DELIVERANCE is a powerful and necessary ministry in the Body of Christ. It reflects the heart of God to set His people free from oppression, bondage, demonic influence, and spiritual entanglements.
Luke 4:18- The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…
Colossians 1:13–14- He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Isaiah 61:1–3- The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Deliverance, however, is not without cost.
Jesus Himself urged His disciples to “count the cost” (Luke 14:28), a principle that applies not only to following Him but also to engaging in the spiritual warfare necessary for freedom.
This post explores the biblical basis for deliverance and what it truly costs to walk in and minister freedom.
The reality of bondage
Deliverance begins with the recognition that bondage is real.
Many believers struggle with invisible barriers—generational curses, addictions, fear, oppression, torment, mental illness, sicknesses with demonic roots and other destructive patterns of behavior.
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These chains often do not break without a deliberate, Spirit-led battle.
Deliverance is part of the Gospel. It is not optional—it is central. But it comes with a cost to those receiving it and those ministering it.
- Deliverance demands confrontation
To walk in deliverance is to engage in confrontation. Jesus frequently confronted unclean spirits directly:
“And he suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him,” Mark 1:34 states.
He did not avoid demonic confrontation. He exposed them, rebuked them, and cast them out.
Deliverance is a direct assault against the kingdom of darkness. For that reason, it is not a casual neither is it an optional ministry. It is spiritual warfare.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12-For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers.
Deliverance will stir up spiritual backlash, resistance, retaliation, rejection and even opposition. Anyone stepping into this realm must count that cost. There is a price in prayer, fasting, spiritual discipline, and being misunderstood—even persecuted—by others.
Jesus warned in Matthew 10:25,“If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?”
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Deliverance often brings persecution. Jesus was accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Luke 11:15).
Paul was followed by a demonized girl for days before he cast the spirit out (Acts 16:16–18)—and was thrown into prison for it
Acts 16:17-19 –She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
Luke 8: 36-37- Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
True deliverance ministry will often stir up religious spirits, societal backlash, and legal opposition.
Many churches avoid this ministry altogether due to fear, controversy, or ignorance. But if Jesus did it, so must His body.
- The cost of humility and surrender
Deliverance requires humility. The one being delivered must be willing to surrender pride, sin, secrecy, and comfort zones. In James 4:7, the key to resisting the devil is submission: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Many people want freedom but are not willing to fully submit to God. Deliverance exposes and brings the axe to hidden roots—unforgiveness, hidden sin, bitterness, idolatry—and demands true repentance. The cost is dying to self. Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda: Wilt thou be made whole? (John 5:6).
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Some people love their demons! They are so used to bondage that they fear freedom. Deliverance will disrupt comfort zones. It demands purposed change.
- The cost of maintaining freedom after deliverance
Deliverance is not the end; it is the beginning of a journey. Jesus warned in Luke 11:24–26 that when an unclean spirit is cast out, it may return with more spirits unless the person fills their life with the things of God:
Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself… and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
This shows us that maintenance after deliverance is just as critical as the initial act.
A person must cultivate a lifestyle of worship, prayer, Bible study, and obedience to remain free. There is a cost in consistency. Freedom must be guarded. Click on the link below for a elated post.
Paul in Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again.”
Deliverance is not a one-time emotional event—it is a call to a lifestyle of discipline.
5. The cost for the deliverance minister
Those who minister deliverance must also count the cost. The disciples once failed to cast out a demon, and Jesus gave them a key.
Mark 9:29-This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
There is a price in the spirit to walk in true authority. Casual, nominal Christianity cannot cast out devils!
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Deliverance ministers must live consecrated lives, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and remain spiritually alert. They often face spiritual attacks, backlashes, fatigue, misunderstanding and isolation.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2- This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Deliverance ministry is often thankless work. It can be emotionally and spiritually exhausting. But it is vital.
- The cost of breaking generational curses
Deliverance is sometimes about breaking generational bondage. In Exodus 20:5-Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation
Generational curses are real. But breaking them requires boldness, knowledge of the Word and often a radical separation from ungodly family patterns, traditions and covenants.
Abraham had to leave his father’s house (Genesis 12:1). Gideon had to tear down his father’s altar to Baal (Judges 6:25). There is a price for being the first to break a bloodline pattern.
Family members may not understand and may even resist. But someone must rise up and say, “It stops with me!”
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- The cost of rebuilding after deliverance
After deliverance comes rebuilding. Just as Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem brick by brick, so must the delivered believer build spiritual strength.
This is not always a walk in the park. It means going to church, seeking godly counsel, restoring broken relationships, forgiving enemies, making restitution if necessary and learning to live free.
Isaiah 58:12- And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations.
Deliverance births destiny. But to walk in that destiny, one must labour. It costs time, prayer, community, and vulnerability.
- The ultimate cost was paid by Christ
While deliverance costs us obedience, humility, daily warfare and follow-ups, we must remember that the ultimate price was paid by Jesus Christ on the cross. Isaiah prophesied: He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5).
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The blood of Jesus is the foundation of all deliverance. His sacrifice makes our freedom possible. We fight from a place of victory, not for it, yet we must appropriate that victory.
- Deliverance is worth the cost
Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
Deliverance is costly—but so is bondage. Staying bound costs health, peace, purpose, and sometimes eternal life.
Deliverance leads to healing, freedom, identity, and intimacy with God. The cost is high, but the reward is eternal.
Just as the Israelites had to fight to possess the Promised Land (Joshua 1:3), we too must battle to walk in what Christ has given. Deliverance is both a gift and a responsibility. So let us count the cost—and embrace the call in John 8:36-If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Pastor Roy. This is what should be taught in school of ministry or rather the training school.
It is truly comprehensive and deep.
Congratulations 🎊.