Splankna therapy is a relatively new form of inner healing prayer ministry that combines Christian principles with neuroscience. The goal of splankna therapy is to bring healing to emotional wounds and trauma by identifying negative beliefs, renouncing lies from the enemy, and renewing the mind with biblical truth. The name “splankna” comes from the Greek word for intestines or bowels, which in ancient cultures was seen as the seat of emotions.
During a splankna session, the therapist will use a combination of prayer, psychotherapy techniques, and emotional decoding exercises to identify emotional wounds, lies, vows, and bitter-root judgments that the client has believed. These inner vows and beliefs are seen as openings for demonic oppression that keep a person bound. Splankna therapists believe that by recognizing the lie, renouncing it, and replacing it with truth from Scripture, a person can find freedom and wholeness.
Some of the techniques used in splankna therapy include:
- Theophostic prayer – this uses prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit to uncover emotional pain and replace lies with truth.
- Identifying emotional triggers – the therapist helps the client identify situations, memories, or stimuli that trigger negative emotional reactions.
- Exploring family history – looking at generational patterns of sin, dysfunction, or ungodly beliefs that may have been passed down.
- Inner healing prayer – this includes healing of traumatic memories, release of bitterness, and inviting Jesus into places of pain.
- Breaking inner vows – identifying vows made during trauma and renouncing them.
- Deliverance – casting out demonic oppression related to emotional wounds or sins.
- Soaking prayer – inviting the presence of Holy Spirit into places of pain for comfort and healing.
- Replacement of lies with truth – speaking Scripture over the client to renew their mind.
While splankna therapy uses some standard psychotherapy techniques, it is not simply Christian psychology. It incorporates explicitly spiritual components like inner healing prayer, deliverance, and its reliance on Scripture as divine truth. Splankna therapists view sin, trauma, faulty thinking patterns as openings for demonic influence, which require spiritual intervention through prayer and deliverance.
What does the Bible say about splankna therapy?
Since splankna therapy was developed in the 21st century, it is not directly addressed in the Bible. However, there are several biblical themes and texts that relate to this inner healing approach:
Mind renewal through Scripture
A core component of splankna therapy is identifying lies and renewing the mind through truth from Scripture. The Bible emphasizes the importance of shifting our thinking to align with God’s truth:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. (2 Timothy 1:7-9a)
As we meditate on Scripture, our way of thinking is transformed. Splankna applies this principle through targeted Scripture meditation to transform thought patterns.
Healing of memories
Splankna seeks to bring the light of Christ into painful memories that haunt people. The Bible shows Jesus frequently healing people of emotional wounds and trauma:
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35)
A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. (Luke 7:37-38)
Jesus was moved with compassion to heal people of emotional pain resulting from sin, grief, and trauma. Splankna therapy similarly seeks healing of past hurts.
Confession and repentance
Splankna uses confession and repentance of sinful responses to trauma like bitterness, anger, and rebellion. The Bible encourages confession as part of the healing process:
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16a)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
By confessing and repenting before God, we open the door for His healing and restoration.
Deliverance ministry
Splankna therapists cast out demonic spirits that have gained influence through trauma or sin. Jesus frequently delivered people from demonic oppression and possession:
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” (Mark 9:25 NKJV)
When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:28-29 NKJV)
Like Jesus, splankna therapists use prayer and authority to cast out spirits influencing mental/emotional health.
Inner healing prayer
Splankna utilizes different forms of inner healing prayer, inviting Jesus to heal memories and emotions. The Bible shows Jesus’ healing power:
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14 NKJV)
Through prayer in Jesus’ name, His healing power is released into emotional and mental wounds.
Cautions about splankna therapy
While splankna therapy utilizes biblical principles of healing and deliverance, there are also cautions to consider from a biblical perspective:
- Reliance on techniques vs. God – Splankna employs psychological tools and emotional decoding processes that may at times feel more technical than Spirit-led. The Bible warns about relying on methods versus direct dependence on God (1 Cor 2:4-5).
- Dwelling on past vs. future – Some methods stir up unnecessary focus on the past. But Scripture encourages focus on Christ and our future hope (Phil 3:13-14).
- Subjectivity and imagination – Visualization and imagining Christ in a memory may involve subjectivity vs. biblical objectivity.
- Unchecked spiritual authority – Improper deliverance ministry can promote exaggerated power claims that are not biblical.
- Downplay personal responsibility – Focusing excessively on demons, generational sins, and inner child healing can downplay the need for personal repentance and obedience.
- Lack of empirical support – As a fairly new approach, splankna therapy currently lacks extensive scientific study to validate its theories and long-term effectiveness.
Scripture encourages both dependence on the Holy Spirit and discernment regarding claims, methods, and teachings (1 John 4:1). While incorporating biblical principles, splankna therapy requires biblical and spiritual discernment in practice.
Key biblical principles related to splankna therapy
In summary, some key biblical themes and principles relevant to splankna therapy include:
- Renewing the mind through Scripture
- Confessing and repenting from sin
- Receiving healing through prayer in Jesus’ name
- Deliverance from spiritual oppression
- Compassionate healing of emotional wounds
- The power of testimony and identity in Christ
Scripture encourages both dependence on God and discernment in applying methods of inner healing. As with any spiritual practice, biblical truth and the Spirit’s wisdom should guide the process.
Approaching splankna therapy from a biblical perspective
For those considering splankna therapy, here are some recommendations from a biblical perspective:
- Pray for spiritual discernment about the methods and teachings.
- Ensure therapists acknowledge authority of Scripture.
- Look for evidence of the Holy Spirit’s leading and fruit.
- Consider simplifying the techniques to rely more directly on prayer.
- Supplement with other resources that focus on applying God’s Word.
- Aim for methods that emphasize repentance and obedience.
- Maintain accountability with mature believers.
- View it as one tool among many for inner healing.
Inner healing has its place but should fit within a holistic process of Christian discipleship and growth in godliness. Though splankna therapy makes use of biblical themes, Christians should exercise wisdom and discernment when engaging with these evolving therapeutic methods.
