Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people? The answer, according to the Bible, lies in a profound spiritual principle that operates much like a legal system. This write-up isn’t exhaustive, but if you read it carefully, it can trigger an understanding of the legality of the spirit realm.
It’s a striking truth that practitioners of the dark arts often demonstrate more discipline and loyalty to the legalities of the spirit world than many Christians. This is because, in our understanding of grace, many of us mistakenly believe that God’s mercy operates outside of any legal framework. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Grace does not negate legality; it fulfills it.
![⚖️] A Legal Principle in the Spirit
Proverbs 26:2 articulates a very clear spiritual principle — it’s illegal for any curse (pain, affliction, frustration, etc.) to happen to a person if there is no legal cause for it.
Think of it like this: it’s illegal for you to break down with malaria if you haven’t been bitten by a specific breed and gender of mosquito carrying the parasite.
That’s how the spirit realm works, and even evil spirits respect that paradigm. After the fall of Lucifer and his cohorts, there’s never been any doubt in the thoughts of even demons about what happens to those who engage in spiritual illegalities.
James 2:19 says: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” The trembling reported here shows the awareness they have of the Judge of all creation. He is not a false accuser of the brethren.
![📜] The Accuser’s Role
It seems some (if not most) readers of the following scripture read a meaning that isn’t present:
Revelation 12:10
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
This scripture reveals Satan as the Advocate of Evil. It reveals his purpose: he is the Accuser of the brethren, not the false accuser of the brethren.
How does he accuse us? Through the Law of God.
John 5:45 unveils a profound secret:
“Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.”
This means the devil doesn’t arbitrarily accuse us to God. He bases his accusations on things we have done and appeals to God to apply the punishment prescribed by God Himself.
Where the devil can be called a liar is when we enter the realm of mercy and grace. He simply cannot comprehend how a sinner can become a saint through an act of faith and mercy. He doesn’t understand why a murderer like Moses should be so acquitted and discharged by Divine Justice that he can then be a god to Pharaoh and Aaron become his prophet.
The devil simply doesn’t understand Psalm 50:5:
“Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
![👑] The High Priest, Filthy Garments, and the Accuser
Some, if not many, believers may struggle with the fact that when the sons of God were having a meeting with God Almighty, Satan also attended and had a chat with God Himself. This account is found in the book of Job, and I encourage you to read it for yourself. To help explain the legality of Satan’s attendance at such a meeting, let’s turn to another powerful example.
Let’s use the case of Joshua the High Priest. As a high priest, Joshua would have gone through the ceremonial cleansing rituals before entering the Holy of Holies. This vision, however, reveals what was happening in the spiritual realm, showing that a person can go through the outward rituals without having a truly contrite heart.
Zechariah 3:1–7 shows us:
Joshua, the High Priest, is standing before the Angel of the LORD. The Accuser, Satan, is at his right hand making accusations. Joshua’s filthy garments are the legal reason for the resistance — evidence of unconfessed or unforgiven sin.
God does not “arrogantly” dismiss the legal reason Satan stands there. Instead, He unilaterally commands Joshua’s sin to be dealt with, orders the filthy garments removed, gives him new clothes, and then rebukes Satan.
We must remember:
“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56)
![⚖️] The Deception of the Gibeonites
Without valuing and deploying the Gift of Discerning of Spirits, we will still create legal pitfalls for ourselves on the journey of life. In the spirit realm, there’s no excuse called “ignorance” that can acquit a person. The Bible clearly states the consequences of lacking knowledge: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
The story in Joshua 9:3–27 shows a clear case of a legal covenant being established through deception. The Gibeonites, knowing that the Israelites were commanded to destroy all the inhabitants of the land, used a clever lie to save themselves. Their failure to consult God before making the agreement resulted in a legal tie they couldn’t break without facing divine consequences.
Joshua 9:3–27 (simplified):
The Gibeonites, who lived nearby, heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai. They knew they had to act quickly. So they dressed up as travelers from a far-off land, with old sacks and wineskins, patched clothes and sandals, and dry, moldy bread.
They went to Joshua and said, “We’ve come from a distant country. Make a peace treaty with us.”
The Israelites were suspicious and said, “Maybe you live among us. How can we make a treaty with you?”
