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Should you spiritually cleanse a house before moving in?

Updated: 2 days ago

Yes. It is essential to spiritually cleanse any house before you move in—whether it’s a new home you’ve purchased, or a house that’s been passed down to you through family. You can never know what kind of unclean spirits may be lingering from previous occupants, whether they’re former owners, tenants, or even those who have passed away there. Even in a newly built house, the foundation itself could carry spiritual contamination.

Should you spiritually cleanse a house before moving in

This reminds me of two iconic movies that illustrate why a spiritual cleansing is crucial:

  • Poltergeist (1982): A family moves into a new house only to experience paranormal activities, eventually discovering that the house—and the entire neighborhood—was built on an old burial ground.

  • The Amityville Horror: A family moves into a house previously occupied by a family who tragically died there. The spirits of the deceased still haunt the property, creating a terrifying atmosphere.


Now, I’m not saying these movies are examples of every house, but they do serve as stark reminders of why we need to spiritually cleanse our homes. Even if your house is built on good ground, you still need to bless it and dedicate it to the Lord to prevent it from becoming a haven for unclean spirits. When we neglect this, we may find ourselves dealing with problems in our lives that stem from unaddressed spiritual contamination.


How Do I Spiritually Cleanse My House?

Before you can fight darkness, you must ensure that you are walking in the light. Living in sin—separated from Christ—will only give the enemy a foothold. As the Bible says, only light can drive out darkness.


If you’ve been born again, meaning you’ve been renewed in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), then, according to 1 Peter 2:9, you are part of the royal priesthood and have been given authority over all powers of darkness (Luke 10:19). Therefore, you can spiritually cleanse your home on your own.



However, if you are a fearful Christian, it’s okay to seek help from your pastor or a trusted minister. Remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Eventually, you will need to overcome fear to live victoriously over the enemy in every area of your life. If you are living in sin, like those who are unsaved, you’ll need help from a minister to cleanse your home.


Blessing Each Room

When cleansing your house, it’s crucial to bless every room. You never know where an unclean spirit may be hiding, and every corner needs to be covered by prayer.


There are different methods people use for spiritual house cleansing:

  1. Olive Oil (method shared in my book)

  2. Consecrated Salt (method shared in this post)

  3. Sage (not recommended)




Spiritually Cleansing Your Home with Olive Oil

In my book A Shattered Life Restored, there’s a scene where a family moves into a new home, and soon after, the daughter falls ill. The doctors couldn’t figure out the cause, but she confided in her father that she had been dreaming of a man chasing her since moving into the house.


This mirrors an experience my own family went through. My sister’s family moved into a house previously owned by her husband’s father, who had passed away in that home. They didn’t spiritually bless the house, and soon after, my nephew was tormented by the spirit of his deceased grandfather. Spirits don’t respect family ties—if there’s any unclean spirit in the house, it will make its presence known.


In the book, the character Meg prays Psalm 91 over the home, which is a scripture for protection and then applied olive oil in various locations throughout the house while praying cleansing prayers I wrote based on Scripture. This is a method I’ve used myself, inspired by the way my pastor once prayed through my home, combined with some research I did.


In the book, readers can follow Meg’s example and learn how to spiritually cleanse their own homes using olive oil. The oil is applied in specific places in each room, and the prayers include verses that cleanse and consecrate each area.


How to Spiritually Cleanse Your Home with Salt?

In 2 Kings 2:21, Elisha used salt to cleanse the land and water that were plagued with death and barrenness. He cast the salt into the water and declared, "Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land."


This is a powerful illustration of how God’s authority works through His chosen vessels. Just as Elisha used salt to purify the land, we can use it to purify our homes based on our priesthood roles and the authority God has given us. Remember 1Peter 2: 9 and Luke 10; 19. By applying God’s Word and declaring His promises over salt, you can spiritually cleanse your home from any negative forces that may be affecting it.


When you prepare your salt, replace the word “land” with “house” in your prayers to specifically address your living space.


Here’s how to spiritually cleanse your home with salt:

  1. Consecrate the Salt: Pray over the salt, using Psalm 91 or Psalm 35 to sanctify it and declare God's protection over your home.

  2. Sprinkle the Salt: Go to the four corners of each room in your house, sprinkling the salt while declaring these prayers.


Prayer for a New House: Father, I thank You for the redeeming blood of Jesus that allows me to receive the promised Holy Spirit. Through Him, I now have the authority to speak over serpents, scorpions, and all powers of darkness. Just as Elisha spoke over the salt and brought forth restoration by Your Spirit, I speak Your words into this salt. Wherever I apply it, there shall be no death or barrenness in my family. I declare that no spirit of witchcraft, infirmity, spiritual wickedness, or powers shall have any foothold in this home. I dedicate this house into Your hands, in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Prayer for a Previously Occupied House: Father, I thank You for the redeeming blood of Jesus that allows me to receive the promised Holy Spirit. Through Him, I now have the authority to speak over serpents, scorpions, and all powers of darkness. Just as Elisha spoke over the salt and brought restoration, I speak Your words into this salt. Wherever I apply it, there shall be no death or barrenness in my family. I render powerless any spirits of witchcraft, infirmity, spiritual wickedness, or evil powers that remain in this house. I strip off their spiritual armor and paralyze all their works against my family. By the power of Jesus’ blood, I command them to leave this house now and never return. I dedicate this home into Your hands, in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Why I Don’t Recommend Using Sage to Spiritually Cleanse Your Home

While sage has medicinal benefits and is used in certain cultural rituals, it is not mentioned in the Bible as a tool for spiritual cleansing. Unlike olive oil and salt, which God specifically uses for consecration and purification, sage was adopted from practices rooted in witchcraft and the worship of ancestral spirits.


Using sage may seem harmless, but it opens doors to spiritual practices that are not aligned with God’s Word. The Bible warns against consulting with spirits and engaging in witchcraft, as seen in the story of King Saul who consulted a medium (1 Samuel 28). God's Word calls such practices an abomination, and they invite negative forces into your life.


As believers, we are encouraged to use the tools that God has ordained—such as olive oil, salt, and the blood of Jesus—to protect and consecrate our homes, not practices that are rooted in pagan or occultic traditions.


Take Action Today:

Spiritual cleansing is an essential practice for anyone wanting to walk in God’s protection and peace. If you haven't already, take the time to bless your home with salt and olive oil, and pray the Scriptures over your space. Dedicate your home to God and ask for His divine protection to cover you and your family.


Ready to restore peace and hope in your life? Discover the transformative power of faith and healing through A Shattered Life Restored. This inspiring story shows how God’s love can bring restoration to even the most broken places.





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Should you spiritually cleanse a house before moving in

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