a booming industry.” It was interesting article, but not a single, active exorcist, such as me, was consulted. Instead, a litany of critics, voicing the objections above, were cited. The sense of the article was that this idea of exorcism is out of control, practiced by ignorant individuals who should leave people’s problems to the “professionals.”
I acknowledge there is some truth to these and other anti-exorcism assertions. Those seeking deliverance are sometimes subjected to unwise intervention and are emotionally mistreated. It’s true that prayer may be substituted for proper psychiatric help. But there is another side to the story. Some seek exorcism because they’re tired of being told they’re a mental case and having pills pushed on them. They are discouraged from being turned down by one priest and pastor after another who are too busy with their religious work to help a hurting soul. And let’s get this straight! True demonic torment isn’t rare, it’s common and out-of-control! And who said that an ecclesiastical hierarchy should be in charge of who receives deliverance prayer? Not Jesus. He told a rag-tag group of fishermen, tax collectors, and those socially marginalized—the two, the twelve, the seventy– to cast out demons in his name. (“He gave them power and authority to drive out demons” Luke 9:1.)
More than anyone, I understand the need for caution and careful attention to the ministry of deliverance. I’ve seen all that can go wrong, and I’ve witnessed over-zealous people do more harm than good. I’ve known of ill-advised exorcisms and over-reaching attempts to solve medical and mental problems with a shout of “out in the name of Jesus.” That’s why we’ve so carefully pursued high academic and theological standards with our International School of Exorcism and our Advanced Academy of Deliverance. We are determined to get this right, to pursue excellence in ministry and remove the stigmas of the past. But what we don’t do is give in to naysayers, most of whom don’t even believe in a real devil and real demons. People in deliverance ministry need to do a better job, not quit the job they’re doing because some “expert” warns against errant exorcist. To my fellow deliverance ministers I say, “Don’t be intimidated. Get more knowledge every day. Grow in your understanding of God’s power and Satanism chicanery.” Get on with the job of setting captives free, no matter what anyone says to debunk deliverance!
An Encouraging word: CHRISTIANS AT DEATH
Death for a Christian is much different from the passing of those who have no faith or have an occult view of the afterlife. To the atheist life is all there is and death is the end of everything. To the Eastern mystic, death is a transition to another life form, a reincarnated transmigration into whatever karma wills. To the believer in Christ, dying is to be “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:8). Christians have the hope of heaven with no need of a second chance.
Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18). You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online
