Exorcist for Hire – Willing to Pay the Cost for Freedom – Purity 1384
Purity 1384 06/25/2024 Purity 1384 Podcast
Purity 1384 on YouTube:
Good morning,
Today’s photo of the silhouette of a palm tree and the tops of trees in the foreground of a distant Pacific Ocean sunset comes to us from Bob Griffin who shared this scene on social media yesterday from his recent vacation in Kailua-Kona Hawaii.
Well, it’s Tuesday, and Bob’s photo gives us that contrast of darkness and light that reflects the reality that while everything can seem dark there is hope when we focus on the Son, as in Jesus Christ. However, the same contrast of darkness and light could also reflect those times when we feel that the darkness is in the foreground in our lives and the light of God’s love and presence seem far away and distant. Just as the same photo can be viewed in two different ways, our lives can be perceived and experienced differently depending on what we focus on, what we believe in, or how we respond to life. When we are experiencing problems, all can seem lost, or we could “count it all joy” if we see our trials as a test of our faith that will produce patience and maturity. Easier said than done, I know.
But how much more difficult could your outlook on life be if you are being accosted by “voices in your head” that you believe to be demonic but you’re afraid to speak about them to others because you fear that people will think you are crazy?
There is a fine line between the possibility of demonic oppression and insanity. There can be a mix of both. Similarly, there can be a fine line between “religious obsession” and insanity as distorted views about God and one’s “calling” can manifest into some pretty bizarre behavior.
In fact, the discussion of the spiritual aspects of life, belief in demons or God, are often discouraged in mental health circles because many of those who are institutionalized with mental health diagnoses have aspects of “a religious or spiritual problem”. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) even codifies such disorders (V 62.89). Technical jargon aside, the existence of the code recognizes that religious or spiritual can be a role in mental health conditions, although the atheistic worldview of psychiatrists or psychologists would undoubtedly state that “religion” was the problem rather than acknowledging the possibility of something unseen wreaking havoc with someone’s mental health.
This all is a sensitive subject for myself because I worked in mental health as a residential counselor for the psychiatrically disabled early in my career and later in life as a psychiatric tech for mobile crisis and can testify to some of the strange religious beliefs that were on display among some of clientele but I also have come to discover the truth of the possibility of demonic oppression and have experienced clarity of mind from negative, condemning, tempting, and obsessive thoughts after going through the Steps to Freedom in Christ.
So I am not ready to label someone “crazy” when they tell me they are hearing voices, and I would wholly endorse the proper application of the Christian faith to address emotional, mental, and spiritual conflicts. I believe so much in our God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the power of our Christian faith to “set the captives free” that started my Christian Life Coaching/Freedom Pray Ministry practice earlier this year.
And yesterday, I had a perspective client book an initial appointment with me to discuss what they called “demon voices when most people don’t believe it.” However, because of my limited time and because I know all too well the possibility of trolls, practical jokers, the insane, and just people who are not willing to “pay the cost” for freedom (to take personal responsibility and repent), I made the decision to institute a fee (a “co-pay” if you will) of $25 for the initial 45-minute consultation for prospective life coaching or prayer ministry clients and after I sent the invoice, this person was upset because they were under the impression that my services were free and they not only canceled the appointment but decided to “shame” me for asking for payment because it is something that Jesus and the apostles would never do.
To which, I completely agree, but I’m not Jesus and I’m not an apostle. I’m not an exorcist for hire either. Call Bob Larson and he will be happy to help you. I’m just a Christian with a full-time secular job – who does free ministry work at my local church and with a national ministry- – who wanted to offer his help to individuals who aren’t receiving the help they need from “the church” or from the health care system, who can take an active role in their own wellbeing and who are willing to “pay the cost for freedom”.
In comparison to doctors or therapists, my costs are very reasonable. My initial fee is essentially a “co-pay” – $25. My regular rate for life coaching or prayer ministry is $50. I don’t take insurance or play that game. I am not a licensed therapist or counselor, I’m a coach and prayer minister. I am not some specially anointed shaman who casts out demons with a wave of my hand or through some elaborate ceremony. I don’t “pray over” my clients to give them healing or freedom.
I coach (I advise a lifestyle of faith and repentance) and pray “for” and “with” my clients to remove the ground or permissions that demonic entities use to have access to our lives. I believe in Neil Anderson’s “truth encounter” approach for repentance and freedom from the demonic. And this process demands a commitment on the part of the client or participant to be effective. You have to be real in your faith and your commitment to live a Christian life to be set free and the coaching and prayer ministry that I offer assists Christians in connecting with God to receive the healing and freedom that he makes possible.
So if you’re being harassed by unseen voices that you believe are demonic, would you be willing to pay to start a process that would lead to your freedom?
I know I was willing to pay the cost. I went to seminary. I spent countless hours in Bible study, prayer, training, and personal sanctification and spiritual formation work and eventually found freedom. My journey started in 2010 and took years of my life to find freedom and while I won’t demand that you go through everything I went through, I would ask that you “pay the cost” for the time that I am going to invest in helping you, when few even know how.
I’m not the Good Shepherd but I’m not a “hireling” either. I’m not going to cut and run when trouble arises and not looking to get rich. I show people the way to the Good Shepherd. He’s the one who sets you free, not me. But I can teach you what I have learned from Him, and I can walk beside you through the darkness until He guides you to follow Him into the healing and freedom you need.
I’m not an Exorcist for Hire. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, a student, an apprentice of the Master, and if you’re willing to count the cost and pay it, I’ll help you to seek Him and follow Him in the way you should go.
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For those who want more evidence for Christianity than my simple encouragements provide, I offer apologist, Frank Turek’s website, https://crossexamined.org/ .
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“The views, opinions, and commentary of this publication are those of the author, M.T. Clark, only, and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any of the photographers, artists, ministries, or other authors of the other works that may be included in this publication, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the author may represent.”
Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship
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