Do our dead ancestors have power to influence and hurt us? I'm being called to become a Sangoma (shaman), but I don't want to because I love Jesus. I'm afraid to stop cultural practices for them. When I was growing up in South Africa, these ancestors caused strange sicknesses until people obeyed their wills.

February 12th 2020 | 103504 views 

Many today believe that the dead are not dead but are really more alive than ever. They do not realize they are believing the original lie taught by Satan disguised as a serpent, “that you will not die, but you will be like God” (Genesis 3:4-5). Satan uses scriptural parables and dark sayings taken out of context to promote his lie. 

The demons (also called fallen angels) try to represent the dead as alive. They must be resisted by God’s power. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Pray to the Lord for strength to resist.

There is an interesting case that may be similar to your situation in Acts 16:16-40. A woman was possessed by a demon and was able to predict the future. She followed Paul and Silas around for days. Finally, Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her. But her “masters' hopes of wealth were now shattered” (Acts 16:19). The men were furious, and they had Paul and Silas imprisoned. That night God sent an angel to release them. The officer in charge of the jail witnessed Paul’s Christian behavior and came to know the Lord. Further, this became a witness to the city against such false practices.  

It sounds like you are in a similar situation. You need to call upon the Lord to give you strength to resist these false practices of Sangomas. This is part of the Devil’s original lie “that you will not die, but you will be like God,” Genesis 3:4-5. Resist and watch how God is able to use you as his witness for good.

The lie also leads to blaspheming the character of God. The great God of the universe is always loving and just. “God is love,” 1 John 4:8. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne…” Psalm 89:14. The concept of torment is neither just, loving, nor wise. Jehovah God does not torment people for all eternity because they didn’t call upon the name of Jesus. (See Acts 4:12.) Billions, who did not know Jesus, have lived before and after Jesus’s first advent. Consider all those brought up us as Hindus, Moslems, atheists, and agnostics… 

1 Timothy 2:4: God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." When Christ reigns on earth, then all mankind will be resurrected, forgiven and taught righteousness. (See Jeremiah 31:33-35.) God will “destroy,” not torment, those who choose to oppose righteousness, and this only after Christ’s 1,000 reign of righteousness.

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1148: “Ghosts, Reincarnation and Humanity – What’s Real? (Part I)”
Examining the biblical feasibility of ghosts being disembodied souls
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

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