There are a number of questions that have been asked on this subject that may not have been specifically answered to the satisfaction of the reader. A few of the more common questions that we have been asked while presenting this truth are given below.
What do I do if the spirits come to me?
A person once asked me the following question:
"I have had the spirits come and I don't listen to them. What do I do if they keep coming?"
Whether or not you have been responding to the spirits, it is probable that they will come to you again. Satan and his demons don't like to give up their control and will do their best to keep you in bondage to them. It isn't wrong to respond the Lord Jesus Himself responded to Satan. It is what you say that counts. In the end, it is the truth that will set you free. Following are Scriptural principles that will help.
1. Make sure you are a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are not, you are still in Satan's kingdom and you have no protection whatsoever. Please read Acts 19:12-1612So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:12‑16) for an example of unbelievers who tried to stand against a demon. They were beaten and had to flee naked and wounded.
2. Be completely finished with all the works of darkness. As we saw in Rom. 13:1212The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12), we must cast off the works of darkness before we can have any protection from the armor given to us. We also saw in Acts 19:1919Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Acts 19:19) that the believers burned the things connected with darkness in the sight of all men. So, we must be completely and publicly done with it all! As we are told in Eph. 5:1111And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11), we are to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." This means that the believer is to have no charms, roots or other objects buried or placed around the house for protection, is not to be involved in any way in community celebrations to the spirits, etc.
3. Do not rebuke Satan or his demons.
Many teachers today tell people that they should do this to get free of the spirits. The Lord Jesus could do this (see Mark 9:2525When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. (Mark 9:25)), but that is His privilege, not ours. In Jude 1:99Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9) we are told that Michael, the greatest of the angels, would not speak against Satan but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."
4. Resist and the spirits will flee. As we are told in 1 Peter 5:8, 98Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8‑9) and James 4:77Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7), we are to resist Satan and his demons and they will flee from us. And we must resist steadfast in the faith, not relying on our own strength, but submitting ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
5. Confess Christ as your Lord with your mouth. We are told in Rom. 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9) that salvation comes as a result of confessing Christ as Lord. We are saved from all sorts of evil in the world and from Satan when we do this. He hates to hear that Name, but recognizes His authority over all that are His own.
But, let us be very sure that the One whom we confess as Lord is truly Lord of our life.
Remember what He said in Luke 6:4646And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46): "why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
6. Use the armor given to you. Read carefully Eph. 6:12-1812For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:12‑18) and make sure that you understand this important part of the Word of God that describes the armor given to every believer to stand against Satan and his angels. This armor is completely effective and the spirits have no way to prevail against it.
7. Use scripture in responding to the spirits. As we have already seen, the Lord Jesus used one of the pieces of armor, the sword of the Spirit, in responding to Satan (Matt. 4:1-111Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (Matthew 4:1‑11)). This should be our normal mode of audible response whenever we feel that we must answer them.
8. Abide in the Word. The Lord Jesus said in John 8:31, 3231Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31‑32), "If ye abide in my word, ye are truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." It is absolutely essential that we get our direction each day from the Word of God and live by it. We will constantly be confronted by deceit and lies, but the Word of God is truth (John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)) and that truth will set us free from all the bondage and deceit of Satan.
But Are Charms Really Wrong?
As we saw in Deut. 18:9-139When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 18:9‑13), God's people were not to have one who made or used charms among them. "All that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD." This should be enough of an answer on this subject, but there is also a specific example given in Scripture. In Ezek. 13:18-2018And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? 19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? 20Wherefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. (Ezekiel 13:18‑20) we read of objects that were sewn on the wrists as charms. The Lord spoke in the strongest terms against them and in Ezek. 11:2121But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 11:21) He said, "But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD." No, as believers, we must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:1111And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11)) and cast them off (Rom. 13:1212The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)).
But Has Not God Put Power in Charms and Other Objects to Protect Us?
No, He has not. Every scripture given for us says that we are to trust Him alone. We have been told that, just like God put power in the rod of Aaron so that it became a serpent, so He puts power in sticks that are placed in fields to protect them against thieves. If a thief comes into the field, the stick will become a serpent just like Aaron's rod and bite the thief, killing him. Now this is a terrible perversion of God's Word we must never use the Word of God in that way. Search the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation to see if we are ever told to do such a thing. Instead, as we have already stated, we are told over and over again that the Lord is our protection and we are to trust in Him.
