Can a born again Christian, spirit filled, be bewitched? Now you will agree with me that this is a very important question in the context of the church in Africa. Especially at a time like now.
In the Grip of Fear
If you’re like me, who encounters so many Christians from different walks of life in Africa, you probably have met so many people – Christians at that, spirit filled by the way – yet very much gripped by the fear of the unknown and the spirit world. In fact, you will notice as you go to different churches that a big part of a worship service is characterised by spiritual warfare and deliverance. Believers are being promised that they will be delivered from powers of darkness, from bondages, from ancestral curses, from being bewitched and occultism. But only if they will come at a special time, at a particular church, to a particular man of God – who through his anointing – is able to deliver them.
Christians are not really sure whether they have been fully and finally saved. Thats at the heart of it all
Can I be Bewitched?
Clearly, Christians are gripped by fear of what Satan can do for them. Which brings us back to the question. Can really born again Christians, spirit filled, be bewitched? As a Christian in Africa, should I be afraid of what Satan can do to me? Or is it possible that now, with my life under new management in Christ Jesus, that I have come to that place where I am beyond those powers of darkness?
It is very import that we not only address this question, but we understand the underlying assumptions that guard and guide this question. Number one especially, that Christians are not really sure whether they have been fully and finally saved. Thats at the heart of it all. Christians think that, “I am only protected by Jesus and His power if I am not a sinner. And as a Christian if I ever fall in sin, then Satan has the right to come and attack me or press me and possess me. To do whatever he wants with me!”
And so we see Christians in prayers, in overnights, in prayer mountains. Some fasting for forty days and others a hundred. All in the hope of trying to get rid of the devil and demons that are trying to attack or bewitch them.
Under New Management
But did you know, that the Bible actually says that as a Christian, you are now under new management? That if anyone is in Christ Jesus, you are now a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come. Did you know, that Christ did not just save us by forgiving us of our sins, but He also delivers us from the powers of darkness and Satan himself? That as children of God, we are under the express protection of God. And therefore above and beyond the attacks of Satan.
Christ did not just save us by forgiving us of our sin. He also delivers us from the powers of darkness and Satan himself
What about Job?
Now, there are instances in which Satan might oppress us. Like we see in the case of Job. Job was a Christian. He was a righteous man. No doubt at that. But we see Satan in a behind curtain conversation with God. Seeking permission to come and oppress Job. And Job, in spite of his righteousness, goes through several calamities: the death of his children, the loss of his property. All this is the work of the devil oppressing him.
Satan Cannot Possess Christians
But I want you to remember this. There is a big difference between oppression and possession by the devil. While non-believers may be under the possession of Satan, simply because they are not in Christ Jesus, Christians have come to be under Christ. We are under His power and protection. As Christians we cannot be possessed, or led, or governed by Satan – to the extent that what we do or how we behave is governed and guided by the devil himself. We are under the guidance and power of Jesus Christ.
Witchcraft, Spells & Enchantments
Believers do not have to worry about who will send them witchcraft or spells or enchantments. Because in Christ Jesus, we have the power to overcome all those. What we are seeing in Africa today, is not that believers are being bewitched or that demons are really possessing them. It is the fear, and the superstitions that have always characterised us as Africans. That while we might have come into new life in Christ Jesus, for some reason we have not let go of the fears and the superstitions that once held us captive before we became believers. Partly that’s because many African Christians have not been discipled. And therefore are not grounded in the truth of Scripture.
we have not let go of the fears and the superstitions that once held us captive before we became believers
What Governs You?
The way forward, certainly, is that Christians need to begin to open their Bibles. Do this instead of being governed and guided by fear and superstitions and traditions. As Christians in Africa, we need to be asking ourselves, what is really the will and word of God concerning my life as a believer? And as we open the scriptures, you will not only learn that in Christ Jesus your sins have been forgiven, but that you are fully protected by Jesus who has saved you. He will not allow any harm to come upon you, especially from Satan.
Christians need to begin to open their Bibles. Instead of being governed and guided by fear and superstitions and traditions.
We need to remember that the Church in Africa is experiencing a crisis. A lack of discipleship. That Christians are getting their knowledge from people. Christians are getting their knowledge from traditions and rituals. And most of these have nothing to do with what the Bible really says about the safety and protection of a believer. Christians in Africa, must go back to the Scriptures and must find truth for themselves. Not just from self-styled pastors and apostles that we are seeing today. Who in most cases their goal is to cause you to fear. So that they can pose as the solution to your fears, and your worries, and your superstitions. And in so doing, exploit you.
How to Live Confidently
African Christians need to find their confidence and courage in Christ Jesus who has saved them, who has called them. Who continues to sustain them to the very end. As believers, we need to understand that Christ Jesus is now our protector and deliverer. And he who died for our sake, will surely not let Satan oppress us and abuse us. And once we begin to understand that our security is guaranteed in Christ Jesus, then we no longer walk in the fear of Satan, in the fear of being bewitched, in the fear of demons. We begin to walk in the resurrection power that Christ has availed for us. And confidently live as children of the living God.
Truth or Slavery?
Fear can only be addressed by the truth of the scriptures. And where there is no truth, people stay in bondage as the Scriptures say: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
While Satan is real and seeks to oppress God’s people, Jesus is more real and more than a conqueror
Are you an African who lives in fear of demons and the devil? Who has been praying, and fasting, and worried, and doing all sorts of things under the fear that Satan is oppressing you? Look to Jesus who died and rose again for you. Open the scriptures and find your comfort and security in Christ Jesus. And you will realise that Jesus – who is in us – is much greater than the devil who is out there in the world.
While Satan is real and seeks to oppress God’s people, Jesus is more real and more than a conqueror. He is able to protect us from all harm and from all powers of darkness. Come to Jesus. Stay in Jesus. Stay in His word, stay in His truth. And you will have no reason to worry about what Satan is doing.
