A Seminar Offered by
Africa Nazarene Clergy Development (G. Crofford)
In more than 20 years of ordained
Nazarene ministry, I’ve learned that there is no
such thing as “no theology.” People will have a
position about the full spectrum of doctrinal
issues. Rather than “no theology,” it is always a
choice between good theology
and bad theology.
Pastor Vidal Cole of Sierra Leone observed:
“…In Africa especially our people need to have
the right perspective of Jesus power and how
they can transform their lives so they can be
able to serve the Lord with all their heart, soul
and might, Amen.”
1- Demons exist.
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Jesus acknowledged the existence of demons, sometimes
called “evil spirits.”
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Luke 11:20 – “But if I drive out demons by the finger of
God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (NIV).
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The context is by what
authority Jesus
drove out demons.
2- We should not find a demon under every rock.
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“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our
race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their
existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive
and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are
equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a
magician with the same delight.”
-- C.S. Lewis, in the Preface to his book, The Screwtape Letters

“When all you have is a hammer,
the whole world is a nail.”
3- Delivering a person from a demon depends upon
the will of the individual who is possessed.
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See the story of the lame man
at the pool of Bethesda, in John 5.
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he
had been in this condition for a long time, he asked
him, ‘Do you want to get well?’” (John 5:6, NIV).
1. Deliverance should never be undertaken under
pressure either from the individual concerned or
the group. It should only be attempted if there is a
clear sense of direction from God.
We must be convinced that God has authority
over everything. The practice of deliverance is
no place to bring our doubts.
Read Matthew 17:14-20
2. Whenever possible, it is wise to have medical
and psychiatric support when working with an
individual. Some church disciplines require that
permission be gained from a
higher authority before
anything is done.
Usually with schizophrenia, the person's inner world and behavior
change notably. Behavior changes might include the following:
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Social withdrawal
Depersonalization (a sense of being unreal, hazy and in a dreamlike
state), sometimes accompanied by intense anxiety
Loss of appetite
Loss of hygiene
Delusions
Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there)
The sense of being controlled by outside forces
Disorganized speech
http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/schizophreniasymptoms
3. Where it is possible to consult a more
experienced minister, this should be done.
4. Deliverance should never be attempted
alone. There should be at least two mature and
experienced Christians present and it is
preferable that one should come from another
church to provide objectivity. Obvious care
needs to be taken when dealing with
members of the opposite sex.
Power is all to Jesus given,
Lord of hell, and earth, and heaven,
Every knee to him shall bow –
Satan hear, and tremble now!
Roaring lion, own his power:
Us thou never canst devour,
Plucked we are out of thy teeth,
Sav’d by Christ from hell and death.
Tho’ thou bruise in us his heel,
Sorer vengeance shalt thou feel:
Christ, the woman’s conqu’ring seed,
Christ in us shall bruise thy head.
Jesu! Come, and bind him, bind him,
Let him feel
His own hell,
Let thy fury find him.
Jesu! Than the strong man stronger,
Enter thou,
Let they foe
Keep thee out no longer.
Suffer him no more to harm her,
Make her clean,
Purge her sin,
Take away his armour.
Jesu! Mighty to deliver,
Satan foil,
Take the spoil,
Make her thine forever.
1. Everyone should be treated with gentleness
and respect at all times. There should be
avoidance of aggressive words, gestures and
expressions and reliance upon the authority of
Christ.
(more information from Nigel Wright)
2. Demons should not be talked to, argued with
or given any attention other than that of
rejecting, refusing and scorning them.
3. There is no need to use holy water,
crosses, sacred objects,
communion wine or
anointing oil.
Confrontation
in the powerful name of
Jesus is sufficient.
4. Deliverance is not a show. It should not be
glorified (Luke 10:20), but should be seen as a
routine task. Remember to keep
details of the situation
confidential, as you would in any
any counseling situation.
5. Do not let this take over your ministry! It is
only one tool in a broader tool kit for Nazarene
ministry.
1 John 4:1 says: “Test the spirits, to see if they
come from God.”
May the Lord help us as we work in this area.