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Some believe that spiritual warfare is praying aggressive prayers
of punishment and judgment against evil spirits and principalities. For a
while, years ago, I dabbled in prayers like this written by a minister until he was exposed by people involved in his ministry for engaging in witchcraft. Since then, the Lord showed me from His word that
spiritual warfare is something else entirely and those who make a habit of
praying aggressive, anti-demonic prayers have gone astray from God's ways.
This article is a warning to Christians who engage in this
practice. You need to stop. I'm going to show from the Scriptures why it is
wrong and what spiritual warfare really is.
Following are a couple excerpts of aggressive
"spiritual warfare" prayers. The first prayer comes from someone who
posts end-times prophecies on a website and video channel, and the second is from the aforementioned minister. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THESE PRAYERS:
Example 1:
"I break you, all evil spirits and ask for the Holy Spirit to destroy you by fire and bring you to ashes. Every power declaring dominion over me, you are a LIAR! Break and be brought to ashes in Yahushua's mighty name. Serpent of death and every strong man, break and be brought to ashes in Yahushua's mighty name."
"I break you, all evil spirits and ask for the Holy Spirit to destroy you by fire and bring you to ashes. Every power declaring dominion over me, you are a LIAR! Break and be brought to ashes in Yahushua's mighty name. Serpent of death and every strong man, break and be brought to ashes in Yahushua's mighty name."
Example 2:
"I pray that every human spirit, fallen angelic spirit, or otherwise malevolent spirit attempting to come against me or my household would be apprehended by your heavenly hosts, such that they cannot so much as set foot upon this property. I pray that they would be escorted out to wherever the Lord Jesus sends them, pierced through with many arrows, and discomfited by Your lightning in the process, that they would know that Jesus is Lord."
"I pray that every human spirit, fallen angelic spirit, or otherwise malevolent spirit attempting to come against me or my household would be apprehended by your heavenly hosts, such that they cannot so much as set foot upon this property. I pray that they would be escorted out to wherever the Lord Jesus sends them, pierced through with many arrows, and discomfited by Your lightning in the process, that they would know that Jesus is Lord."
God's Protection is Automatic When We Abide in Him
People may pray these prayers because they think they have
to in order to be protected from all the evil in the world. But look at what
Psalm 91 says about God's protection:
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my
refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'" - Psalm 91:1-2
When we dwell in the secret place with Him (draw near to Him, hear and respond to His voice) and trust that He is our fortress, God protects us automatically. He protects us from everything - terror, arrows, pestilence, plague, etc. We don't have to constantly pray elaborate protection prayers that attack every evil spirit and name every form of evil that might present itself. God's protection is complete. We can rest in that.
Moreover, what motivates people to pray these elaborate, aggressive prayers? Is it simple faith in God that He will protect us according to His word, or is it a desire to control everything in our life and circumstance? The fleshly desire for control is the root of witchcraft. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists various forms of witchcraft: Passing a child through the fire, divination, charming, consulting familiar spirits, observing times, wizardry, necromancy. (For more details, see Spiritual Warfare Is Not Just AttackingDemons in the Spiritual Realm.) Witchcraft is an attempt to gain favorable outcomes by spiritual powers other than the Holy Spirit. I have noticed that people who engage in aggressive spiritual warfare prayers tend to fall into witchcraft, especially divination and consulting familiar spirits, although they may be fooled into thinking the spirit they are communing with is God's Spirit. God does not contradict his own written word, though. That is an important test.
We must also remember that suffering and tribulation are part of following in the footsteps of Christ. We can pray the enemy cannot touch us beyond His will for us, but we need to be okay with suffering too. God intends it for our spiritual growth and for glorifying God. "He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." - 1 Peter 4:1
When we dwell in the secret place with Him (draw near to Him, hear and respond to His voice) and trust that He is our fortress, God protects us automatically. He protects us from everything - terror, arrows, pestilence, plague, etc. We don't have to constantly pray elaborate protection prayers that attack every evil spirit and name every form of evil that might present itself. God's protection is complete. We can rest in that.
Moreover, what motivates people to pray these elaborate, aggressive prayers? Is it simple faith in God that He will protect us according to His word, or is it a desire to control everything in our life and circumstance? The fleshly desire for control is the root of witchcraft. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists various forms of witchcraft: Passing a child through the fire, divination, charming, consulting familiar spirits, observing times, wizardry, necromancy. (For more details, see Spiritual Warfare Is Not Just AttackingDemons in the Spiritual Realm.) Witchcraft is an attempt to gain favorable outcomes by spiritual powers other than the Holy Spirit. I have noticed that people who engage in aggressive spiritual warfare prayers tend to fall into witchcraft, especially divination and consulting familiar spirits, although they may be fooled into thinking the spirit they are communing with is God's Spirit. God does not contradict his own written word, though. That is an important test.
