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!
Why I think it’s best to pray mostly in tongues for people. You can’t go wrong really.
I love that you mentioned Derek Prince, Lance! Over 40 years ago, I was in grad school at Sweden’s major art school (university level) in Stockholm, to which I had a fellowship/scholarship. Another American friend who lived there and who was a believer, asked me to go to hear Derek speak one evening as he was visiting and preaching in Sweden at the time. I remember feeling like I could literally listen to him for hours upon hours! I had never felt that way before! Having grown up in legalism, his message was truly a breath of very fresh and wonderful Spirit filled air! Thanks for that reminder of a very precious memory!
Wow! Religious witchcraft….this is the spirit that is motivating religious leaders to speak out against Trump. They are trying to control the will of the people and think they speaking the will of God. What are they so afraid of? Aren’t they the same folks who continually tell us, “God is in control”? This spirit of control is what turns off so many unbelievers to Christians. The spirit of Jesus is cleaning house and exposing the lies so that the glory of the Father can be fully manifest in the earth!
Thanks, Lance, for dealing with this oft-neglected part of our walk. TheChildrensBread.com provides access to the Bob & Ruth Cornforth teaching of that title, as well as practical, reliable command language (see the “Clear the Air…” document) that has served my wife and me well for almost 40 years now.
The Lord is GOOD! I’ve been greatly enjoying discovering the many hidden treasures “lost in the translation” from Aramaic to Greek, comparing the top three Aramaic to English translations for “two or three witnesses” confirmation: Magiera, Lamsa, and Bauscher (w/ Notes, albeit at times tendentious).
Mike Bickel quoted Paul Cain as hearing the Lord say “To the Church without mixture I will pour out my Spirit without measure” (somewhere on https://archive.org/details/EncounteringJesus): I believe Joseph Prince (Grace Capsule) and Andrew Farley (God Without Religion) are being very helpful in this direction, by their focus on “It is finished” and the gift of righteousness we’ve been given by the abundance of grace.
God bless your efforts as well!
Good food for thought. Now is the time to make sure we are not hindered by that junk. 🙂
Will any of the summit sessions be available for live stream?
Thank you, Lance, for this timely word. I am seeing more bruising and bludgeoning going on the inside the local church than I have ever seen before. Those that I see as ‘spiritual giants’ are taking some serious hits and are staggering around like they’ve been shot. I had my own ‘aha’ a few days ago and am gearing up for some corporate warring in prayer. (although I’ll be covering the prayer meeting with prayer because I certainly don’t want to be praying out of the Father’s will!) This is all actually pretty darn exciting, knowing that the Enemy is ticked, but when you’ve got alligators snapping at your hip pockets, it’s easy to lose focus and simply strive for survival.
God bless you, sir, for the encouragement that you bring to us.
Why is it that “spirit-filled” believers have such a hard time hearing this? My husband and I lead prayer ministry in our church, and some of the most experienced intercessors are unteachable. You can’t tell them anything.
This is so on time. I am a pastor and felt an oppression and heaviness all week long and last night at prayer meeting an attendee who I have had to watch and correct because of multiple incidents of straying in prayer and other services has been injecting their will upon the services, prayer time and ministry events. The Holy Spirit told me that she had been speaking against the leadership of the church. I prayed again witchcraft prayers again the church and leadership. Thanks for identifying what’s going on, it confirms what I have felt.
I was so shocked when several different Pastors prophesied that we would be at their church forever! I wondered how the heck that could happen…. can’t be at more than one church…. then, we didn’t even want to be at their church forever! Felt very controlling!
So relavent each time…very greatful for these emails and videos…thanks again…lots to meditate on…lots of sub tle influences as well as not so subtle.
Darn that niggly often persistent root of fear….often behind many types of control and manipulation…no wonder so many scriptures saying fear not….we have to persist every way possible…freedom from fear is ours completely thru Christ…no weapon formed against us shall prosper… Where s that bible ref. from?