The claims of modern "Apostle" Kathryn Krick and other deliverance teachers are in large part the fruit of Derek Prince's false ministry. Prince is arguably the most significant teacher in the last 50 years to promote the controversial view that Christians can be "demonized". Prince skewed the definition of "demonized" and promoted various unreliable ideas associated with demonization, deliverance, ancestral spirits, the alleged demonic implications of self-curses, generational curses and "soulish prayers".
In the New Testament, the Greek verb daimonizomai (demonized) describes a person who is indwelt or possessed by a demon.
Original Word: δαιμονίζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: daimonizomai
Phonetic Spelling: (dahee-mon-id'-zom-ahee)
Definition: to be possessed by a demon
Usage: I am possessed, am under the power of an evil-spirit or demon.
Greek daimonizomai (demonized); elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1139: δαιμονίζομαι
δαιμονίζομαι; 1 aorist passive participle δαιμονισθείς; (δαίμων); to be under the power of a demon: ἄλλος κατ' ἄλλην δαιμονίζεται τυχην, Philemon 1 in Stobaeus, ecl. phys. 1, p. 196; of the insane, Plutarch, symp. 7, 5, 4, and in other later authors. In the N. T. δαιμονιζόμενοι are persons afflicted with especially severe diseases, either bodily or mental (such as paralysis, blindness, deafness, loss of speech, epilepsy, melancholy, insanity, etc.), whose bodies in the opinion of the Jews demons (see δαιμόνιον) had entered, and so held possession of them as not only to afflict them with ills, but also to dethrone the reason and take its place themselves; accordingly, the possessed were accustomed to express the mind and consciousness of the demons dwelling in them; and their cure was thought to require the expulsion of the demon — (but on this subject see B. D. American edition under the word Demoniacs and references there; Weiss, Leben Jesu, book iii., chapter 6): Matthew 4:24; Matthew 8:16, 28, 33; Matthew 9:32; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 15:22; Mark 1:32; Mark 5:15; John 10:21; δαιμονισθείς, that had been possessed by a demon (demons), Mark 5:18; Luke 8:36. They are said also to be ὀχλούμενοι ὑπό or ἀπό πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων, Luke 6:18 (T Tr WH ἐνοχλούμενοι); Acts 5:16; καταδυναστευόμενοι ὑπό τοῦ διαβόλου, i. e. by his ministers, the demons, Acts 10:38. 1
Reasons why believers cannot be demon-possessed
The deliverance racket is lethal to the body of Christ for many reasons.
There is no explicit text in the New Testament demonstrating that believers can be possessed or indwelt by demons. Those who promote deliverance argue that there is nothing in the scriptures that precludes believers from being demonized. However, teachings based on silence are unreliable and cannot be tested. (1 John 4:1). Deliverance teachers are forced to abandon hermeneutics and enter the realm of speculation and eisegesis. The result is that many believers are left with an open question rather than assurance and clarity, and many are left in doubt and confusion. This teaching undermines numerous assertions found in the epistles regarding the freedom believers have in Jesus Christ. Deliverance is linked to the retrograde doctrines taught by false apostles who seek to make disciples after themselves (2 Corinthians 11:13; Acts 20:30), and who seek to put believers under the curse of the law. (Galatians 3:10-13; Deuteronomy 5:9,28:16; Exodus 34:7).
* There is no instance of a believer being indwelt by demons and delivered in the New Testament.
* The epistles give no instructions regarding delivering believers from demons.
* Deliverance is never referred to as an integral part of any Christian meeting in the New Testament.
* When believers assemble together, all things should be done in an orderly manner. (1 Corinthians 14:26-33). The purpose of the Christian assembly is to glorify Jesus Christ and to encourage one another in the faith. (Hebrews 10:24). These disruptive pantomimes detract from true worship and do not glorify God.
* People who were possessed by demons in the New Testament were known to be possessed due to their extreme involuntary behaviour affecting not only themselves but their families and the wider community. (Luke 8:27; Mark 9:18). The New Testament gives no indication of involuntary demonic behaviour amongst believers after their conversion.
* We see the same people (actors) being repeatedly "delivered" by Krick. Those repeatedly "exorcised" by Krick and other deliverance "ministers" simulate demonic possession. 2
* Krick states that people need to sow (money) for deliverance. (14:46 mark). She promotes the wicked lie that money spent on psychics needs to be surpassed by the person allegedly "possessed" due to some alleged "spiritual law - to unlock the keys of deliverance".
* Believers are delivered from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. (Acts 26:18).
* The instructions given to believers regarding external spiritual attacks:
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-18)Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7).
* The deliverance racket is a distraction from Paul's exhortation to direct our thoughts towards pure and praiseworthy things. (Philippians 4:8).
* Believers are temples of the living God. (2 Corinthians 6:16; John 14:23).
* Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30).
* Paul exhorts believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:1,30).
* Deliverance detracts attention away from Jesus Christ onto the alleged demons.
* Deliverance compromises the scriptures and puts believers into bondage.
* The deliverance racket denies the blood of Jesus. (John 8:36).
* People often come back for deliverance repeatedly - this demonstrates that it is not successful. When Jesus expelled demons it resulted in complete deliverance. (Mark 5:15; Mark 16:9).
* Deliverance involves mind control and subjective experience.
* Jesus' exorcisms were not long drawn-out affairs ~ they were brief and decisive. (Matthew 8:16, 32,17:18).
* Jesus did not initiate dialogue with demons or ask them to identify themselves. Jesus knew exactly what they were e.g. the case of the "deaf and mute spirit". (Mark 9:25).
* Deliverance adds to the word of God. (Proverbs 30:6).
*Those who practice deliverance inevitably promote other false teachings that are harmful to the body of Christ.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17).
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:3).
And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house. (Ezekiel 2:6-7).
If a true Christian is in the throes of a severe spiritual attack, it is sheer folly to put oneself at the mercy of false deliverance teachers. In my view, this kind of "ministry" is very dangerous due to the suspect character and the sheer fakery practiced by those involved in it. Ironically those who dabble in spiritual things without God's authority are likely to attract demons. (Acts 19:13-16). Deliverance "ministers" encourage believers to abdicate personal responsibility and reduce personal problems and sin to the level of demonic possession and/or curses; they fail to appreciate more complex issues such as personal responsibility, self-control and endurance. (1 Peter 1:6; Ephesians 4:25-32,6:13). Sometimes people can be sick for unknown reasons. (John 9:2-3). Sometimes, sin (i.e. bad lifestyle choices) is responsible for sickness. (John 5:5,14). Furthermore, we should not think it is unusual to face trials and difficulties of various kinds. (James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6-7,4:12). The answer to a spiritual attack is to throw oneself onto God Himself and seek Him for the solution rather than rely on the blasphemous profanities of false teachers and their cheap dramas.
Kathryn Krick's recent "Prophetic Warning for the Body of Christ" is an unsanctioned attempt to foist the NAR and its false "Apostles" and "Prophets" onto the church. Faithful Christians should reject this "warning" and anything else that comes out of the NAR.
..and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:30).
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:13).
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. (Matthew 24:4-5).
I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (Revelation 2:2).
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. (1 Timothy 2:12).
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Derek Prince (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Deliverance: The Evolution of a Doctrine - The Gospel Coalition
Why Deliverance Ministries Fail to Deliver - TGC Africa (thegospelcoalition.org)
Excellent article! Thank you so much for giving a much needed biblical assessment of false teachers / prophets.
ReplyDelete