It is true that when Aaron's rod turned into a serpent that it was the power of God. God has often worked in miraculous ways throughout the centuries when He has been doing a special work. These things are called "signs" in Scripture. In Aaron's case, it was necessary to show Pharaoh, king of Egypt, that the Lord was the true God and Moses and Aaron were His servants. If you read in Ex. 7:8-128And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 9When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. 10And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:8‑12) you will see that Aaron cast down his rod and it became a serpent when Pharaoh asked to see a miracle to prove that their God had power. It also says that the sorcerers and magicians of Egypt did the same thing, for Satan has great power as well. But God is greater than Satan and so Aaron's rod swallowed up all their rods. If you were to read Ex. 8:6, 76And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. 7And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:6‑7) you would see further that Aaron made frogs come up over the land of Egypt (it was a judgment of God against Pharaoh) and the magicians did the same thing with their enchantments. But then, in Ex. 8:16-1916And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 17And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. 19Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said. (Exodus 8:16‑19), Aaron smote the dust of the earth with his rod and it became lice. The magicians tried to use their enchantments to do this but could not. Why not? Because God alone can create life from the dust of the earth. Satan does not have the power of life and so the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." Now, if people claim that it is the power of God that they use to have sticks turn into snakes, then why not use the power of God to turn dust into living things? It is because it isn't the power of God at all rather it is Satan's deceptive power! Those wicked magicians were defeated and soon after, in Ex. 9:8-118And the Lord said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. 9And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. 10And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. 11And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. (Exodus 9:8‑11), you will read of them covered with boils so that they were no longer able to stand before Moses and Aaron and oppose God. Whenever you find such a thing as casting down a rod and it becoming a serpent in the Word of God it happened as a direct result of God's command. Whenever you find people using power to their own advantage like the magicians of Egypt, it is the power of Satan. Let us never mix these two things (Isa. 5:2020Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)).
What about medicine is it of darkness and are doctors evil?
The short answer is, "no, not necessarily." Medicine and doctors may be right and good, and they may be connected with the works of darkness. It requires godly discernment to know the difference. But, first let us look at Scriptures that deal with this issue.
In Ezek. 47:1212And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. (Ezekiel 47:12), we are told about a tree that God will create in the future that will be for food and medicine. The prophet speaks of those that do not have healing medicines in Jer. 30:1313There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. (Jeremiah 30:13). From these verses we learn that medicine can be legitimate and from God. But this kind of medicine reacts with the body and causes healing by direct interaction with the body part that is ill. An example of medicine that is used externally is given in 2 Kings 20:77And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. (2 Kings 20:7) where a lump of figs was laid on a boil. An example of medicine that works internally may be seen in 1 Tim. 5:2323Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (1 Timothy 5:23) where the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."
As to doctors, we see that the Lord Jesus recognized them in Matt. 9:1212But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. (Matthew 9:12) when he said, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." We also find in Col. 4:1414Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. (Colossians 4:14) that Luke, the Apostle Paul's long-time companion in his travels, is referred to as the beloved physician. God has given men the wisdom to know about healing and how to apply medicines to the body to bring it about. But whether it is with medicine or physicians, we must be sure that there is no connection with the works of darkness. No matter how desperate we are, the option of going to the witch doctor is absolutely forbidden to the Christian.
Earlier we had considered the role of faith in the Christian's life we must live by faith! We must live by faith even when we are dying. If we don't live for the Lord when things are going well, then we will have a very difficult time when they aren't. Notice what it says in 2 Chron. 16:1212And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. (2 Chronicles 16:12): "And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians." Who is the first one we should turn to when we are sick? Do we just go to the doctor to get some medicine, or do we get on our knees and ask the Lord what He is saying to us? He wants us to come to Him for everything. It is often His way to send us to the doctors and to use medicine to heal us, but He wants us to come to Him first. If we go to the witch doctor, we cannot seek the Lord's help at the same time. That would be mixing light and darkness and they don't mix! Let us live our lives by faith and seek the Lord's help and direction as to what He would have us to do in every circumstance of our lives, even when we become ill. We are told in James 5:1515And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15) that it is "the prayer of faith" that will "save the sick" and it goes on to tell us Who it is that ultimately heals the believer: "the Lord shall raise him up."
What Protection Is There for My Crops and Possessions?
We previously considered how the believer is called to live a life of faith. But the fear that many have is of what may happen if their neighbors learn that they no longer go to the spirits for protection. They fear that, when it is learned that they have no protection, thieves will freely come into their fields and steal their crops. When it becomes known that there are no protecting charms, roots and fetishes buried or placed around their home, their possessions may be stolen or those who wish to do them harm may bewitch them and destroy their health. How is the Christian to deal with this fear?
