This is an interesting body of information that I encountered years ago from Derek Prince, the Oxford scholar and celebrated deliverance minister.
Derek talked about the difference between works of the flesh and works of the spirit. It is a mistake to think that the soulish realm does not exert a form of psychic energy that has power to influence people. Note that Paul lists “witchcraft” as a work of the flesh. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, WITCHCRAFT…” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Why is “witchcraft” listed as a work of the flesh? The root of witchcraft is the carnal desire to dominate, manipulate, intimidate, and control. It shouldn’t be a surprise that those who operate in a spirit of control are completely convinced of what they believe God wants to do. They do not walk with an awareness of how to judge their own flesh. When they pray, preach, or prophesy, there is an element of manipulation that flows out of them. People are praying, but they’re praying in a manipulative way rather than praying in the Holy Ghost. These works are “soulish” and under the right circumstances they converge with a counterfeit spirit that makes people think it is the Spirit of God! This becomes a very strange influence indeed, called “religious witchcraft.”
- How does this spirit operate? Do you ever wonder what the connection is between Muslim fasting and prayer and the works of Jihad that manifest so intensely during those cycles of time? Or to bring matters closer to home, what happens when you have a number of people that are praying together, joining hands in agreement about what they are convinced God wants to do—but their intention doesn’t at all reflect God’s heart or vision? You can expect that those prayers, thoughts, and agreements go somewhere. I think that these prayers empower demonic attacks that show up in the form of psychic prayers, or you could say, mental bindings. Something comes over you that stifles your freedom and hijacks your joy. Suddenly you have lost all sense of spiritual connection and a whole host of alien thoughts and desires try to take root. When that happens, it might be necessary for you to stop and ask “Where is this coming from?” Realize that everyone has plans for your life—but not everyone truly knows what God wants to do in your life in this season.
- How does this relate to the season we are in? We are living in a time when we must activate Psalm 91 over our lives, families, and businesses. The blessing of God covers ALL of life, not just the parts we view as spiritual. The political division in the nation is evidence that fragmentation is increasing in nations and in culture, but as this occurs, God's people are called to walk in another realm. This is the focus of our 7m Summit in Dallas, September 9-11.
- How can I stay protected? This is one reason why we pray without ceasing. The Bible tells us to “Keep yourself in the love of God” (Jude 1:21). This is possible because of the power of the blood of Jesus. You simply have to declare, “Father, I apply the blood of Jesus now to my mind and to my heart. Show me if there’s anything You need me to deal with, or any forgiveness issues that are in my life. I repent for partnering with a spirit of control, whether consciously or unconsciously. I ask You for Your peace and I ask You for Your empowerment. In Jesus’ name.” Pray and pause. The stronghold you wrestle with could be rooted in the soulish, manipulative prayers of others—but this prayer will break it!
Question: What are some areas of your life that need set free from this manipulation? Conversely, have you allowed this controlling spirit to operate through you? Comment below to join the discussion—and check out 7mSummit.com!
As One!
Lance
P.S. Pray for “discerning of spirits” more than ever before!
I looked up lasciviousness and per Google it means inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd: a lascivious, girl-chasing old man. 2. arousing sexual desire: lascivious photographs.
As a mom of a young man I think it very important to make sure he is not involved with basically pornography which is witchcraft and a manipulating spirit, I would say to the parents out their keep in your kids business because God will hold you accountable not only for your actions but your kids who GOD gave you charge over.
Upon doing some word study in the bible regarding lasciviousness (when pertaining to children), I found that it means to incite sexual awareness before they are mentally, spiritually and emotionally able to deal with those feelings. Which in turns ‘can’ cause them to get into experimentation and other sexual sins like pornography. There’s a reason why Jesus said that it will be better for them who harm a child to have a millstone put about their necks and tossed into the sea than to stand before God and answer for their crimes(sins).
