SATAN'S STRATEGIES AGAINST CHRISTIANS UNVEILED IN THE SECOND HEAVEN by Moses Lushiku 6 Let me give a brief statement about my call and vocation from the Lord. It happened one day as I was laying down on the courtyard of my house when suddenly a force took over me. As a result, my spirit went out of my body and I was taken to the sky. When I got there in the atmosphere I saw the Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved, when you meet the Lord Jesus Christ you will know that you are standing before God Himself. It is automatic when the Lord Jesus Christ set His eyes on you. His anointing will be transferred to you and your understanding will be renewed and enlightened instantaneously and you will be connected to the supernatural. The Lord said to me, "Look at the earth." When I looked at planet Earth the Lord said, "When you divide the earth into three portions that are the proportion of humanity that will be saved through your message and your ministry." The Lord said, "You are an end time servant. I will use your ministry and others to bring about the rapture of the church. Your ministry will be prophetic in order to prepare My people for the rapture." A few weeks later I was convinced by the Spirit of the Lord to spend some time in the church for prayer. As a result, I began to spend most of my time in the church in prayer. In fact, I left my house in order to sleep in the church for prayer. I spent eight consecutive months in the presence of the Lord. This was not a result of an audible voice recommendation but a simple conviction of the Holy Spirit. I was sleeping in the church. Later I was joined by members of my church. They were touched by the fact that I have left behind my house in order to pray and sleep in the church for many months. Then one day in the morning after prayer something happened. I was talking to a member of my church when suddenly I saw three beings of extreme beauty dressed in white garments of luminous glow. These tall and robust angels were not touching the ground. These were supernatural entities. The first angel introduced himself to me and said, "I'm the Archangel Michael. I work in the field of spiritual warfare. It is written that the angel of the Lord encamps around them that fear Him (Ps 34:7). I am the one who encamped around the children of God. I will reveal to you the secrets about the kingdom of Lucifer in spiritual warfare. I will tell you the secrets about the devil because I know him. I was the leader of the regiment that cast him out of heaven." Rev 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. The second angel introduced himself to me as Gabriel. He said to me, "I am the one who appeared to your sister Mary in order to announce her the good news about the birth of the Savior. The Bible says, "God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth a city in Galilee. The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The Virgin's name was Mary. When the angel entered her home he greeted her and said, 'You are favored by the Lord. The Lord is with you.' She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant. The angel told her, "Don't be afraid Mary you have found favor with God. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and name Him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. Your Son will be king of Jacob's people forever and His kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:26-33) Beloved, when I heard the Archangel Gabriel calling Mary the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ "My sister" I felt a special feeling, a feeling of pride and prestige. Then Gabriel said to me, "I am the one who gives believers messages in dreams and visions. When they are in deep sleep I will reveal a lot of things to them." Actually, the Archangel Gabriel revealed to me 100 secrets contained in Jesus' parables. Then the Archangel Gabriel said, "We come to your churches and to your houses and we walk by your side yet you people are so busy with everyday preoccupation which has reduced your spiritual sensibility. Therefore you cannot sense our presence around you and you cannot see us although we are everyday around you. But the fact that many of the children of God are seeing us these days it is an indication that the event of the return of the Son of God is at hand. I will reveal to you secrets about life beyond the grave and the end of time." The third angel seems different from Michael and Gabriel. He introduced himself as Marvelous. He said, "I am the angel that appeared to the mother of Samson. The Bible says, "A man of Zorah named Manoah from the clan of the Danites had a wife who was childless unable to give birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, 'You are barren and childless but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazarite dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines." (Judges 13:2-5) The angel Marvelous said, "I work in the field of salvation." And at the end times, this angel with the name of Marvelous was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. After this first encounter, the next four days were days of angelic visitation as the whole church was able to hear the voice of the angels of the Lord. On the fifth day of angelic visitations, something happened. It was on the 10th of February 2007 at 5:00 p.m. The Archangel Michael who promised to reveal to me secrets about the devil and spiritual warfare came and he held my right hand. Immediately my spirit left my body. Michael held my right hand. We took a speedy flight. We began to ascend in the speed of light and we found ourselves in the atmosphere and over there in space the Archangel asked me, "Do you know where we are going?" I was about to respond when he said, "Lucifer has summoned a meeting in the 2nd heaven which will start in a few minutes. The kingdom of heaven has chosen you as their representative to take part in that meeting and reveal the contents of this gathering to the world." A few minutes later we arrived in the second heaven. Then we entered the auditorium which was a huge oval hall. This place was between heaven and the earth. The chief angel Michael said to me, "Fear not and don't panic. You just stand by my side. You must observe and listen to everything. You have been commissioned to tell the world everything you will see and hear." Actually, as I was attending this gathering in the 2nd heaven the Lord Jesus Christ had entered my body that was left on the earth and He took complete control of my senses. He was addressing the people of God in the church while my spirit was attending this summit in the atmosphere. Back in the auditorium in the second heaven, I noticed that the hall was full to capacity. Demons of all kinds and people from all nations were waiting for the prince of this world, the devil. Once we got in the meeting hall the chief angel Michael said to me, "Very soon you will see our enemy which is your enemy." We were hovering over this auditorium when suddenly I heard a thunderous explosion. This detonation was the arrival of Lucifer. The devil did not arrive like everybody else but in a thunderous explosion. SATAN WITH DOG HEAD I saw Satan for the first time on the 10 of February 2007. Immediately after landing in the oval auditorium the devil transformed himself. I mean his head turned to that of a dog. Then he said to the participants, "Do not be surprised by my emblem of a dog head. I took the appearance of the dog because I want to demonstrate to you that I am God. The reason that I summoned you today is that I heard the other One claiming that He is God and that He wants to save humanity." The devil and demons of Hell don't quote the name of Jesus Christ for fear of adverse effects. The devil refers to Jesus Christ as "The Other One." Then with a hand sign, the devil removed the sealing of the oval Hall and he caused the assistants to rise beyond the ceiling of the auditorium. I saw the assistants suspended in space and observing planet Earth. I have to admit that I managed to recognize some faces of the assistants. Then I saw the devil pointing a particular section of the earth. He actually zoomed to a section of the earth. As a result, we saw people getting on with their lives in that section of the earth but strangely all the people on that section of the earth had dog heads just like Lucifer himself. Afterward, the devil zoomed to another geographic section of the earth and we saw the human population of that part of the earth with dog heads. Then the devil zoomed to still another section of planet Earth and we saw people in different churches. We saw pastors, we saw evangelists, church singers, deacons in the church with dog heads. Churches were full of believers, preachers, and singers with dog heads. Afterward, the devil got the assistants back in the auditorium. Then he said to the participants, "You saw with your own eyes 80% of the world population with dog heads which is my emblem. You saw with your own eyes many believers preachers singers with my emblem of a dog head. They have my image and my likeness. They look like me yet the other One who claimed to be God the savior of humanity has only 20% of the world population. The question every one of you is to ask and to answer is this, 'Who is God - Him or me?' He has only 20% of the world population. Who is powerful - Him or me? It is written in their law that the dog has returned to what he has vomited. When the devil said this I remember the passage in 2 Peter 2:21-22, For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog has turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Then I saw the devil still with his dog head. He vomited on his pulpit and then he consumed his vomit. Then he said to the assistants, "It is thanks to my power that 80% of the world population are sinners and the majority of the believers have backslidden. Any Christian that has backslidden has adopted my emblem of the dog head. He has my image." At that moment I saw the assistants that were made up of demons and humans falling down on their knees worshipping the devil and declaring him God. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:4, In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. The assistants were worshipping the devil and saying, "You are God because 80 percent of the world population resembled you. They have your image and your emblem. You are more powerful than the other One who has only twenty percent of the world population." Dear believers every time we are living in sin we are adopting the emblem of the devil which is a dog head. The Bible says whosoever practices sin is of the devil. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 Jn 3:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments (“Blessed are they that wash their robes.” - other translations), that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev 22:13-15) As the worship of Lucifer was going on, the Archangel Michael and I stood in a diagonal position to the pulpit of the devil and then the devil started the meeting which was to last four months. In the firmament, he began to unveil his 80 strategies against humanity in the church. His words were automatically printed on a book called "Techniques and Tactics." That book is also called a "Traps Trigger" which means how to set a trap for the foolish man and the imprudent. The gathering in the firmament lasted four months. Basically every time the devil was unveiling a strategy he was adjourning the meeting in order to deploy demons to execute the new strategy in various regions of the earth and sometimes demons were traveling in a dimension beyond our physical world. In the meantime, the meeting would be suspended and the participants would be waiting for their return and their report. These demons were traveling to many parts of the earth that were in night or day times. They were traveling long distances in a split second or very few minutes and they were traveling to several countries, continents, and cities. They were also traveling to the marine kingdom, the subterranean kingdom and even to the firmament. And every time these demons were traveling to the cosmos I had to follow them in order to see what is happening and how they were executing their missions. I was ordered continuously by the Archangel Michael to follow them. As a result, I have been to many invisible kingdoms of Lucifer and I have accumulated knowledge of the tactics and strategies of the enemy. In this message, I will bring you words of Lucifer exactly as he said them so that everybody would understand the kingdom of darkness. As it is written, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) Then the devil started to address the assistants with arrogance. He said to the participants, "I have gathered you today because we have an opponent. I heard Him saying that He wants to save humanity. That is why I have gathered you today so that we can prevent that from happening. Today I will deliver a few strategies in order to cause His followers to become weak and vulnerable so that our kingdom will grow on the earth." THE LAW OF REPETITION AND RESISTANCE Then Lucifer started to enumerate and elaborate on his strategies which were a total of 80 points. The devil disclosed the first strategy that he called vaccine or the law of repetition and resistance. He said, "Through this strategy, we will impose law in the lives of born-again Christians. Basically, the followers of Jesus Christ have a luminous ring of fire above their head and this orbit of fire above their head is potentially destructive. It can neutralize us, therefore, I want to underline that you should not come close to Christians as long as their ring of fire is shining and burning. We must initially put out the fire of that ring of light before engaging them for fear of defeat." "Let it be clear if you come to report to me after being wrecked because of the ring of fire I will be left with no choice but to destroy you. Do not come close to Christians as long as their fire is burning and glowing. You must observe and monitor them before taking any action against them. On the other hand, it will be apparent that when these people commit sin, the fiery ring of light will go off. Their light would be put out as a result of sin. It is only that way that they will become vulnerable. In fact, your mission is to get born-again Christians to commit sin in order to turn off the ring of fire and light above their heads." Dear believers, there is a ring of fire above the head of each born-again Christian which is self generating electric energy of God. The Bible says you are the light of the world (Matt 5:14). A Christian is full of divine and electric energy and the electricity charges from God are running all over his system. That is why a demon would not come close to a Christian. Then the devil said to the assistants, "You must use the method of surveillance and monitoring. I order you to watch them and their families in order to mount a surveillance system around born again Christians. Do not do anything against them before mounting a system of surveillance and monitoring and when they sin you will notice that their light and fire emanating from the luminous ring and orbit of fire will go off. The moment a born-again Christian commits sin, you will report to me because this is the best time to attack them. On this basis, you have to understand that sin is our gospel and sin will be our gospel. Sin is the mechanism by which the luminous flame of the believer goes off." And I saw the devil instructed his demon to report to him every time a Christian sinned because that is of a critical moment to strike him. I come today to beseech you Christians to keep your flame luminous. Every born-again Christian has the responsibility of keeping his luminous ring of fire turned on. The Bible says that John was a burning and shining lamp and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light (John 5:35). The Satanic world is desperate to get Christian fire and light to go off. They can do nothing against believers as long as the ring of fire is burning and shining. It is sin that turns off the light of the believer inducing in him a time of vulnerability and fragility. After explaining this strategy, I saw the devil summoning eight demons to step forward and he gave them syringes. The devil said to them, "Every time a born-again Christian is caught in the act of sinning you will inject this vaccine called the law of resistance and repetition in him. When a Christian is caught in sin, you will surround him and you will pray. You will summon me in the following prayer, "O supreme master Lucifer this is your victim who has listened to your voice and he has obeyed your order and instruction. Come and enter his body which is your temple." When you say this prayer I will come in a speed of lightning and I will enter the body of this believer and I will vaccinate him with the law of resistance and repetition. As a consequence, he will fall repeatedly in that sin despite his fasting despite his decision to abandon his sin. The victim will always fall in that sin because he is vaccinated with the law of repetition. Even if the believer confessed his sin but as he is injected with the law of repetition he will become a slave of that sin. He will repeat that sin again and again despite his remorse despite his will his fasting and his determination. Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (John 8:34) Then the devil said to eight demons standing before him, "After you vaccinated the victim seven of you will leave him but you will stay and be stationed around the victim. You will monitor and surveil this Christian in case this believer feel the guilt and he is manifesting the will to repent and abandon his repetitive sin. I order the demon stationed around him for monitoring him to call the other seven demons. Once they joined you the head, you will call me again in this following prayer, "O supreme master, this is your victim who wants to rebel from you and escape your bondage." At that moment I will come down at the speed of lightning. I will enter his body in order to shake the vaccine in him. As a result, the victim will weaken and will have the tendency to return to that sin despite his will to escape." Then I saw on a pulpit of the devil a mirror. The devil did an incantation prayer. As a result, this mirror was multiplied. It was distributed to the assistants. The devil said, "Before attacking a Christian you must make sure that he is visible in the mirror." Beloved when a demon is coming to fight you, he is coming with information and precision. He is well informed about your condition. The devil said to the assistants, "That Fellow (Jesus) has branded me the prince of this world. If only one of them affectionate himself with the things of this world his profile will be visible in the mirror. Some of their attitudes are my nature like anger, animosity, envy, and hate. Those who are in these things belong to our kingdom automatically. But remember to check in the mirror before doing anything against them. If they appear in the mirror it means that they are in a state of weakness and their weakness and sin are my nature." ATTACK THE AREAS OF THEIR NEEDS The next strategy is called: NEED. Lucifer said, "We must watch and analyse the emotions and the feelings of Christians by observing their 3 needs: Marriage, Finance, and Ambition." He continued, "If you have been fighting one of them, and failing because of their holiness, and righteousness, just give up but focus on their marriage. Wait until when they will think about getting married. You will work to inject suggestion in their head to get them to make a false choice. It is from here that upright people will fall when they make a wrong choice, and we get them to marry our representative, by investigating their criteria, and preference." Lucifer said, "As we have many enterprises and corporations on earth, you will be arranged so that they end up working in our companies and businesses, and they will be surrounded by our agents. They will be paid salary with our bewitched money and they will sign contract with us without knowing. I asked my demons to give them initiative so that they can expand their business, as a result, they will always be focused on the material world." The devil always fights the marriage because this is a covenant that makes people one in marriage. There is a law called the law of fusion which make 2 people 1. And the devil likes it so that he can unite wheat and tares together to create fusion and confusion. CONDEMNATION DUE TO WORDS COMING OUT OF OUR MOUTHS My dear believers, I am here to bring words from the enemy exactly as I heard it in his meeting in the firmament. I heard the devil unveiling one strategy after another. Then he unveiled a strategy against the church called condemnation. He said, "My agent demons followers and demons observers, you have a very important role to play. Your purpose is to observe and listen to what comes out of the mouths of believers. You're gonna have to be patient. You must follow them and listen carefully to words coming out of their mouths. Actually, these humans claimed to have been created in the image and the likeness of God but this is what we will do to them. We have five strategies in order to condemn them on the basis of what comes from their mouth." The first strategy is during the TIME OF ANGER. The devil said to demons observers and followers, "In the time of anger humans don't control their words and they don't control their decisions nor their actions. Therefore, this is a critical time in order to capture their words and condemn them." Beloved, you must understand that when you are angry there are demons assigned by the devil to observe you and to capture words from your mouth and decision you make. Therefore when you are angry you must learn to hold your tongue. You must not sleep with anger and you must forgive. The Bible says death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21) The devil will use your words to condemn you. The second critical moment is the TIME OF CHOICE as the devil said to his demons, "Condemn people pronouncing a word of love. When you hear a human saying to his partner, "You are my angel," his guardian angel must leave on the basis of his own word. As a result, his partner will take the angel place. He is condemned by his own word. When someone says I will only marry this or that type of man this is verbal government binding him. He is inviting the spirit of singleness." Beloved, people are binding themselves in covenants through words spoken from their mouth. It is necessary to cancel negative words. There are words you say that will destroy your life as they are captured and brought to pass by demons. The third tactic is in TIMES OF HUMAN SUFFERING. The devil said to his demons observers and followers, "In a time of suffering and hardship I always hear humans saying, 'Oh I am miserable. I am unlucky in my life. Everything I do is not working.'" The devil orders these demons to bring to pass those words and sentences spoken by humans during their hard times as many cursed and condemned themselves through their own mouths. CAUSING BELIEVERS TO BE LAZY AND HEAVY Then the devil unveiled an additional strategy that will cause believers to be heavy so that they won't be able to pray or read the Bible or attend the church. As a result, they will become an ordinary human being. The devil insisted to the participants by saying, "Do not let them pray. Do not let them read the scripture. Do not let them go to church. Do not let them tithe." Then I saw the devil summoning a demon that looked like Superman. This demon was dressed in red and blue just like Superman but the devil called him superhuman. He said to him, "I have chosen you to visit Christians at home in the days of their church service. You must be informed about their church program five hours before it starts. You're gonna blow on them the bluish smoke. As a result, they will become heavy and they will feel like not going to church. They will feel uncomfortable." The devil said to him, "Blow your bluish smoke even on their cars. As a result, the unexplained breakdown will happen. They will seek justification not to attend church and they will have them." Lucifer said to the superhuman, "You shall move from one Christian house to another and you shall blow your bluish smoke. As a result, there shall be procrastination. As a consequence, they shall be incapable of praying even if they set the clock. The same thing with Bible reading. They will have the feeling of doing something relaxing instead of going to church." PERSON NAMES AS A TOOL TO DESTROY THEM Then the devil unveiled another strategy called name. The devil said, "We will use people's names as a tool of manipulation in order to destroy them." It is clear that the devil is always seeking ways to destroy humanity and he said to the demons, "You will make sure that their lives have become their names." Beloved, in the Bible, when God called people He changed their names. If you do not have a positive name you better change it now. The Bible says in Gen 32:28, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. I heard the devil saying the spirit of homonym (words with the same sound but have different meanings) will follow the hominin (all humankind). Examples of homonym are Bat - an implement used to hit a ball / a nocturnal flying mammal Bright - very smart or intelligent / filled with light Circular - taking the form of a circle / a store advertisement The second issue about a name is that when you name yourself or your child after a family member or a friend the nature of that person can be transferred to you or your child through the channel of the name and there are these demons, followers, and observers. Their job is that every time your name is called they have to transform you into your name. Every time your name is called they will get meaning of that name to come to pass and fulfill in your life so that you become your name. BEWITCHMENT THRU BEAUTY AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS The devil announced another strategy called beauty and hygiene products. I saw the devil order 30 demons to travel back under the ocean and while these 30 demons were leaving the oval auditorium heading underwater, the Archangel Michael order me to follow them. This was our secondary journey beneath the ocean and this time around the devil sent these demons to meet underwater sirens so that they can design beauty and makeup products. When we were leaving the oval hall the devil interrupted the meeting in order to wait for the contingent of 30 demons to bring back beauty products. When we arrived underwater it's like the water siren and goddess Lamaze who knew already what Lucifer wanted. She could also read the mind of these demons. In fact, every time the devil think about something he can transfer his thought quickly to his collaborators. The devil possesses a network that allows him to inject thought to his followers. When Jesus said to Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan," He was dealing with a thought from the devil that he transferred to Peter's mind. That's how the devil work. I saw demons of all kinds under the ocean. I saw sirens under the ocean who were very beautiful women. They were extremely beautiful as though they were changing faces. I remember their names such as Alice and Jacqueline Sol Ange Lily Liliane Juliet. Then I saw their great lady, the Queen of the Coast manipulating the sand beneath the water and turning them to beauty products. I saw powder, lipstick, lotions, soap and many more. There were tons of these beauty products. I saw a siren in the name of Juliet printing her face and her name on the wrapping and embossed on the soap. This soap called Juliet is still used in our region and our country. When you use that soap the power of seduction of Juliet will be at work on your appearance which is artificial beauty. Therefore you must pray for these beauty products as the Bible says to pray ceaselessly even in little things. And then the devil said, "We will dressed women with a mask of ugliness and old age in order to undermine their marriage and cause their husbands to be tired of them." The 30 demons transported these beauty products from the underwater to the oval meeting hall in the second heaven. As the hall was oval they placed them in the middle of the hall. There were lipsticks, soaps, lotions, deodorants, fragrance, and others. Then the devil resumed the meeting and I watched as the devil began to curse these beauty products. The devil said, "We will spread demonic smells on women or men that are using our deodorants and fragrances. The moment their sweat mixed with our deodorants they will smell like some of our demons." Actually, demons have their smells and I know these smells. Some demons smell a mixture of deodorants and sweat. Other smells like acid. Then Lucifer said, "Women using our products will have artificial beauty. They will have the beauty of my servants the sirens and mermaid printed on their face. It is this way that we will spread fornication on the earth. When women use these beauty products they will become irresistible." The devil said, "Every time a human will envy these women because of the beauty of my servants the sirens and mermaids they will be admiring and worshipping images of the things under the sea which are sirens and mermaids." As far as the devil is concerned, the pictures of sirens and mermaids on makeup products are equal to building an image of things from under the sea. These beautiful faces of sirens and mermaids that are printed on the makeup and beauty products are a representation of sirens and mermaids as it is written you shall not make for yourself an idol or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. (Ex 20:4) Now the question is, "Should women use beauty products?" Yes, women can but they should also have discernment and pray. We should learn to pray for everything. I mean everything we buy in the market we need a life of ceaseless prayer (1 Thess 5:17). When I was in the marine Kingdom I saw sirens designing beauty products and they were printing their faces on these different lotions and beauty products. I heard Lucifer saying repeatedly, "Let fight. Let not slow down. Let continue to work in order to separate believers from their Master." FORGETFULNESS TO DAILY SACRED DUTIES Then the devil unveiled a new strategy called forgetfulness. He said to the participants, "We must work to get believers to forget their daily sacred duty and obligation. As a result, they will be in discord with their Master. Their Master is supposed to be the central and a cornerstone of their lives but we must work so that their Lord will no longer be the central focus of their existence. Firstly let get them to forget praying, as a result, they will lack spiritual strength." Beloved when I heard this from the mouth of Lucifer, I understood that prayer gives believers spiritual strength and even the Bible says to pray ceaselessly (1 Thess 5:17). Then Lucifer said, "We must give them to forget about going to church by confusing church schedules. As a result, they will be without anointing." By these words, I understood that attending the church gives believers more anointing as it is written in the psalm of David, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." (Psalms 133:1-3) The devil continued and he said, "Let them forget reading the Bible." Then the devil drew the attention of the participants by saying, "Be careful of that book. It is magical and powerful. They must not read it otherwise they will have the knowledge and they will uncover our actions." The devil continued and said, "Let them forget paying tithes so that we can ransack and plunder their houses and finances. We will send them hardships and sicknesses and cause them to spend beyond their means." These words made me understand the importance of tithing. Tithe protects our business and our finances and the scriptures says in Malachi 3:10-11, Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, said the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, said the LORD of hosts. Then the devil said again, "Let them forget their law so that they can sin. It is only after they sin that we can remind them of their law so that they can be in guilt." He continued to let them forget to take care of the leaders financially. HEREDITARY Then the devil announced another strategy that he called hereditary. Then Lucifer said, "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). This is humanity's favorite passage that I am reversing. For Satan so hate the world that he gave his own son Beelzebub so that whoever fell in his trap shall not be saved but perish forever." Then the devil exclaims and said, "I love Beelzebub because of his mission. He is gonna assist me to bring forth a great posterity. My great family is in the making. Behold I have so many people resembling me." Beloved, the Bible said that Jesus branded the high priests as the children of the devil because of their behavior. Jesus said, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44) The devil said, "I am branded as the father of lies, therefore, I need more children who are liars and who resemble me. That is why I order you Beelzebub to trap anybody practicing lies and incorporate them into my family. When any man would be deliberately lying in that very moment you get a hold of him to bring him inside my family. Indeed I am called the father of lies and liars are my children. Whatever their confession and profession whether they are pastors evangelists priests deacons, bring them to me for they are my children." Then the devil said to Beelzebub, "Incite people to pride because I am the father of pride. As a result, I will have many children. You're going to incite men to sin because it is written that I sinned right from the beginning and the more they are sinning the more children I have." "Beelzebub, I have always been treated as the opponent and the adversary so you gonna make sure that the whole world is in sin so that they would be opponents and adversaries of God and the more they are sinning the more children I have." "Beelzebub, they must despise the church and prayer. They must despise men of God. They must despise the holy things. They must oppose Bible traditions and values. They must denigrate Christianity." The devil said, "You Beelzebub my prime minister I charged you to combat the Word preached in churches all over the world." Actually, Lucifer has a global government and Beelzebub is the prime minister of his global government. The devil said to Beelzebub, "Let the Word preached in churches all over the world be without Revelation. Let their preaching be without edification. Let these preachers lose their fire and anointing. Let them be limited. Let them be focused on miracles. Let them be focused on prosperity. Let them be focused on the spectacular things." Beloved the devil wants the church to focus on earthly things and temporary things. Then Lucifer said, "It is written in their Scripture and their law that your Word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and the moment the revelational Word which is the light is replaced by accessories and the materials items then there will be no more be light left in these churches but there will be darkness and as consequence the church will be my synagogue. If they continued and said the word of their Master and Lord has branded me as the Prince of Darkness it will be like a curse in these churches as I will be the Prince of these churches that are in darkness as a result of the corrupt word preached there." The devil said to Beelzebub, "You must stifle their leaders and preachers financially so that they lack the basic necessities. As a consequence, they will be overloaded with problems and setbacks. They will focus their attention on how to get by instead of spending their time on the Word and prayer. Beloved churches must organize in order to support the ministry so that the pastor can deal with the Word in order to spare him from working and taking care of himself. Then the devil said, "Let's target the pastors' wives so that there will not be harmony in their homes. As a result, the pastor will be demoralized with stress and sickness." The devil said. "Let's work so that we will send women to these pastors to get them to fornicate. As a result, they will become ordinary humans and carnal and it will be a defeat for the church." Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1 Cor 6:18) OCCULTISM The devil unveiled a strategy called occultism. He said, "The purpose of this strategy is information gathering about believers. We will operate through two sectors. Firstly we will use animals as an instrument then we will use art objects. Concerning animals we are gonna use domestic animals closer to humans like dogs and cats. We will use dogs and cats as a camera in order to get information about these believers. These animals will be initiated into spiritism and they will be our instruments." We must underline that animals do not have a spirit but their bodies can be used as instruments or vehicles by the human spirits and demonic spirits. Lucifer said, "We are going to use sculpture and statues as instruments." Actually many statues and sculptural representation of occultic masters and the spirits of these masters dwell inside these statues and people who buy these objects and take them home will be under the influence of spirits dwelling in these art objects. Occultists want to enter your house through the object of art, a statue or sculpture. These spiritual masters double themselves and send a part of their spirit into the statues and when people buy these statues they are bringing a foreign presence in their homes. These strangers are represented through statues and they are observing and gathering information about you. PUTTING OUT THE CHURCH Then Lucifer announced a strategy called putting out the church. Lucifer then addressed the auditorium and he said, "This is the commission I am giving you witches and wizards. You must join churches and be stationed there permanently and you must combat the spiritual growth of local churches at all cost. But in case these churches are still growing then forget about spiritual methods. Resort to physical methods and subject these churches to criticism and foster divisions among them." Beloved, every time a local church is characterized by division, slandering, backstabbing, these are symptoms of witchcraft activities. I just want to underline that the church will grow only when a vision given to the man of God is fulfilled. The church will grow through the support of the members who must adapt and align to the vision of the man of God and they must bring their assistance and financial contribution. Then Lucifer said, "Let's make sure that in every single Church on earth there is at least one witch so that he can gather information and report to us." Then the devil said, "Let my servant witches and wizards that I assigned to churches be of good standard. You must have a good attitude and be closer to pastors in these churches. You must gather information about every local church on the surface of the earth and every Saturday at midnight I want you to report containing information about what is happening in these local churches." Then the devil says to them, "If you fail in your assignment then I will have to send female spirits of the sea. They will migrate to the surface of the earth and they will take human shape and they will join these churches. They will do your job." The devil insisted, "You must be permanent in these churches facilities. Your mission is to bring distraction through dialogue laughs and jokes socializing and fornication. You must wake up early before their prayer and bewitch the place of prayer so that intercessors will be heavy and will fail to pray effectively. The devil said, "For witches, it is enough to bewitch the church facilities. You just need to metamorphose to insects and blow the bluish smoke in order to change the atmosphere in the church facilities and prayer room. As a consequence, everybody will be heavy during the prayer." And then the devil said to the participants, "You must oppose revelational preaching and teaching." The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Amen.