We must also remember that suffering and tribulation are part of following in the footsteps of Christ. We can pray the enemy cannot touch us beyond His will for us, but we need to be okay with suffering too. God intends it for our spiritual growth and for glorifying God. "He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." - 1 Peter 4:1
Spiritual Warfare Is Practicing the Christian Fundamentals
According to Ephesians 6 and 2 Corinthians 10, spiritual
warfare is practicing the Christian fundamentals:
"This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so
that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything,
to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with
it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray
at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in
this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints." -
Ephesians 6:13-18, Holman
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Ephesians 6 says spiritual warfare is seeking and loving the truth, walking in God's righteousness, standing on the gospel of peace, having faith and hope, actively using God's word and praying at all times, especially intercessory prayer for the saints. Notice it does not say railing against demonic powers; it emphasizes praying for people - intercessory prayer. 2 Corinthians adds the practice of challenging people with the truth. You want to tear down demonic strongholds? Preach the truth!
Growing in these practices enables us to stand against evil in this world and have victories over the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. This is how we become effective agents of Christ.
Sadly, for some, acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8) is not enough. They want something more exciting, more advanced, that makes them feel powerful and elite. So they turn to supercharged, anti-demon, anti-fallen angel warfare prayers. And where does that take them? The Scriptures say it leads to ruin.
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Ephesians 6 says spiritual warfare is seeking and loving the truth, walking in God's righteousness, standing on the gospel of peace, having faith and hope, actively using God's word and praying at all times, especially intercessory prayer for the saints. Notice it does not say railing against demonic powers; it emphasizes praying for people - intercessory prayer. 2 Corinthians adds the practice of challenging people with the truth. You want to tear down demonic strongholds? Preach the truth!
Growing in these practices enables us to stand against evil in this world and have victories over the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. This is how we become effective agents of Christ.
Sadly, for some, acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8) is not enough. They want something more exciting, more advanced, that makes them feel powerful and elite. So they turn to supercharged, anti-demon, anti-fallen angel warfare prayers. And where does that take them? The Scriptures say it leads to ruin.
Speaking Evil of Angelic Authorities Brings Ruin
The book of Jude is a warning about ungodly people and
apostasy. This passage focuses on their practice of speaking evil of angelic
authorities:
"Nevertheless, these dreamers likewise defile their
flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious ones. Yet Michael the
archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses’ body,
did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him but said, 'The Lord
rebuke you!' But these people blaspheme anything they don’t understand. What
they know by instinct like unreasoning animals—they destroy themselves with
these things." - Jude 1:8-10, Holman
Where it says "blaspheme glorious ones," it's talking about angelic beings and their authorities and principalities. Other Bible translations say "heap abuse on celestial beings" (NIV), "revile angelic majesties" (NASB), and "speak evil of dignities" (KJV).
The positive example is Michael the archangel, who in a dispute with Satan simply said, "The Lord rebuke you." Michael did not say, "Satan, you are a liar and a thief! Be destroyed by fire and brought to ashes!" He did not say, "Be judged right now, pierced through with arrows and discomfited by lightning!"
If Satan is the enemy of our souls, why must we be careful how we speak to him or any other fallen angelic being? Because God has established the authorities and principalities of the angels, even the fallen ones. These authorities still exist until judgment day when God will remove them. God has appointed a specific time for this, and the saints will even participate in that judgment. But it is not our right to judge and condemn angels before the appointed time or to disrespect the authorities God has established.
If someone does speak evil of angelic authorities, what is the consequence? The passage says it will bring destruction on the person. Other translations say they will "corrupt themselves." In other words, it will bring ruin.
After Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, Satan showed up and tempted Him three times. Each time, Jesus countered Satan with a verse from the Bible. This is the account of the last temptation:
"Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, 'I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus told him, 'Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.' Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him." - Matthew 4:8-11
Jesus responded with a verse and said, "Go away!" And Satan left. Notice what Jesus did not do. He did not accuse, rail against or condemn Satan. He did not bind him or discomfit him with lightning or cast him into the abyss. Jesus certainly could have, but He understood that would be outside the will of the Father. If you have read the book of Revelation, you know Satan will be bound and locked in the abyss for 1,000 years during Jesus' reign on earth. After that, he will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Satan's reckoning is coming! However, Jesus respected the Father's timing for judgment and Satan's current dominion. He simply told him to leave.
Now look at the account when Jesus encountered the two demon-possessed men:
"When He had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met Him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, 'What do You have to do with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?' Now a long way off from them, a large herd of pigs was feeding. 'If You drive us out,' the demons begged Him, 'send us into the herd of pigs.' 'Go!' He told them. So when they had come out, they entered the pigs. And suddenly the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water." - Matthew 8:28-32
Demons are the spirit of deceased Nephilim. Since they were born of the earth, God condemned them to wander the earth until judgment day. They are evil, just like Satan is evil. The demons clearly understood their judgment day is coming, which is why they asked Jesus if He was going to torment them before the appointed time. In a way, it was a temptation because Jesus could have done something to torment them. They deserved it. However, He knew that would be against the Father's will. Jesus only told them to go. That's all. I even wonder if He showed mercy by allowing them to go into the pigs. I'm not sure - it's possible.
