You should not always believe a person’s description of her situation. Whether in healing the sick, casting out demons, or counseling in general, the person who asks for ministry might err in her perception or interpretation of her circumstances, or she might be outright lying about it. Moreover, even when there is a real issue — a need for healing, or counseling, or whatever — sometimes the actual target might not be the victim, but the target is you. Most people who come are at least somewhat sincere, even if not completely accurate about their situation, but deception happens often enough that we need to watch out for it.

For example, a woman who claims to be harassed by demons and who appears fearful might or might not in fact have this problem. Whether or not she has it, Satan’s real intention might be to use her to seduce you into adultery, or some other sin or mistake, or to create an occasion to slander you and launch a scandal. The endgame might not be to finish her, but to finish you. She would only be collateral damage. Sometimes there is a genuine need, but the person never intends to listen anyway. She is there just to waste your time. Perhaps you can waste your time on several people, even if they prove to disappoint. But if you get ten of these a day, or a week, then they have derailed your own agenda.

You must remain focused on what you are supposed to accomplish. Do not be so eager for ministry that you become stupid. Be zealous for righteousness and intelligence. Beware of manipulation. Pay attention to the person’s claims and requests, and show compassion, but then always use your own judgment. Again, the person might be honest, but inaccurate. You need to find out the truth. Since the danger exists, unless it seems proper to proceed to other things, it is always good to begin by teaching the person from the word of God. A person who claims to be sick or oppressed only to get attention tends to become deflated if you teach her what the Bible says and tell her to have faith to receive from God for herself. Even a person with a genuine need requires teaching anyway, more than your prayer and other forms of ministry. So you can never go wrong with teaching.

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