❤️LIBERATION FROM OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 2 of 2. Continued. Method of Deliverance. Wherever there has been occult participation in any form, it is essential that the following procedure be undertaken and carefully followed or liberation from occult subjection or oppression will not result. We cannot overemphasize that those suffering from occult oppression or subjection cannot be fully delivered in the usual manner by mere exorcism of spirits. Those who have allowed themselves to be bound by these dark powers can be liberated only by direct confession of occult sins and renunciation of Satan and his work in their lives. An experienced deliverance minister has seen those who have been prayed for previously for deliverance, sometimes several times without success, set free from Satan's bondage when the correct Scriptural procedure was undertaken. The same procedure is also necessary for those who were "passively" subjected or oppressed, who never willfully or actively participated in occultism. Those suffering affliction from the powers of darkness as a result of their identification and association with others who were involved in the occult, or who were subjected to such occult contacts as children, must confess and renounce these associations and contacts. 1. Confession of faith in Christ. If the person needing liberation is already a Christian (as many are), he needs only to affirm his faith in Christ. Others, however, will have to be led to make this confession before the way is opened for their deliverance. Occasionally, there are those who are primarily seeking relief from demonic oppression, but who have no real interest in following Christ. Such individuals cannot be liberated, at least not permanently, for without a sincere commitment to Christ, there is no permanent basis for resisting the enemy's power. On the other hand, some are unable to make such a confession of Christ without help. One characteristic of occult subjection is the inability to make this confession. In such cases, the oppressed person, bound by the powers of darkness, must be led by a Christian to faith in Christ, repeating after him a saving confession. Do not be concerned about the sincerity of the confession in such cases, for if the subjected individual were not in earnest he would not be seeking liberation. Moreover, all the powers of darkness are often brought to bear upon the oppressed individual in an attempt to prevent just such a confession of faith, which, as they well know, opens the way for liberation from their bondage. Sometimes a person is so bound by these evil powers that Satan's hold must be broken by calling upon the power of the blood of Jesus. Then the individual will be able to follow another in a confession of faith in Christ. 2. Confession of occult sins. All occult involvement must be confessed if liberation is to be realized. The oppressed should name each specific form of participation which can be recalled and confess it to God as sin. The individual should make a confession similar to the following: "Father, I confess that I have sinned against your Word by consulting a fortune teller (or by attending a seance, or Spiritualist meeting; by inquiring with the ouija board; by having warts or burns removed by magic charming; by following the horoscope, being hypnotized, or divining for water, as the case may be). I confess these practices as sin, as well as anything else of this nature which I may have forgotten. I ask for and accept your forgiveness, in Jesus' Name." Occasionally, a Christian suffering oppression and needing deliverance, whose occult involvement took place before his conversion to Christ, will question the necessity of confessing these practices now that he is a Christian, since all his sins were forgiven upon conversion. What we must bear in mind is that our present concern is not the oppressed individual's salvation, but his need for deliverance from occult oppression. Obviously, if the Christian seeking deliverance had been set free from Satan's oppression just by confessing faith in Christ, he would not be seeking liberation from this oppression! Moreover, in many cases, these individuals have also had prayer for deliverance and were not set free. There must be some hindrance and valid reason why their conversion to Christ and prayer for deliverance have not resulted in their liberation. An experienced minister has found that liberation does not come until occult sins are recognized and acknowledged as the cause. In the case of occult participation, one has, in essence, called upon other "gods" (Exodus 20), and has thereby opened the door to these oppressing spirits, who have access as long as the victim does not uncover their presence. The reason for such acknowledgment of occult participation is that one must go back to the place where he opened the door and gave access to the powers of darkness, and close it at that point. Admission of occult practices is an acknowledgment that the oppressed individual now recognizes such participation as a violation of the Scriptures. The necessity of such acknowledgment is seen in the fact that most who are oppressed as a result of occult involvement do not even know that they have violated God's commandments against these practices. Satan resists such admission because acknowledgment of specific occult sins uncovers his presence at the exact point where he has a hold on the victim. Satan hides, as it were, behind the unconfessed occult practices which keep the person bound. Confession removes this barrier and betrays Satan's presence, thus preparing the way for liberation from his bondage. It is true that upon conversion to Christ one's sins are all forgiven; but this does not guarantee he will not reap the consequences of what he has sown (Galatians 6:7). This is seen in the case of David, to whom God said that the sword would never depart from his house because of his sin with Bath-sheba (II Samuel 12). If one has lived such a life of disobedience and sin before conversion that the enemy has afflicted him with disease and sickness as a result, he is not automatically set free from such oppression, nor cured of these things, merely because he has confessed faith in Christ and has been forgiven those sins which caused his ailments. Upon conversion, spirits of infirmity such as epilepsy, blindness, dumbness, deafness, and so on, do not automatically leave their victims, who many times are innocently oppressed with these afflictions. So there is no Scriptural basis to think that oppressing spirits, who entered as a result of occult involvement, quietly depart when one becomes a Christian. By stressing that Christians need to acknowledge to God any involvement in occult practices which took place before their conversion, we are not suggesting that their sins were not all forgiven at Calvary. Rather, by making such admission to God, they now recognize and acknowledge these occult practices as a violation of Scripture, and as the cause of their oppression. When Christians are shown that their oppression is caused by previous occult involvement, and that such participation is a violation of Scripture, their acknowledgment to God of such practices opens the way for liberation from oppression. Obviously, those who have had occult involvement after conversion should make a confession similar to that already suggested, as soon as they learn that occult participation is a violation of Scripture, just as they would need to confess any sin they might commit as a Christian. But in cases where all occult involvement was before one's conversion to Christ, the individual needs to acknowledge to God his recognition that the practices of which he was guilty were sin, and were the cause of his present oppression. Such an admission, preparatory to liberation, uncovers the presence of the enemy at the exact place where he has a hold to oppress his victim. It might be expressed this way: "Heavenly Father, I thank You for now showing me the sinful character of occult practices. I now acknowledge that it was my visit to the fortuneteller (inquiring with the ouija board, attending a seance, and so on) in violation of the Scriptures, which opened the door to my oppression, and which was the cause of my present problems at the hands of the enemy. I believe that all my sins are under the blood of Christ, including these which You have now shown me, in Jesus' Name." One should not allow Satan, through pride or on the basis of theological argument, to hinder him from confessing or acknowledging occult participation, for the purpose of such admission is to unmask the presence of the enemy and reveal the point at which he holds his victim in bondage. Refusing to confess simply means that Satan remains concealed, hidden behind the unconfessed sin itself, for "he that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). 3. Renunciation of Satan and command to depart. This must be a direct command to Satan himself (not a prayer or request). The person seeking or needing the deliverance must command Satan to depart in Jesus' Name! Nobody else can do this for the oppressed or subjected person, since it was an act of this individual's will that opened the door to the enemy in the first place. At least for permanent liberation, Satan will heed a command to depart only if it comes from the same individual. This is one reason why many who are occultly subjected or oppressed are not permanently liberated, although others have prayed for them to be delivered. Satan contends, in the case of occult involvement, that he has the "right of access" to this person who has invited him in through occult participation, and that he will not leave until this same individual, by an act of his will, renounces him and commands him to depart. At this point, the oppressed individual should say, for example, "Satan, I hereby renounce you and all your works in my life. I command you in Jesus' Name to depart and trouble me no more! I hereby close the door to you forever." 4. Exorcism: the prayer of deliverance. We believe that one can liberate himself by faith from occult bondage and oppression by (1) a confession of occult involvement, and (2) a renunciation of Satan, with the command for him to depart. A minister has found that liberation is usually felt quite definitely by the person who is suffering oppression during this act of exorcism when Satan is commanded to loose the victim and set him free in Jesus' Name. Again and again, a countenance which has been marred by depression as a result of Satanic oppression is immediately transformed, amid expressions of rejoicing and praise to God at the joy of actually experiencing the departure of the dark powers. Therefore, in unusual instances where the hold of demonic power is extremely strong, they should not hesitate to ask help from those who understand the nature of occult oppression and subjection and have in person deliverance. Fasting also may be required to cast out strong demons for Jesus said “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:28-29.) 5. Responsibility of the liberated. The important thing to remember after deliverance has taken place is that deliverance is a walk, not a once for all experience without any responsibilities on the part of the person who has been set free. After deliverance it is necessary to build certain safeguards around the ground that has been liberated and recovered from the enemy. Jesus warns in Matthew 12:43-45 that deliverance is not necessarily permanent unless one takes certain spiritual precautions against the enemy's attempts to return. Thus, if the life of the liberated individual is not filled with faith and spiritually wholesome things, the evil spirit can return bringing with him "seven other spirits more wicked than himself, ... and the last state of that man is worse than the first." After a person is set free he should avoid all future contact with any form of spiritism or religious cults, and be on guard against new or strange doctrines that are not in harmony with Scripture. Moreover, one should not neglect to destroy all occult objects and literature (without regard to their cost), such as fortune telling cards, ouija boards, occult games, magic books, literature from such cults as Rosicrucians, Christian Science, Unity, and New Age, or by such authors as Edgar Cayce, Annalee Skarin, Harold Sherman, and so on (See Acts 19:18-19). It is imperative that one cultivate a strong faith and spiritual life after deliverance. We suggest the following: (1) Study of the Scriptures. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) and believing the Word. Strengthen your faith with such passages on deliverance, protection, and the power of Jesus' Name and blood as: Psalm 91; Romans 8:28-39; Revelation 12:11; Luke 10:17; Mark 16:17-18; John 10:27-29; Isaiah 54:11-17; Ephesians 2:6; 6:10-18; Exodus 12:23. (2) Prayer. Develop a consistent prayer life. Pray much in the Spirit. Praying in fellowship with other Biblically sound Christians in a prayer group develops faith and encourages spiritual growth. Prayer partners are recommended. See Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20. (3) Fellowship. Spiritual fellowship with other members of the Body of Christ is essential. A member separated from one's physical body would soon atrophy and die. An ember taken from the fire soon grows cold. One who has suffered oppression especially needs communion with the saints in worship for mutual encouragement, and for spiritual nurture, growth, strength, and development. See Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:41-47. (4) Resistance. After liberation, Satan may seek to oppress again, or through temptation attempt to entice the individual to yield to him, in order to gain access to his life once more. It is well to remember, therefore, that Satan must have the consent of the individual's will in order to gain an entrance. We are told in I Timothy 4:1, for example, that those who departed from the faith gave heed to seducing spirits. We are admonished in Ephesians 4:27: "Neither give place to the devil," and in James 4:7: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." However, even if the enemy breaks through in a moment of weakness, one should immediately take a firm stand, refuse to give him further access, and demand that he depart. In order to maintain one's victory over the powers of darkness and prevent any future invasion of one's life by these malevolent spirits, it is essential to keep in mind the following principles of spiritual warfare: a. Confess your victory and deliverance through Jesus' blood (Revelation 12:11). b. Boldly state your authority over Satan by virtue of your position with Christ "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion" (Ephesians 1:20-21; 2:6; Colossians 2:13-15; Psalm 91; Mark 16:17). c. Use the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit in time of temptation or assault from the enemy. Jesus overcame Satan's temptations with Scripture, saying: "It is written" (Matthew 4:1-11). Paul admonishes, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16). d. Resist Satan in faith, for we are in a spiritual warfare in which we can always have the victory if we will take it by faith (I Peter 5:8-9; Matthew 26:41; James 4:7; Ephesians 4:27). e. Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). This should be done in faith daily, especially in time of great trial. f. Command Satan to depart in Jesus' Name when he tempts or attacks in any unusual manner, particularly when he seeks to take some advantage of a weakness, or makes an attack through another individual (Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17). g. Guard your mind and thoughts. Absolutely refuse entrance into your heart and mind anything of a negative, critical, contrary, resentful, selfish, base, or depressive nature. Guard your mind jealously, for this is where the enemy usually strikes. Refuse every thought that is impure, unkind, offensive, unjust, evil, detrimental, or envious. Resist and repulse thoughts of pride, hate, resentment, slander, doubt, unbelief, anxiety, indifference, wrath, and self-pity. In so doing the enemy can gain no access to your life, inasmuch as the greater part of his effort is directed toward invading your mind. Few people resist him as they should at this point and thus fall prey to his influence and control. Failure to guard the mind and heart against Satan's deceiving, depressive, negative and destructive thoughts and suggestions is one of the major causes for oppression, sickness, fear, discord, depression, despair, strife, and failure. "Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The responsibility of the one liberated to keep the door closed to further invasions by the powers of darkness cannot be over-emphasized, for a minister has seen a few who neglected their responsibility suffer oppression again. This warning should be especially heeded by those neurotic individuals who manifest a spirit of "self-pity" and "self-centeredness" as were described in our study on “Evidence of Occult Oppression and Subjection.” These individuals desire attention at any cost. Though it is a morbid and pathological desire for recognition, nevertheless, they feel such a deep-seated need for attention that they actually (often subconsciously) fear full deliverance, lest they lose the notice of others. They feel unable to face life or make independent decisions, and are threatened with a specter of failure and misfortune, so they do not follow through with their responsibility to keep the door closed to these dark powers. They constantly lament their fate, confess their doubt, fear and failure, and voice their problems and troubles to any and all who will listen. These individuals are to be firmly admonished concerning their failure to accept their responsibilities. They must never be pitied and sympathized with, since this only feeds the spirit of self-centeredness which thrives on attention and will depart only when it fails to get it. Pray for them, but do not, under any circumstances, encourage this condition. They must admit their weakness in this regard, command this spirit to leave, and firmly resist its efforts to return by not encouraging it with their own appetites for attention. There is no cure for the ego-centered person whose liberation from occult enslavement rests entirely in his own will. If he expects permanent victory, he must resist any new inroads by this spirit as resolutely as a former alcoholic or drug addict would resist taking another drink or injection of narcotics. In all cases, one maintains his position of victory by resistance and faith. State your victory by faith in the promises of God and stand on it. In summary, liberation from occult subjection and oppression basically involves three steps, which are the essential things to remember in dealing with those who have had any form of occult involvement. They are: (1) Confession of sins of occult participation; (2) Renunciation of Satan and the command for him to depart; (3) Exorcism (when required). In one minister's experience every person was liberated from the powers of darkness who sincerely desired it and followed these Scriptural requirements. After prayer for deliverance, accept the fact of your liberation from the powers of darkness by faith. Do not rely on "feelings" or "appearances" at this point. Stand on the Word of God. The assurance and evidence will come. Some who have received prayer for deliverance have not seen an immediate change; yet later they have testified of their definite liberation from oppression and subjection to occult powers. Many feel an immediate change and many do not. Stand on the promises of God no matter the feelings! Satan must release his victim when commanded to do so in Jesus' Name. Therefore, you should expect to see a change. However, he does not always obey immediately, so symptoms may not disappear right away. At this point, you must act your faith and boldly state the fact of your liberation with a promise from Scripture such as Colossians 1:13 "God has delivered me from the powers of darkness and translated me into the kingdom of His Son". Do not do as many and go by feelings and say it feels and looks like nothing changed in my circumstances so I must not be delivered. God said you were based on His word if you will believe and boldly state His word to all demonic oppression whenever it tries to manifest. Resist the devil and he will flee; we are admonished in James 4:7. The manifestation will surely follow your steadfast endurance and resistance to the powers of darkness, for the victory is won by faith! Edited. Shared. May God grant you the understanding and grace to overcome in all things, walk pleasing in His sight, used by God to help others find freedom also. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

❤️LIBERATION FROM OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 1 of 2. Two significant questions stand as a hindrance in the minds of those who are unaware of the reality and extent of satanic influence and enslavement among Christians. Satan has used erroneous teachings and beliefs, based neither upon Scripture nor experience, to delude many concerning the following questions: 1. Can a Christian be oppressed by Satan, or possess evil spirits? 2. Can one who has never actively participated in any form of occultism be occultly subjected or oppressed? The answer to both questions is "yes," and this can be supported both from Scripture and experience. Question 1: Can a Christian be oppressed by Satan, or possess evil spirits? Believers can be oppressed, vexed, depressed, hindered, bound, and afflicted by Satan, or even suffer infestation by demonic spirits. Absolute demon possession is when the life and will of a person are completely under the dominion and control of Satan. This is different from the invasion of the mind or body by malevolent spirits, such as spirits of infirmity, fear, resentment, doubt, and depression. We refer to the latter condition when we speak of a Christian suffering "infestation" by evil spirits; demon possession, per se, is what we see in the account of the Gadarene demoniac in Mark 5. In any case, when malevolent spirits invade the mind or body of a Christian, they must be "cast out" before deliverance from the problems which they cause can be realized. For this reason, we say that such individuals are oppressed by Satan or infested with evil spirits to which they have yielded for one reason or another. One may sit in an "ivory tower" and debate the theological possibility of this fact at length, but just one or two encounters with the reality of the powers of darkness in the lives of Christians today can do much to correct one's theology on this matter. A certain pastor knows by experience that believers can be oppressed and suffer invasion of the mind and body by malicious spirits. Of those a certain pastor has dealt with and seen God deliver from all forms of demonic oppression and enslavement resulting from occult involvement, the vast majority were Christians! In fact, many of these were believers who had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. By occult participation, one can open the door to oppression or invasion by the powers of darkness either before or after becoming a Christian. The fact that believers can be oppressed or suffer infestation by demonic spirits is seen in many examples from the Scriptures. . The oppressing misfortunes and physical affliction of Job are said to be the work of Satan (Job 1-2). . Even in the House of God there can be those possessed with unclean spirits as Mark 1:23-26 clearly teaches: "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit," whom Jesus set free. There is no reason to doubt that he was a believer who had gone there to worship. . The woman bowed together by Satan and delivered of a "spirit of infirmity" by Jesus was also in the synagogue. She was a believer ("a daughter of Abraham") and was said to have been bound by Satan with a spirit of infirmity, which was cast out of her (Luke 13:11-16). . It is implied in II Timothy 2:23-26 that believers need to recover themselves from "the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." . A believer in the church at Corinth was doubtless possessed with a spirit of lust, and later suffered oppression at the hands of Satan, for the Apostle admonished the church to deliver this member "unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (I Corinthians 5:1-5). . Jesus "rebuked" the fever in Peter's mother-in-law and she was healed (Luke 4:38-39). Quite obviously, one does not rebuke a mere rise in temperature, but He addressed Himself to a personality, a spirit causing the fever. . Jesus uses this same term to rebuke Satan in Mark 8:33, and demons in Mark 9:25. Since the Scriptures teach that all sickness is the "oppression" of Satan (Acts 10:38), then any Christian who becomes sick or diseased is suffering satanic oppression. If the oppressed are to be set free, we must rid ourselves of the naive and unscriptural notion that believers cannot be oppressed by Satan, or possess evil spirits in some instances. We must give up the opinion that being a Christian automatically safeguards one against any such invasion. Satan has deluded Christians into believing that, since Jesus defeated him at the Cross, we can just ignore him today; or even if one were oppressed or possessed with spirits before conversion, he is somehow mysteriously set free when saved. If this were true, then why do not blind, deaf, dumb, or epileptic spirits leave upon the conversion of the afflicted person? Why do not cancers and other diseases leave those oppressed by Satan with these ailments when they are converted to Christ? How is it possible for Christians still to be subject to fear, depression, insanity, disease, and pain if believers cannot be oppressed by the powers of darkness? How, then, do we account for Peter speaking at one moment by divine revelation and the next being moved by Satan to speak words which Jesus soundly rebuked, addressing His rebuke to Satan himself (Matthew 16:13-23)? Simon the sorcerer is said to have believed and been baptized, and there is certainly no reason to exclude him from the number of Samaritans who also received the baptism in the Holy Spirit; yet he had not completely been delivered from his occult bondage and was commanded to repent and pray (Acts 8.). If Satan cannot invade the life of a believer, how then was he able to "fill" the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira, two disciples in the early church (Acts 5:1-11)? One of the strongest arguments against the unscriptural position that Satan presents no serious threat to the believer is given by the apostle Paul in II Corinthians 12, where he states that he himself suffered oppression at the hands of "the messenger of Satan" who was allowed to buffet him. There are two dangerous and unscriptural attitudes toward Satan and his demonic forces. One is to deny, as liberal theologians do, the reality and existence of a personal adversary, the Devil. But the other is equally absurd. Most contemporary Christians treat the subject with an attitude of indifference. They are naive concerning Satan's extensive power and work, and are deluded into thinking that he presents no real threat to the believer beyond tempting one to sin now and then. There is absolutely no Scriptural basis for such an attitude. On the contrary, Scripture repeatedly warns believers to "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith" (I Peter 5:8-9), and "neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27). The New Testament describes the Christian life as a spiritual warfare, admonishing the believer to "resist the devil" (James 4:7), and to "put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:11-12). Scripture abounds with references to a spiritual conflict, which the believer is to take seriously, against an evil, cunning, and powerful adversary who rules over a vast, highly organized kingdom, consisting of principalities, powers, and world rulers of the darkness of this age. He is designated as "the prince of the power of the air," "the ruler of this world," and "the god of this age." When he offered the kingdoms of this world to Jesus in return for worship, the Lord did not challenge his right to offer them, for the precise reason that they belong to him. His chief strategy, therefore, is to convince believers that he does not have to be taken seriously. As a result, he has achieved tremendous victories over men in many instances. To see the folly in the unscriptural notion that Satan presents no serious threat to the believer, one needs only to recall some of the instances given in Scripture of his victories in the lives of the unwary and careless. Note, for example, the fall of Adam and Eve from their state of sinlessness, together with all their posterity; the yielding of King Saul to an evil spirit and his tragic end; the sin of David and its consequences; the apostasy of Judas, one of the twelve apostles; the denial of Christ by Peter, who was also an apostle; the influence of Satan in the lives of Ananias and Sapphira, two of the first disciples in the early church; the incestuous sin of a member of the Corinthian church; the desertion of the apostle Paul by his fellow-worker, Demas, who returned to the world and gave up Christianity; the blasphemy of Hymenaeus and Alexander, which resulted in their excommunication; as well as the sins and low moral and spiritual state of several of the first-century Christian churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, which necessitated the sharp rebuke by Christ. To these may be added the prophetic warnings of Scripture concerning the great end-time apostasy and falling away as a result of satanic and demonic influence and work, e.g ., II Thessalonians 2:1-12; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 3:1-9; Matthew 24:24; Revelation 13; Acts 20:28-31. Thus, the Scriptures plainly forewarn believers that some will be influenced by Satan, drawn away by his deceptions, for "the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Timothy 4:1). Note carefully that it says here that some shall "depart from the faith." Quite clearly, an individual must first profess faith before he can "depart" from the faith, as unbelievers were never in the faith. Of the disciples Hymenaeus and Alexander it is said that they "thrust away" the faith from them. Moreover, the Scriptures show that Satan can discourage believers through trials, tempting them to turn away from Christ (Hebrews 3; 6; 10); hinder believers (I Thessalonians 2:18), or even an angel (Daniel 10:12-13); deceive believers (I Timothy 1:18-20; 2:14); speak through believers (Matthew 16:21-23); influence believers (James 3:14-15; Acts 5:1-11); destroy their possessions (Job 1); afflict them with disease (Job 2), destroy their flesh (I Corinthians 5), or bind them with a spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11-13); oppress them (II Corinthians 12:7); and sift them as wheat (Luke 22:31-32). Satanic oppression is to be found in the lives of many saints. The apostle Paul was oppressed by "the angel or messenger of Satan." Satan and demons were very real to Anthony of Egypt, who had many face-to face conflicts with them. Tertullian speaks of the opposition of demons to Christians whom they seek to terrify and injure. Luther tells of repeated attempts by Satan to interfere with him and his ministry by direct attacks in the form of ghostly noises, poltergeist phenomena, and other weird occurrences. On one occasion, Satan even manifested himself to him. The Wesley family also endured poltergeist attacks which disturbed the peace of the rectory at night with loud knocks, raps on the walls and beds, phantom footsteps, objects flying about mysteriously, and apparitions. St. Teresa suffered much vexation and oppression at the hands of Satan. She sometimes experienced direct spiritual, mental, and physical attacks, as did the Cure d'Ars, Jean-Marie Vianney, A.B. Simpson, and many others. Of course, in setting forth the Scriptural basis for the reality of satanic oppression and demonic attacks upon the believer, we have not forgotten that the believer has victory in Christ over Satan. He is seated in a place of authority with Christ in the heavenlies, far above all principalities and powers (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12-15). But we are recognizing what the contemporary church often overlooks: that the first rule in effective warfare is to know your enemy, his methods, strength, and tactics. Because of the compelling evidence, some will admit that a Christian can be oppressed, depressed, attacked, and vexed by evil spirits; they just cannot accept the fact that a Christian can be infested with such spirits. But if a Christian is suffering from a cancer or mental illness, what is the difference whether we say he is being "oppressed" by Satan, or that an evil spirit has actually "invaded" his body or mind? The source and result are the same. In either event, we have to deal with Satan if liberation is to come. The only difference is in how we deal with the situation: in cases of possession, exorcism of these malevolent spirits is required; in cases of oppression, prayer alone is usually sufficient. Many reliable witnesses agree that Christians can be infested with demons, as well as oppressed by them. When questioned about the possibility of a Christian being possessed by demonic spirits, Dr. V. R. Edman, former president of Wheaton College, replied that theory would say, "no," but the facts say, "yes." Theoretically a demon cannot possess a body in which the Holy Spirit resides; but Dr. Edman said that he knew of true Christians who were truly demon possessed and who were delivered by prayer in Jesus' Name. In a certain pastor’s personal experience, the majority of those for whom he has prayed for deliverance from occult oppression or subjection were Christians, including ministers and the wives of ministers. Gordon Lindsay writes: "It is a matter of grave concern to observe the number of ways that demons are attacking, harassing, and actually dominating people who are professing Christians." Dr. Russell Meade points out in his book on demonism today, based on his experience in the deliverance of Christians, that there is no Biblical evidence for thinking that the Holy Spirit and a demon cannot inhabit the same body. H.A. Maxwell Whyte wrote, " ... we have seen hundreds of people manifestly delivered from all kinds of evil spirits ... our young people have needed this strong prayer of deliverance .... Many today are being set free from unclean spirits ... young people for whom we have prayed are members of Christian churches." He continues, "Most Christians are far more bound by Satan and his legions than they realize, or