Of "Spiritual Wives and Husbands"

I received the following comment on my last post, Beware the Ng’anga, and thought it worthy of another post as it shows how prevalent the ng’anga virus is becoming.

disciple.com said...
Amen to that!!! Its unfortunate what the microwave technology has done to our christianity. We want quick fixes to our situations and not take time to seek God the whole 9 yards...

Truly Mtumiki 'These gullible believers don’t make any effort to grow in their understanding of God’s truth so they are easily deceived'.

No wonder some gave away all their life's savings before 21st May! lol!

A question for you Mtumiki, one of my sistaz went to one 'prophet' and she was told she has a spiritual husband, hence the delay in marriage.

She is very confused and is asking questions like 'If God is my Jehova shamma, where was He when this spiritual husband was marrying me?'

She loves the Lord and wants to be free of this chi-issue! unlike the examples (stories) you have specified above, this one can not be proved with physical evidence?! i think:-(

what would you advise?

Is this a true prophetic word? or its another ng'anga?

First of all, there is no biblical basis for belief in a so-called “spiritual wife/husband.” Definitely if such phenomena existed, Jesus or Paul would have dealt with it and given us ample instruction in the Bible. The Bible does recognize the existence of a hierarchy of demonic spirits at the top of which is Satan as Paul explains about the nature of our warfare to be “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 4:12b). However, Paul does not delve into the intricacies of how these demons operate for the simple reason that Christ has defeated the powers of the enemy on the cross as he writes to the Colossians: “He [Christ] disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). This authority over the demonic realm has been passed on to those that believe in the resurrected Christ who says in Matthew 28:18 to His remaining eleven disciples that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” On a theoretical level, if it were true that such things as spiritual husbands exist what’s to stop there being “spiritual parents”, “spiritual schools and teachers”, “spiritual cars”, and “spiritual” everything. Such kind of thinking is obviously absurd. But even if it were true – granted the flimsiest chance that it were true – the biblical response is that Christ has already triumphed over such powers and principalities.

Secondly, in true ng’anga fashion the teaching on “spiritual wives/husbands” instills fear as it relies on a witchcraft scheme reality, points to the ng’anga as the solution, and belittles the authority the believer has in light of Christ’s victory at Calvary. Like our sister in the above story, such tales bring fear into many people which are what drive them to witch-doctors to “protect” themselves from witchcraft (which is illogical as the witch-doctor is able to “protect” because he/she a more powerful witch/wizard). This is based on the witchcraft “reality” that seems to have a diabolically distorted world where witches play “soccer” with your head in the night so that when you wake up with a heavy headache chances are you were the soccer ball last night. They also claim to fly to the various capitals of the world by night in their “airplanes”. All this is a parody of reality so that it is not unexpected that one can speak of a “spiritual wife” in this scheme of things. Moreover, the answer to the “spirit wife/husband” solution is really with the ng’anga so that an adherent need not fret because the ng’anga can provide the solution (at a fee, of course). There really is no difference between the traditional ng’anga and some of these “prophets” as they are using the same worldview. Most dangerously though is that such thinking belittles the powerful authority the believer has in Christ and makes the cross of Christ of no effect before principalities and powers. Yet the Apostle Paul when praying for spiritual insight for the believers in Ephesus prayed that they may know:

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Believers are filled with the same power from God that raised Christ from the dead! So it is impossible for a “spiritual husband/wife” to stop one from entering into God’s blessing of marriage. Does Satan resist God’s will upon our lives? Yes, he does. But the James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Are there “spiritual husbands/wives” for real? That’s the wrong question to ask. What matters is Christ has triumphed over the powers of darkness and the believer in Christ should exercise that authority.

Finally, we should appreciate the various gifts that God has placed around us in our faith community. Could it be that our sister’s issue can best be handled by those more experienced in this area of concern that are around her in church, perhaps an older more experienced believer who has gone through a similar situation? It could be that the issue may be less “spiritual” than the ng’anga is exploiting it to be. In any case, “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 24:6).

Beware the Christian Ng'anga

It sounds like an oxymoron and yet it is functionally true. There are those in the church who in the name of prophecy are functioning as ng’angas, divining and soothsaying. Not only are they robbing the gullible of their hard-earned monies but, like the ng’anga paradigm they are operating under, they also create chaos in the aftermath of their prophecies. A case in point: John and Jane (obviously not their real names) are engaged to be married. Five months ago John’s mother visits one of these renowned prophets and is told that the wedding that’s about to take place in her family may not happen as Jane is four months pregnant! Jane is taken for a pregnancy test which clears her of the accusations. But by then the rumours have started making their rounds that Jane is pregnant. When their pastor finally gets to hear of it, it’s the week before the wedding and the wedding announcements have been made in church. What to do? Jane goes for another pregnancy test and is found negative. The rumours are as false as the “prophecy”, or should we say, divination.

This and many other incidents illustrate that many charlatans are robbing gullible Christians in the name of “prophecy”. I think there are three basic reasons that this happens to these immature believers: the said Christians have not loved the word of God so are susceptible to deception, they are ignorant of Scripture’s primacy of character above charisma, and they are operating under a ng’anga paradigm of witchcraft. May I issue a disclaimer here: I believe that the New Testament warrants an ongoing prophetic ministry and have actually written on the nature of such gifting from a Neocharismatic perspective (see my forthcoming Kachere Document, The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11: An Eclectic Continuationist Appraisal). So I’m not here knocking down bona fide prophetic ministry.

