Spiritual warfare – is it biblical?
Recently, a prominent ex-politician was sharing his testimonies during a Christian Healing Rally. He was sharing his experience on being demon possessed, and how he was subsequently healed with the help of some Christian Faith Healers. As the Faith Healer was rebuking the demon within him, one by one, the spirit flushed out like a whirlwind through his mouth. The final count was a total of seven demons being exorcised from him.
Stories like this are fast becoming a rampant in the Christian community. I believe the proper term is “Spiritual Warfare” whereby Faith Healers are said to be able to cast out demons within us. Practices like rebuking the demon, binding the demon and throwing the Devil into the pit are common sight in such rituals.
Today’s generations of Christians are so obsessed with this mystical worldview, which interprets experience from a mystical framework rather than from a Biblical point of view. Personally, I find that to be a worrying trend. The bible is the sole authority for all Christians, Thus we should ask ourselves, are all these exorcism practices Biblical?
2 Peter 2 gives an excellent description of false prophets who will be secretly introducing destructive heresies, and bringing destruction to themselves. The rest of the Chapter gives a description of the characteristics of the false prophets. In Verse 10 “This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slender celestial beings.” This context indicates that the false prophets were not afraid to rebuke celestial beings – Demons. In the following Verse 11 “ Yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusation against such beings in the presence of the Lord.” Even Angels know better not to do such foolish things as rebuking other celestial beings!!
Similarly, Jude 8 and 9 gives similar warnings on false teaching. “In the same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said “the Lord rebuke you!” Again, this passage is telling us that even the Archangel Michael dare not rebuke the devil! Yet we see the Faith Healers nowadays are practicing it. The only sole authority for rebuking the devil lies with the Lord himself, as indicated in Verse 10 “The Lord rebuke you.” Only God has authority over the Devil! Furthermore, typical Faith Healers’ practice of binding the devil doesn’t stand against Revelation 20:1 “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss, and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” The mentioned Angel will have the honor of binding the devil when the time comes.
How do we protect ourselves from the Devil? The answer to that can be found in 1 Peter 5:9 “Resist him, standing firm in your faith…” It is by having Faith in God that we will be victorious against the devil. And in Verse 10 “ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
We need not worry as what harm the devil can do to us. The devil isn’t sovereign, but God is! The Lord has control of everything, including the Devil. Thus, we should practice as what the Bible has commanded, by having Faith in God. Christian should not indulge in any mystical spiritual warfare, as the book of Jude and 1 Peter has clearly shown that such activities are the work of false prophets.
Stories like this are fast becoming a rampant in the Christian community. I believe the proper term is “Spiritual Warfare” whereby Faith Healers are said to be able to cast out demons within us. Practices like rebuking the demon, binding the demon and throwing the Devil into the pit are common sight in such rituals.
Today’s generations of Christians are so obsessed with this mystical worldview, which interprets experience from a mystical framework rather than from a Biblical point of view. Personally, I find that to be a worrying trend. The bible is the sole authority for all Christians, Thus we should ask ourselves, are all these exorcism practices Biblical?
2 Peter 2 gives an excellent description of false prophets who will be secretly introducing destructive heresies, and bringing destruction to themselves. The rest of the Chapter gives a description of the characteristics of the false prophets. In Verse 10 “This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slender celestial beings.” This context indicates that the false prophets were not afraid to rebuke celestial beings – Demons. In the following Verse 11 “ Yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusation against such beings in the presence of the Lord.” Even Angels know better not to do such foolish things as rebuking other celestial beings!!
Similarly, Jude 8 and 9 gives similar warnings on false teaching. “In the same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said “the Lord rebuke you!” Again, this passage is telling us that even the Archangel Michael dare not rebuke the devil! Yet we see the Faith Healers nowadays are practicing it. The only sole authority for rebuking the devil lies with the Lord himself, as indicated in Verse 10 “The Lord rebuke you.” Only God has authority over the Devil! Furthermore, typical Faith Healers’ practice of binding the devil doesn’t stand against Revelation 20:1 “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss, and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” The mentioned Angel will have the honor of binding the devil when the time comes.
How do we protect ourselves from the Devil? The answer to that can be found in 1 Peter 5:9 “Resist him, standing firm in your faith…” It is by having Faith in God that we will be victorious against the devil. And in Verse 10 “ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
We need not worry as what harm the devil can do to us. The devil isn’t sovereign, but God is! The Lord has control of everything, including the Devil. Thus, we should practice as what the Bible has commanded, by having Faith in God. Christian should not indulge in any mystical spiritual warfare, as the book of Jude and 1 Peter has clearly shown that such activities are the work of false prophets.