DEALING WITH SPIRITUAL BACKLASH
Chapter Reference from Spiritual Discernment Workshop
Have you ever ministered to someone and then—bam!—everything in your life started going haywire? Cars breaking down, sudden sickness, strife at home? You're not alone. Countless prophets and ministers have faced this, and the culprit is often spiritual backlash.
Apostle Craig Toach explains what backlash is, why it happens, and how to guard against it so you can minister freely and effectively.
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL BACKLASH?
Simply put, backlash is a spiritual attack you experience after ministering to someone who is under a curse or stronghold. It happens in two main ways:
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Through Contamination
Ministering often involves opening your heart and spirit to the person you’re helping. This connection allows God’s healing and anointing to flow from you to them. However, if you’re not spiritually guarded, this open connection can become a two-way street. You might inadvertently take on the spiritual “contaminants” they carry—like sharing the same struggles or curses they’re under.Imagine it like a blood transfusion: when you link yourself to someone spiritually, both the good and bad can flow between you. For example, if you’re ministering to someone battling addiction, you might find yourself tempted by the same issue. This is why it’s critical to guard your heart and close any spiritual links after ministry.
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Through Rejection
If your ministry is rejected—either because the person didn’t ask for help or didn’t receive your message—the spiritual forces you were confronting may turn on you. Think of it as trying to kick out uninvited guests from someone else’s house without their permission.
HOW TO PREVENT BACKLASH
The solution is simple: Break spiritual links immediately after ministry.
After ministering, pray this:
"Father, I submit myself to You and break all spiritual links with this person. I renounce any contamination or curse I might have received from them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
This severs any lingering spiritual ties and keeps you free from backlash.
WHY THIS MATTERS
You’re called to be a spiritual doctor, bringing healing and freedom. Just as natural doctors prioritize their safety, you must protect your spirit to serve effectively.
KEY PRINCIPLES
- A backlash is a spiritual attack that occurs after joining your spirit with someone under a curse.
- It happens through contamination (taking on someone’s spiritual struggles) or rejection (ministering without their acceptance).
- Prevent backlash by breaking spiritual links and renouncing contamination or curses.
Scriptures to Memorize:
- 1 Timothy 5:22: Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
- Matthew 10:14: Shake off the dust from your feet.
Want to go deeper?
Explore the Spiritual Discernment Workshop here.