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The irony here is that the author is correct, and we agree with his position. His reason #3 is the only really relevant and biblical reason for Christians to not mess around with rulers, authorities, or powers. The rest of it is is speculation, non-biblical reasons, or even, false teaching. So even though we agree with the author's position, we cannot abide with ignorance or even lying.
Further, though the author has a lot to say about powers and principalities, he will never deal with the casting out of demons. This seems like an important omission.
Though he quotes Scripture and eventually supplies the correct Scriptural reason regarding his topic, we must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.
“A doctrine of demons does not always deny Jesus openly. Sometimes it adds to Jesus. It adds new revelations, new warfare methods, new apostolic systems, new decrees, new heavenly strategies, and new spiritual technologies. But anything that adds to the sufficiency of Christ (*) (The author will appeal to this as a reason many times, but he will never tell us how it comes in opposition to the specific things he mentions. In fact, the author's caution is a universal vague objection that can be applied against anything for any reason: "We should not do "X" because "X" draws our attention away from the sufficiency of Christ." Or, "doing stuff is dangerous because it distracts us from other stuff." Just about anything qualifies in this equation.
Every time the author does this we shall note it with (*). The reader will quickly notice this rhetorical device.)
and goes beyond Scripture becomes dangerous.”
The teaching that Christians must “cast down principalities and powers” over cities, nations, governments, mountains, territories, or atmospheres is dangerous because it shifts the believer’s attention away from the finished victory of Jesus Christ (*) (This seems like a non sequitur. There is no logical or doctrinal connection between the two.
Side note: This appears to be reason #1, though only 2-5 will actually be labeled.)
Ephesians 6:11–13 tells believers to put on the whole armor of God so they may stand against the schemes of the devil. Paul says, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,” but then he explains the method of warfare: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. He does not say, “Cast down the principalities.” He says, “Stand.” (So we wrestle against principalities and powers, but we don't cast them down. Um, what? The Greek word "wrestle" is palé, which means a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other. Paul does not tell us to just stand, we wrestle. Then, after we have done everything, that's when we stand.
The same Greek word is used in Romans 8:39: neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
"Exalteth itself" is to raise or lift up. So the phrase every high thing that exalteth itself means to set up a high place and lift it up as a demonic place of worship. This is the stronghold Paul was preaching against.
First John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” Every spiritual teaching must be tested. (The verse is not about teaching. The author lies a fourth time.)
The Church’s victory is not found in casting down principalities and powers. The Church’s victory is found in Christ Himself. (*) Jesus said in John 19:30, “It is finished.” Paul says in Ephesians 1:20–22 that God raised Christ from the dead and seated Him “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,” and put all things under His feet. The powers are already beneath Christ. The believer’s place is not to invent methods to defeat them, but to abide in Christ, stand in His armor, preach His gospel, resist the devil, and remain faithful until He comes.
Therefore, the doctrine of “casting down principalities and powers” is demonic because it diminishes the finished work of Christ, (*) adds unauthorized practices to Scripture, encourages presumption toward heavenly beings, distracts from true biblical warfare, and produces prideful deception. The biblical answer is not mystical warfare against unseen rulers. The biblical answer is Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ exalted, Christ preached, Christ obeyed, and Christ returning in glory.
and into a mystical warfare practice that Scripture never commands. (We hope the author demonstrates this.)
Hebrews 2:14 says that through death Jesus destroyed “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” First John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” The destruction of Satan’s authority is centered in Christ’s incarnation, cross, resurrection, and exaltation, not in human spiritual warfare ceremonies. (False choice.)
A doctrine becomes demonic when it moves the glory from Christ’s victory (*) to man’s supposed authority. (Do we lack authority? In what way?)
The New Testament teaches that Christ has already defeated principalities and powers through the cross. (True, and happily, the author will supply the verse that tells us this [Colossians 2:15].)
Believers are commanded to stand in Christ, resist the devil, pray, preach the gospel, walk in holiness, put on the armor of God, and test the spirits. (True again, but this is beside the point.)
They are never commanded to confront, bind, rebuke, dethrone, or cast down territorial spirits in the heavens. (The author repeats his premise. Again, we hope he demonstrates this.)
When a doctrine adds spiritual practices that Christ and the apostles did not teach, it becomes a doorway to deception. (Any doctrine that is not what Christ and the apostles taught it is deception. Sometimes true doctrines distract us from the "finished work of Christ." Sometimes worldly cares. Sometimes church busyness. Sometimes money. Anything can become a distraction if it distracts.)
Paul writes in Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” This means Christ Himself disarmed the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection. (The author has confined his focus to powers, principalities, and territorial spirits. He will never tell us about casting out demons.)
Paul writes in Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” This means Christ Himself disarmed the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection. (The author has confined his focus to powers, principalities, and territorial spirits. He will never tell us about casting out demons.)