Hi Heather,
Having gone through this period of raising children, I basically agree with your post but I feel there is a few things that could be said to clarify your statement “Staying in your kids business”. Such notion is vague and can easily be misunderstood as “taking control”. Therefore, I would add the following:
a. keep talking to your kids, about everything. They need to know you are interested in them as people and you are ready to invest in them like you are investing in other people.
b. Love your kids unconditionally. Your children need to know that you are on their side and that you will wage war “for” them, not “against” them.
c. Offer them your help. For a time, my son allowed me to monitor his online activity through the service of Covenant Eyes: Internet Accountability and Filtering. When he told me he could fly on his own, I trusted him. There were still a few hitches along the way but at least we could talk about them and “trust” turned out to be more important than “monitor” for our future relationship.
d. Things don’t always go as planned but in all cases, God is our go-to foundation and help. Your kids need to see you depend on Him for them.
e. Pray with your kids and encourage them. As you believe in them and as they receive God’s love through you, they will eventually believe in it for themselves.
Yes, I am a spiritual woman of God. The man I married appeared to be Christian, however the control over everything I did became crippling. I was told I couldn’t serve two masters. I was told to chose between him and my children. I replied “I have one master, His name is God”. My time, mind, health decisions were all under scrutiny. If I softly spoke up, all hell broke loose. June 18, 2016 I was slammed into a marble tile wall for stating I never did anything that warranted the way he treated me. He was not arrested. He lied in court, said he didn’t hit me despite my concussion. I did not recieve a protective order. The state of Florida has not decided to press charges. I was contacted by a woman on Christian Mingle and provided with the letter he sent her describing himself as “one of the good guys”.
All I can think of are the out cries that wives of killers should have come forward. Right! No one takes you seriously until you are dead anyway. What would be the point. Seriously!
That is one of the most Horrific things I have read. Thank you for the enlightenment, now I can pass on this truth.
I believe you are right. The Lord has been working with me in these areas for more than 2 years. I definitely identify with high emotions taking us from burden barrier to control freak. Thankfully in the last 6 years of transformation the Lord has brought me from being a screaming control freak to a firm believer in by His Grace. “I only do what I see my Father doing. I only say what I hear my Father saying.” And for this I am most grateful. Being an intercessor for the better part of the last 50 years. I am much more yielded and peaceful.
Uh…Idk why the authorities didn’t pursue that….I live in TX and they do not play w/domestice at all… The woman does not even have to press the charges. The state will pick it up and pursue it toally…IIt happened to a friend of mine. I happened to see the whole incident. He pushed his woman out of his face, while he was seated and she was standing over him. She called the police, and stated he punched her in the stomach. Of course she later felt bad and tried to drop charges. The state wouldn’t do it. He had to pay a lot of money to get out of that. Moral of the story is. Move to Texas.
From Brother Kenneth.
Everyday you should say the Lord’s player. As a servant to Christ he gave us this prayer it covers everything. In Heaven and on earth —Our Father who are on heaven Hollowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For those is the Kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever amen.
I want freedom from witchcraft manipulation. Over my life
I want freedom over witchcraft and demonic attacks. I need prayer. Help me and my children get our own place that is safe and free of control manipulation and abuse.
Is anyone active on this thread?
Hi my name is Lisa I would like to speak to someone about breaking witchcraft
The area of my life that need to be set free is my mind and body not knowing what was going on I have allowed the controlling spirit to operate though me and I am asking for help. To stop it or how or what can I do
I understand that a controlling spirit is like a jezebel spirit, a religious spirit. I wonder what your thoughts are when the controlling spirit is in a family member who has all the signs you spoke of and thinks God has given him the right to operate in it. What can I do?
I discovered some time ago just how controlling and manipulative my mother was and can be. She used fear to control our behavior. The basis for her fear was not to make us adults with good, firm boundaries, but so we wouldn’t do things that would embarrass her. To endure her ire was frightening!
I can laugh about it now, but in 2008 the Lord took me back to the place of my humble beginnings to deal with the last bastions of the fear of man. Right where it started and taught by my mother. (I love her dearly! She has a heart of gold and would give anyone the shirt off her back) She just doesn’t recognize what she has done and still does, reign in control and manipulation. However, I do believe God, in all His mercy has been showing her the error of her ways. I’ve seen a submission in her and a teachable spirit now. When I left my birth place, I came out a fearless woman of God. We cannot fear man and do the hard things and hard places He takes us to, or will take us to as we fulfill our destinies. God is so good to complete us and equip us for the tasks ahead. (aka: Elijah Tasks).
