How do I deal with traditional beliefs and practices?
Dear Jeffrey
I have begun a journey where I truly desire to know God for myself, not just through what others have taught me, but through personal revelation and understanding. However, I am currently wrestling with some spiritual issues that I hope you can help me gain clarity on, especially as they relate to certain teachings and practices in my community. The society I live in is an environment where spiritual warfare, deliverance, and traditional beliefs are very present.
Struggles with Ancestral Curses, Witchcraft, and Delayed Marriage
One of my greatest desires is to get married, settle, and have a family while I’m still young enough to raise my children. But I’ve observed a pattern in my family—many women either marry late or not at all. I’ve also heard stories that reinforce this pattern. Because of this, I’ve taken the matter to God in prayer, believing He can bring clarity and a breakthrough.
However, in seeking answers, I’ve encountered many teachings that have confused me:
Some teachings say that ancestral sins or generational curses can affect descendants, leading to struggles such as delayed marriage, poverty, stagnation, or even unexplained sickness. (One can consult doctors for years and do all kinds of tests, but continue to be told we do not see anything.) And it is said that no matter how much you pray, if this is not dealt with, it can shorten God's hand upon your life.
I’ve heard claims that witchcraft or rituals done by family members can spiritually “marry” someone to evil spirits, especially for personal gain, like wealth from dark sources.
I’ve attended deliverance services where people convulse, cry out, and “manifest demons.” These experiences appear very real, and the explanations given are often that relatives used witchcraft to block our progress.
Some ministers teach that struggles like late marriage or other marital problems are caused by spirit spouses, avenging spirits, or spiritual covenants made by family members.
We are taught that to overcome, we must fast, pray, and continually declare God's Word until victory comes.
Another common teaching I’ve encountered concerns paying a sacrifice—that to break certain strongholds, one must give a monetary sacrifice to a minister or the church. This is presented as an act of faith or an exchange in the spiritual realm.
While many other ministers say this is manipulation or even theft, I honestly don’t know what to believe anymore. I’m not sure whether such giving is truly biblical or just a means of financial exploitation.
At the same time, I’ve read some of your responses that suggest that believers should not seek deliverance in the traditional sense and that demons may no longer function as they did before Christ. This has raised deeper questions for me:
- Are we being deceived?
- If witchcraft is said to be “not real,” what exactly does that mean?
- Are we denying that people can use evil powers to harm others? Are we saying there is no warfare in prayer?
- How do we reconcile this with scriptures discussing evil attacks and deliverance?
- What is the real source of struggles like mine, if not curses or witchcraft? (We are taught that denying that there is warfare is the sign that you are under attack.)
- Why do people experience dreams of spiritual attack and wake up with physical signs?
These are the thoughts I wrestle with, and I’m asking for clarity through the Word. I want to know what is true and how to walk in freedom and victory, according to God’s Word, not based on fear or confusion.
Helping a Loved One Who Mixes Faith with Traditional Practices
As I grow in my understanding of God, I’m also challenged by the beliefs of a loved one I live with. He believes in praying to God but also uses salt, water, plants, animal fat, and other items to ward off evil spirits. He believes these are just tools, especially because he feels that prayer alone has not worked for him. He believes that if something has been done to him by engaging a witch doctor, the only way for him to gain victory is to engage some tangible source of power. Unfortunately, he also says the same things to me: "See, you have been praying for years, but what has happened? It means you need to engage in something that can actually fight this shameful bondage you are in."
I want to help him understand that mixing faith in God with traditional spiritual practices is not biblical. But how do I do this with love and wisdom, without condemning him or pushing him away? He genuinely believes that he is doing what’s necessary to survive spiritual attacks.
I want to be a true disciple of Christ, and the same for my family. I want to walk in truth, know God’s principles, and apply them in every area of life, especially to overcoming spiritual oppression, helping others, and living a victorious Christian life.
Please help me understand:
- What is happening in my life and community from a biblical perspective?
- What are the spiritual principles I should know and live by?
- How can I walk in the freedom Jesus paid for—without fear, confusion, or deception?
- Can I love those relatives who are said to be responsible for our problems? I want to love like the Word instructs us, but if they are the ones responsible for bringing harm, as we are taught, what should we do?
Thank you.
Answer:
Idolatry and witchcraft are the products of men's imaginations. Some people strongly believe in these things, but the belief doesn't make them real. "For the customs of the peoples are delusion; because it is wood cut from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They decorate it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers so that it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, and they cannot speak; they must be carried, because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, nor can they do any good" (Jeremiah 10:3-5). The very words used to describe witchcraft refer to the use of deception and trickery. See "Is Witchcraft Real?" for details.
People want power over others. Often, all it takes is for someone to claim it without evidence, and people will believe it, especially if something odd happens. People want explanations, and a claim of witchcraft is a quick answer that doesn't require digging into the facts. This is the same process magicians use to stun audiences, except that they readily admit that sleight-of-hand is involved.
Thus, I start with the truth. God says that witchcraft is fakery. I don't have to fear men and their claims. If harm comes, I look for a true answer and don't grab for mysterious claims that can't be verified. In other words, if I lose my job, I will look at the reasons why my employer no longer needs my services. I don't decide it is because Aunt Melba says she cursed me. Aunt Melba doesn't control my life.
