Stop Demonising Everything: It Just Might Be God
Why The Spirit Of Fear Can Limit God's Impact In The World
Why The Spirit Of Fear Can Limit God's Impact In The World
Let's talk about the second extreme we often fall into: demonising everything.
You know how it goes. We encounter a new tool, a modern system, a different approach, or maybe some innovative technology that feels unfamiliar. What’s our immediate reaction? We slap an "ungodly," "of the devil," or "worldly" label on it. Why? Simply because we don’t understand it.
As believers, we need to get to the root of this behaviour. I've noticed that this response is usually not based on sound theological discernment or deep spiritual conviction. More often than not, it comes from a place of fear and a profound lack of understanding. Remember what the Bible says: "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV).
Because of the world we live in, it’s so easy to dismiss what you don't understand.
For example, when a new system pops up—whether it's an unconventional marketing strategy, a structural shift in ministry, or a cutting-edge technological platform—too many Christians immediately draw a spiritual line in the sand. They dismiss it outright instead of pausing, investigating, and asking the only question that matters: "How can God use this for His glory?"
The Bible says we are called to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). This means we should be seeking wisdom, not shrinking in fear. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5).
Here's the truth: The enemy does not have exclusive ownership of efficiency, innovation, or effective communication! Those are actually fundamental aspects of good stewardship and successfully advancing any mission. That's why, as believers, we are called to be faithful with what we are given: "Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).
We must stop labelling something as demonic just because it’s new, it’s unfamiliar, or it falls outside of our traditional comfort zone.
Yes, there are things we must avoid—actions and philosophies that are clearly contrary to God’s Word. But we have to exercise careful judgment and genuine discernment.
If an approach or tool is beneficial, ethically sound, and clearly aligns with God's plan for growing the Kingdom or stewarding the ministry He has entrusted to you, then demonising it out of personal fear is a huge mistake. You risk missing the opportunity to advance His Kingdom.
We risk becoming the people who reject a perfectly good, efficient tool because we’d rather stick with the old way, using a stick, simply because it feels "more spiritual." In doing so, we could be resisting the very resources and tools God has allowed to exist, so His message can reach people in ways never before possible.
This is why Paul urges us to be wise: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). We need to seize every opportunity for the Gospel!
Ask yourself honestly: Is this tool inherently evil, or is it a powerful vessel that can be claimed and used for God’s purposes? Let’s stop letting our lack of knowledge and comfort dictate what is "demonic" and start asking God how to reclaim beneficial tools for His mission.
While there are definitely actions and philosophies clearly contrary to God’s Word that we must avoid, we must exercise careful, Spirit-led judgment. The Bible tells us that we are to "test everything; hold fast to what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV). If we fail to test and instead rely on fear, the consequences are severe:
Ministry advancement, at its core, is about reaching people with the Gospel. By demonising powerful, efficient tools—like live streaming, digital networks, modern organisational structures, or AI tools—we effectively put our message in a box.
We risk becoming like the servant in the parable of the talents who buried his talent out of fear: "Lord, I knew you to be a harsh man... so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground" (Matthew 25:24-25, ESV). Our fear and lack of understanding cause us to bury opportunities that could have yielded a spiritual return. We withhold the very tools that could extend our voice to those we are called to reach, essentially limiting the fulfilment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Christians who can't embrace the new risk are the people who reject a perfectly good, efficient tool because they’d rather stick with the old way, sticking with something, simply because it feels "more spiritual." This is an emotional trap!
When we resist innovation because it challenges our comfort zone, we are prioritising our personal preference—or a tradition of men—over the potential for God’s transformative work (Romans 12:2). We also forget that the Gospel is the power of God (Romans 1:16), and that power can be transmitted through any ethically sound vessel He allows to exist. In doing so, we resist the very resources God may have provided so that His message can reach people in ways that were never before possible.
Remember, the Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (Psalm 24:1). That means the most efficient systems, the cutting-edge technologies, and yes, good design ultimately belong to Him.
Remember, this isn't the devil's inventions; they are potential vessels. When we label a new system or method (way of doing something) as 'demonic,' we are essentially handing it over to the world by default. We miss the chance to sanctify that tool—to take a beneficial technology, cleanse it of any worldly or unethical application, and then purposefully deploy it for the glory of God and the growth of His Kingdom.
It’s time to shift our perspective: from fear-based judgment to advancing God's Kingdom with wisdom.