Helping Others

Neil Anderson Daily in Christ Devotional

HELPING OTHERS FIND FREEDOM  

2 Timothy 2:24-26

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will  

The main qualification for helping others find freedom is not an unusual giftedness or calling. It is godly character and the ability to teach. The instructions in the epistles for helping others find freedom in Christ are best summarized in 2 Timothy 2:24-26. It requires that the Lord's bond servant be mature in character as expressed by love for people and evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit. It is also important that we are able to communicate the truth so the captive can be set free.

The classic picture of deliverance is to bring in an expert who will call up the demon, determine its name and rank, then cast it out. This would make the deliverer the expert who gets his information from the demon. I believe there is a better way. I believe the deliverer is Christ. We don't have to send for Him; He already came.

As the Lord's bond servants, we shouldn't believe anything a demon says. We must seek to get our information from the Holy spirit who will lead us into all truth.

We can't assume responsibility for someone else, but we can serve as the Lord's instrument to effect their freedom. It is every individual's responsibility to resist the devil, put on the armor of God, confess, forgive, renounce sin, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. But according to 2 Timothy 2:24-26, by the grace of God we can help them.

Furthermore, this passage requires that we be absolutely dependent on God, because He alone can grant repentance and set the captive free. I always start any attempt at helping others by declaring my total dependence on God my Father.

Prayer: Lord, make me Your bond servant that I may help others find their freedom in Christ.