will readily admit. The whole subject is shrouded in mystery and fear. Pride will not permit us to admit a need, and to permit another to pray for us." A.J. MacMillan wrote, "The objection is frequently made that a true child of God cannot be brought thus under the power of the enemy. Experience disproves this, for even spiritual believers and earnest and successful workers have suffered .... " Dr. Kurt E. Koch, in his book on occultism, cites numerous instances in his ministry of Christians needing liberation from occult subjection and oppression. A well known American evangelist told of a missionary who became possessed by tormenting, malevolent spirits, and suffered terribly until he received deliverance. He then said that similar experiences may be more common among Christians than we suppose. Some who have had occult involvement before their conversion to Christ, although none since, have asked, "How is it possible for a Christian to continue suffering oppression or subjection because of this preconversion participation?" The answer is simple: the "door" which they opened to the powers of darkness by their occult participation remains open to these oppressing spirits until the individuals, by a definite act of faith and personal exercise of the will, close the door against the satanic invasion. If I had opened the door of my home to a murderer, thief, and reprobate, and invited him in before my conversion, the criminal would not automatically vacate the premises merely because I later changed my interests. I would have to deliberately eject him from the house, and close and lock the door against further intrusion. All occult participation, regardless of the kind or degree of involvement, is an open invitation for the powers of darkness to invade the premises. Satan does not withdraw his influences and work until commanded to do so, for he claims certain "trespass rights" in the life of such individuals. We are not merely theorizing as to the theological "possibility" of invasions by the powers of darkness in the lives of believers. The fact of such oppression and subjection is based upon the teachings of Scripture and upon experience. There is abundant evidence, for those who care to investigate the matter, to prove that a person's turning his back upon occult participation after becoming a Christian does not mean that the powers of darkness have turned their back upon him! Question 2: Can a Christian who has never actively participated in any form of occultism be occultly subjected or oppressed? A certain pastor has found many cases where a person who never actively participated in any form of occult practice still suffered oppression or subjection. This is referred to as "passive" oppression or subjection by these powers. Disease can be inherited by the innocent from their ancestors; moral degeneracy and undesirable traits such as uncontrollable anger, dissipation, or intemperance are found in children whose parents bear the same traits; so too, children whose parents and/or blood relations have had occult contacts often suffer various forms of occult bondage and oppression. Christians who were subjected to occult influences in childhood often find that they need liberation from the powers of darkness which have gained access and are oppressing them in mind, in body, or in some other manner. We are not trying to convince the skeptics of the reality of passive oppression. Our purpose is to help those who know of no active participation in occult practices on their own part, yet are suffering some form of oppression for reasons unknown to themselves. A certain pastor has dealt with individuals who were suffering from "passive" oppression or subjection of every description: chronic fear or doubt, uncontrollable lust, persistent illness, emotional instability, or depression. Some tell of suffering incubi assaults; of hearing spirit voices; of seeing demonic apparitions; of possessing clairvoyant and psychic powers; and so on, all of which result, not from their active occult participation, but either from the occult involvements of their relatives, or from having been innocently subjected to occult influences as children. Passive subjection and oppression have resulted from a child being taken to an occult "healer" to have warts removed, burns healed, or diseases cured by magic charming or other occult means. Children have also been subjected by being taken to the meetings of Spiritualists and other religious cults (Theosophy, Rosicrucian, Christian Science, Unity, etc.). Passive oppression or subjection has also been found in those whose parents or grandparents have been involved in seances, fortunetelling, or other forms of spiritism and occultism. The Scriptures show the innocent suffering oppression by Satan and sometimes possession by evil spirits. For example, in the case of the boy who was possessed with an unclean, deaf and dumb spirit, his father said the spirit entered the boy as a child (Mark 9:17-29). The disciples' question in John 9:2: "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" indicates the possibility of a prenatal cause for oppression by Satan. The apostle Paul shows in Romans 5:12-14 that all mankind is affected by the curse which fell upon Adam as a result of his transgression. Finally, it should be pointed out that there is no such thing as "minor" or "harmless" involvement where the powers of darkness are concerned. Some of the most severely oppressed victims merely had warts removed by magic charming; played with the ouija board "in fun"; attended a religious cult or Spiritualist meeting "out of curiosity"; had their fortune read (though they contend that they "never really believed such things were genuine"); or followed the horoscope column in the newspaper each day (though they "did not allow it to affect" their lives and decisions). When one enters Satan's domain for whatever reason, he opens himself to demonic oppression or subjection, and invokes upon himself the curse of God, whose Word clearly declares that those who participate in any form of occultism are an abomination unto Him! In view of all of this, the reality of Christians being oppressed and the innocent sometimes suffering passive oppression should be apparent. This reality must be recognized and acknowledged before liberation from these powers of darkness can be considered. A certain pastor has found from experience that, until the individual under oppression sees and admits the connection between his occult involvement and such oppression, he cannot exercise sufficient faith to resist and overcome it. But where such acknowledgment is present, liberation in the Name of Jesus Christ is certain. Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

❤️EVIDENCE OF OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 3 of 3. (7) Magic practices. Continued. In the neurotic person, for example, a symptom may be only the outward indication of more serious inner disturbances. An alcoholic may be suffering, not merely from a bad habit, but from a serious neurosis. Such nervous afflictions as stuttering may be relieved through hypnosis, only to be replaced by neurotic tensions which affect the entire personality. Migraine headaches relieved through hypnotherapy may be replaced by some form of psychosis. In the second place, contrary to popular opinion, there are many instances where criminal or immoral acts have been performed by a person subjected to someone else through hypnosis, which the subjected person would not have done in his conscious state of mind. When one thus surrenders his will to another individual, he then wills to do whatever the person who hypnotized him cares to suggest. He may even perform ridiculous or morally reprehensible acts, if the hypnotist uses the correct techniques of suggestion. For example, a hypnotized individual may be led to disrobe in public if told that he is in the privacy of his own bedroom. From time to time, the newspapers report cases such as the woman who plotted to murder her husband, while under hypnosis by her lover. Women have been abused, crimes committed, and other scandalous acts performed by individuals under hypnosis. To make matters worse, cheap literature on the newsstands today popularizes the subject, encouraging young people to practice hypnotism on one another, sometimes with serious mental, emotional, and psychic consequences. The danger of amateur hypnotism is that it can induce psychoneuroses or arouse deep-seated complexes, compulsions, phobias, and other permanent mental and emotional disturbances. Even professional therapists are not always able to cope with the results of hypnotherapy. How much less can a stage hypnotist or novice, who lack the knowledge of the functioning of the mind and emotions! When one thus surrenders his will to another, he becomes susceptible to hypnotic suggestion from then on. In fact, he may even become "psychically dependent" upon the other person. This danger is also encountered in telepathy, especially if these practices are carried on repeatedly. However, the greatest threat in the hypnotized state of the surrendered will is the fact that the individual is open to the invasion of evil spirits. In order to be hypnotized, he has set aside the one divinely endowed moral and spiritual safeguard against such intrusion: the free and independent exercise of his personal will. In other words, he has at that point forfeited his independent, moral right to say "yes" or "no." So-called medical or therapeutic hypnosis obviously has no more safeguards against this danger than does the amateur hypnotist. Demons have admitted through the lips of those possessed that Satan himself is the power behind the hypnotist! The moral and spiritual implications involved in hypnotism of any sort should be obvious to any concerned person. (8.) Spiritism and mediumistic powers. In addition to the extrasensory powers of clairvoyance, telepathy, divination, psychometry, and so forth, certain other paranormal or psychic abilities can result from occult subjection. These include self-induced trance states; spirit writing; levitation (the lifting or floating of objects) and table-tipping; astral projection (projection of the spirit or psyche out of the body to another place); spirit knockings or rappings; telekinesis (objects are caused to move mysteriously about the room; musical instruments play as by unseen hands); apports (articles made to appear in locked rooms); materializations (the power to materialize the alleged spirit of the dead, as well as other objects, into visible form); parakinesis (PK, or the ability to control objects by the power of the mind and will); and many other forms of psychic phenomena. Many of these occult and psychic powers are found, not only in those who are practicing mediums, but also in those who have had occult associations. Involvement in occultism often results in such total subjection to these powers that the individual is almost, if not entirely, dependent upon fortune tellers for information and advice; astrologers for guidance in the daily affairs of business and life; magical practices for healing, controlling the forces of nature, or influencing others; and so on, until the victim is hopelessly entangled in a labyrinth of evil influences and control. 2. Occult Oppression. The foregoing forms of psychic powers and extrasensory abilities, which result from occult involvement, are indicative of occult "subjection"; that is, such persons have been brought into subjection to the powers of darkness (although they do not always recognize their source). As a result of having opened themselves to these demonic forces, they have become "psychically" subjected. However, occult participation does not always result in such sensitivity; often only a form of "oppression" occurs. In any event, oppression in some form will be the final outcome; but those who have become "psychic" or clairvoyant will usually suffer the most. At this point we shall note the most significant forms of psychic oppression which result from occult involvement. (1) Poltergeist activity. Poltergeist (German for "noisy ghost") activity is not uncommon, and has been observed by many reliable witnesses. These are malicious works perpetrated by demonic spirits to terrify victims as a consequence of occult involvement. This form of oppression involves psychic attacks in the form of bizarre occurrences. The individual sees objects floating about the room. Sometimes they fall to the floor with a loud crash, as though thrown by some unseen power. Mysterious fires break out in his home. He hears strange noises, rappings, knockings, and often rattling chains, moaning, weeping or crying. Disembodied spirit voices speak threats and obscenities. Articles suddenly appear or disappear in closed and locked rooms. Furniture moves about the room. Unseen hands begin to play the piano in the middle of the night. The bed suddenly rises off the floor and the covers are unceremoniously yanked off the victim. Doors mysteriously open and slam shut. The doorbell begins to ring incessantly, but upon investigation, the frightful confusion ends as suddenly as it began. Light bulbs burst. Rocks, dirt, broken glass and other rubble pour down through the ceiling leaving no trace of how they entered, for the ceiling remains undisturbed. All the lights in the house suddenly flash on and off. Phantom footsteps are heard on the stairs, or strange noises, such as a trunk sliding across the floor, are heard in the attic. Stones and china are sometimes thrown about with abandon, or the furniture is upset. Personal objects disappear or are hidden from the owner, and it is not uncommon for violent and vicious attacks to be made upon the victim himself. Incredible as it may seem, few people seem to realize the relationship between this form of oppression and the occult involvement of the victim. As a result, even Christians have been unable to cope properly with it in their attempts to liberate the oppressed. Unless one deals with this oppression from an occult standpoint, there can be no assurance of deliverance and liberation from these psychic or poltergeist attacks. Poltergeist activities are sometimes confined to the particular residence or area in which they occur, often as a result of seances, Spiritualist meetings, or some other form of occult activity having been conducted there at some time. Nevertheless, it is the present or past occult involvement of the individual, or within his family, that makes him personally susceptible to these attacks. A certain pastor seen further evidence for this from their counseling experience in that, before liberation, one oppressed individual continued to suffer even after moving to other places of residence. (2) Apparitions, specters, monstrous phantasms. Appearances of ghostly figures, specters, and demonic creatures, such as headless figures, weird animals, or other hideous creatures (often dismissed as hallucinations), are frequently experienced by those who have had some kind of occult connection. One oppressed victim was almost driven insane when, upon smelling fire and brimstone in the room, turned and saw a filthy, slimy demonic creature. Another was confronted by a headless body. Another encountered a faceless specter upon opening the door. Such things as dwarfs; dark, ugly, leering faces; disembodied hands; serpents; and other fearsome phantasms are sometimes seen. The voice or apparition of a friend or relative of the oppressed individual may appear as a portent, warning of an impending accident or serious illness, or the death of the friend or relative, often at the moment of the tragedy or shortly thereafter. Others under occult oppression may sense the presence of an invisible intelligence or some oppressive, dark creature or power, which lurks about the room, or even follows its victim about. At times, malevolent spirits may actually attack an oppressed individual, choking, biting, throttling, or otherwise molesting the victim. Psychic attacks in the form of persistent nightmares are also common. (3) Incubi and succubi experiences. This is an attempted assault upon a human by an unclean spirit or demon of lust for the purpose of gratifying its sexual appetites. Women and men alike are known to have suffered such attempts at sexual molestation, as well as actual attacks. Both history and a certain pastor’s counseling experience confirm the reality of such experiences. II Peter 2:4, and Jude 6-7, taken literally, provide adequate Scriptural basis for the reality of such bizarre occurrences. C. Spiritual Subjection and Oppression. Occult involvement invariably affects one spiritually, frequently causing serious damage to one's spiritual life and faith. The spiritual effects and influence of the powers of darkness are readily apparent in the symptoms which follow, not all of which would necessarily be found in any one individual, nor to the same degree. Often there is progressive spiritual deterioration, and disintegration in the area of faith, unless deliverance is effected. Evil influences continue their destructive work even in the lives of Christians. This is true even if the occult participation was insignificant; regardless of how far in the past it took place; and even if it took place before the individual became a Christian. 