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!
Lance, Derek Prince, his writings and recorded messages enabled a quantum leap – ongoing – for me. He was the spiritual father I needed so much.
Also, the amazing result of believing and claiming Ps. 119:163
changed my life forever. “Great is the peace of those that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.” KJV In Jesus’ Name,
May this truth, empowered by Holy Spirit, set free all who read this, as well!
Amen! !
Lance ,
I’m so grateful for this email ..I have been struggling with control and manipulation in my marriage.
I want my life back.This is an answer to my prayer
I can say I have not known about manipulate spirits before. But. It does explain my growing up years with my Mother. who was always controlling. It carried over to my marriage to George who was controlling in many ways, like my Mom. Always wondered why I was drawn to these type of people.. Since I know Christ now..He lives in me, but some of the old nature sometimes creeps in. I need prayer to understand more about diserning of Spirits. Need to plead the blood of Jesus everyday and keep the armor on!…
If this can help some in understanding psychic prayers. What Lance has spoken about and others in their posts are saying the same thing just in different ways. As I have already seen, prayers amiss. There are those who are praying things without the Holy Spirit understanding simply because they lack teaching or poor teaching.
A woman once prayed for me, she picked up correctly loneliness, but she interpreted that to be a spousal loneliness. For intercessors and burden bearers like myself, we are often in our towers and caves praying as the “Lord” leads. But there are only other intercessors to whom we can bounce stuff off of because most believers don’t understand us, or the religious ones think we’re a bit fruity. After she prayed that loneliness thing, I battled spousal loneliness until the Lord showed me where it came from. We can pray stuff on people, not off of them, out of ignorance.
Then there are those people who think they are prophets by their own assertions, or those who think they ‘know’ the mind of God. Their prayers come with power because it is out of the soulish realm or praying their own mind that is rooted in the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (spirit of antichrist). People who desire the gifts and to operate in them but for selfish reasons, not to glorify God and to set people free of the things that bother them.
So witchcraft prayers, psychic prayers, Christian white magic(that’s a good one Sandy!). It’s all the same. But what do we do when someone wants to or is praying over us that doesn’t confirm in our hearts? Or it makes you feel uncomfortable or even scared?
That’s a tricky one, perhaps Lance could impart some wisdom on that. This is where our shepherds are to be watching over us, if it’s in a church setting, Bible study/prayer group, etc. It depends on from what spirit they are operating in, are they controlling, brow-beating, or known for similar behavior, or is it someone who is honestly making a mistake. I can tell you this, to confront a controlling person in this matter is no easy task, and usually doesn’t end well because they are unteachable. Those who prayer amiss (due to lack of knowledge) are teachable.
John Bevere has an excellent book on this very subject also and is scripturally sound and a proven man of God too.
Hi Cherie McNaul, you nailed it. You truly conveyed the thoughts running in my head as I was reading along, but couldn’t have written it any better than you have. I thank God for you my Sister and I pray the Lord uses you more powerfully in intercession for His glory this end times. You are truly operating in the spirit of discernment with such a gracious and generous heart. I pray God leads you in an area of teaching His church, for we need humble and meek servants like yourself. Bless God. I pray that it’s all believers heart to bring pleasure to our Heavenly Father, thereby operating with a teachable spirit. There is much power available to those who are humble enough to receive correction.
Thank you Cherie McNaul for your comments. you are so right about it. Sadly many shepherds are not even aware of this problem. I have exactly the same question on my mind as you posted. I believe such a curse cannot touch us if we are walking in the obedience. But what if we stumble? We repent. But what if the curse continue? Would you please give me a name of the book of John Bevere on this subject? His books enlightened me on many subjects so far. thank you.
The effective prayer of the righteous avails much!
