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 have recently started work in a Christian organisation. The previous manager has a very controlling and manipulative spirit and thinks the world owes them. Although they decided to leave the organisation, they keep coming back and the only way I can describe it is ‘niggle’ the managers that are running the place. I believe this to be totally controlling and manipulative.
This is very much on point, and a tremendous blessing to hear! With Love in Christ,
Sis. Sabrina
Having been raised by a father with a critical & controlling spirit, even though I have been saved & spirit filled for 34 yrs, I still see signs of that spirit in my personality! Thank you for this teaching & prayer, I believe I am free in Jesus Name!
Thanks for sharing this message in such a clear concise way. Some areas of my life that were affected by manipulation were my sex life and how I viewed sex. Which in turn caused me to view my relationships with my family completely wrong. My kids, my ex husband, even the way I dated and viewed myself later on in my life was affected by manipulation. And to be honest I had allowed this spirit to operate through me. I know the Holy Spirit has led me to this teaching so that I could be free from it. Thank you for sharing this message. I’m grateful because I want to walk free from this spirit so I can be affective for the kingdom of God.
Dear Lance: Great teaching on dealing with physic prayers…isn’t it interesting how the enemy, can use others who “have their own agendas, in the way that they preach, teach and pray” for things that may or may not be what God wants to manifest himself for that particular time and event. My only daughter is getting married in two months and sadly my ex-wife chooses NOT to forgive me (now for 20 years and we cannot fellowship at all together) she has a huge spirit of Jezabelle on her, which is now manifesting over my daughter. I have felt at “times these physic prayers” trying to be influenced by our daughter over me. My ex-wife believes that the way she has told her story, to my daughter is the “right way.: The only way that I can block this demonic activity is through praying in tongues. Sadly, I won’t have any Father of the Bride duties or influence in this wedding and my new wife and I are only going to just the ceremony!
Wow…I have been listening to Derek Prince off and on for about a year or so…His teachings ring ture in my spirit…And I’ve come to realize that I really don’t know very much…But am eager to learn…Something that Derek Prince was teaching…On the decerning of spirits…I never knew that bad angels were not demons…Can you help me with that..? Were the demons a product of the fallen angels..? Is there a Derek Prince ministries around here…Al Piedmont…Between Gadsden and Anniston…
Thank you so much for this teaching. It has given me insight as how to respond to this type of oppression.
Please my wife passed away in, 2013, and in 2016 my daughter introduced to me a lady to marry very beautiful lady and honestly love her, I met with the lady we stayed together i promised to marry her and I did engaged with an engagement ring, we had numerous Sex within that period. we then travelled to her own house in different city . there she invited a pastor to pray for me. The pastor came with some bottles of blackcurrant drinks which he pored into a bucket of water also he added some anointing oil, he said i should bath with the water , to cleanse bad luck and evil attachments, I did and he also gave me to drink, after all these travelled back to Europe. But I realised that she has other boyfriends, and each time I confronted her she will denied it, but it was obvious . But my worries now is that any time i wanted to leave the relationship i will not have peace in my mind or soul. My hart will be panting and very heavy until I get to speak with her and since i came back i have not been sleeping in the night. I suppose to see her again at the middle of this month and I have promised her that I will marry when I come back and will pay her bride price. Please what should I do.
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I really don’t know about the control spirit , does anyone know how I can get rid of it if I do infact have it ?