Healing Waters, Oils, and Relics: Discerning the Counterfeit from the True Power of God

Throughout church history, people have often been drawn to visible, tangible objects as channels of spiritual power. From pagan amulets to modern “miracle products,” this tendency appeals to human nature’s desire for something we can see, touch, or purchase to guarantee God’s blessing. Yet the Bible consistently warns us against confusing material objects with the true, sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.

Occult Root: Pagan Reliance on Objects

In ancient pagan cultures, people assigned supernatural powers to physical objects—stones, charms, oils, waters, and relics believed to bring protection or healing. These talismans were thought to harness divine energy, ward off spirits, or channel blessings. This practice was never about God’s power, but about manipulating the unseen through ritual objects. The Bible identifies this as a form of idolatry—placing trust in creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).

Church Disguise: Holy Trinkets for Sale

Sadly, modern Christianity has seen a resurgence of these same pagan tendencies, repackaged in religious language. Certain preachers and ministries market:

“Miracle water” said to guarantee healing or financial breakthrough, “Anointed prayer cloths” sent in exchange for a “love offering,” “Holy oils” sold as though they carry supernatural power in themselves, “Sacred relics” such as bones, beads, or statues presented as channels of blessing.

While these are promoted under the banner of faith, they function no differently than pagan talismans. They reduce God’s miraculous power to a product for purchase—something Peter strongly condemned when Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the gift of the Spirit (Acts 8:18–20).

Biblical Contrast: The Spirit Moves, Not the Trinkets

Scripture makes a sharp distinction between God sovereignly choosing to use objects in rare instances, and men trying to merchandise God’s power. For example:

Peter and John at the temple gate: The lame man was healed not by silver or gold, but by the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:6). The apostles made it clear the power was in Christ, not in them or in a thing they possessed. Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons: Acts 19:11–12 records that God did “extraordinary miracles” through Paul, even using cloths that touched him. But Luke emphasizes these were unusual, sovereign works of God—not formulas for sale or manipulation. Paul never sold them, marketed them, or claimed a method. It was all the Spirit’s doing.

The difference is critical: God works when, where, and how He wills—not according to human schemes, chants, or merchandise.

The Danger of Counterfeit Practices

When believers put their faith in “anointed” objects instead of in Christ Himself, they drift into idolatry. These practices:

Distract from the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work, Exploit the desperate and vulnerable for profit, Open the door for deception, where human trickery is confused with the Spirit’s power.

The apostles never charged money for the Spirit’s gifts. They never promised healing through products. Instead, they pointed people to repentance, faith in Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

True Healing and True Anointing

God still heals today. He still anoints, delivers, and works miracles—but His power is never for sale. James 5:14–15 describes calling for the elders of the church to pray over the sick with oil, but the emphasis is on prayer, faith, and the Lord raising the sick—not on the oil itself having inherent power.

The true “healing water” is the living water of Christ (John 7:38). The true “anointing oil” is the Holy Spirit Himself (1 John 2:20, 27). And the true “relic” is not an object, but the cross of Christ and His resurrection power working in us.

Conclusion: Hold Fast to the Truth

The church must guard against pagan practices cloaked in Christian language. Selling holy objects is not faith—it is fraud. The Spirit is not a commodity. The gospel is not for sale. As Peter declared, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” (Acts 8:20).

Let us return to the simplicity of Christ, trusting Him alone—not trinkets—for healing, blessing, and eternal life.