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!
My son (28) hasn’t spoken to us, his parents, in months. He’s living with a girl who claims to be a good Christian, but who I see as disrespectful, arrogant, and manipulative. She demands he not have anything to do with us, so he hasn’t. We are not bad people. We are regular members of a Bible- belivieving congregation, and love Jesus, and raised our son up in the way he should go. We had an argument, yes, a pretty bad one, but we have always forgiven and moved on before. My husband and I are broken-hearted, to be treated with such silence and disdain. They will not allow us to visit their apartment or his job. She blocks my calls and texts on his phone…. I do not want to sin, but I alternate between intense grief and fury at them. I do not know how to pray, except to beg the Lord to speak to my son of His will….
Sweet Anna, my heart goes out to you. We also have a son who has left our home and married a Christian young lady, distancing himself from us after some very difficult encounters.
Your son, though, you say is living with his “Christian” girlfriend. The prodigal son’s father did not run after him [call, text or scold] or pursue in any way that we know from the scripture, until he turned and repented (but met him on the way back home). Love never fails! Have faith in God. His word does not return void. Declare to God every scripture promise concerning your son–and pray for this young lady–that she will also immerse herself in the reflection of Jesus–the image and likeness we all seek. Try not to take offense at their refusal of visits. Neither of them are your enemy. Your enemy would love to make them your enemies, though. Jesus prayed for those that ripped out his beard, spat on him, and yelled, “Crucify Him!” We must forgive, also.
Talking to Father about them (and not to them) is acting like the one Jesus was referring to when he said, “There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends.” You don’t have to die and go to heaven, just die to the fleshly anger and grief and fear of losing someone you love, to rise up to the faith required to love unconditionally (with no time frame or demands) and see the salvation of God.
I am praying for you as you walk out the “love walk” with these young people. Please pray for me, too.
Dear Lance,
Thank you for such revelation, its just what i need it at the moment.
I wonder how to be released from the strong holds/controlling spirit by Parent? I feel being trapped and can’t move an inch from what i want to achieve in life as in this case My mother.
I have experienced soneone elses negative spirit attack me. My nenmentorspirtual mother explained “we need to get prayed up before and sfter being with others we are not sure of their spiritual walk.
I went for a bike ride this morning and my thoughts were steering towards my experience of Christians who I believe pray wrong prayers, and manipulate others (me) with their lack of communication, even in charismatic circles. Really glad I’ve touched base with some great writing and wisdom. It is encouraging me not to give up! Thanks! 🙂
Something like you will really show me is that we practice lawlessness in our driving habits. Everyone knows that you can go 5 to 8 miles over the limit without being pulled over in my opinion this is training and lawlessness and opens the door to witchcraft because it’s Rebellion against the law of the land this is something each and every Christian can do practically and immediately to stop Spirit of rebellion and lawlessness in our land doesn’t take message prayer just takes obeying the law of the land and going the speed limit it’s not a speed suggestion just like the 10 commandments are not ten suggestions we are to obey the law of the land as Christians and that is very easy and effective way that we can affect the atmosphere on the streets and the roads of our nation and I also believe we’ll be able to put an end to road rage as well as release more angels and our atmosphere by not inviting rebellion and our land.
In short, we are careful who we “share” with or ask for prayer. We do not discuss our ‘troubles’ with anyone but one in whom we KNOW abides wisdom. This wisdom is, knowledge of the Word, and one who is constrained in conscience by the love of God. We do not allow prayer of “opinion” in ourselves or others, but only by first seeking and praying in tongues until we ‘hear’ the mind of Christ (and with it direction)and additionally declaring the word, do we move toward decreeing a thing. If we follow the model of Christ, “only do what I see my Father do; only say what I hear my Father say…” we will not fall into the trap of witchcraft/soul control. And the Holy Spirit is willing and able to teach us the HOW. And He is also brilliant at speaking clearly to us.
Unfortunately there are pastors who operate in this spirit. They actually believe that controlling their congregation is Godly. Most become spiritually/emotionally abusive. Thanks for bring this to light. Control in any form is nothing but witchcraft.
Good word, Lance! We often pray, “We cancel all soulish prayers prayed concerning us.” along with cancelling all Retribution, Revenge, Retaliation, Jealousy and Witchcraft off of us and anything associated with us. We usually pray this before we got to bed at night or in times of unusual warfare. I blogged about this and other prayers of spiritual protection here: https://supernaturaldiscernment.com/2013/04/19/protection/
God bless you!
Sandy Walker
Thank you for this topic. Would you discuss binding and loosing as well.
It’s so good to access this quality of article and comments on email, thank you so much your
perserverance in it all, Kath G N.England.