The Church found itself in pandemonium recently when it realized that the ANC intended to dedicate South Africa to ancestral spirit as part of its centenary celebrations. In panic mode the Church resorted to last minute prayer and fasting efforts, prayer chains and other mass vigils. Its intent: “to pray against the invoking of ancestral spirits and the safety of our families and children”. The messages sent by the Church over mobile phones and email had a tone of hopeless (eg. “may God have mercy on us” and “take this very seriously”).
Sadly this kind of response from the Church is actually an indictment against it. It is a reflection of the mentality of Christians who think they are the tail and that the enemy is the head. This is an error. The Church has its doctrine in reverse. Its response to the ANC’s efforts shows how immature and deceived Christians truly are.
Church, let me tell you why the ANC’s efforts to give South Africa over to ancestral spirits is absolutely futile and nonsensical.
1. The ANC cannot give away something that does not belong to them in the first place. South Africa does not belong to the ANC. They may be ruling in the political domain of the nation but definitely not in the spiritual. In fact, even the political rule is God-ordained because there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Rom.13:1). In the spirit God has already set his son, his authority i.e. the Church to rule and reign on His behalf. The landscape over South Africa therefore truly belongs to Christ and His Church. We, in Christ, are the rightful custodians and set authority over this land. Let me therefore declare, in no uncertain terms, that the ANC does not own South Africa.
2. As God’s set authority over South Africa, the Church has already positioned herself as the strongman over this nation. We are seated with Christ far above all principalities and powers – even ancestral spirits for that matter (Eph. 1:20-21; 2:6). We are seated at the right hand. This is the hand of authority and rule because it holds the sceptre. This is our position! We are the legitimate rule and authority over this nation. We can never be displaced from this position by mere ancestral spirits.
3. It is our spiritual position at His right hand that gives us authority to release governmental prayers and decrees against any infiltration of foreign spirits over our nation. We do not need the masses of Christians to do this. Trying to rally numbers within the Church to pray against these spirits is both unnecessary and incorrect. Our ability as Church to rule and reign is not governed by numerical figures but by our spiritual position in Christ. He has already invested supernatural strength and power in us to trample serpents and scorpions.
4. Ancestral spirits – or any other spirits for that matter – should be the least of our concerns as Christ’s Church. They can do us no harm. They have no power over us and can find nothing in us. In fact, it is us, the Church, who have exercise power over spirits (cf Luke 10:19, Eph.1:20-21). Remember, Christ and His Church are manifesting in the earth to obliterate the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Also remember, we co-exist with unclean spirits around us all the time. After tempting Christ, satan departed from Him but only “for a season”.
5. God’s people must be unafraid and unmoved by spirits in the atmosphere. Paul’s epistles show us how the Church existed strong in the midst of heathen nations. The Old Testament provides plenty examples for us as well. We see how Joseph lived alone in the midst of the magic and mysticism of Egypt. Daniel and his friends dwelt in the spirit-infested land of the Chaldeans. None of these sons of God were moved by the mysticism and sacrifices of these nations. In the midst of all this demonic activity, these sons of God rose up and turned the tide. Paul ensured that the entire Asia Minor heard the gospel (Acts 19:10), Joseph salvaged the nation of Egypt, and Daniel rose up to be prime minister and even converted the heathen king, Nebuchadnezzar.
Church, why should we be moved and made so fearful? We have nothing to be afraid of. It’s a fact that many South Africans do not believe in Christ and these may covenant with unclean spirits – just like the ANC is doing at present. Unclean spirits will always be released over cities and nations by the undiscerning. But this is no problem for us, the Church. Our authority supercedes there’s. Moses’ rod became a serpent when it was thrown on the ground before Pharaoh. This was done by the power of God as a sign to Pharaoh. However, Pharaoh’s servant did the very same thing; when they threw their rods they turned into serpents. Sometimes we feel like the powers of darkness are more powerful than us. Not so. Victory is the Church’s destiny. In a turn of events, the serpent that came from Moses’ rod swallowed up all the other serpents! God is with us, Church! Who can be against us? None of the principalities, powers - or ancestral spirits - can stand against us.
So I laugh off the ANC’s futile efforts to give South Africa over to ancestral spirits. Church, you should too. This should be our only accurate and biblical response. Psalm 2 says that when the rulers of this age rise up against the Lord and His anointed One (the Church), the Lord sits in the heavens and laughs. He laughs because He has already set His King on His holy hill of Zion. We, the Church are also sitting with Him in heavenly positions. What can therefore be our response but except to laugh with Him. It is a joke for the ANC to even think that South Africa belongs to them.
May God’s Church rise up to its position of stature and not be moved by the futile works of darkness.
Nel Sewraj