Sometimes, a person claims to have pronounced a curse. They then wait for something bad to happen, which always does because life is full of good and bad events. They then claim that their curse caused the bad event. Really? Where is the evidence? I agree something bad happened, but why should I assume it is because someone wished me bad luck?
You asked, "How do we reconcile this with scriptures discussing evil attacks and deliverance?" What passages are you referring to?
When people claim to have suffered spiritual attacks and wake up with physical signs, what evidence is presented to prove that they were not self-inflicted or done by someone else while they were sleeping? Why grasp for the mysterious when the obvious hasn't been ruled out?
Question:
Dear Pastor,
Thank you for your response. I took time to go through the article you shared on witchcraft again, and I genuinely appreciate the clarity and guidance.
I now understand that we shouldn't be quick to justify every struggle or hardship by pointing to witchcraft or spiritual attacks. However, I still find myself wrestling with certain questions, especially when I observe repeating patterns in my family that seem difficult to explain in purely natural terms.
For example, there are consistent struggles in areas like marriage, financial stability, and progress. It makes me wonder: could it be that everyone just failed due to poor choices or lack of diligence? Or is it possible that something spiritual is influencing these patterns?
What I’m trying to understand is this: are we saying that the devil has no power to influence a person’s life at all negatively? Does it mean we should only focus on living rightly, staying diligent, and trusting God, without ever considering the possibility of spiritual resistance or unseen battles?
I know and believe that sometimes God says “no” or delays answers for reasons we may not understand. But in my heart, I genuinely desire to know: how can I tell the difference between a spiritual attack and a season of waiting or growth? How do I know when to stand in warfare and when to simply be still?. If we even need to be doing "warfare prayers," asking for God's help.
The following scriptures often come to mind when I reflect on God's promise of protection and deliverance:
- Matthew 6:13 – “Deliver us from evil…”
- II Timothy 4:18 – “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack…”
- Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon formed against you shall prosper…”
- Numbers 23:23 – “There is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel.”
I would really appreciate it if you could help me understand how to interpret and apply these scriptures, especially in the context of the patterns and battles I see around me.
There’s also another situation I’d like your guidance on. I live with a loved one who believes in using rituals—things like salt, water, herbs, or animal fat—to ward off evil spirits. They also pray and speak of faith, but they often say that prayer alone is not enough. When we try to talk about it, they usually get angry or upset, so we’ve stopped bringing it up. Sometimes, they give us things to use as protection, and while we accept them to avoid conflict, we quietly throw them away without using them.
They have also questioned our walk with God by saying things like, “Since you’ve been praying so much, what results have you actually seen?”
This has not been easy to hear. I know that spiritual growth takes time and that God works in ways we cannot always measure or explain. But how can I lovingly help this person understand that mixing spiritual practices with faith in Christ is not the way? And how do I keep standing strong in my faith without creating unnecessary tension?
Thank you again for your time and guidance, Pastor. My heart desires to walk in truth, to grow in understanding, and to be a true disciple of Christ. I also want to help those around me to see the light of God—without judgement or conflict—but in love and truth.
Answer:
When there are constant struggles in a family, it is generally due to repeating the same failed methods of living. You learn from those around you, so if you handle money the way your parents handle it, then you will tend to make the same mistakes they made. Instead, you should analyze what works and what does not work. Consider the advice that God provides in Proverbs and make adjustments to how you approach problems. Satan may throw obstacles in our path, but if all you do is complain about the difficulties, you won't see many improvements.
Matthew 6:13 encourages us to ask God for help in staying away from temptation and sin.
"At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen" (II Timothy 4:16-18).
Paul knew that he would soon die (II Timothy 4:6). People had abandoned him, but Paul was not afraid. The Lord had helped him through troubles in the past, and He will help Paul through this hardship. Paul isn't saying he will avoid death. He is saying that nothing that happens to him will change the outcome of his life.
"In righteousness you will be established; you will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; and from terror, for it will not come near you. If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me. Whoever assails you will fall because of you. Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals And brings out a weapon for its work; and I have created the destroyer to ruin. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD" (Isaiah 54:14-17).
God doesn't promise His people that they will never be attacked. Instead, those attackers will ultimately fail because God will bring them down. No weapon of war or words will change the people of God. They might be assailed, but they will overcome.
Balak asked Balaam to curse God's people because, as a prophet of God, Balaam had a reputation: Whatever he stated came true. But in attempting to do as Balak ordered, God used Balaam to prophesy. "God brings them out of Egypt, He is for them like the horns of the wild ox. For there is no omen against Jacob, nor is there any divination against Israel; at the proper time it shall be said to Jacob and to Israel, what God has done!" (Numbers 23:22-23). God told Balak that he would not get what he wanted.
What you have done is pull unrelated verses to create a narrative that isn't taught in the Bible. Is Satan battling God? Of course. Are we being attacked at times by Satan? Yes. However, none of this matters because Satan has already lost. We must remain with the winning side.
The Lord told us there will be hardships. Righteousness is not seen in the absence of problems. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12). Righteousness is seen because problems don't cause the righteous to fold. "For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity" (Proverbs 24:17).
Response:
Thank you. I appreciate your response.