“We are your servants,” they replied.
Joshua asked, “Who are you, and where are you from?”
They answered, “We have come from a very distant land because of what we heard about the LORD your God. We heard about everything He did in Egypt and to the two Amorite kings. So our elders told us to get supplies and go meet you. They said, ‘We are your servants. Make a peace treaty with us.’ Look at our bread — it was hot and fresh when we left home, but now it’s dry and moldy. Our wineskins were new, but now they are torn. Our clothes and sandals are worn out from the very long journey.”
The leaders of Israel took some of the Gibeonites’ provisions but didn’t ask God what to do. So Joshua made peace with them and swore an oath to let them live.
Three days later, the Israelites found out that the Gibeonites were their neighbors. The Israelites went to their cities but didn’t attack them because the leaders had sworn an oath to them in the name of the LORD. The people of Israel grumbled against their leaders, but the leaders explained, “We swore an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. We can’t harm them now, or God’s wrath might come on us for breaking our oath. We will let them live, but they will be woodcutters and water carriers for our people.”
Joshua called the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you trick us by saying you were from a distant land when you live right here? Because of this, you are now cursed, and you will always be slaves, cutting wood and carrying water for the house of my God.”
The Gibeonites answered, “We did it because we heard that the LORD had commanded you to destroy everyone in this land. We were terrified for our lives. Now we are in your hands. Do whatever you think is good and right.”
So Joshua made them slaves, cutting wood and carrying water for the community and for the altar of the LORD. And because of the legal oath, the Israelites didn’t kill them.
This story highlights a crucial legal principle in the spiritual realm: a covenant made, even under false pretenses, is binding. The Israelites were bound by their verbal oath, not by the truth of the Gibeonites’ story. Their failure to consult God before making the agreement resulted in a legal tie they couldn’t break without facing divine consequences.
This principle is so powerful that a later generation suffered for it. In 2 Samuel 21, a famine struck Israel during the time of King David. When David inquired of the Lord, God revealed that the famine was because King Saul had violated the covenant made by Joshua with the Gibeonites centuries earlier. The famine only ended after David honored the original oath and made restitution to the Gibeonites. This shows that legal ties created by our words can have consequences that span generations.
Another profound example is found in the story of Jacob and Isaac. In Genesis 27, Jacob deceived his blind father, Isaac, to receive the blessing meant for his brother, Esau. Even when Esau came to his father and the deception was revealed, Isaac could not take the blessing back. He said, “I have blessed him — and indeed he shall be blessed.” The spoken words of the covenant had a legal force that was irreversible, even when based on a lie.
Just like the Gibeonites, lies in our relationships can create legal grounds that bind us, regardless of their lack of integrity.
![⚔️] The Legal Path to Victory
There are three separate aspects of Justice that must be looked at:
- The Law (of God)
- The Court of Life
- The Mercy of God
- For each of these to be valid, they should be looked at independently for mercy to be validly obtained by the believer.
The victory we experience against the valid verdict of death is not through denial of sin or the legality of death. It is secured in three steps:
Acknowledge God’s standard. If God says “Thou shalt not murder,” He is justified in setting that standard. Sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). A contrite heart agrees with His Law and confirms God is right (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Bring the case before the Judge. In this courtroom, the Advocate of Death, Satan, appears with the Law to accuse you. The Advocate of Life, Jesus Christ, appears with His blood-stained body to defend you. When asked, “How do you plead?” the believer says, “I plead the Blood.” That is legal language meaning: “I am guilty, but Christ has paid.”
Receive acquittal. Your sins are blotted out (Colossians 2:14), and righteousness is imputed to you (Psalm 32:1). As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
This is the legal path to victory, where the charges against us are paid in full, and we are set free.
![🐍] The Doctrine of Balaam: How your enemy gets you to get your God angry with you
Revelation 2:14 says:
“…Balaam… taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”
After failing to curse Israel, Balaam revealed that if Balak could entice Israel into sexual immorality, God Himself would afflict them.
Numbers 31:16 says:
“Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD… and there was a plague among the congregation.”
The details are in Numbers 25:1–3:
“And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab… and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.”
