Times of crisis can make us feel like “normal” prayers are not enough. They can make us feel like we need to pull out the big guns (spiritually speaking) to engage in heavy spiritual warfare. As a result, more and more people are declaring an end to COVID-19 and applying Jesus’ blood. Some are even putting the two practices together: declaring Jesus blood.

Red Ribbons as Symbols of Jesus’ Blood

I saw a social media post this week of a woman who tied a red ribbon outside her home (#RedRibbon). Her post stated that she was applying the blood of Jesus on the doorpost of her home and thereby declaring that COVID-19 will not enter her home or touch her family.[1]

She also quoted Exodus 12:13: “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

Power in the Blood

Yes, I AGREE that the blood of Jesus is powerful. But, as I’ve written previously, we cannot apply the blood of Jesus (“pleading” the blood of Jesus is a little different [2]). I won’t repeat myself here, other than to reemphasize that the Bible never says we have any control over the blood of Jesus, and it has no record of anyone ever applying the blood of Jesus. Instead, we read of God applying the blood of Jesus to us.

I should add that if you search the word “blood” in the New Testament, you will not find any references that speak of Jesus’ blood giving us physical protection. Instead, the Bible speaks of the blood of Jesus with respect to our salvation, and not with respect to inanimate objects like cars or houses.

“ In the New Testament, you will not find any references that speak of Jesus’ blood giving us physical protection.

[Side note: Some who seek to apply Jesus’ blood quote Revelation 12:11, which says, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb…” However, if you read the context of this verse, it teaches that “they triumphed” (KJV, “they overcame”) because of what Christ had already done, not because of something “they” prayed, declared, or did with Jesus blood.]

Presuppositions of Applying the Blood for Protection from COVID-19

One thing that struck me right away is that the thinking in the social media post I mentioned above presupposes that:

1. COVID-19 is the result of an act of God’s judgment (like the 10 plagues were).
2. God is using COVID-19 to judge their neighbors (like God judged the Egyptians).
3. God has told us a certain means of protection from COVID-19 (spiritually applying blood to our doorposts).

If this isn’t apparent, read Exodus 12:13 again, which I quoted above.

I also thought this person’s declaration was a little selfish. Why only declare protection for her own family? Why not for her non-Christian neighbor? And if she really has control over Jesus’ blood, why not apply it over every house on her block?

[I recognize this might sound sarcastic, but these are my sincere questions.]

More Generous Declarations

Kenneth Copeland is more generous. He recently declared COVID-19 “destroyed forever” (see this video from the 1:40 mark). That’s good for everyone! As I said, very generous.

It seems COVID-19 has brought out the best of prosperity theology.

[Yes, now I’m being sarcastic.]

But, as I’ve written before, our words do not have the power of God—only God’s words do, because only God is omnipotent. To be clear, Copeland is not simply declaring the truth of Scripture. He is trying to change the world by killing a virus with the “spiritual power” of his words.

Harm from Declarations

Many people will copy this practice, some in seemingly harmless ways. They might not declare that COVID-19 can’t harm them—they might simply declare 10 lives for their cat, rather than 9. But when their declarations don’t come to pass, it will harm them. They might not die of COVID-19—but I bet some will—and when enough of their declarations don’t come to pass, their faith will be injured. Or they may loose their faith altogether. Or they might die.

You might be thinking:

I will make declarations and apply Jesus’ blood, but I’m still going to be careful. I will still practice physical distancing and wash my hands like I just got baby poo all over them.

But why?

IF a person can truly declare and apply the blood of Jesus over themselves for protection, then logically they should have nothing to be concerned about. Nothing. I mean, we are talking about the power of the divine Son of God! But this paragraph started with a big “IF.”

“ IF a person can truly declare Jesus’ blood for protection, then they should have nothing to be concerned about.

In some parts of the world, Christians continue to assemble in mass gatherings for “essential” worship services. Many of these people believe the blood of Jesus and their declarations will protect them from COVID-19.

Perhaps they haven’t heard that some Pentecostal  leaders in the Assemblies of God were diagnosed with COVID-19, and at least one was critically ill. Perhaps they haven’t heard that even people who gather at Pentecostal churches are contracting COVID-19. Perhaps they haven’t heard that Pentecostals pastors are dying from COVID-19 (here and here). Maybe they didn’t pray the right prayers or declare the right things. I think that conclusion would be offensive.

The reality is, Christians get sick—with the cold, pneumonia, and the COVID-19 virus. The flu is a virus too.

Friends, please, let’s stop pretending that “slightly off” teachings aren’t going to affect anyone. Theology matters. And in this case, it is a matter of life and death for some.

Sit on our Spiritual Hands?

Should we just sit on our spiritual hands and do nothing? Of course not.

Please:

• “Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life.” (Leviticus 19:16).
• Pray for God’s “kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This implies prayer for healing (Luke 10:9) and for a time of “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).
• “Do not worry” (Matthew 6:31) and know that “your heavenly Father” (6:26 & 32) will care for you.
• “Wash your hands, you sinners” (James 4:8) [totally taking that out of context just because it’s my favorite verse these days ]

And we can certainly “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).

Notes:

[1] Important footnote: I saw a similar social media post from someone who tied a red ribbon outside his home, but he explicitly said that it was nothing magical and that he knew the ribbon wouldn’t protect him. He explained that for him it was no different from wearing a t-shirt that indicates his faith in Jesus. This, I have no problem with, although it does concern me that it might influence others to take it a step further and assume their actions of tying red ribbons outside their homes actually do have protective power.

[2] “Pleading” the blood of Jesus is less problematic because “pleading” is an appeal for God’s action or protection. In contrast, “applying” the blood implies we have control over it, just like the Israelites had control over whether or not they applied literal blood over their doorposts (Exodus 12:7 & 22).

You might also be interested in these posts:

• Stop “Applying the Blood of Jesus”…Because You Can’t
• Should Christians Declare or Decree Things over Their Lives?
• Psalms for Divine Protection from COVID-19

Andrew K. Gabriel, Ph.D., is the author of Simply Spirit-Filled: Experiencing God in the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit as well as three academic books, including The Lord is the Spirit. He is a theology professor at Horizon College and Seminary and serves on the Theological Study Commission for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. You can follow him on Facebook or on Twitter.

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