The Epistle to the Galatians reveals a disturbing reality: the Galatian church, once vibrant with faith, had fallen prey to spiritual deception, seemingly bewitched away from the core tenets of the Gospel.
Paul, in a moment of raw frustration and disbelief, cries out, “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3:1).
This poignant question unveils the depth of their deviation and begs examination of how such a spiritual catastrophe could unfold. Paul’s words underscore the clarity with which the Gospel had been presented.
The image of Jesus Christ, crucified and resurrected, was vividly etched in their minds. Yet, despite this profound exposure, the Galatians had wandered astray, embracing teachings that contradicted the foundational message of salvation through faith.
The explanation likely lies in the influence of false teachers, much like the situation Philip encountered in Samaria. These individuals, with their persuasive rhetoric and potentially charismatic personalities, subtly distorted the truth, presenting an alternative gospel that resonated with the Galatians’ desires.
Perhaps they emphasized adherence to the Law over grace, or introduced ritualistic practices that obscured the simplicity of faith in Christ. Furthermore, the Galatians themselves may have been susceptible to this deception.
Their spiritual immaturity could have left them vulnerable to manipulation and unable to discern truth from falsehood. As Paul elucidates in Romans 8:5-8, those who live according to the flesh, focused on earthly desires and self-gratification, are easily swayed.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit…For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” This carnal mindset, focused on immediate gratification and worldly approval, made the Galatians easy targets for false doctrines that catered to their weaknesses, ultimately leading them away from the true path of spiritual life and peace.
The tragedy of the Galatian church serves as a stark warning: a fervent faith, constantly nurtured by the Spirit, is essential to resist the seductive allure of spiritual deception.
Busyness Is Not Brokenness Healed
When leaders walk with unhealed emotional wounds—especially rooted in rejection or abandonment—they often leave cracks in their spiritual discernment. Witchcraft doesn’t always enter through open rebellion; sometimes it creeps in through tolerated control, manipulation, and a deep need for affirmation.
Some of the loudest ministry feeds are driven not by an overflow of presence, but by a deficit of identity. Exploits get posted. Schedules stay packed. But behind the scenes, spiritual compromise is tolerated and discernment is dulled.
Authenticity isn’t proven by productivity. It’s revealed through alignment, healing, and wholeness.
Don’t mistake motion for maturity – Discern the spirit, not just the activity.
The hidden Wound That Harms the Flock
“Not every scar is visible. Not every battle is fought in the open. And not every leader is as free as they appear.”
One of the most dangerous leaders in the Christian faith is not the wolf in sheep’s clothing—but the shepherd unknowingly shackled by the spirit of rejection.
This spirit doesn’t announce itself with rebellion or heresy. It whispers in the silence, hiding beneath past wounds and childhood trauma, cloaking itself in the language of ministry and masquerading as passion for excellence.
Yet under pressure, it produces insecurity, performance-driven leadership, fear of man, and the constant hunger for validation.
When a leader hasn’t allowed the Holy Spirit to heal the roots of rejection, their call becomes intertwined with their need to be needed.
They preach the Word, but filter it through the lens of pain. They build ministries, but unconsciously craft them around self-worth.
They disciple people—but create codependent followers instead of empowered sons and daughters. The fruit looks good… until you taste it.
The danger is this: wounded leadership creates wounded culture.
It doesn’t matter how anointed they are—if their core identity is shaped by rejection, they may unconsciously replicate the very bondage they were called to break.
And perhaps the most tragic part? These leaders are often celebrated, platformed, and followed. Because rejection doesn’t always manifest as obvious dysfunction.
It can look like tireless service, passionate preaching, and unrelenting vision. But when applause is medicine and criticism is poison, that’s not leadership—that’s a soul crying out for healing.
We as the Body must pray for our leaders. Cover them. Discern well. And where necessary, lovingly confront the places where pain has been spiritualized rather than surrendered.
The Spirit of Rejection Attracts What It Echoes
The spirit of rejection doesn’t just wound—it signals. It becomes a magnet in the spirit, drawing more of what it fears. When unhealed, it can unknowingly pull in relationships, environments, and even spiritual attacks that mirror the pain it carries.
It becomes a vicious cycle: fear of abandonment leads to isolation, which then confirms the lie of being unwanted. The enemy doesn’t need new weapons—just recycled wounds.
Healing breaks the cycle. Identity silences the echo.
Until the lie is uprooted, rejection will keep finding its way back—wearing new faces, but bringing the same pain.
Leaders don’t need to be perfect—but they must be healed.
Let us raise up a generation of shepherds who lead from wholeness, not wounds; from sonship, not survival. Because healed leaders birth healthy churches—and healthy churches transform nations.
~Dr. Russell Welch
Elder/ Apostolic Teacher Highway to Heaven Church and Founder and Shepherd of Remnant Warrior Ministries / Remnant Warrior School of Spiritual Warfare.
Radical Disciples - A Remnant Revolution 