The victory over these powers is not something the Church must still accomplish through spiritual warfare techniques. It is something Christ has already accomplished.
The danger of this false doctrine is that it makes believers act as though the cross was not enough. It suggests that Jesus defeated Satan in one sense, but the Church must complete the victory by climbing mountains, confronting territorial spirits, shifting atmospheres, and casting down demonic rulers. This undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work. (*) (Sigh. How? In what way does this happen?)
The danger of this false doctrine is that it makes believers act as though the cross was not enough. It suggests that Jesus defeated Satan in one sense, but the Church must complete the victory by climbing mountains, confronting territorial spirits, shifting atmospheres, and casting down demonic rulers. This undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work. (*) (Sigh. How? In what way does this happen?)
Hebrews 2:14 says that through death Jesus destroyed “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” First John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” The destruction of Satan’s authority is centered in Christ’s incarnation, cross, resurrection, and exaltation, not in human spiritual warfare ceremonies. (False choice.)
A doctrine becomes demonic when it moves the glory from Christ’s victory (*) to man’s supposed authority. (Do we lack authority? In what way?)
It subtly teaches that man must finish what Christ began. (He keeps making charges like these, but never makes the logical connections.)
That is not apostolic Christianity. That is presumption.
2. (Wait, we're on point #2? What happened to #1?)
2. (Wait, we're on point #2? What happened to #1?)
It adds practices to Scripture that the apostles never commanded. (The author already made this claim.)
The apostles dealt with demons, persecution, false teachers, idolatrous cities, pagan governments, witchcraft, and spiritual darkness. Yet they never taught believers to cast down territorial spirits over cities or nations. When Paul entered Ephesus, a city filled with occult practices and idolatry, he did not organize believers to bind the spirit over Ephesus. (Argument from silence.)
He preached Christ, taught the Word of God, exposed darkness by truth, and the power of the gospel broke the grip of witchcraft and idolatry.
Acts 19:18–20 says many who practiced occult arts confessed their deeds, burned their books, and “so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Notice what prevailed: the Word of God, not spiritual mapping, territorial rebukes, apostolic decrees, or casting down principalities. (The author is using this as a proof text that there was no spiritual warfare because his list of things are not mentioned in this particular text.
Acts 19:18–20 says many who practiced occult arts confessed their deeds, burned their books, and “so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Notice what prevailed: the Word of God, not spiritual mapping, territorial rebukes, apostolic decrees, or casting down principalities. (The author is using this as a proof text that there was no spiritual warfare because his list of things are not mentioned in this particular text.
So let's see what is actually in the text, things the author does not tell us. For example, what event caused this reaction in the people? Well, it was the news that demonic forces beat up the seven sons of Sceva:
Ac. 19:17 (NIV) When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
This display of occultic power brought about fear, repentance, and the abandonment of sorcery. But the author says it was the Word of God. The author either is ignorant or he is lying.)
Ephesians 6:11–13 tells believers to put on the whole armor of God so they may stand against the schemes of the devil. Paul says, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,” but then he explains the method of warfare: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. He does not say, “Cast down the principalities.” He says, “Stand.” (So we wrestle against principalities and powers, but we don't cast them down. Um, what? The Greek word "wrestle" is palé, which means a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other. Paul does not tell us to just stand, we wrestle. Then, after we have done everything, that's when we stand.
Again the author lies to us.)
This is important. The biblical command is not to invade the second heaven and overthrow demonic rulers. The biblical command is to stand in Christ, resist temptation, pray in the Spirit, proclaim the gospel, and remain faithful. (The author seems to like to frame things in false choices. But the two elements to his statement are not necessarily in opposition to each other.)
When a movement (Movement? Which movement? Based on a previous article we examined, our guess would be the NAR, a cessationist semi-fictitious boogie-man that is to blame for all the problems in the Church.)
When a movement (Movement? Which movement? Based on a previous article we examined, our guess would be the NAR, a cessationist semi-fictitious boogie-man that is to blame for all the problems in the Church.)
creates spiritual practices that cannot be found in the teaching of Christ or His apostles, it has moved beyond Scripture. First Timothy 4:1 warns that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” A doctrine of demons is not always openly satanic. Often, it is religious, impressive, and clothed in spiritual language while leading believers away from the simplicity of obedience to Christ.
3. It leads believers into presumption and unauthorized spiritual authority. (This is reason #2 rephrased...)
3. It leads believers into presumption and unauthorized spiritual authority. (This is reason #2 rephrased...)
Jude warns about people who “despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities” or “glorious ones” in Jude 8. Then Jude says, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil… durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). This is a serious warning. Even Michael, a holy archangel, did not act presumptuously toward Satan. He appealed to the Lord’s authority. (This is correct.)