There are such ugly spirts +working the world today. I am married to one of those narcisstic ones..been 30 years..I can’t get out..if I try my pets lives are taken, mine has been threatened more than once. All that one lives with that mess is more than most would oven believe..even been told you eat too much (though underweight) I was on 1/2 a small dinner plate for a days food for about 15 years? He went on a 5-6 meal a day program! Told to sleep on the floor with no heat in a cold house in winter..etc. No way out..pay close attention from the git go…and git out at the very first (If you can!)
Hello Josie, my heart aches for you. Your experience with this man, reminds me of the stories my mother told me of her life growing up. Her father was beyond abusive and controlling, just as you’ve described. She went on to marry a man who was just as bad. For her sake, he left her. But only to move on to another victim.
Thank you for sharing. I will pray for you. God bless you and keep you! Love Casey J
Hi Josie,
If you stay, your pets can still be hurt. At least talk to someone at a women’s shelter. See what your options are. They may be able to help you have the courage to leave when you’re ready. You can even come up with a plan to get your pets and yourself out safely.
Well said. I believe it was the author Sandy Freed that called this “Christian white magic”. If we have any concern of praying amiss, I would opt for praying in the Spirit.
I agree, as we mature in Christ I believe our prayers line up with his word and will not put up with any controlling spirit. We are known by our fruit.
Excellent! …. there really is no authentic prayer apart from the Holy Spirit.
Woohoo! I am pleased you have addressed this. No one believes how much control these people exert over your life. I am delivered but I feel as if I’ve been baptised in deep waters.
I have in the past been very controlled by a spirit of control toward especially my husband and children. It seemed I just could not get the victory over it. As I began to realize it was fear that caused me to embrace control, I began to work with Holy Spirit to rid myself of this. We fear because we don’t trust. As I have realized I could trust God to take care of my husband and children, I have little by little been able to let go of fear and therefore of control. Such a blessed relief! I am still growing in this. But God is so patient and faithful. As I continue to get caught up in the wonder of who He is, I realize these things are easy not hard. He does such a good job of living His life in me! I just let go of what He’s already crucified. And take hold of Him.
Ah, that is so wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing your personal experience with a controlling spirit.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Your testimony blessed me to tears!
So good! There are many men (husbands) who find themselves victims of control, and as such are bound into a state of complete ineffectiveness. They are essentially removed from their leadership role, and in this state, the family becomes spiritually bankrupt, devoid of guidance, and particularly vulnerable to a whole host of calamities. The calamities increase, and in a state of indecisiveness (leadership roles confused with resulting inaction) family dynamics become crippled, relationships within and without the family suffer, and the general direction, purpose, protection and power (to change the world) of the family are essentially and effectively nullified. Bottom line: All hell breaks loose, when a man abdicates, or is forced from his position of leadership. Ask me I know. And it’s not something a man can simply take back. While we can invoke protection, and God in His faithfulness, does do just that, the healing and restoration of the marriage can only happen when the controller abdicates CONTROL, and control being something that even God, our beautiful and glorious Friend and Confidant, our Saviour and Father, NEVER partners with. He NEVER controls us. Even He can’t, won’t, and refuses to partner with! And so neither should we seek to manipulate or control ANY human being.
I got out of a relationship with a controlling husband to step into a higher level of control in another….. I’ve prayed for God to show me were I’m needing healing, fixing if you will. My prayer has been show me first what you want to change in me….. I’m too a point were it’s getting better but I’m not sure if it will ever be great…. I was just praying God what do I do with this controlling person, I opened my email and this was in it 🙂 God knows …..
I am SOOOOO GLAD you’ve written about this and posted it here, Lance!
I will NEVER FORGET when you talked about this one night on a periscope broadcast a couple months ago. When you prayed I literally felt lighter afterwards. That night I also had the deepest, most peaceful night’s sleep. I remember waking up the next day marveling at how noticeable it was.
I’m a lot more careful when praying for others now. I also had found that little booklet you’d read from. (Amazing what one can find on the Internet these days).
What booklet was that?
Yes, what was the booklet?
So appreciate this word Lance. My question is if the husband is the head, how can the wife protect herself from the poor choices (alcohol/finances/porn) the husband makes opening up the home to witchcraft and other curses that he opens the door wide to?