Do you see the picture here? If the Son of God does not dare judge and condemn evil spirits before their time, then who are you, O mortal son of Adam, to do such a thing?
Yes, Jesus did say we have power over the enemy:
"Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you." - Luke 10:19
He spoke that in the context of the disciples casting out demons. We certainly have Jesus' authority to cast out demons and require them to leave - even Satan himself. Anything beyond that, though, be sure you are not railing against evil spirits or judging and condemning them before the appointed day.
After the person published the first warfare prayer quoted above and encouraged people to pray it, some months later her daughter was tragically burned over a portion of her body in a campfire accident that required surgery and a hospital stay. That's horrible and I'm sorry that happened. We don't always know why bad things happen, but the question needs to be asked: Are those events connected?
The Scriptures say speaking evil of angelic majesties will bring ruin upon us. We should not be doing it. If we are, repent and ask Jesus' for forgiveness.
Where it says "blaspheme glorious ones," it's talking about angelic beings and their authorities and principalities. Other Bible translations say "heap abuse on celestial beings" (NIV), "revile angelic majesties" (NASB), and "speak evil of dignities" (KJV).
The positive example is Michael the archangel, who in a dispute with Satan simply said, "The Lord rebuke you." Michael did not say, "Satan, you are a liar and a thief! Be destroyed by fire and brought to ashes!" He did not say, "Be judged right now, pierced through with arrows and discomfited by lightning!"
If Satan is the enemy of our souls, why must we be careful how we speak to him or any other fallen angelic being? Because God has established the authorities and principalities of the angels, even the fallen ones. These authorities still exist until judgment day when God will remove them. God has appointed a specific time for this, and the saints will even participate in that judgment. But it is not our right to judge and condemn angels before the appointed time or to disrespect the authorities God has established.
If someone does speak evil of angelic authorities, what is the consequence? The passage says it will bring destruction on the person. Other translations say they will "corrupt themselves." In other words, it will bring ruin.
After Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, Satan showed up and tempted Him three times. Each time, Jesus countered Satan with a verse from the Bible. This is the account of the last temptation:
"Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, 'I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus told him, 'Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.' Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him." - Matthew 4:8-11
Jesus responded with a verse and said, "Go away!" And Satan left. Notice what Jesus did not do. He did not accuse, rail against or condemn Satan. He did not bind him or discomfit him with lightning or cast him into the abyss. Jesus certainly could have, but He understood that would be outside the will of the Father. If you have read the book of Revelation, you know Satan will be bound and locked in the abyss for 1,000 years during Jesus' reign on earth. After that, he will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Satan's reckoning is coming! However, Jesus respected the Father's timing for judgment and Satan's current dominion. He simply told him to leave.
Now look at the account when Jesus encountered the two demon-possessed men:
"When He had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met Him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, 'What do You have to do with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?' Now a long way off from them, a large herd of pigs was feeding. 'If You drive us out,' the demons begged Him, 'send us into the herd of pigs.' 'Go!' He told them. So when they had come out, they entered the pigs. And suddenly the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water." - Matthew 8:28-32
Demons are the spirit of deceased Nephilim. Since they were born of the earth, God condemned them to wander the earth until judgment day. They are evil, just like Satan is evil. The demons clearly understood their judgment day is coming, which is why they asked Jesus if He was going to torment them before the appointed time. In a way, it was a temptation because Jesus could have done something to torment them. They deserved it. However, He knew that would be against the Father's will. Jesus only told them to go. That's all. I even wonder if He showed mercy by allowing them to go into the pigs. I'm not sure - it's possible.
Do you see the picture here? If the Son of God does not dare judge and condemn evil spirits before their time, then who are you, O mortal son of Adam, to do such a thing?
Yes, Jesus did say we have power over the enemy:
"Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you." - Luke 10:19
He spoke that in the context of the disciples casting out demons. We certainly have Jesus' authority to cast out demons and require them to leave - even Satan himself. Anything beyond that, though, be sure you are not railing against evil spirits or judging and condemning them before the appointed day.
After the person published the first warfare prayer quoted above and encouraged people to pray it, some months later her daughter was tragically burned over a portion of her body in a campfire accident that required surgery and a hospital stay. That's horrible and I'm sorry that happened. We don't always know why bad things happen, but the question needs to be asked: Are those events connected?
The Scriptures say speaking evil of angelic majesties will bring ruin upon us. We should not be doing it. If we are, repent and ask Jesus' for forgiveness.
Conclusion
This aggressive, unscriptural form of spiritual warfare is
really a trap of the enemy. Satan would love it if we railed against him like
that, then he can watch us fall by the wayside and no longer be a threat.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to defeat the forces of
evil. We just have to do it God's way. Do you want to actually fight the enemy
in battle? Then walk in faith and righteousness and pray you are found worthy
to escape all the things coming upon the world (Luke 21:36) and to join Jesus
Christ for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19). Then you will ride on a
horse in His heavenly army for the battle of Armageddon. The King of kings will
be victorious that day!
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen." - 2 Timothy 4:18
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen." - 2 Timothy 4:18
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