PROF.
BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons)
MA, PhD.
DELIVERANCE PRAYER IN FORM OF MAGIC (PART 1)
VOODOO
PREACHERS AS APOSTLES OF CHRIST
Main Text:
For such men are
false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. and no
wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not
surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness”… (2
Corinthians 11:13-14).
Writers Quote:
If the church must
correct the world the world must notice its sincerity of purpose.
INTRODUCTION:
Voodoo, in the words
of Hobart Freeman is a folk religion of Haiti, consisting of a mixture of
African witch-craft and elements from other religions and cults, including
Roman Catholicism and Spiritism. Nowadays, also, the voodoo religion has
adopted various features of the Pentecostal styles of prayer and liturgy. The
foregoing, however, does not association the Catholic Church or the Pentecostal
movement with voodoo, but opines that certain voodoo elements may have gained
admission into the ranks and files of these Christian bodies, thereby
adulterating the doctrines and practices of the ecclesiastical groups.
Voodoo is known for revenge
killings, projection of strange illnesses, accidents, inquiries, curses and
other ways of spell casting which adherents invoke in their prayers against
their enemies, and this, at present, has became the common style of prayer in
most religious groups, especially in the Pentecostal circle(s). Having said
this it becomes important to note that:
DELIVERANCE PRAYER IS A FIGHT AGAINST DEMONS AND NOT
HUMAN BEINGS
The predictions of the last days
carry the good, the bad and the ugly. In line with this, the Prophet Joel talks
of the mighty move of the Holy Spirit that would affect every category of the
human race, (Joel 2:28ff), as the Apostle Paul writes on a high level of
apostasy that would lure the people to the doctrines of the devil, (I Timothy
4:1ff). In fact, one of the evils of the last days is the infiltration of the
demonically inspired modes of prayer which are contrary to biblical standards.
Today, the devil is amplifying his
deceptions in the church, thereby taking many to the part of magic, against the
power of the Holy Spirit. For instance, the “back to sender” style of prayer that
is presently on the lips of most Christians is a “prayer of revenge” carried
over from the world of Voodoo. But, God’s word says, “do not revenge”, but
leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written; vengeance is mine, I will repay,
says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
Furthermore, the die! die! die! mode
of prayer in some Christian denominations may have as well taken its roots from
the voodoo cult, and remains unbiblical. Though, some adherents of such
religious groups deny they target human beings in their prayers, but certain
devotional expressions that seek to invoke injuries on who they refer to as
“wicked uncles” or “unfriendly friends” show they really aim at the elimination
of such lives in their prayers. Yet, the Scripture clearly teaches that, “The
Son of Man did not come to destroy man’s life, but to save it”. (Luke 9:56).
This shows that it is wrong to use the weapon of prayer to invoke death or harm
on one that one views as one’s enemy, as such a practice is akin to the“black
magic” of the voodoo fraternity, and not Christian. In this connection, Dr.
Freeman reveals that “the reports of revenge killings, strange illnesses,
accidents, injuries, curses, and other atrocities committed by voodoo cults
against their enemies are well known”, and by implication advises that the
Christian prayer warrior should not take after them or pray to hurt anybody in
trying to deliver another person from demonic bondages. For, according to Ben
Onyeukwu, “prayer is a wrestle against evil forces and not against human beings
(Ephesians 6:12).
DELIVERANCE PRAYER IS IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND NOT
THROUGH HUMAN INTERMEDIARY
Hobart Freedom, also, remarks that
“one of the most curious aspects of voodooism is the incorporation into its
rites some portion of Catholic rituals prayers, liturgies, and the reverence of
the saints. Most voodoo services to honour an amalgamation of ancestral spirits
and deities which is collectively known as “Loa” are conducted by priests
before an altar covered with candles and surrounded with the pictures and
statues of the saints, amid hymns addressed to them and to the Virgin Mary”.
Scripturally this highlighted mode of prayer, whether in Christian or voodoo
religion falls short of God’s holy standards, and cannot offer deliverance to
anyone, as the casting out of demons (Mark 16:17) as well as answers to prayer
is only possible in the Name of Jesus, (John 16:14).