Second Peter 2:10–11 gives the same warning against those who are “presumptuous” and “selfwilled,” who are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Peter says even angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring railing accusations against them before the Lord. (This is also correct.)
This directly rebukes the modern practice of Christians speaking arrogantly to principalities, territorial spirits, demonic rulers, and heavenly powers. (Finally, the author lands on something Scripturally tangible. If he had skipped all the speculation and inference and just started here, we could have been spared a lot of reading.
Second Peter 2:10–11 gives the same warning against those who are “presumptuous” and “selfwilled,” who are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Peter says even angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring railing accusations against them before the Lord. (This is also correct.)
This directly rebukes the modern practice of Christians speaking arrogantly to principalities, territorial spirits, demonic rulers, and heavenly powers. (Finally, the author lands on something Scripturally tangible. If he had skipped all the speculation and inference and just started here, we could have been spared a lot of reading.
Exactly correct, sir.)
Many have been taught to command, rebuke, bind, decree, legislate, and dethrone spiritual beings they do not understand. This is not faith. It is presumption.
Daniel 10 is often misused to justify this practice. But Daniel did not rebuke the prince of Persia. He did not cast down a principality. He humbled himself, fasted, prayed, confessed, and waited upon God. The angelic conflict was handled by God’s heavenly messengers, not by Daniel’s direct confrontation with demonic rulers.
Daniel’s example teaches humility, prayer, repentance, and dependence on God. It does not teach believers to command heavenly principalities. Turning Daniel 10 into a manual for attacking territorial spirits is a serious abuse of Scripture.
4. It distracts the Church from true biblical warfare. The New Testament describes spiritual warfare primarily as standing in truth, resisting temptation, rejecting false doctrine, walking in holiness, forgiving others, preaching the gospel, praying continually, and enduring suffering. Satan is resisted through submission to God, not through dramatic spiritual warfare performances. (This still begs the question. Should Christians cast out demons?)
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The order matters. First submit to God. Then resist the devil. Resistance is not described as shouting into the heavens against principalities. It is the believer refusing sin, pride, worldliness, bitterness, lust, rebellion, and unbelief. (The author is speculating. He tells us it is *this*, but it isn't *that*. How does he know?)
First Peter 5:8–9 says the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Peter does not say, “Cast him down from the region.” He says, “Whom resist stedfast in the faith.” (Another false choice.)
Daniel 10 is often misused to justify this practice. But Daniel did not rebuke the prince of Persia. He did not cast down a principality. He humbled himself, fasted, prayed, confessed, and waited upon God. The angelic conflict was handled by God’s heavenly messengers, not by Daniel’s direct confrontation with demonic rulers.
Daniel’s example teaches humility, prayer, repentance, and dependence on God. It does not teach believers to command heavenly principalities. Turning Daniel 10 into a manual for attacking territorial spirits is a serious abuse of Scripture.
4. It distracts the Church from true biblical warfare. The New Testament describes spiritual warfare primarily as standing in truth, resisting temptation, rejecting false doctrine, walking in holiness, forgiving others, preaching the gospel, praying continually, and enduring suffering. Satan is resisted through submission to God, not through dramatic spiritual warfare performances. (This still begs the question. Should Christians cast out demons?)
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The order matters. First submit to God. Then resist the devil. Resistance is not described as shouting into the heavens against principalities. It is the believer refusing sin, pride, worldliness, bitterness, lust, rebellion, and unbelief. (The author is speculating. He tells us it is *this*, but it isn't *that*. How does he know?)
First Peter 5:8–9 says the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Peter does not say, “Cast him down from the region.” He says, “Whom resist stedfast in the faith.” (Another false choice.)
Biblical resistance is steadfast faith under suffering. (Non sequitur.)
Second Corinthians 10:4–5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” Many misuse this passage to justify casting down principalities. But Paul explains the strongholds: “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.” The battle here is against false arguments, proud thoughts, deceptive philosophies, and disobedient reasoning that oppose the knowledge of God. (Um, no. "High thing" illustrates humanity’s propensity to locate worship—or rebellion—on elevated ground. This is the demonic worship, not proud thoughts [Numbers 33:52, 1Kings 14:23, Psalm 78:58].
Second Corinthians 10:4–5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” Many misuse this passage to justify casting down principalities. But Paul explains the strongholds: “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.” The battle here is against false arguments, proud thoughts, deceptive philosophies, and disobedient reasoning that oppose the knowledge of God. (Um, no. "High thing" illustrates humanity’s propensity to locate worship—or rebellion—on elevated ground. This is the demonic worship, not proud thoughts [Numbers 33:52, 1Kings 14:23, Psalm 78:58].
The same Greek word is used in Romans 8:39: neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
"Exalteth itself" is to raise or lift up. So the phrase every high thing that exalteth itself means to set up a high place and lift it up as a demonic place of worship. This is the stronghold Paul was preaching against.