This is how the enemy creates legal grounds for your destruction.
In effect, although Numbers 23:23 clearly stated that there was no divination or sorcery against Israel, the sin of Israel permitted God Himself to afflict Israel without Balac suffering any cost of war.
![💔] The Legal Dangers of Casual Relationships
Let’s use amorous relationships as a practical example of how casually treating life’s issues can create legal pitfalls that are enforceable by the kingdom of darkness. Many people walk out of relationships littered with direct and implied covenants and promises. A direct covenant could be a marriage vow or a promise of faithfulness. An implied one might be the expectation of commitment built over years of cohabitation and shared life.
There are two kinds of intercourse: physical and spiritual. While physical intercourse has profound spiritual consequences, the affairs of the heart are often more binding and carry greater legal weight in the spiritual realm. The Bible makes a clear distinction about these unions. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 6:16–17, it says: “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
Most people who are not “harlots or prostitutes” assume this verse does not apply to them. But the verse actually applies to everyone. Sexual intercourse with anyone makes you one flesh with that person. Even in cases of rape, this spiritual union occurs, but prayer can be made and God will bring a cutting off of the soul tie to free us.
The second part of the verse, “he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit,” is equally vital. It shows that words and heartfelt promises create a powerful one spirit union. Our salvation, which is essentially a marriage ceremony between us and Christ, came through a verbal agreement. According to Romans 10:9–10, we are saved by words: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This is how deeply binding our verbal and spiritual commitments are.
It’s also important to recognize that covenants are not only made through spoken words. In a seemingly one-sided relationship, where one person says “I love you” and the other does not respond with the same words but instead returns favors in kind, an agreement is still being made. Body language is a language, and it carries significant meaning. Ignoring these nonverbal communications is consigning a powerful form of legal agreement to the dustbin.
We must acknowledge that angels don’t understand jokes or casual words. Every word spoken carries legal weight. Ecclesiastes 5:6 makes this clear:
“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”
Your words have legal implications, so you must be careful what you say. Proverbs 6:2 reinforces this principle: “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”
Perhaps it’s time to evaluate our lives and at least ask God to clean our slates and save us from our own history. We need to take advantage of the legal efficacy of the Blood of Jesus. It has the power to blot out the very handwriting of any historical records that work against our present and future wellbeing. The legal grounds for our destruction can be canceled out by the blood of Jesus. As Colossians 2:14 says, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”
You might need to make a conscious effort, through prayer or remediation, to settle outstanding issues and close chapters before moving on.
![🛡️] How to Prevent Frustration
Never let a controversy remain unresolved. Either reconcile with man (horizontal) or seek God’s forgiveness (vertical). Beginning each day with the following heartfelt requests is advisable. Of course, do what works for you.
- Renew a right spirit in me.
- Create a clean heart in me.
- Take away my filthy garments.
- Sprinkle Your clean water on me.
- Clothe me appropriately.
![📖] The Two Laws: Sin and Death vs. Life in Christ
In conclusion, there have been two laws from the beginning of time. Before the fall of man, the options were Life or Death, and these options were represented in the Tree of Life and the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Those options also had their Advocates, Christ and The Old Serpent.
Romans 8:2:
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
- Law of Sin and Death: Activated by Adam’s fall. Its jurisdiction covers all men born of Adam. Verdict: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). Strength: the Law (1 Corinthians 15:56). This is the Accuser’s legal ground.
- Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus: A higher jurisdiction for those in Christ. The Blood satisfies every legal demand (Colossians 2:14). Pleading the Blood is a legal act — you are guilty, but the penalty is paid in full.
The first is the default; the second is the override. Mercy doesn’t erase the charge — it pays it in full. That’s why even the lawful captive can be delivered (Isaiah 49:24–25).
Staying on the path of life requires our complete and consistent obedience. We must be ready to acknowledge our shortcomings and secure God’s mercy. This is the legal way to stay strong on the path of life.
2 Corinthians 10:3–6
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, 5 casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete.
Our obedience is what preserves us on this journey of two options. May our obedience be COMPLETE and may we endure to the very end.
Read. Act. Win.
✍🏾 Author
Adade — A Man of The Word
Seeker of Divine Truth
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