We’ve been married 49 years, I get so discouraged it’s a vicious cycle and at times it’s overwhelming.
I would be very careful to focus the cause on your husband. His activities are unacceptable, but many times these are deleterious and protective effects emanating from a root cause that needs to be addressed. You cannot force those changes. They are deep, probably ingrained. But, God in His infinite wisdom is calling you to love your husband. Additionally, He is calling you to address issues you may have that potentially aggravate (not cause) the situation.The question is whether you believe He (Jesus) can do it, and do it through you. Because right now you have all the reason in the world to ditch your husband, as Christ had every right to ditch all of us. So will you choose life. Marriage?Does your husband feel completely and overwhelmingly loved by you, as Christ loves us, his imperfect and filthy Church, or are your actions toward him feeding the SHAME he almost certainly already knows he has?
This is my mother I have battled my whole life when I was trying to start a business my mother was praying I would instead find a job
Not just for this but I ended up in financial ruin
Just one example of her witchcraft in my life
I do find myself controlling my kids and manipulating them. I do not want to but f d it hard to know when to intervene and when to simply let go and trust God who I knows cares far more for them. I am struggling to know when to ignore and trust God and when to parent. Where does my responsibility end? I have an 11 year old, a 14 year old and a 17 year old.
I know I often mani ullage and control thsr around me and I do not want to.
Um, what? I don’t get what you’re talking about. How can anyone who’s led by the Wonderful Holy Spirit be manipulated by any “other spirit”? That’s just not possible, Holy Spirit won’t allow it….
Nellie, I believe that too!
We would have to disregard the Holy Soirit and give weight to the manipulation of the controlling spirit for it to affect us. What do you say?
Lance is right on point! As a Spirit-filled believer, it is absolutely possible to be influenced by spirits that are not of God. Conscious decisions have to be made as to what or who we yield to. The new birth gives us the ability to make the RIGHT choice. God gave us His Word, His Spirit, prayer, the power of the blood, etc. to help us overcome things like control and manipulation…and disobedience. And yes, teachers to help us identify issues that we may be blind to.
Amen Gwen! Right on! Lance is 100% correct- we are in a war! So tired of my brothers & sisters not operating in discernment. It is after all a gift of the Spirit. We need it! We must pay attention and be aware of our thoughts and what is influencing us! To make sure we are giving expression to the Holy Spirit not the unholy spirit. People do pray their will and not God’s. Prophetic pray is listening to the Spirit for direction! I decree God’s will be done in earth as it is done in heaven! Have Your way today Lord in my life and America!
Both my parents were extremely controlling. But, I have had to do battle in the spirit most from my mother’s trying to hold on to control over me, who does have native American ancestors – I am thinking the witchcraft strongholds do not want to give up because even when I obey the Holy Spirit & do what he wants me to do, I sense this like a dark cloud trying to hold me back. I begin praying in the Holy Spirit & overcome by speaking God’s Word in faith. There are psychic & soul force prayers that can even be prayed by Christians & they not even know it. That’s why it’s important to pray God’s Word over our lives & the lives of those we love. Galatians 3:1 talks about how even though you have been filled with God’s Holy Spirit, how you can be influenced negatively by these controlling spirits: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”
Don’t you think this is what is meant by discerning of spirits?
Could be. Discerning of spirits, a spiritual gift, given as the Holy Spirit wills; or the human spirit which is exercised by the Word of God to discern good and evil. God also gave the five-fold ministry for the maturing of the believer. All this falls under the ….”etc.” of the previous post. God has provided several ways to help us walk in freedom. Sometimes it’s as simple as God using someone to bring something to our attention (like this blog) and we experience that Ahah! moment that causes us to seek God for help so that a change can be made.
Right on! But not all have it. Paul said to pray for the gifts. There are those who think it is the gift of decernment of others issues and manipulative prayers are its clothing. We called to hate sin and what it is clothed (disguised) in. Confronting all this in love, whether it be recognizing it in ones self or another, while abiding in the gentle meekness of our Lord so that they will know that the Lord is near and abiding in us. Overcoming a controlling spirit can only be done with the Lord and his way.
my mother is 96, my sis (64) who lives with her lives with that spirit! She is a prisoner in that home!