In view of the foregoing, what then,
happens to all the “candle burning” prayers which are conducted by some in the
name of deliverance? To whom are the sacrifices of doves and rams as practiced
by most Christian churches made? And, who receives all the prayers offered
through the saints for protection and blessings? In answer to the questions
raised, God’s word reveals that Jesus is the light of the world, and so, no
candle is needed when one prays in His name, (John 8:12). He is equally God’s
perfect sacrifice, therefore, the sacrifices of rams and goats are no longer
fashionable (Hebrews 10:1-10). And, let it be noted as well that the offering
of prayers through the saints had never been endorsed by God, as Jesus remains
the only mediator between God and man, (I Timothy 2:5).
The Voodoo religion, Freeman
continues to stress, consists primarily of the worship of ancestors and a complicated
hierarchy of gods who, according to Voodoo beliefs, seeks to manifest
themselves by taking “possession” of their worshippers during their frenzied
dance. During their ceremonies, as they drink and dance wildly, the
participants fall into a trance and supposedly become possesses by these
spirits (which are actually demons}. In this state, the possessing spirit may
manifest itself and begins to speak, sing or curse as well as offer advice or
cure the sick. This strongly indicates that most prophesies, songs, healings,
messages, and even certain fellowship centres which exist today have their
origins from the pit of hell, as Satan intensifies efforts in making his magic
centres look like Christian denominations.
DELIVERANCE PRAYER IS BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
AND NOT BY MAGIC
Voodoo agents perform black magic
designed to inflict injury or death upon their enemies as well as take to white
magic fashioned to bring good luck in marriage or success in business. In other
words, Voodoo is associated with occultism, and this means, any involvement
in/with fortunetelling, magic, spiritism or false religious cults and teaching,
and this is not of God.
This generation harbours a lot of
Voodoo Pastors who masquerade as gospel ministers. These agents of darkness are
in full supply from the Kingdom of hell, and are found among the Catholics, the
Pentecostals, the Baptists, the Evangelicals, and of course, in all Christian
denominations. However, they are known by their fruits.
So, be mindful of those who present
“fortune tell” as prophecy. There is nothing wrong in prophecy, as the Bible
encourages it, (I Thessalonians 5:20). But, when prophecy becomes a “must tell”
or stereotyped, and tells everything, it becomes “fortune tell”, and not
prophecy, and this is one of the antics of magic preachers, who operate from
the world of Voodoo or other secret fraternities.
The essence of deliverance prayer is
to set one free from demonic bondages, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not
necessarily to tell tales of origin of problems. But, false preachers delight
in such tales (often false) in their bid to convince their victims, and by such
intrigues many have been incited against their family members and friends, with
the falsehood that their loved ones have been responsible for their woes. What
a wickedness!
Let it equally be impressed that
these evil apostles often claim they have the power to enforce business and
marriage successes, and by so doing brain wash the gullible members of the
society, who troop out in large numbers to their worship contres, supposing
they are messengers of God. But, can
Satan cast out Satan? In other words, can white magic proffer solution to
problems enforced through black magic? Is Satan not the author of marriage and
business failures? The truth is that magic pastors can only appease Satan and
his demons, but cannot cast them out.
Therefore, let it be remarked that
God’s deliverance is by the power of the Holy Spirit through His anointed
servant, and not by magic or any medium of the devil. Such a deliverance
exercise does not require articles like, candle, religious beads, scapulas, cross,
holy water, incense, olive oil, mustard seed, apron or the picture or image of
any Saint, including Virgin Mary for the prayer, but faith in the word of God.
In
conclusion, be informed that in this era, occultists, spiritists,
Voodooists and other agents of the devil do no longer disclose their identity,
but disguise as apostles of Christ. They now have fellowship centres, conduct
city-wide crusades, feature in radio and television just to maximize the
ambition of Satan. Sequel to this, Freeman remarks that “there has never been a
time in history when the warnings against the dangers of occultism were more
necessary than at present. Multitudes of people, Christian and non Christian
alike, find themselves suffering physical, mental, psychic and spiritual oppression,
and few realizing that it is because they have allowed themselves to became
ensnared in the diabolical web of occultism, which is under the influence and
control of the powers of darkness. PLEASE
BE CAREFUL.
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