“Jehovah hath mingled a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her …” (Isa 19:14, ASV)
The fifth spirit which the Bible explicitly names is the spirit of perversity.This is an umbrella term used for a variety of other spirits, all translated from the Hebrew ‛av‛eh. Other translations include “a spirit of error” (BBE), “the spirite of wickednesse” (Bishops), “a spirit that distorts judgment” (CJB), “the spirit of giddiness” (DRB), “a spirit of confusion” (ESV), “a spirit of dizziness” (JPS), “a spirit of distortion” (NASB), “a giddy spirit” (NJB), and “a spirit of foolishness” (NLT). It can thus be understood why the Amplified Bible uses a range of related terms in its version of the verse: “The Lord has mingled a spirit of perverseness, error, and confusion within her …” These are not all different spirits, only different terms for the same spirit. This spirit does however work on a wide front, and we will examine its different functions according to its characteristics.
The dictionary definition of “perversity” sheds light on the matter: “1. To turn from truth, propriety, or from its proper purpose; to distort from its true use or end; as, to pervert reason by misdirecting it; to pervert the laws by misinterpreting and misapplying them; to pervert justice; to pervert the meaning of an author; to pervert nature; to pervert truth. 2. To turn from the right; to corrupt.” (Webster). The etymological meaning is quite illustrative – perversion distorts that which is straight.
Also note – in common vernacular the term perversion has acquired a sexual connotation, but this is a very narrow understsanding of the myriad ways in which the term can be applied. Therefore it does for instance not operate in the same way as the spirit of harlotry (Hos. 4:12).
The spirit of perversity robs any matter, terrain or action of its intended (straight) nature, and distorts it, adds false value, meaning or connotation to it. It robs people and things from their intended purpose. This spirit robs the nature of truth and the intended character of the existence of people and things. Within its corrupting influence it loosens all things from their original ownership and guidelines of use. The spirit of perversion influences our way of thinking through confusion, false arguments, hyperbole, rendering important elements as insignificant, misinterpretation, innuendo – thus a directed attempt at derailing your way of thinking and communicating.
The spirit of perversity also opposes that which is right and which is righteous, brings forth false testimony, and breaks down the law or standard (whether it is done overtly or covertly, it is always done calculatedly). This spirit aims to distort the natural order of things, causing it to be different, or unnatural. Through this perverted influence the person starts following a side track, a wrong path, and in this way misses his calling and redemptive purpose.
- Selah: Try to discern the extent to which this spirit has access to the different spheres of your life.
- Read: 3-4
- Memorise: 3:4
