Trauma-Informed Deliverance: Why Doctrine Alone Isn’t Enough for Spiritual Care
- Conscious Coore
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
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Providing spiritual care without a basic understanding of Biblical deliverance ministry often leaves ministers and clinicians with little more than scripture — and the various interpretations of it — to work with in high-stakes, complex cases.
In short: it’s not effective. Let’s talk about why.
The Limits of Doctrine
For every truth and doctrine that points us toward righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, there is also a complex lie — one that has woven itself into the unique design of a person’s life.
So what exactly is doctrine?
Doctrine is more than simply applying scripture to everyday life. It is the interpretation of scripture, shaped by theological approaches and cultural assumptions that make it feel relevant. It carries the weight of authority, often delivered by a figure who has the power to influence whether or not people let that doctrine govern their lives.
Objectively, doctrine can be good or bad. It can be righteous or demonic (1 Timothy 4:1). It can come from God, or it can arise entirely from culture. This is why bringing spirituality into secular spaces through doctrine alone is tricky at best, and dangerous at worst. When differences in doctrine take center stage, progress often stalls.
Beyond Doctrine: Spirituality and Deliverance
Christian spirituality takes many forms, and deliverance is one of them. Deliverance invites us to see how spiritual enemies manipulate religious doctrine, even creating new doctrines that reinforce the very strongholds we work to dismantle.
Still, there’s a reason we avoid the “D” word, isn’t there?
The Harm We’ve Seen
The hesitation around deliverance isn’t without cause. Many have witnessed:
The misuse of scripture
Anti-Gospel rhetoric
A bypassing of real, relevant issues in the rush to “breakthrough”
Staged antics and false displays of power
These missteps have left deep harm, and they explain the reluctance to engage boldly in the ministry of deliverance. But avoiding it entirely leaves us unequipped. At the end of the day, the source of our information matters.
A Better Way Forward
Spiritual care requires more than doctrine. It requires a Spirit-led understanding of how deliverance works, paired with a trauma-informed approach that ensures people are cared for with wisdom, safety, and integrity.
That’s why, starting November 15th, you can begin the Trauma-Informed Deliverance course — a training designed to restore clarity, credibility, and compassion to this vital area of ministry.
Already a student in Trauma-Informed Spiritual Intervention? You can join the live recordings for free.
Conscious Coore is the founder of Flamingo Trauma Recovery, the creator of the Trauma-Informed Spiritual Intervention® framework, and author of Fundamentals of Trauma-Informed Spiritual Intervention. With a background in psychology, education, and inner healing ministry, she equips faith-aligned professionals to integrate clinical care and biblical wisdom for lasting transformation. Through her work with Jesus in the Marketplace, she highlights where Safe and Sound work is happening, even in spaces that often overlook the need for it.
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