This is the third time the author has lied to us.)
The true battlefield is not Christians taking imaginary authority over the atmosphere. The battlefield is truth versus lies, obedience versus rebellion, faith versus unbelief, holiness versus sin, and the gospel versus deception. (Well, yeah. But this is another non sequitur.)
When believers are obsessed with “casting down principalities,” they can neglect the very things Scripture actually commands: repentance, holiness, prayer, love, forgiveness, sound doctrine, evangelism, and endurance. (Certainly a human weakness that is possible. But this is not a biblical argument.)
The true battlefield is not Christians taking imaginary authority over the atmosphere. The battlefield is truth versus lies, obedience versus rebellion, faith versus unbelief, holiness versus sin, and the gospel versus deception. (Well, yeah. But this is another non sequitur.)
When believers are obsessed with “casting down principalities,” they can neglect the very things Scripture actually commands: repentance, holiness, prayer, love, forgiveness, sound doctrine, evangelism, and endurance. (Certainly a human weakness that is possible. But this is not a biblical argument.)
That distraction itself is demonic because it moves the Church away from Christ’s clear commands.
5. It opens the door to pride, elitism, and deception. (This is not a biblical reason, but it is a possible outcome for people.)
5. It opens the door to pride, elitism, and deception. (This is not a biblical reason, but it is a possible outcome for people.)
The teaching that certain apostles, prophets, intercessors, or elite warriors have authority to pull down demonic rulers over regions creates spiritual pride. (A human pitfall, certainly, but not a biblical reason.)
It makes some believers think they possess higher revelation and greater authority than ordinary Christians. This produces elitism, division, and deception. (A human pitfall, certainly, but not a biblical reason.)
Paul warned against those who intrude into spiritual things with pride. Colossians 2:18–19 says, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head.” This passage is extremely important. Paul warns against people who become fascinated with unseen spiritual realms while becoming puffed up in their fleshly minds and losing connection to Christ the Head.
That is exactly what happens when people become obsessed with territorial spirits, heavenly courts, demonic hierarchies, spiritual mapping, apostolic government, and taking dominion over culture. (Ah, here it is. Clearly the author is blasting the NAR.)
Paul warned against those who intrude into spiritual things with pride. Colossians 2:18–19 says, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head.” This passage is extremely important. Paul warns against people who become fascinated with unseen spiritual realms while becoming puffed up in their fleshly minds and losing connection to Christ the Head.
That is exactly what happens when people become obsessed with territorial spirits, heavenly courts, demonic hierarchies, spiritual mapping, apostolic government, and taking dominion over culture. (Ah, here it is. Clearly the author is blasting the NAR.)
Their attention moves away from Christ. (*) They become fascinated with unseen powers. They begin claiming authority Scripture never gave them.
First John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” Every spiritual teaching must be tested. (The verse is not about teaching. The author lies a fourth time.)
Does it exalt Christ? Does it agree with the apostles’ doctrine? Does it keep the Church dependent on the finished work of the cross? Does it produce humility, holiness, love, and truth? Or does it produce pride, spiritual fantasy, elitism, and obsession with demonic powers?
A doctrine of demons does not always deny Jesus openly. Sometimes it adds to Jesus. It adds new revelations, new warfare methods, new apostolic systems, new decrees, new heavenly strategies, and new spiritual technologies. But anything that adds to the sufficiency of Christ (*) and goes beyond Scripture becomes dangerous. (Ok, so is the author going to tell us if Christians should cast out demons? Oh, he's almost done.)
A doctrine of demons does not always deny Jesus openly. Sometimes it adds to Jesus. It adds new revelations, new warfare methods, new apostolic systems, new decrees, new heavenly strategies, and new spiritual technologies. But anything that adds to the sufficiency of Christ (*) and goes beyond Scripture becomes dangerous. (Ok, so is the author going to tell us if Christians should cast out demons? Oh, he's almost done.)
The Church’s victory is not found in casting down principalities and powers. The Church’s victory is found in Christ Himself. (*) Jesus said in John 19:30, “It is finished.” Paul says in Ephesians 1:20–22 that God raised Christ from the dead and seated Him “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,” and put all things under His feet. The powers are already beneath Christ. The believer’s place is not to invent methods to defeat them, but to abide in Christ, stand in His armor, preach His gospel, resist the devil, and remain faithful until He comes.
Therefore, the doctrine of “casting down principalities and powers” is demonic because it diminishes the finished work of Christ, (*) adds unauthorized practices to Scripture, encourages presumption toward heavenly beings, distracts from true biblical warfare, and produces prideful deception. The biblical answer is not mystical warfare against unseen rulers. The biblical answer is Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ exalted, Christ preached, Christ obeyed, and Christ returning in glory.
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