1. Indifference to spiritual things. Spiritual deterioration is seen in a noticeable indifference to the Word of God, prayer, worship, and spiritual matters in general. Often this happens against the individual's own will, and he has little success in overcoming this state, though he may try repeatedly to reverse his increasing spiritual apathy. 2. Serious problems concerning doubt and unbelief. Extreme and persistent doubts concerning the teachings of Scripture, especially the supernatural, or difficulty in exercising faith, are clear evidence of spiritual deterioration as a result of occult associations. Often these individuals seem to be powerless to resist the temptation to doubt, waver, question, and distrust God, His promises, and His ministers. At times they feel almost overwhelmed by skepticism, suspicion, incredulity, disbelief, indecision, and other misgivings. 3. Religious aberrations. Religious delusions, heresies, and errors, ranging from agnosticism to affirming the doctrines of Spiritualism, Modernism, New Age religion, or other religious cults, indicate occult subjection. Other aberrations include pious self-righteousness, spiritual pride, and hypocrisy. Many religious extremes, such as abnormal aversion to certain foods (which the individual is well prepared to justify on personal, religious, or medical grounds), serious deviations from Scripture in doctrine or practice, asceticism, and extreme antagonism toward other religious bodies or Christian groups, are also found. 4. Inability to receive the Holy Spirit. Frequently, those with occult associations find a spiritual barrier when they wish to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, although some have earnestly desired and sought the experience for years. Liberation from occult powers, which act as hindrances, is the only solution we have found. Resistance. A very significant indication of the spiritual effect upon some who have had occult involvement is their resistance to the teaching concerning the reality of occult subjection and oppression, and their indifference to the dangers involved. This is one of the characteristic marks of occult delusion and enslavement in some who have been guilty of occult sins. Their hostile reaction is often the work of a spirit of pride which prevents them from admitting their gullibility, sin, and delusion. It may be motivated by their reluctance to sever occult connections. The powers of darkness struggle against being discovered and removed from their position of influence and control. The very resistance itself, in view of the plain teachings of Scripture condemning these practices, is evidence enough of occult subjection in such individuals. This resistance is often expressed as unwillingness on the part of the oppressed individual to accept the fact that a Christian can be oppressed by Satan-even though this individual is usually suffering such oppression at the time! Of course, he blames his problems, for which he is seeking help, on some other source or on causes unknown. Experience has shown that, unless the oppressed or subjected person recognizes and admits the source of resistance to the fact of occult oppression and subjection, and unless he personally resists in faith the powers of darkness at this point, deliverance from this condition is impossible. 6. Occult bondage and opposition to God. Where spiritual damage is severe, the person may be in such a state of bondage to the powers of darkness that severe forms of occult subjection are observed: . Inability to believe on or confess Christ, even where there is a desire to believe; . Difficulty in praying or reading the Word of God, often accompanied by extreme drowsiness or an inability to concentrate; .Too easily being distracted during the preaching or teaching of the Scriptures, or difficulty understanding them; . Inability to acknowledge the fact of the efficacy of the blood Atonement, or the Deity of Christ; . Unclean thoughts and sexual images entering the mind when trying to enter into a time of private devotions or prayer; . Dependence upon, or enslavement to, various forms of occultism. . Opposition to God, as seen in the following characteristics, is unmistakable evidence of demon possession: . Blasphemous thoughts against God, Christ, and the Trinity; . Opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit; Aversion to all references to the blood of Christ or His Deity; . Scorn, mockery, and ridicule toward the Bible, preaching, believers, Christianity, or divine and holy things in general. Such persons often manifest violent raging, cursing, and blasphemous opposition against all attempts at deliverance-even when this liberation is being sought by the subjected individual himself! Usually, however, their bondage to occultism is greater than their will power or desire for deliverance from such enslavement. D. Physical Oppression. Certain physical symptoms indicate the presence and activity of demonic powers. These are related to outward behavior, bodily appearance, and to the physical condition. Of course, the mere presence of just one of these symptoms is not conclusive proof of demonic oppression and activity, but could be the result of some other cause. Inexperienced individuals need to be warned against the temptation to evaluate the spiritual state of others on the basis of these symptoms alone. 1. Speech and behavioral abnormalities. The oppressed individual will frequently manifest one or more of the following symptoms, and usually in a noticeably abnormal manner: excessive talkativeness; unusual loudness of tone and voice; hysterical laughter; persistent restlessness and uneasiness; silliness; giddiness; unusually foolish talk and behavior; incongruity of actions; muttering to oneself; incoherence in speech and thought; compulsive shouting or screaming when provoked; the absence of certain normal reflexes, or the exaggeration of others; peculiar postures (e.g ., unrelaxed, abnormally rigid and ramrod straight; or exactly the opposite state of lethargic, sluggish droopiness); deep sighing, denoting despondency or feelings of self pity; shunning or withdrawal from public scrutiny; odd, annoyingly repetitious eccentricities of speech. In actual cases of demon possession, especially when the evil spirits in the individual feel threatened with exposure or expulsion, or when they find themselves in the presence of the power of the blood and the Name of Jesus, more violent physical manifestations are often seen, such as: foaming at the mouth; retching; screaming; cursing, blasphemy; raging against Christianity; physical resistance; threatened or attempted violence; and at times, convulsions, with pains and cramps, or a state of catalepsy. Often at such times spirits will speak through the possessed victim. An intelligence is manifested that does not belong to the individual himself. Sometimes a possessed individual can understand or speak a foreign language which he has not studied (not to be confused with Biblical tongues, since in demon possession it is the demon, who knows the language, speaking through the person). Frequently, there is knowledge of hidden facts, a prognostication of future events, a display of physical feats of supernormal strength, or other supernatural phenomena. 2. Abnormal facial characteristics. The face of an oppressed individual is often contorted by fear, chronic doubts, incredulity, or anxiety; his countenance maybe strained, uneasy, or tormented. Such individuals seldom smile, and have no joy in their conversation or life. They commonly wear a morbid expression, and often think of suicide. Others display a defiant, wicked, scowling, perverse, dark or sullen appearance. At times the complexion is also affected, being dark and somber, or pallid and corpse-like. Other extremes of facial expression are a stereotyped, frozen smile or grimace, or an impassive, stoical absence of expression. Some have abnormally bright and protruding eyes; others, a glazed, trance-like, or hunted, animal-like stare. In others there is a wicked, defiant glare, or a demonic leering in the eyes. 3. Abnormal physical ailments. Chronic, persistent physical ailments, diseases, or pains that do not respond to prayer or treatment of any kind, but which seem to linger on and on, may indicate occult oppression. Mere prayer for healing is insufficient, since one must deal with the occult cause of the affliction, not just the physical effect. In these cases, deliverance from occult bondage is a crucial step in receiving liberation. E. Material, Domestic, and Social Forms of Oppression. Most people are unaware of the far-reaching effects of occult participation. Occult associations can also result in oppression which affects the lives of others. It may, for example, produce serious marital problems, often culminating in divorce. One person traced the beginning of marital strife and incompatibility to the day following a visit to a seance. Discord between parents and children; disputes with neighbors; friction and strife between business associates or others; and church divisions and irreconcilable schisms can result. This form of oppression is the operation of divisive and factious spirits whose primary objective is to work in the affairs of men to divide, disrupt, confuse, deceive, distract, disturb, perplex, and disorganize. Their sole aim is in every way to destroy unity, harmony, and peace; to cause as much affliction, sorrow, agony, anguish, grief, misery, misfortune, privation, distrust, suspicion, doubt, anxiety, and confusion as possible in the daily circumstances of life. Persistent financial distress, material loss, and subjection to poverty, need, scarcity, and other material privations, can also result from occult involvement. Deliverance from all forms of oppression and subjection resulting from occult involvement can come only in one way, and it is to this that we now turn to in our next studies. Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

❤️EVIDENCE OF OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 2 of 3. 2. Psychoneuroses indicative of occult oppression and subjection. Continued. Such neurotics are often overly conscious of their health and welfare, being alarmed at the slightest symptom and will generally contact their physician on the slightest pretext. Attending to themselves is their only real interest, and they expect others to follow suit. Their affliction provides them with an excuse for failing to meet their obligations or to attain their level of aspiration in business, marriage, religion, or life in general. Their life is characterized as "just one great bundle of problems and anxieties" as they journey from one person to another-doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, minister, parents, friends or strangers alike-seeking, always seeking, attention, reassurance, advice, or help. Those who are oppressed or possessed with these spirits of self-pity, self-centeredness, and self-love (narcissism) are very difficult to bring to a point of liberation, due to the nature of the spirit causing this condition. The victims fear that admission of the real nature of their neurotic condition and deliverance from it will cause them to lose the attention and pity they feel they require to survive. These spirits, unlike many other types, have such a firm hold on their victims, and are so closely identified with their personalities, that these individuals willingly accept such an abnormal disposition as their own. Even after liberation, such persons usually require prayer support, and firm, but loving admonishment to practice standing alone, to face their responsibilities on their own, and to discipline themselves to regular periods of Bible study and prayer in order to develop a strong life of faith. A daily, biblical confession of what they have and are in Christ is necessary, together with a firm, steadfast resistance to the temptation to fall back into their previous bondage and dependence upon others. Compulsive thoughts and behavior, as well as certain phobias and obsessions, are often present in such individuals. Compulsive lying, deception, infidelity, arson, or cleptomania (an irresistible desire to steal, not motivated by personal need) are some of the compulsive abnormalities. Others are obsessed with peculiar and strange ideas. One may, for example, be obsessed with the idea that he will contract some disease such as cancer or tuberculosis; another believes that he will die prematurely from the same organic trouble that seems "to run in the family," from which some of his relations have already died. Others become obsessed with the idea that they have committed the "unpardonable sin," or that they have failed God, their families, or their employers, thus living a tormented life of self-condemnation. Those who are obsessed are ruled by some idea or thought (which often has no basis in fact) which finally becomes the dominant factor in their lives. Individuals may be obsessed with self-torturing jealousy, or the notion that someone is always watching or following them (the individual's eyes dart furtively here and there constantly), or as the housewife who imagines that her friends and neighbors are always talking about her. Compulsions may be in the form of phobias, such as a fear of germs. This is seen in the neurotic behavior of the woman who felt compelled to disinfect all the doorknobs in her home daily, never touching one anywhere without wearing gloves to avoid contamination. Some persons are obsessed with a spirit of self-importance, suspicion, covetousness, or pride. Other compulsives cannot keep from repeating the same actions over and over, such as recounting the money which they have just counted because they feel they made a mistake the first time, or washing one's hands over and over, retracing one's steps, or repeating instructions again and again. Such compulsions and obsessions often indicate the presence and work of demonic spirits, who mercilessly vex and delude their victims. In summary, the most common mental and emotional disturbances and abnormalities resulting from occult involvement are: mental illness; serious depression; anxieties and fear; thoughts of self-destruction; compulsive thoughts and behavior; obsessions; emotional instability and self-pity; profound feelings of inadequacy and failure; and enslavement to certain excessive appetites, passions, and habits. B. Psychic Disturbances and Abnormalities. This category consists of those forms of subjection and oppression that pertain particularly to the extrasensory functions of the mind or psyche (spirit). 1. Occult subjection. Those who have had occult involvement of any kind, or whose family background contains occult connections, frequently become "psychic" themselves and discover that they have certain extrasensory abilities, psychic sensitivity, or intellectual powers and knowledge at times beyond their normal capacity. These so-called psychic "gifts" result from occult connections, and are under the control and influence of the powers of darkness. They should be repudiated immediately, without reservation, for the simple reason that they are under the condemnation of God. The following characteristics indicate occult subjection and will ultimately issue in mental, spiritual, and/or physical deterioration and damage, unless one is liberated from their enslaving power by Christ. One may, of course, possess psychic or ESP powers to a greater or lesser degree than described here. And, while the characteristics which follow include the psychic powers and practices of such occult professionals or practitioners as fortune tellers, astrologers, spiritualist mediums and hypnotists, we apply them to anyone who has been involved in the occult in any way." (1) Clairvoyance. This term describes the psychic ability of some subjected individuals to see objects or events spontaneously and super normally (beyond the natural range of vision). It is the awareness or knowledge of what is taking place elsewhere. This so-called gift of "second sight" is a satanic counterfeit of the Biblical prophetic gift of the "seer," and the gift of the "word of knowledge" (I Corinthians 12). It enables the person to see things relating to the past, present, and sometimes the future (precognition). Clairaudience, the supernormal ability to hear voices and sounds not within the reach of the normal senses, may also be present in such individuals. Clairvoyant persons often have premonitions of death or misfortune concerning others before the event occurs. They hear spirit voices, or the alleged voice of a departed loved one or friend giving advice, warning, or assurance of some kind. Often they discern such things as the substance of a letter before opening it, or know who is calling before answering a ringing telephone; and they may be subject to dreams and visions of a psychic or bizarre nature. 