Cathy sent me the following email:
“A deliverance minister came to our church and mentioned that all chiropractic care was demonic because of its original origin in spiritualism. I was shocked and had never heard anyone say that before.
“This particular minister stated from Wikipedia that the founder of chiropractic care was Daniel David Palmer who was a magnetic healer but also was interested in phrenology, vitalism, naturalism and spiritualism. Therefore, the source of chiropractic practice is evil. He also went on to bash essential oils and its sources as well.
“With that said, I had a red flag in my spirit, but almost everyone in the room felt like they needed deliverance because of using chiropractors. I guess his point was to get free from anything tied to ungodly sources and just rely on Jesus as the healer. Of course, I believe that completely, but honestly, when I am suffering and am standing for my healing to manifest, I do consult other remedies in holistic health with herbs, essential oils, supplements and chiropractic care. I have never considered the sources of any of these.”
Response From Mark Virkler
“Is it not true that God gives revelation to evil people and false prophets such as Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and Balaam (Gen. 41:15-36, Dan. 2, Num. 22)? If so, are we to discard the revelation and insight they received, saying the source must be evil as they are worshippers of false gods, or do we honor the fact that God is Lord of all, and gives revelation to all, and as long as it is compatible with Scripture, we are to receive it?”
Personally, I believe non-Christians can receive insight from God. I certainly did. It was His voice that called me to come into His kingdom! I responded to it, and now I am saved.
It would sure be tiring if before I purchased anything, ate anything or learned anything, I had to ask, “Who was the person who created or discovered this, and were they a Spirit-filled Christian?” If they weren’t, then I am not consuming this item or this information.
I certainly don’t intend to live this way, as I don’t see it as a scriptural way of living.
Examples of Wisdom and Revelation That Came From ‘Outsiders’ and Evil People
Balaam, an evil prophet (2 Pet. 2:15) prophesies concerning the Israelites: “God said to Balaam, ‘You will not go with them. You will not curse the people because they are blessed” (Num. 22:12).
Pharaoh, an evil king who is holding the Israelites in captivity: “In my dream, I stood on the bank of the Nile. And suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fattened and fine-looking, and they grazed in the reeds. Then seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt. I have never seen such ugliness in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows’ … Then Joseph said to Pharaoh … ‘God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do'” (Gen. 41:17-25).
Nebuchadnezzar, an evil king who is holding the Israelites in captivity: “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets and makes known to King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head upon your bed are these: ‘As for you, O king, your thoughts came into your mind upon your bed about what would come to pass hereafter, and He who reveals secrets makes known to you what shall come to pass'” (Dan. 2:28-29).
Pilate’s wife has a dream: “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man [Jesus], for I have suffered much today in a dream on account of Him” (Matt. 27:19).
Caiaphas prophesies as he plots to put Jesus to death: “Then one of them named Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, that the whole nation should not perish.’
“He did not say this on his own authority. … So from that day forward they planned to put Him to death” (John 11:49-53).
Shall we reject the above because we assume the source is not God, and thus evil?
My answer is no! God rules over all (Ps. 103:19, Ezra 1:1, Isa. 45), and from the examples above we see He gives wisdom and revelation to all.
So I am free to receive from anyone. If they have something to give that is compatible with Scripture and bears good fruit, I am glad to try it on and see how it fits.
May the church be known for its meekness and humility, not its arrogance, pride and judgment.
May we “honor all people” (1 Pet. 2:17a). {eoa}
Mark Virkler, Ph.D., has authored more than 50 books in the areas of hearing God’s voice and spiritual growth. He is the founder of Communion With God Ministries and Christian Leadership University (cluonline.com), where the voice of God is at the center of every learning experience. Mark has taught on developing intimacy with God and spiritual healing for 30-plus years on six continents. The message has been translated into over 40 languages, and he has helped to establish more than 250 church-centered Bible schools around the world.
This article originally appeared at cwgministries.org.
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