The answer is FAITH and confession of that faith. Tell everyone that your trust is in the Lord. He is protecting your things now and no one can do anything to you unless He allows it. Then, trust in Him! We trust Him for our eternal wellbeing. Can we not trust Him for everything here?
But many teach that God is not interested in our day-to-day affairs. This-is wicked teaching that comes from Satan. The Word of God tells us in Prov. 29:2525The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25), "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his confidence in Jehovah is protected." We learn in Prov. 30:55Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5) that, "he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." The life of faith requires FAITH. As it says in 2 Cor. 5:77(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2 Corinthians 5:7), "we walk by faith, not by sight." But, given the difficulty of things around us, it is often hard to live out our faith. This was the case of a man who had come to the Lord Jesus asking Him to heal his daughter who was about to die.
Before the Lord Jesus could come, someone came to the father and told him not to bother the Lord Jesus further for the girl had died. This is often what we do. The problem is too great, or we think that He is not interested or willing to help us, so we don't go to Him and instead seek help or comfort from others. What the Lord Jesus said to that man is so instructive for us. He said in Mark 5:3636As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. (Mark 5:36), "Fear not; only believe." No matter what, we must trust Him. As we are told in Prov. 3:5,65Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5‑6) "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
What about those who have powerful charms and the evil power in them is so great that they can come back from the dead as a wild animal like a hyena and kill people?
There are many stories like this and people who claim to have seen those who have died in this way. If a wild animal like a lion or hyena kills people shortly after some person who was known to be a witch (mfiti) has died, then the work of the animal is generally attributed to the witch. These things are all superstitions that are created by the deceptions of Satan. In Eccl. 8:88There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. (Ecclesiastes 8:8) we are told that, "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it." When death comes, the wicked die just like anyone else. Their spirit goes to the prison of torment called hell that we considered earlier. They have no special power in the day of death and this verse tells us specifically that their wickedness can do nothing to help them in their evil way. Satan uses these things to keep people, even believers, in fear. It is the truth that will deliver us and set us free from Satan and his bondage of fear.
But what about the story of Saul calling up Samuel from the grave and speaking with him? Doesn't that indicate that we can communicate with ancestral spirits?
This story, which is found in 1 Sam. 28, does not support the idea that the living can communicate with their dead ancestors. Back in those days, the Lord spoke to His people through dreams, Urim or by prophets (verse 6), but He would no longer answer Saul. So Saul, who was an unbeliever (the Lord had become his enemy verse 16) did exactly what the Lord had commanded his people not to do. He went to a witch to inquire of a familiar spirit and try to speak to Samuel who was a prophet who had recently died. When the woman did this, she did not find the familiar spirit. Instead, Samuel himself came up. It was not a spirit but Samuel specially raised up in body to speak to Saul. There are many other instances given in the Bible of God raising people from the dead to live again for a time on the earth. God raised him up to deliver a special message to Saul and after that message was delivered we don't hear anything more from Samuel. We should also point out that Samuel was not Saul's ancestor. Finally, it tells us in 1 Chron. 10:1313So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; (1 Chronicles 10:13) that "Saul died for... asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it." So, even if this story supported communication with the dead (which it doesn't), we see again that God expressly forbids attempts at such communication.
But doesn't the story of the disciples who saw Moses and Elijah on the mountain with the Lord Jesus (Matt. 17:1-81And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. (Matthew 17:1‑8)) indicate that the spirits of those who have died are able to communicate with the living on earth?
No it doesn't here we have a special revelation of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ that was given to the disciples as a preview of that coming day when He will come again to this earth in glory (2 Peter 1:1616For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)). The disciples saw Him in His glory and Moses and Elijah with him it was no dream. Another thing that marked this special occasion is that one of those with Him, Elijah, had never died. Neither Moses nor Elijah was their immediate ancestor and they did not speak with any of the disciples or say anything about their lives. Instead, like all believers that leave this earth, they were with Christ and occupied with Him. When Peter saw them he made a mistake that many make regarding those who have died. He made a suggestion that put Moses and Elijah on the same level as the Lord Jesus. Immediately God spoke from a bright cloud and said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." When they looked again it says that, "they saw no man, save Jesus only." In just the same way, He is the only one that we are to go to. He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:55For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)) and trying to put anything or anyone else in that position is completely wrong and idolatry.