Healthy Living

Behind Every Bush

by Terry Barlow
02/13/16
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   There is a form of primitive religious animism that resembles the kind in some tribal societies where evil spirits are believed to indwell rocks, trees, bushes, streams and even animals.  The objective then becomes knowing how to appease these various spirits in order to navigate successfully through life.  The religious form of animism becomes a temptation to many Christians to perceive or suspect the presence of a demon behind every "bush" or rock, etc. or, indeed, even two demons, depending on the size of the bush or the rock!  "Christian" animism winds up sweeping the emphasis away from what God is doing through the Holy Spirit and stealing the focus away from how Christ is manifesting, to the morbid manners in which the spiritual adversary is active to trip up believers and corrupt the world.  Religious animism or demon-centeredness engenders fear in its adherents whereas Christ-centeredness as we know gives rise to faith.

 This isn't to say there aren't ever demons to deal with, but it's a question of priority, proportion and BALANCE.  The Israelite priests had their right big toes anointed with blood (along with right ear lobes and right thumbs) according to consecration law in Leviticus. (Leviticus Chapter 8)  The big toe speaks especially of the sense of balance, something we desperately need in our own consecration as New Testament kings and priests.