In a culture increasingly drawn to rituals that promise peace and protection, burning sage—often called “smudging”—has gained popularity to use in the hope of cleansing spaces of “bad vibes.” Burning sage may seem harmless—but beneath the smoke lies a spiritual deception. Scripture teaches that true cleansing comes only through the blood of Christ, not through herbs, rituals, or an attempt to “cleanse” atmospheres. When people turn to sage for spiritual protection, they’re not just choosing an ineffective substitute—they’re engaging in a practice rooted in mysticism and rebellion against God’s authority. Far from driving out darkness, such rituals can invite it in, opening doors to demonic influence by rejecting the only true source of protection and power. This article exposes the spiritual counterfeit behind sage cleansing and calls believers back to the holy fire of God’s presence, where true freedom can only be found.
Before we consider the Scriptural dangers of burning sage, let’s look at the origins of this practice and how burning sage was believed to absolve “bad energies”. This practice originated from the Native American people. Burning this herb was a sign of respect for “Mother Nature,” and in doing so, they believed it also gave them access to their ancestors or “spirit guides,” which ultimately absorbed negative energies. For further information on this read, “Smudging Ceremonies: (Native American Studies)”
Not only is this practice dangerously steeped in occult practices that are not rooted in Christian beliefs, but its efforts are futile and ineffective. The only spiritual being known to man that is more powerful than all created spirits or beings, whether good or bad, is not spirits that have passed on or “spirit guides” but it’s God Himself. Scripture says of Satan, “How can Satan cast out Satan?…and Jesus then further clarifies even more by saying, “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. (Mark 3:23-27)” In other words, no one can enter a home or reside in a place if it’s being occupied by something or someone greater, i.e., bad spirits can’t be removed unless something greater removes them.
Scripture assures us that God is mighty to cleanse us from all evil spirits or unrighteousness. Psalms 51:7 says, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Meaning if God is orchestrating the cleansing, then nothing is more powerful enough to fortify itself against being removed when God commands it to go. Hebrews 9:11-15 explains that the blood sacrifices used in the Old Testament to cleanse us were not effective because they were temporary solutions, as they were not God and therefore had spots or blemishes. Therefore, Jesus’s death, a blood sacrifice made by God in the flesh, was without any imperfections or faults, making Him the perfect sacrifice to cleanse us of evil spirits, once and for all.
Who are evil spirits afraid of, and even know has the ultimate authority over them? Scripture says in James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” Demons not only believe there is a God, but they tremble at the thought of Him, not by the act of burning sage in hopes of conjuring up ancestral spirits or spirit guides. God has declared and “highly exalted Jesus’s name and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)” Jesus has been given authority to have a name that, when used, is more powerful than any other name known to any demonic or evil spirits, whether past, present, or future.
In a world searching for peace through rituals and relics, believers must remain anchored in the unshakable truth of God’s Word. Burning sage may offer a momentary sense of control or calm, but it cannot cleanse what only Christ’s blood can redeem. The enemy is subtle, often disguising deception in the language of healing and harmony—but Scripture calls us to test every spirit and cling to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Let us not trade the power of the gospel for powerless traditions. Instead, may we boldly proclaim the name of Jesus—the only name that causes darkness to flee—and invite His holy presence to dwell in our hearts and homes. True peace is not found in smoke, but in the Savior.