Spiritual Mapping?

[The Bearen]

Another common practice amoung believers is Spiritual mapping.

Where one looks at a particular area , research the history of the place lets say 'Boston' and then identify the principalities and the demonic strongholds of the area and then call in the kingdom of God.

I know the bible does say we fight not flesh and blood but spiritual wickedness in high places .

having said that I don't see clear examples in scripture of the diciples cooming against spirits over a town or city and claiming the ground.

Bill Randless wrote a great book entitled, 'War in the heavenlies' and where he talks about the dangers of the extreme spiritual warfare movement.

The scriptures do teach that we can come against demons and cast them out of inividauls .

This whole subject is taken so lightly nowdays we see in Jude that even the angel dare not acuse satan but says the Lord rebuke you.

It would be interesting to hear peoples feedback.:freaked

[seeker42]

To want to pray for others is good. Spiritual mapping sometimes can apply to selecting certain geographic areas around the world, and then praying for those in the geographic areas selected.

That seems to be a good practice. But other aspects are not nearly so positive. Some of these include the supposition that a person can “take possession” or “dominion” of cities
in the name of Christ. This is Not a practice that was ever taught in the Bible.

While it may make us feel good temporarily, the Bible teaches instead that we are to go out and actively communicate the contents of the Bible by directly interacting with others. That is not to say that prayer is not useful (on the contrary). But those who believe that they are actually taking dominion of cities simply because they assert this are following a practice that is not taught in the Bible, but is much closer to wishcraft/witchcraft.

It is in essence, part of the Word of Faith movement. This teaching about taking dominion over cities (where all demons are supposed to listen to you) is found in the materials of Peter Wagner and the Wagner Leadership Institute, which employs the old Kansas City Prophets. They claim that they can control and rebuke very powerful demons
(like the demon of Babylon, or the Demon of Persia).

Some evangelists are simply declaring that they have saved entire cities, simply because they have “declared” those cities to be saved. The facts would not tend to confirm this, and the Bible teaches that people are saved by the direct understanding of the communication of the explicit gospel of Christ, and Not by someone simply wishing them to be saved in the name of Christ.

That practice seems to be a method which would Discourage active evangelization, which is what the Bible commands us to try to do. Peter Wagner is one of the people who has strong ties to the Word of Faith movement )and is the leader of the World Prayer Center that uses many of these methods of name it & claim it. Many of these teachings are not in accordance with the Bible. But they are the latest fad.

:):

[Mercy4Me]

This whole subject is taken so lightly nowdays we see in Jude that even the angel dare not acuse satan but says the Lord rebuke you.



This is something that has always bothered me. It's like saying that we have to cower before satan, just because Michael told him, "The Lord rebuke you."

That is all Michael had to say. Satan understood it, and he was rebuked, that simple.

It doesnt mean that as Christians we are to cower before satan or demons, it simply means we should not go into excessive wordiness in getting the job of rebuking done.

When satan or a demon sees us, they see the Holy Spirit living inside of us. They know that we have the power through the Lord, that if they mess with us we can rebuke them, and they have to obey.

Some people or churches, (Catholic comes to mind here) make big huge, productions of sending a demon on it's way. Think Exorcisms.

I believe a demon can harrass you as long as you let it. But as soon as you say something like "In the name of Jesus, I rebuke you." It HAS to leave.

I dont necessarily agree or disagree with the stuff about claiming a particular spot for God. Christians do not have to be en masse in one area to pray over the inhabitants of the area.

They can do just as good in their homes praying a heart felt prayer asking God to reach their community, or specific people, that they can being in one area.

We have to remember that God hears us no matter where we are.

[GloryBound]

I don't believe it. I know certain areas have "principalities and powers" that are more difficult than others. That's why we pray more for the 10-40 window than other areas for example. I know scripturally we can fight them (It's in Ephesians) but I can't find anywhere where we have the authority to dethrone them.

[The Bearen]

Seeker42

Thanks for your anallases(Excuse my spelling) great.

You have put it in a nut shell what I have been feeling all along.

What you have shared ties in with Bill Randles.

His website is: www.believersingrace.com

His testimony is he was at one time a strong WOF man and also went to Tornoto and was really seking for revival but he gives his testimony on how disallusuoned he was and how he feels the Lord showed him to return to the basics .

he still believes that gifts are for today but that we should be like bearens and check whatever is been taught ties in with scripture.

:thumb