Deliverance is a Ministry of Compassion for the Oppressed

Deliverance from demons is not meant to be a spectacle or spiritual power trip. It is a ministry of compassion for the oppressed! The following is an excerpt from my book Setting Captives Free:

God’s Heart of Compassion

If you have been wounded by abuse and trauma, or are under demonic oppression in any way, please know that God’s heart is toward you. He has a special compassion for the brokenhearted: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 ESV). He wants you to experience His love in the depths of your heart and have the weight of oppression lifted from your life.

Jesus modeled this heart of compassion for the afflicted and oppressed throughout His ministry. As I study the life and ministry of Christ, I am struck not only by what He did, but by why He did it. He would go from place to place preaching the Good News, healing people of their sicknesses, and delivering those who were oppressed. But what motivated Him to do these good works? He was not seeking to build a platform, make a name for Himself, or show off His power. The Gospels give us clear insight into His motives:

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14, emphasis added)

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them…So He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34, emphasis added)

Why did Jesus heal the sick and deliver the oppressed? He was moved with compassion for them. Why did He teach the multitudes? He was moved with compassion for them. It was compassion that inspired Jesus to feed the multitudes and raise the dead (see Matthew 15:32; Luke 7:12-15). His whole ministry was motivated by an abundant compassion that flowed out of Him to those around Him. Jesus was not driven by selfish ambition, a desire for power, or an aspiration to be famous. He was compelled by love.

Like Jesus, when we minister to others, it is so important to be moved with God’s heart of compassion. Whether it is sharing the Gospel, praying for healing, casting out evil spirits, or meeting needs, we must allow the Lord’s love to fill our hearts for the people to whom we minister. Ministry to others is not just about having good answers, saying the right words, or praying the right prayers. First and foremost, it is about having the heart of God.

Ministering with God’s Heart

When I equip people to minister in deliverance, I often share that more important than having the right methods is growing in intimacy with God and compassion for people. All true ministry flows out of relationship with God. And as we grow in intimacy with the Lord, we cannot help but begin to gain His heart for people. This compassion of the Lord flowing through us will often impact people more than the specific ministry that they receive. It communicates God’s love to them, and makes them know that they are valued, seen, and cared for.

Deliverance is a ministry of compassion to the oppressed. It is a revelation of the heart of God to set captives free out of His mercy and grace. It is not a spiritual power trip, show, or spectacle. It is not about us, but about Jesus and the ones being ministered to. We should be stern and authoritative toward evil spirits, but gentle and caring for people receiving ministry. We can grow in our compassion as we ask the Lord to give us His heart for people and yield to the Holy Spirit at work within us. I have found that one of the best ways to grow in compassion is to spend time in the secret place, interceding for people’s needs. Allow God to break your heart for things that break His. Don’t shy away from feeling His emotions and crying His tears.

We should continually seek God for a greater anointing and power of the Holy Spirit to minister effectively to others. But let’s not forget, the Holy Spirit does not come upon us for our own sake, but for the glory of God and the benefit of others. Let’s cry out to God to fill us with His heart of love for others. Let’s allow His compassion to flow through us so that people can experience God’s love in a whole new way.

Click below to purchase your copy of Setting Captives Free:

Setting Captives Free is filled with biblical teaching on the topic of demons and deliverance, powerful testimonies of those who have been set free, and practical prayers that you can use for yourself or others in need of deliverance. Make sure to get your copy!