By Cornelius Bella
When you need spiritual protection, where do you turn?
Some people burn sage and spread its smoke around their homes, workplaces or over their children, believing it will remove evil spirits and cleanse the atmosphere.
As a Christian, your first question should be: “What does the Word of God teach me to do?”
Our spiritual practices must come under the authority of Scripture. We cannot accept a method simply because someone says it works or because it promises peace and protection.
God has called us to seek Him.
Isaiah 8:19 — KJV
“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?”
“Should not a people seek unto their God?”
When you are afraid, seek God. When you need direction, seek God. When you are concerned about your home or your children, seek God.
Do not let fear lead you into a spiritual practice that God has not instructed you to follow.
Where does the authority to cast out demons come from?
The Bible shows us that evil spirits are subject to the authority of Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:18 — KJV
“And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”
Paul commanded the spirit to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.
There is no instruction in this passage to burn sage or spread smoke over the person. The authority exercised was Christ’s authority.
Therefore, a Christian should not place confidence in sage smoke to accomplish what belongs to the authority of the Lord Jesus.
Be careful what you participate in
A person may enter a spiritual practice looking for help without examining what that practice involves.
That is why we must ask questions. Are spirits being invoked? Is someone consulting the dead? Is an object being trusted to provide supernatural protection? Are participants being led into worship or spiritual commitments contrary to Scripture?
The Bible warns against fellowship with demons:
1 Corinthians 10:20–21 — KJV
“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”
Paul was warning Christians against participation in idolatrous worship. They belonged to Christ and could not treat participation at an idolatrous table as spiritually harmless.
This gives us a serious lesson: wanting protection does not make every spiritual practice acceptable to God.
Where a ceremony involves spirit invocation, divination or false worship, Christians must refuse participation. Calling it “cleansing” does not change what is taking place.
The warning about demonic involvement must rest on this biblical foundation. Scripture warns against fellowship with demons; it does not specifically explain sage smoke as a mechanism that opens spiritual portals.
Do not accept everything labelled “spiritual”
Some practices are presented as guidance, healing, protection or comfort. A Christian must examine what is actually being offered.
A horoscope may promise direction. A medium may promise a message from a deceased relative. A charm may promise protection. A ritual may promise to remove a curse.
But God has spoken clearly about divination and consulting spirits.
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 — KJV
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”
God’s people were commanded to have no involvement in these practices.
That remains a clear warning for Christians considering tarot readings, spirit consultation, attempts to contact the dead or rituals involving occult powers.
Do not seek through a forbidden practice what you should bring before God in prayer.
What if you have already been involved?
Turn to God, confess your involvement and stop the practice.
The believers in Ephesus demonstrated a clear break with their former magical practices.
Acts 19:18–20 — KJV
“And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
Their faith in Christ changed what they practised.
They confessed their deeds and abandoned the materials connected with their magical arts. They allowed the Word of God to govern their lives.
If you have been involved, take that same direction: repent, discontinue the practice and seek sound biblical teaching and pastoral support.
1 John 1:9 — KJV
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
You can come to God honestly. His Word gives you a clear way forward.
How should you respond practically?
Submit your life to God. Read and obey His Word. Pray about your concerns. Refuse involvement in divination, spirit consultation and false worship.
James 4:7 — KJV
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Do not focus only on resisting the devil while neglecting submission to God. Bring your decisions, habits and spiritual practices under His authority.
If you are a parent, find out what your children are being taught and asked to participate in. Explain your Christian convictions clearly. Teach your children to pray, understand Scripture and bring their fears to you.
Do not frighten them with claims that accidental exposure to smoke means they are possessed. Teach them to place their confidence in Christ.
1 John 4:4 — KJV
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
The Christian life should be lived in obedience to God and confidence in His power.
Put your trust in the Lord
Before you accept a spiritual practice, bring it before the Word of God.
If it involves what God forbids, refuse it. If you have already participated, turn away from it. When you need help, seek the Lord.
Psalm 121:1–2 — KJV
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
Your help comes from the Lord. Seek Him in prayer, follow His Word and keep your confidence in Jesus Christ.
Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to guide us. Forgive every involvement in practices that displease You. Help us to turn away from them and obey You wholeheartedly. Give us wisdom to guide our families and discernment to recognise deception. We place our trust in You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
