Case Study: Serving Those Who Easily Discern Good and Evil, Yet Are Controlled by a Religious Spirit

Reference Number: YZSF-AL-004-2020-02-04

Objectives:

1. To identify the symptoms of being controlled by a religious spirit and how to minister to such individuals, a pragmatic approach is paramount.
2. To learn how to handle the situation deftly when the person being ministered to excessively scrutinizes the pastor (yourself) with regards to discerning good and evil.
3. To learn to utilise faith, hope, and love to liberate those who are controlled in a practical and effective manner.

Background:

Sister A has been a believer for over 6 years. She takes great care of the lambs in her pastoral care. When a lamb has a problem, she cries inconsolably, feeling inadequate and that she has not pastored well. She usually behaves very obediently, follows the rules, and works very hard in her service, but her pastoral care is ineffective. She always wants to show herself in front of the pastor, pretending to be very positive and upbeat, as if there is no problem. She is very conflicted. When she shares with the pastor that she feels inadequate, she still seems very humble. The more she wants to do well, the worse she does. Inside, she always feels, I'm not good enough. I'm useless.
When the pastor teaches her, she can always hear the implied meanings. She often identifies with what is said, feeling that the pastor is subtly rebuking her, but she is embarrassed to say it. After a long time, she has more and more negativity, resentment, and bitterness inside. She feels very uncomfortable.
One day, Sister A felt that her vision was blurred. She prayed for more than 2 hours without improvement, so she found the pastor. If you were her pastor, answer the following questions. You can role-play such a service in training.

Let's assume the following situations and discuss how to serve her:

(1) First situation: You have no idea that she has so much bitterness inside. How do you start serving her? If you pray with her and serve her for a while, and the situation gets worse, what judgment should you make? If you teach her spiritual truths, do you think it will be useful?

(2) Second situation: After continuing to serve her for a while, she starts to scold you, even gets annoyed with you, hates you, and even bites you. How do you continue to serve her?

(3) Third situation: Because you are very wise, she is finally released. How should you follow up?

(4) Fourth situation: After a while, the same problem comes back. How should you serve her?