DELIVERANCE ministry suffers opposition, neglect and challenges both within and outside the church. However, these very challenges and gaps can be turned into opportunities for revival and the manifestation of God’s power and love.
In many churches, people are struggling silently with cycles of bondage, oppression, addictions and spiritual attacks, but there are not enough trained and willing ministers to meet the need.
Just as Jesus looked at the multitudes and saw them as sheep without a shepherd-a people robbed, pillaged, stolen from, powerless- so it is today—many are desperate for freedom, but few are available for the work.
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The lack of dedicated deliverance ministers in the church means that countless believers(captives) remain bound, even while faithfully attending church.
Jesus Himself instructed us in Matthew 9:37–38 to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth labourers. Deliverance ministry is not for the faint-hearted, it requires consecration, courage and compassion for the oppressed.
Churches must not only pray for workers but also raise, equip and release them into the harvest field of deliverance. When the church responds to this call, “the captives will be set free,” and God’s people will experience the fullness of “the abundant life” Jesus promised.
Deliverance ministry-A spiritual battlefield
The deliverance ministry is a spiritual battlefield! Untrained workers can quickly become overwhelmed. Many who step into this ministry without proper preparation face burnout, fear, or spiritual retaliation.
Without grounding in Scripture, a life of prayer, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, ministers can become ineffective or even expose themselves to unnecessary danger. Like soldiers entering battle, deliverance workers must be fully equipped with the armor of God.
The danger of attempting deliverance without proper training and spiritual authority is seen in Acts 19:13-16. The story of the seven sons of Sceva. They tried to cast out demons by imitating Paul, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” But the evil spirit replied, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” and the possessed man overpowered them.
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Deliverance ministry requires a life consecrated to Christ, knowledge of the Word and genuine spiritual authority. Without preparation, deliverance workers expose themselves to danger and bring dishonor to the ministry.
Training in biblical knowledge, prayer, fasting and discernment equips ministers with the spiritual authority they need.
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Mentorship from experienced ministers also plays a crucial role in passing down wisdom and avoiding pitfalls. With preparation, deliverance ministers become strong, discerning, and effective warriors in God’s army.
For many congregations, deliverance ministry is treated as an optional or even worse, unnecessary aspect of Christian life.
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The focus is often placed on preaching, music, prosperity or social outreach programs, while the reality of spiritual bondage remains largely ignored. Yet, as Hosea 4:6 reminds us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
When deliverance is neglected, believers remain trapped in cycles of defeat despite their commitment to church attendance.
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Leaders must teach the full gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes salvation, healing and deliverance (Luke 4:18).
Prioritizing deliverance means creating space in church life for prayer, counseling, and victorious living.
Power of agreement in deliverance ministry
When testimonies are shared of God’s power to deliver from bondages it awakens faith and stirs expectation among the congregation. When the church will give deliverance its rightful place, the body of Christ will grow stronger and healthier in freedom.
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Another challenge is the deliverance ministry is that it is rarely a one-person assignment—it requires prayer covering. Too often, ministers step into deliverance sessions without intercessory support, leaving them spiritually exposed.
The enemy does not give up captives easily, and without a team of prayer warriors standing in agreement, ministers face unnecessary opposition. This lack of intercession makes the work heavier and leaves both the minister and those being delivered vulnerable.
The Bible teaches the power of agreement: “Two are better than one… if one falls, the other lifts him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).
Every deliverance ministry must cultivate a culture of teamwork and intercession- designated prayer teams, worship support and even fasting groups who labour in the background while ministers engage the frontlines.
With such backup, deliverance ministers operate under spiritual covering, ensuring greater effectiveness and protection.
Greatest challenge in deliverance ministry
Ironically, one of the greatest challenges in deliverance ministry is not the devil but fellow believers! Just as Samson was betrayed by his own people and handed over to the Philistines (Judges 15:11–12), so too many deliverance workers face criticism, resistance or betrayal from those they are trying to help.
Some church leaders see the deliverance ministry as “too radical,” “disruptive,” or even “unnecessary.” Instead of supporting the ministry of freedom, they oppose it, leaving those in bondage to suffer longer.
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Opposition can discourage deliverance ministers if they are not rooted in their divine calling. The key is to remember that Jesus Himself was resisted by the religious leaders of His day (John 15:20).
Deliverance ministers must operate in humility, patience, and perseverance, refusing to be sidetracked by criticism. By focusing on pleasing God rather than men (Galatians 1:10), they can continue to minister freedom even when opposed by their own brethren.
People want deliverance but resist Christ
Many people come seeking freedom from oppression but are unwilling to surrender to Jesus Christ. They desire relief without repentance, miracles without submission.
But as John 8:32 declares, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Without the truth of Christ, deliverance is incomplete and temporary.
Deliverance is also never complete without sacrifice. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom with His blood, reconciling all things to God through the cross (Colossians 1:20).
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The question then becomes- what are you willing to sacrifice to secure and maintain your freedom?
Sinful habits, ungodly relationships, bitterness or occult attachments must be surrendered at the altar of Christ. True freedom requires not only receiving from God but also laying down whatever stands in the way of total obedience. Without this exchange, people risk falling back into bondage
Jesus warned that when a demon leaves, it may return with seven more if the house remains empty (Matthew 12:45).
Therefore, genuine deliverance must begin with salvation and discipleship. Ministers must clearly teach that Christ is the source of lasting freedom. It is not enough to cast out spirits; the person must be filled with the Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.
Deliverance must always be paired with follow-up, teaching and accountability so that the believer remains strong. Only in Christ can true and lasting freedom be sustained.
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Open doors and unrepented sin
Shockingly, some people actually love their demons! The bondage feeds fleshly desires or offers a false sense of comfort. For example, unforgiveness may feel like power, sexual sin like pleasure or witchcraft like control.
Instead of hating what enslaves them, they protect it, excuse it and may even glorify it. This is why some cry out for deliverance but secretly cling to the very chains that bind them. Until there is a genuine hatred for sin and a willingness to renounce it, true freedom cannot be sustained. Deliverance requires not only casting demons out but also a decisive break of agreement with them.
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Deliverance is hindered when individuals continue to harbor sin, unforgiveness, occult involvement, or ungodly covenants. These become open doors for the enemy to return or remain, no matter how powerful the prayers may be. Paul warns in Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.” Similarly, Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Deliverance without repentance is like cleaning a house but leaving the door wide open.
Ministers in deliverance must guide individuals to close every door through forgiveness, breaking ungodly covenants and rejecting sinful practices. Teaching holiness, obedience, and daily spiritual disciplines helps maintain the victory won in deliverance.
When open doors are closed and the believer is established in Christ, the enemy loses his legal ground and freedom becomes permanent.