'Psychic "gifts" and powers resulting from occult involvement are not to be confused with genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit, authentic visions, and other divine, supernatural phenomena, which do have a vital place in the life of the believer and the church (e.g., Mark 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12; Acts 1:16-26). (2) Precognition. The power of precognition enables occultly subjected persons to have knowledge of, or to see, future events before they occur. Some who have become "psychic" through occult associations have a very pronounced ability to sense or foresee a future event. They often experience mysterious premonitions of impending events. For example, Jeane Dixon predicted President Kennedy's assassination; and Edgar Cayce predicted World Wars I and II, and the years they would begin and end, as well as the universal Depression of 1929. Many people have precognitive experiences, such as premonitions, visions, dreams, or mental "flashes." As a result of becoming psychically "sensitive" through their occult involvement, they can see, hear, or sense events which are yet future. (3) Telepathy. Persons who are psychic often exhibit the power to transfer thoughts from one mind to another, either by thought-sending or mind-reading. This is usually what people think of first when "ESP" is mentioned. After some form of occult participation, individuals may discover that they seem to know what another person is thinking; later on, they find out they were right. The ability to "tune in" on another's thoughts and read his mind is well attested to by many parapsychologists, and by such organizations as the American Society for Psychical Research. Thus, when one dabbles in occultism, or seeks to heighten his so-called ESP powers through the practice of telepathy, he may find mental images, strong feelings, emotions, and thoughts from the minds of others floating into his own consciousness. Often he is not aware of what is taking place and interprets these impressions as mere coincidence. But what may seem at first to be an interesting psychic phenomenon can quickly become a mental burden. If one is psychically sensitive in this way, he will be constantly subject to the infiltration of disturbing mental images and thoughts, from both the powers of darkness and the minds of others. Often he will experience the same problems and disturbances as the one to whom he is telepathically attuned. Another dangerous possibility is that of becoming "psychically dependent" upon another through the practice of telepathy, hypnotism, or remote influence. "Remote (or unconscious) influence" is a form of telepathy, advocated by some, which attempts to influence the subconscious mind of one who is asleep or unconscious. For example, one may try to implant positive thoughts of love into the subconscious mind of a person who has grown cold or indifferent; one may try to implant corrective ideas into the subconscious mind of a person who might be offended or unreceptive if such advice were given openly; or one may try using suggestion to heal the one who is asleep. However, the psychic dangers in such attempts to control and influence the thoughts and behavior of others are clear. The very same telepathic powers can and have been used for evil purposes. Those skilled in ESP are well aware of their power to influence others in this way, causing them to think or do as they wish. No finite human being has the right, whatever his alleged motive, to invade the privacy of the subconscious mind of another individual without his consent! God alone has this prerogative and there is no Biblical basis whatever for this practice by Christians. Aside from the obvious dangers involved and the unauthorized intrusion into the mind of another without his permission, this is clearly an attempt to circumvent the Biblical method of solving one's problems; namely, the prayer of faith. Evidently these individuals do not realize that, in their attempts to influence the subconscious minds of others by speaking to them while they are asleep, they are intruding upon the prerogatives of God. They may also unwittingly be establishing telepathic connections with their minds which may later have adverse effect. This is an occult practice, condemned in Scripture as charming and enchantment (Deuteronomy 18:10-11). It is little more than "mesmerism" of the subconscious, and should be repudiated by the Christian without hesitation as an abomination to God. Those who teach and practice remote influence, or who advocate its use by other Christians, should consider its insidious nature and its disharmony with Scripture, and should cease and repent of this occult activity. (4) Divination. This is the most common form of occultism. It refers to the ancient black art of fortunetelling, whether by the crystal ball, palm reading, cards, pendulum, ouija board, planchette, glass tumbler movement, tea leaves, handwriting analysis (graphology), horoscope, or any of the many other forms of divination. Fortune Telling differs from clairvoyance in that the clairvoyant sees or knows things spontaneously, while the fortuneteller divines by use of certain occult objects, such as cards, tea leaves, ouija board, crystal ball, etc ., or practices soothsaying by interpreting signs, omens, dreams, or other phenomena. Millions of victims are drawn into the abominable web of occultism either by visits to fortune tellers or by participation in some form of occult practice, whether consciously, or unconsciously: playing with a ouija board, ESP, telepathy, using fortune telling cards, and so on. It must be emphasized that those who have participated in these forms of occult practice, even though it was done "in fun," have opened themselves to the same occult oppression and subjection as those who are seriously involved. The same dark powers exercise influence and control over all forms of occultism. A loaded revolver is as dangerous when one is playing a "game" of Russian roulette as it is in the hands of one attempting to commit suicide. Persons who have experienced occult oppression or subjection warn of the dangers of fooling around with the psychic and occult, including ESP, telepathy, ouija boards, automatic writing, and table-tipping. Innocent or not, those who do so are inviting invisible (demonic) "playmates" to participate in the game or practice, and are in for a rude awakening psychically and spiritually, often with serious, permanent consequences. (5) Psychometry. This is the psychic ability to determine the facts about an object's owner from contact with the object. For example, simply by touching a missing person's picture, or some personal object belonging to him, a "sensitive" individual can give the particulars of the person, their present whereabouts, and whether the person is living or dead. Other psychometrics can diagnose diseases and other ailments by handling an object belonging to the afflicted person, by touching the patient's body, or by use of the pendulum. A certain pastor’s files contain testimonies of those who suffered oppression as a result of contact with such psychic healers. Deliverance from the powers of darkness was necessary. (6) Radiesthesia. Divining for such things as water, oil, and minerals, using a dowsing rod or pendulum, is an ancient occult practice known the world over, having its roots in heathenism. It is condemned in the Scriptures (Hosea 4:12; Deuteronomy 18:10) as inspired and controlled by "the spirit of fornication" (an unclean spirit). Martin Luther charged, and rightly so, that the practice violated the First Commandment. One survey on water dowsing (or "water witching," as it is often called) stated there were an estimated 25,000 water dowsers in the United States alone. The actual number of nonprofessional dowsers is much higher. It is practiced by water engineers to locate water pipes, by plumbers to determine sewer lines, by well drillers to find water sources, by mining engineers to locate minerals or oil, and was used by the Marines in Vietnam to locate mines, tunnels, and booby-traps along jungle trails. Practical instruction in the use of the dowsing rod is available as part of military training at Camp Pendleton, California. Thousands of officers and enlisted men have been subjected to these dark powers (although participation is voluntary), and only time will tell the terrible psychic effect upon these men as a result of their occult involvement. Dowsing for water is commonly done with a forked stick, such as a hazel or willow twig. Some dowsers use coat-hangers, wires, keys on a chain hanging from a Bible, or brass welding rods. Some also succeed using the pendulum (a small ball or pear shaped object, or a needle, key, or ring, etc ., hanging from a string or chain). The dowsing rod (or pendulum) is used to divine for gold, silver, oil, water, minerals, buried treasure, missing persons, and many other things. As the divining instrument is held over a map of the area in question, it reacts in a certain manner at the correct location. Of course, divining instruments are also used at the geographical sites themselves, in the general area where water, minerals, missing objects or persons, and oil are believed to be. Radiesthesia (the use of a dowsing rod or pendulum) is frequently used in the diagnosis of illness and disease, to determine the sex of an unborn baby, to prescribe medicines, to aid in crime detection, and in any of the ways in which psychometry (above) may be used. Frequently, those who practice dowsing or who use the pendulum give evidence of psychic disturbances and other signs of occult subjection or oppression. (7) Magic practices. One subjected by occultism is often involved in magical practices such as hypnosis, mental suggestion, remote influence of others, magic charming, conjuring, healing animals and humans, casting spells, concocting and using magical remedies and cures, and countless other magical and superstitious practices. The source is the same whether one practices so-called "white" magic (invoking hidden powers for "good" ends), or "black" magic (invoking spirits for destructive or evil purposes). "This proves beyond question that dowsing has nothing to do with so-called "magnetic" forces attracting the rods as some allege, since it is also effective when used over a map of the site. The source of its power is demonic. It is incredible to think that, in this modern scientific age, millions are involved, or have been involved, in some way with ancient magic practices and rites, from the charming of warts and burns to the use of spells, magic herbs, and hex signs on houses and barns (which are still seen in some areas). Magic practices and beliefs are not limited to rural folk, who are often naturally superstitious, but are found in urban areas and large cities. These practices are not merely harmless superstitions, as time and again the adverse psychic, mental, spiritual, and physical effects are seen in the lives of the countless people involved. Simply stated, magic is man's sinful attempt to break through the bounds set by God and His Providence, as well as to overcome human resistance, for one's own selfish purposes. One of the most subtle and potentially dangerous forms of magical practice is hypnosis, an ancient occult method of influence or control of the mind and actions of others. Largely through the efforts of the Viennese physician, Mesmer, and as a result of its adoption by psychiatrists, dentists, doctors, and psychologists, hypnotism has lost much of its distasteful association with witchcraft and the vaudeville stage, and has now acquired a cloak of respectability. The ancient "charmer" and "enchanter" (Deuteronomy 18:10-11) now, as often as not, has a Ph.D. degree! Advocates often try to justify this ancient form of witchcraft by arguing that (1) hypnotherapy has many beneficial medical uses, and (2) the hypnotist cannot compel his subject to commit any criminal action or morally wrong act which the subjected individual would not do when awake. Both of these arguments are invalid. In the first place, when hypnotism is used to treat many psychological, mental, moral, and emotional problems, its benefits are seldom permanent. For example, one under hypnosis may be told that he has been released from his deep-seated fears, or doubts, or the problem of alcoholism; but the effect of such suggestions seldom lasts, and must be repeated in time. The reason is that the cause of such conditions has not been removed. Only the effect has been treated. Professional hypnotists and hypnotherapists admit that attempting to relieve symptoms through hypnosis is dangerous, if treatment focuses merely on symptoms and does not deal with the underlying causes. One doctor cites the case in which a patient, through hypnosis, was stopped from chain smoking, but became a compulsive eater as a result. She was then cured of her overeating, only to become an alcoholic! Such examples are by no means the exception. They weaken the naive idea held by many that hypnotherapy is a magic "cure-all" which, in the hands of the medical technician or psychiatrist, can solve all our mental, emotional, social, and psychological problems. In fact, by removing the symptom without curing the cause, the hypnotherapist may weaken the subject's defenses against inner turmoil's and problems. Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

❤️EVIDENCE OF OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 1 of 3 We must distinguish between general oppression and occult oppression and subjection. The symptoms may be similar in many respects, but in several important aspects they are not. The marks of occult involvement are easily distinguished to one experienced in this particular area of deliverance. As a result of failing to distinguish between occult oppression and general demonic oppression issuing from other causes, many who have had prayer for deliverance have not been permanently set free. As we will show, those who have been involved in occultism have opened a "door" of access to oppressing spirits which they themselves must close by positive action and faith on their part. Moreover, liberation from occult oppression or subjection requires proper understanding of its peculiar nature and cause, the specific method of deliverance required, and the spiritual responsibilities of the one who has received deliverance from occult oppression. General oppression, whether mental, physical, or spiritual, may result from any one of several causes. For example, it may result from some traumatic experience, sin, weakness, emotional crisis, resentment, hate, pride, fear, or illness. Occult oppression and subjection, however, always result from an individual's involvement in some form of fortunetelling, magic practice, spiritism, or false religious cult, either as practitioner, or, as is most often the case, as subject, follower, or participant. Moreover, experience has shown that it is possible for a person to be "passively" subjected or oppressed, even though he has never actively participated in the occult. The Biblical basis for this fact is Exodus 20:3-6: God's "curse" falls upon "the children unto the third and fourth generation" of those who violate His commandment by calling upon other gods (demonic spirits and powers), which they do through involvement in the occult, for the purpose of breaking through the bounds which God has set for man. The magnitude of the sin of occult involvement, which is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 18:12), is confirmed by its deep power of enslavement, not only upon the participants themselves, but even upon their descendants. The reality of such passive oppression and subjection has been shown in the preceding study. Both from Scripture and from experience it is evident that evil spirits who oppress human victims are of various kinds, and work in a variety of ways. There are blind spirits, deaf spirits, epileptic spirits, deceiving spirits, and lying spirits; spirits of pride, intellectualism, lust, infirmity, insanity, homosexuality, suicide, fear, apathy, anger, discord, strife, hate, resentment, depression, stubbornness, misunderstanding, gossip, obscenity, and many others. Oppression may be subjective, such as insanity, lust, or loss of health through disease and affliction; or objective, in which case the victim may be plagued by demonic apparitions and voices, or troubled by discord and strife through vexation by evil spirits. These malevolent spirits are definite personalities, not mere habits, diseases, psychological conditions, or states of mind. Just as human beings vary in personality, power, ability, appetites, intelligence, and purpose, so do the demonic spirits. Their primary intention, as disembodied spirits, is to oppress or possess a person appealing to their particular nature or appetites, in order to hide, as it were, behind these traits, habits, weaknesses, and mental or physical conditions, and thereby escape detection. An individual given to sexual looseness and excess, for instance, opens the door to demonic control in this particular area of his life by a spirit of lust with this characteristic appetite. The same would be true concerning a person who has a violent temper which he does not bring under control, or those who are given to pride, jealousy, hate, depression, gluttony, drug addiction, or any other weakness of character, mind or body. Demonic spirits seek to oppress those whose make-up, character, temperament, appetites, and moral, mental, or physical weaknesses are most harmonious to themselves. They bury themselves in the very structure of the person and actually identify with the personality of the victim insofar as possible. This is why it is difficult for the novice to discern, or the medical doctor, psychologist, and psychiatrist to admit, the reality and activity of demonic spirits in such victims. The latter reduce such diseases as epilepsy, cancer, blindness and deafness, as well as abnormal personality and behavior problems, to functional or organic disorders. Hence, the presence and activity of demonic spirits in their victims are often described by other terms such as: complexes, habits, drives, hallucinations, delusions, delirium