Ecclesiastes and the African Way: Knowing the Difference Between God and Demons

This article is written from a Christian faith perspective as part of Khwalo Production’s conversation about faith and culture.

Ecclesiastes is the book of the Preacher, traditionally King Solomon, looking back on a long life. He tried wealth, pleasure, work and wisdom, and asked what truly lasts. Many of his answers sound like our elders speaking. Read with care, the book also helps African families see the difference between the living God and the spirits that bring fear.

1. A time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8)

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die… a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

African echo: Our lives move through seasons marked by ceremony: birth, naming, initiation, marriage, mourning and unveiling. Solomon teaches that these seasons are set by God, not by spirits that must be appeased. The difference: God gives seasons as gifts; demons turn every season into a debt that must be paid with fear and sacrifice.

2. Two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)

“If they fall, the one will lift up his fellow… a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

African echo: Umntu ngumntu ngabantu. Stokvels, burial societies and the extended family are ubuntu in action. A marriage bound with God as the third strand is the strongest cord. The difference: God builds unity; evil spirits work through jealousy, suspicion and accusation to divide families.

3. Fear God, not the spirits (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

African echo: Many people live in fear of curses, tokoloshe, witchcraft and angry ancestors. Solomon reduces life to one holy fear: reverence for God. The difference: the fear of God brings wisdom and peace; the fear of demons brings bondage and endless rituals.

4. The dead know nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5–6, 10)

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing… neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”

African echo: This is one of the most important verses for families who consult the dead. Solomon says the dead have no more part in the affairs of the living. The difference: if the dead cannot act in our lives, then a spirit that speaks, demands and threatens in their name is not our grandparent. Scripture warns against seeking the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). We honour our forefathers with memory and the clan name; we do not pray to them.

5. The spirit returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

African echo: Funerals rightly honour the body returning to the earth. But Solomon says the spirit goes to God, not into the yard, the kraal or the family hut. This frees families from rituals meant to “bring the spirit home”.

6. Remember your Creator in your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not.”

African echo: Our elders teach children early: greetings, clan names, respect. Solomon adds that the first thing to teach is to know God. A child rooted in God is protected from fear, peer pressure and spiritual confusion.

7. Work and enjoy its fruit (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:13)

“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.”

African echo: The dignity of work: ploughing, herding, the migrant labourer, the spaza shop. The difference: success comes from God’s hand and honest labour, not from muthi, luck charms or isichitho. Wealth bought from the spirits always demands something back.

8. Beware of envy and greed (Ecclesiastes 4:4; 5:10)

“Every right work… for this a man is envied of his neighbour.” “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.”

African echo: Much witchcraft suspicion in our communities grows from envy of a neighbour’s progress. Solomon names the root: a restless, greedy heart. The difference: God gives contentment; evil feeds on envy and never satisfies.

9. Guard your words and vows (Ecclesiastes 5:2, 4–5)

“Let thy words be few… When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.”

African echo: Our culture treats words seriously: praise poetry, lobola agreements, a man’s word. Solomon warns against careless promises, including promises and covenants made with spirits that bind generations.

10. A good name is better than ointment (Ecclesiastes 7:1)

“A good name is better than precious ointment.”

African echo: The clan name, Khwalo, Mzangwa, Ncuthu, Mlanjana, carries the reputation of a family line. Live so that your name honours those before you and blesses those after.

11. Listen to the wise and correction (Ecclesiastes 7:5; 4:13)

“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” “Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.”

African echo: Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili. The family meeting and the counsel of elders matter. Yet even elders and leaders must stay teachable before God.

12. Mourning teaches the heart (Ecclesiastes 7:2–4)

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting.”

African echo: In our communities the whole street comes to the house of mourning. Solomon says it makes us wise because it reminds us life is short. Use those gatherings to turn hearts to God rather than to fear of the dead.

13. Share generously (Ecclesiastes 11:1–2)

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight.”

African echo: African hospitality: the extra plate, feeding the visitor, helping the neighbour. Generosity is blessed by God, not traded for favour with spirits.

14. God sees and judges every secret (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

African echo: People who curse others in secret, or seek muthi against a rival, think no one sees. Solomon says God sees all. This also comforts the person who feels attacked: justice belongs to God.

How to tell God from demons

• Source: God speaks through His Word and Christ the one mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Demons speak through the dead, diviners and dreams that demand rituals.
• Fruit: God brings peace, love, unity and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Demons bring fear, sickness, division, broken marriages and confusion.
• Cost: God’s grace is a free gift. Demons always demand payment: blood, money, obedience, or a child’s future.
• Freedom: God sets free (John 8:36). Demons bind families from generation to generation.
• Truth: God never lies. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and can pretend to be a loved one.

How Africans benefit from knowing the difference

• Freedom from fear: no more living under the threat of curses, angry ancestors or tokoloshe.
• Peace in marriage and family: suspicion and accusation give way to trust and prayer.
• Saved money and time: no more endless rituals, consultations and purchases of protection.
• Culture kept, bondage removed: we keep our language, clan names, ubuntu, respect and ceremonies of celebration, while rejecting what involves worship of spirits.
• Hope beyond death: the dead rest with God, and the living walk in the light.
• A blessed future for children: they inherit a good name and faith, not spiritual debts.

Conclusion

Solomon ends his search with one sentence: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” For African families this is not a rejection of who we are. It is the key that lets us keep the beauty of our heritage while walking free from the spirits that bring fear.

Khwalo, Mzangwa, Ncuthu, Mlanjana.