Loving the Word or the World?

These gullible believers don’t make any effort to grow in their understanding of God’s truth so they are easily deceived. The apostle Paul when warning about the Antichrist’s deceptive miracles wrote:

9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10 (English Standard Version)

Notice that the deception came about “because they refused to love the truth”. We know that God’s word is truth as Jesus said in His prayer for His all disciples, “sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). That word is the Bible – both the Law and Prophets of the Old Testament and the writings of the New Testament – of which Christ Himself said “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished”, (Matthew 5:18). In fact, those that are walking in Christ’s truth are protected from deception as John writes in 1 John 2:20, 26-27:

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge… 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Hence those that are not abiding in Christ, His anointing (or authority) is not on them and open themselves to deception. The enemy also has power to work miraculous signs and if these healings and spectacular displays of spiritual power over demons become the main thing that people run after, then deception has set in. It’s particularly interesting that Jesus did not use exorcisms to awe people into submission or entertain them as is done in some Christian quarters. The gullible, in their love for the world, forsake the word to their own peril.

Character before Charisma

Another reason for the thriving of the ng’anga “ministry” is also the tendency to place spiritual gifting, or charisma, above character. This stems from a pragmatic orientation that says “if it works, it’s good” meaning that “as long as the prophet can get me what I’m looking for (wealth, health, etc) then it’s good”. With such a mindset, there really is no need to check from whom I’m getting what I want as long as I get my “miracle”. All Scripture is thrown to the wind in the frenzy of getting one’s “breakthrough”. This is the reason that an older generation of gullible believers snuck out at night to go to the ng’angas when attacked by witchcraft as the church that they belonged to either didn’t believe in the existence of witchcraft or just didn’t know what to do about it. But, behold, the ng’anga is amongst us!

So in their haste to get the “breakthrough”, gullible believers have placed a minister’s gifting above his/her character to both theirs and the ng’anga’s demise. Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus did as many miracles as the other disciples during the time of his “ministry” with the Lord: he cast out demons, healed the sick, preached the Kingdom of God, and baptized people (Matthew 10; John 4:1-3). He was so trusted with finances that he kept the ministry funds though he stole from the kitty (John 12:4-6). You couldn’t tell Judas apart from the other disciples except for his character that revealed itself when he betrayed Jesus to the authorities according to God’s predetermined will. The fact that somebody is “anointed” and performing miracles or is a great preacher is no guarantee that they are bona fide ministers of God. It is only the fruit of their lives that becomes the final arbiter of who they really are:

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The point is: if gullible believers valued character, they would not be easily duped by the ng’anga ministries since they would seek ministers who have been tried and tested with time and are accountable to a church or other ministers. Unfortunately, the lone ranger cowboy “man of God” who alone hears from God seems to be the preferred choice of minister for many in these circles.

Ng’anga Paradigm

The witchcraft paradigm of the ng’anga ministry is best illustrated by another ng’anga occurrence told me by a fellow pastor. A husband went to one of the “prophets” and was told by the prophet that the reason he was not advancing in life was because his wife had bewitched him by placing some mankhwala (magic potion) under a tree in his home village. The husband told his wife about it who demanded to be shown by the prophet where the alleged tree and mankhwala she had planted was. After several attempts to meet the prophet failed, she decided to go with the Police to the prophet who confessed that he was just making up the story. Imagine what carnage was wrecked in that family. Just like the ng’anga always finds a mfiti (witch/wizard) for a client’s misfortune, usually the client’s antagonistic relative, so these prophets speak of enemies that are close to their client’s usually with devastating results for the accused. Many old grandmothers have met their death as mobs bayed for their blood because they were considered witches usually on the flimsy evidence of children.

The prophets are not at fault by themselves; the gullible Christians also play their part. They do this by seeking from the prophets what a ng’anga does. For example, I know of people that consulted a “prophetess” to inquire if they should go overseas or not and whether or not their visa applications would be successful. All for “chowinda”(offering) for the prophetess, of course. Others go there to find out who is bewitching them or their kin. Nothing wrong to pray for deliverance from witchcraft but to start naming names and thereby creating animosities that result in witch-killing is neither what deliverance nor prophecy was intended for. Again herein lays the importance of operating within the parameters of Scripture lest we be deceived by familiar spirits.

Conclusion

Worse than robbing the gullible of their monies, the ng’anga ministries pose a dangerous deviation from the mission of the church to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel to the ends of the earth by making us focus on just our needs to the exclusion of mission. On the other hand, are they an indicator of how far the church has deviated from the path of truth in pursuit of “what works”? I hear others say that this is a Pentecostal-Charismatic phenomenon and that the “mainline” churches are spared. I don’t think so. The pervasive influence of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement has transformed the “mainline” churches way of worship to the point that many trends that were considered “Pentecostal” are to be found in them such as “praise teams”, night-of-prayers, and intercessions where some actually pray in tongues. Also satellite television has brought ng’anga ministers into the homes of all Christians. As long as Christians make gifting and not character the mark of true gospel ministry, this ng’anga epidemic will have enough fodder to continue deviating the people of God from their mission of taking the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the ends of earth