The Source Is an Unbeliever, So Must I Reject It?
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 (Genesis 41:15-36; Daniel 2; Numbers 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 which came from "outsiders" and evil people
Balaam, an evil prophet (2 Pet. 2:15) prophesies concerning the Israelites - "And God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed'" (Numbers 22:12).
Pharaoh, an evil king who is holding the Israelites in captivity - "'Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows ….' Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do'" (Genesis 41:17-25).
Nebuchadnezzar, an evil king who is holding the Israelites in Captivity - "But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be" (Daniel 2:1-29).
Pilate's wife has a dream - "Have nothing to do with that just Man (i.e. Jesus), for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him" (Matthew 27:19).Caiaphas prophesies as he plots to put Jesus to death - "Caiaphas, being 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, and not that the whole nation should perish.' Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation…. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death" (John 11:45-53).
Shall we reject the above because we assume the source is NOT God, and thus evil?
My answer is NO! God rules over all (Psalm 103:19; Ezra 1:1; Isaiah 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 which 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 Peter 2:17).