I don't remember when exactly it was that I was first introduced to the teaching that there are territorial spirits that exist in every human habitation, whether villages, towns or cities which have to 'warred against' spiritually and be bound and defeated in order to allow the gospel to be preached effectively and for souls to be saved. I suspect it may have had something to do with books I read by someone in YWAM (not sure if it was Floyd McClung) and also by Neil Anderson as well as the book 'He Came to Set the Captives Free' by that truly kooky character, Dr Rebecca Brown. It may also have been listening to the testimony of someone like Mike Warnke, the former 'high priest of Satan', and similar stories. It may have been the subsequent teaching of men of God I respected greatly which informed me of these things.
And, yet, all the while in the inmost depths of my spirit, there was a disquiet - because I could find none of these teachings laid out in Scripture. Of course, you had all the various verses that are quoted by teachers of this ilk to support this theory but I am talking about a consistent and emphatic witness in Scripture of such things, like the good news of the kingdom of God, the coming, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Did Scripture teach such a 'doctrine' or did men dream this up and go looking for Scripture verses to tack onto their teachings?
So, to the Word I finally went - as I should I have from the outset. (*sound of self booing self*).
This is just a simple blog so I will not go into a detailed refutation here but, suffice to say, I find it next to impossible to see ANYWHERE in Scripture that we are told to fight against territorial spirits to make the way easier for people to accept the Lord - it's simply not in Scripture. Sure, the Bible clearly talks about Satan who is the 'prince of the power of the air' and of principalities and spiritual wickedness in the high places and that we have to put on the full armour of God to stand (Eph 6). But, don't take my word for it. Do this for yourself. Start in the New Testament and find out how many times Jesus 'warred' against teritorial spirits and taught his disciples to do the same. Read about all the times that the apostles, including Paul whose missionary journeys are clearly documented for us, taught and practised this doctrine. See how many times we are exhorted to be fighting against territorial spirits and bringing down the strongholds over cities, etc, to free up the effective preaching of the gospel.
That's right - none. Nada. Zilch. Not one single instance can be found. Now, would you agree with me that such a key doctrine, if true, would have been prominently taught in the New Testament? So, perhaps, it's not so key after all! Perhaps, it's not even a true teaching.
I mean, think about it. How many times have you heard someone pray, or even prayed yourself (I've done both in the past) for Satan to be bound? With so many praying in this manner, ya gotta wonder - WHO'S THE JOKER SETTING HIM LOOSE AGAIN???
What DO we see in the New Testament? When the apostles were taken before the Council and ordered not to speak about Jesus (Acts 4), they went back and started to 'come against the evil spirit over Jerusalem' and bind the strong man.....yeah, right. None of that nonsense! They gathered and prayed to the Lord - who is sovereign over any principality or power - and asked Him for boldness to continue declaring His Word!
And so on and so forth. Show me one instance of any of the New Testament believers doing this 'fighting against teritorial spirits' thing?
It's simply not in the Bible. And, if it's not in the Bible it must be.....false.
Elementary, my dear Watson.
PS. Perhaps, I should add that Mike Warnke's testimony, on which so much teaching about Satanism was based, turned out to be one huge lie - even though he continues to maintain its truth to this day without being able to put forward any evidence to support any of the 'facts' in his book. Rebecca Brown turns out to be one paranoid, delusional individual, stripped of her licence to practise medicine. Hmm, and these are the teachers we're following?? Now wonder the church is so confused.
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