This is revelation needed for Now!!! There is much released from the darkness manifesting in many different forms and ideologies. You are right about praying for discernment, we need it! The Word of the Lord proves true, He is our shield and refuge!!! God Bless You and Thank you! Gail Stoddard
I so resonated with the title of this message as soon as I saw it. Do you think non-Christians also exert this type of power over people? Looking back now on this past weekend I believe two different people I barely knew, but had to work with, were trying to control and manipulate me. I could sense something was wrong with the situations but couldn’t see what it was. It was like part of my brain was unable to accept there was a problem with the situation and the other part was struggling to get me out of it. I was struggling so much that I got a horrible migraine.
But I couldn’t figure out at the time why I was struggling or where the horrible feeling of being trapped was coming from. The people I had to work with were being “so nice” as they kept pushing me to do more and more for them. I now believe there was more going on than just people who were being unreasonable. I am thinking it was a spiritual attack. How do we learn to recognize what is happening before the attack overcomes us, one way or another?
Catherine, I suggest you listen to your gut (heart), where the Holy Spirit lives. You’ll feel a twinge and know that things don’t seem right. Be aware, excuse yourself and walk away. I am learning too, and as I’m listening to and heading this little voice inside of me, I become stronger to take that step next time. It will also become easier and you will soon be able to pick up on these foul spirits quicker and leave them in the dust. Make sure you don’t come into agreement with them!
Reading this and listening to the video has really helped me. With a background and a ‘double whammy’ of controlling influences, I am always concerned that I may enter into it as it can be quite insidious. Asking for forgiveness and being released for where I have bowed my knee to this thing is a wonderful miracle- Praise The Lord for The Blood!
What timing, Lance! A very dear friend (it’s a long church story involving an open vision God gave to her several years ago that brought us together in a sweet bond) called me this afternoon to verify if what she was seeing/experiencing/hearing from this church (that my husband and I left a few years ago after having been there for about 18 years) was “real” in how she was perceiving it, or was she just “crazy”. We spoke for hours about the many and gradual things brought about by the leadership to deconstruct that church and bring it under their strict control – even to ridiculous policies that go against scripture. “Controlling spirit” is what kept coming up in the conversation. She read to me some of Chuck Swindoll’s book about grace (which also has sections on legalism and control) that certainly fit the situation. She is an older lady and there are many others of differing ages (but it is the older ones that concern me, because in leaving they could become “church orphans”, not being able to find a church in our area that even entertains or teaches the idea of being led by the Spirit or really learning how to abide in God or seeking His Presence, and not being able to travel long distances back and forth to Dallas, where what they desire is available) that would probably leave if they had another “viable” option or are staying at the church out of loyalty to friends, etc.. My husband and I also find ourselves in the same situation once more – me struggling with health issues and finding it difficult to commit to and become involved in a church far away at retirement age – not to even mention starting over again to find a new church, which we are again in need of. The church she belongs to (where we were members several years ago) used to be a wonderfully mixed church (independent and sort of a Bible type church) with people from many backgrounds and ages and even beliefs concerning theology, as well as how the Holy Spirit works today. But we all loved each other and there was, most of the time, a bond and spirit of unity – a respect for each other’s differences and an ability, with a few exceptions, to get along. Most have enough respect and obedience to biblical precepts to want to walk in an honoring way to the leadership. And so many are staying quiet, but unhappy with what is happening. So, not wanting to belabor the negatives, we are praying for God to lead and intervene according to His wisdom. But I am grieved at the diminishment of freedom and candor in this beloved church where we still have contacts and friends. I believe that it is not by accident that you posted this email today, Lance. Too many in the church have not been taught what you are revealing. They do not recognize either what they are perpetrating, operating under this evil spirit, or do not recognize it (except maybe with a sense of unease) when they are up against this controlling witchcraft spirit. Thank you so very much for your continued teaching! Today’s post is such a confirmation of what we believe God has been revealing to us. By the way, I too (as others have mentioned) grew up with a very controlling mother and came from a very legalistic church background. So I have been asking God to keep stripping me of all the internal “tapes” that would turn me into the same. This subject is so important and is no laughing matter to those of us who have been “under it”.