tremens, insanity, epilepsy, melancholia, masochism, homosexuality, schizophrenia, mania, depression, psychoneurosis, psychosis, compulsions, drug addiction, disease, and so on. Not that the terms are entirely inaccurate, but in many cases they are inadequate. They do not go deep enough in identifying the conditions and phenomena connected with the work of the powers of darkness in the lives of the oppressed. Likewise, the parapsychologist describes the various manifestations of demonic powers by such terms as clairvoyance, telepathy, extrasensory perception, eidetic imagery, hypnotic suggestion, precognition, telesthesia, psychic phenomena, and so forth. He holds that such paranormal abilities and powers are merely manifestations and projections of the human subconscious or psyche, or that they can be explained in some other natural and rational manner as a rule. Thus, the presence and activity of such personal entities as demonic spirits are not easily perceptible to the analytical investigators of the paranormal, for the precise reason that Satan does not publicly announce his presence and work in an individual by handing out "calling cards"! However, growing numbers of psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians are beginning to see and admit that they can no longer dismiss demonic oppression as mere religious delusion or pagan superstition. They are finding it to be a dreadful reality, and that there are definite limits beyond which medicine and psychiatry cannot penetrate to bring the necessary liberation to the suffering individual. In one instance, the church which a certain person pastored was contacted by a Christian psychologist asking for prayer for the deliverance of one of his patients. He recognized that the woman was bound and oppressed by Satan and that he was unable to help her with mere technical knowledge and skills. After the church prayed in faith for her liberation in the Name of Jesus, the psychologist reported that she had been set free. He was then able to counsel effectively with her, which he had been unable to do previously. Dr. William S. Reed, a well-known American surgeon, was reported to have said that he, as a surgeon, was convinced that many psychological and physical illnesses are the result of demonic attacks upon the individual; that on the basis of Mark 16:17, he himself used exorcism (casting out of evil spirits) when guided to do so; and that modern medicine and psychiatry should seriously consider the ministry of exorcism. Often the connections between occult involvement and the oppression which results are so subtle that people are completely unaware of the insidious relationship until it is pointed out. For instance, who would have connected the chronic physical illness of Mrs. L. with her visit to a fortune teller? Mr. R. did not believe that his playing with the ouija board had any adverse spiritual effects upon him until it was manifested in his inability to exercise faith to receive the Holy Spirit. For many years Mrs. T. was unaware that her persistent marital problems and apathy toward life began the day after her participation in a seance. And who would have seen the cause of the chronic phobias and doubts of another person who had been healed as an infant by an occult or magic healer? Mr. B. regularly visited fortune tellers, but did not realize until it was shown him that this accounted for an uncontrollable spirit of lust, from which he could not escape, and also explained his pride, indifference, immaturity, and hate. A brutal, demon possessed child, subject to periods of violent rage, was the result of the parents' participation in the occult, but this was unknown until counseling revealed the cause. Mrs. C. suffered from severe depression and thoughts of self destruction, little realizing that her participation in seances was the cause. Miss W. had been committed to a mental institution at one time, spent much money visiting doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, and had sought help and counseling from many sources concerning her psychotic condition, all to no avail. Little did she realize that it resulted from her past fortunetelling practices and other occult connections. Likewise, Mrs. G. was unaware that her visits to the fortune tellers were responsible for the "voices" she heard and demonic apparitions she saw, until this was shown her in counseling. Who would have seen a connection between the morbid depression and extreme negativism of Mr. V. and his visits to meetings of Spiritualists and other religious cults such as Theosophy and Rosicrucians, even though he only went out of curiosity? Homosexuality and fear of crowds were the result of another individual's involvement in the practice of table-tipping and consulting the ouija board as a child. The rapid mental and physical deterioration of another victim of occult oppression was traced to submission to hypnotism and treatment by "Concept Therapy." Mrs. D. found through counseling that her depression and lack of desire for spiritual things followed her visit to a fortune teller. Although he had prepared for the ministry, Mr. T. later fell back into the world, was divorced, and lost interest in Christianity. He was then surprised to learn that his troubles stemmed from his practice of self-hypnosis, astrology, and other occult interests. The removal of warts by magic charming and involvement in other magic practices has resulted in alcoholism, oppression by sex spirits, and other forms of demonic oppression in some cases. The parents' participation in occult practices resulted in a young man and a young woman being oppressed by demonic apparitions and vexed with other problems. Palm reading was the cause of one woman's serious domestic problems, and another's oppression in which she heard voices and saw a ghostly apparition. Water dowsing explained the resistance of one man to the Scriptural teaching concerning the Holy Spirit. It was also the cause of another's vexation with a serious problem over which he could not achieve victory, and resulted in insanity to still another who practiced this ancient heathen method of divining. Playing with the ouija board and visits to fortunetellers led Mrs. F. to attempt suicide. The consequence of having a burn "blown" away by magic charming was severe depression for Mrs. R. The relation between the mental illness of Mrs. A. and her practice of table-tipping as a child seemed remote until she experienced immediate liberation upon confessing this occult sin and receiving prayer for deliverance. Another, who could have no assurance of salvation, due to oppression by a deceiving spirit, was delivered when she was shown the connection between her mental suffering and a healing she had received from a psychometric healer who diagnosed her illness by touch. Chronic asthma was the consequence of involvement in magical practices, from which a sufferer was set free upon learning of the cause. Liberation from severe mental, physical, and spiritual oppression came to another who fell victim to the insidious powers of darkness after visits to Spiritualists' meetings, while another was set free from psychic subjection which resulted from occult practices, when shown the source and nature of her extrasensory powers. The examples from this certain pastor’s files could be multiplied, for there are few families in which at least one member has not had contact with occult spirits in one form or another, with its resultant oppression or subjection. Although few people are aware of the various forms in which occult oppression and subjection express themselves, there is no doubt that occult involvement always results in bondage. This conclusion is based on a pastor’s experiences in deliverance. First he had established the connection between the occult involvement and the bondage, then the oppressed individual confessed his occult sins and commanded Satan to depart. The result is always the same: the person is delivered. In instances where the individual was also psychically subjected (having extrasensory powers, seeing apparitions, hearing spirit voices, and so on), these experiences have immediately ceased, thereby proving their occult source. A distinction should be made between "subjection" and "oppression" resulting from occult involvement. Subjection means that malevolent spirits have brought the victim under the domination and control of the powers of darkness. The victim has been made subject to, or enslaved by, such things as sexual lust, violent temper, drugs, uncontrollable thoughts, resistance to divine things, compulsive behavior, lying, hate, religious delusions, self-pity, or forms of occultism. A person thus subjected often becomes psychic himself, and is so enslaved by occultism that he lacks the will, and sometimes even the desire, to be set free. Oppression resulting from occult involvement means that the victim has been afflicted with some form of mental, physical, emotional, or psychic ailment or distress such as depression, fear, mental illness, disease, pain, apathy, marital discord, compulsive thoughts of suicide, apparitions, and so forth. The characteristics listed in the rest of this study are evidences of occult subjection and oppression. Some of these symptoms may result from other causes, but the existence of any of these manifestations usually indicates the presence and activity of demonic spirits, as well as the need for deliverance. Occult subjection and oppression may be classified for clarification into five categories: Mental and Emotional; Psychic; Spiritual; Physical; Material, Domestic, and Social. A. Mental and Emotional Disturbances and Abnormalities. Contrary to common wisdom, many psychoneuroses, psychoses, and other mental and emotional abnormalities result, not from functional or organic causes, but from occult involvement. Some of the following symptoms could be classified as "psychic" disturbances or abnormalities in character; however, we will purposely be limiting our later discussion of "psychic" subjection and oppression to the strict parapsychological sense of the term, namely, to extrasensory functioning, such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and precognition, and to such psychic phenomena as apparitions or poltergeist activity. Note further that "mental and emotional" does not necessarily imply "inward," but many of the following mental and emotional disturbances and abnormalities will also affect the outward behavior of the oppressed individual. 1. Psychoses indicative of occult oppression or subjection. Symptoms in this category include serious, prolonged depression or melancholia; resignation to failure or misfortune; habitual gloominess, morbidity and negativism, boredom and indifference (ennui), as well as apathy in general. Persons thus afflicted are often more interested in their own inward thoughts than in what goes on around them, and may respond in an abnormal, dull manner to others and to reality. They manifest extreme introversion; that is, they live within themselves and take no interest in their surroundings. At times they shun others, withdrawing and spending long periods of time alone, sometimes in a darkened room with the shades drawn, in a morose state of mind. Excessive weeping may also accompany this condition, as well as self-accusation of sins, frequently with thoughts of self-destruction. Such individuals often lack normal emotional response and contact with reality. They live in a private world where little affects them except their own fantasies and dreams. In some oppressed persons, this state of depression alternates with a directly opposite mood of extreme joy, happiness, exhilaration, and optimistic outlook. This mental disorder, known as manic-depressive psychosis, is characterized by extreme, sudden changes in mood, fluctuating up and down, often without warning. Delusions, so-called hallucinations, and psychic oppression are frequently present in victims of occult involvement who have become psychotic. There may be compulsive thoughts of violence and aggression, and destructive emotions of hate, rage, resentment, jealousy, suspicion, envy, malice, and other antisocial abnormalities. Great excitement and perturbation over trivial matters, and other indications of mania are often seen, as well as unpredictable impulses, moods, actions, and other psychopathic indications of insanity. There is often found in such persons a continual "flight of ideas." The individual goes off on one tangent or another, often without completing a thought, and there is a general incoherence of thoughts and ideas. Generally, they are irresponsible, unpredictable, and undependable. Unreasonable attitudes or demands are characteristic of demonic activity in such persons. As a result of occult involvement, some individuals are in subjection to extreme and uncontrollable passions and appetites. Vile language, sexual allusions or displays are common, together with inexplicable character or personality changes toward moral degeneracy. There may be found such sexual aberrations as homosexuality, masochism, self-abuse, promiscuity, sadism, abnormal sexuality, uncontrollable lustful thoughts and images, and suggestive behavior and dress. The presence and activity of demonic powers is also indicated by enslavement to evil habits such as drug addiction, gluttony (compulsive eating), addiction to alcohol or tobacco, compulsive gambling, and many other forms of excess and intemperance. 2. Psychoneuroses indicative of occult oppression and subjection. A neurotic person exhibits symptoms such as persistent, chronic fear or dread. Generally, there is a morbid anxiety that something dreadful is about to happen, or that one has not done something he ought to have done, or has done something that he should not have done, and so on. There are often feelings of apprehension, consternation, panic and hysteria, or evidence of strong nervous tension. The individual often works and lives at a frenzied pace, frequently suffering insomnia and extreme restlessness. Other abnormalities seen in neurotics include difficulty in making decisions, inability to adjust normally to certain situations, and the need of constant guidance and reassurance by others because of personal feelings of inadequacy and immaturity, or the fear of failure. Extreme hypersensitivity, irritability, and impatience are common. The individual is often ill-humored, argumentative, defiant, negative, always "on the defensive," and highly critical of others in an effort to justify his own deep feelings of inadequacy. The most pathetic and difficult forms of neurotic oppression to deal with are the deep-rooted feelings of self-pity and the abnormal desire for attention found in some individuals. They dread being alone for any length of time and have need of constant companionship and conversation. They often feel mistreated, misunderstood, misrepresented, and disliked by others. Frequently, they develop some psychosomatic ailment or disease as a result of the subconscious desire for attention, in order to find escape through sickness from the problems and perplexities of life. Such persons, called "hypochondriacs," seek to control and manipulate others by the shrewd use of their illness. Their households and families are forced to adjust to their abnormal life and whims, sacrificing everything for their personal comfort. Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

❤️THE CAUSES FOR OPPRESSION. Without exception, those who become involved in any form of occultism eventually suffer satanic oppression in some manner. This simple statement of fact can be readily validated both by Scripture and by experience. 1. Occult involvement is disobedience to God's Word and is an abomination to Him. All forms of fortunetelling, spiritism, magic practices, and involvement in false religious cults, are absolutely forbidden by Scripture. Practicing or participating in them are condemned by God. In Deuteronomy 18:9-12, God warns: ... thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one ... that useth divination [fortuneteller], or an observer of times [soothsayer], or an enchanter [magician], or a witch [sorceress], or a charmer [hypnotist], or a consulter with familiar spirits [medium possessed with a spirit or "guide"], or a wizard [clairvoyant or psychic], or a necromancer [medium who consults the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD! This passage sets forth the methods by which the heathen sought to unveil hidden knowledge, ascertain future events, uncover secret wisdom, and exercise supernatural powers. In contrast to the methods employed by the heathen nations for discovering the will of their gods and uncovering the hidden secrets of the spiritual realm, God declares in verses 15-22 that Israel would learn the things that she needed to know concerning the future and His will for her, not by discovery through the methods of divination and occult practices, but by revelation. The means of revelation, which would come unsought and at the sovereign discretion of the Lord, was to be through the word of His prophets (note verses 14-15). Thus, Scripture forbids us to seek information or guidance from these unauthorized and unscriptural sources. The believer who needs wisdom and guidance is admonished to ask of God (James 1:5), for the secret things belong unto Him (Deuteronomy 29:29). The modern-day fortune teller, medium, astrologer, clairvoyant, hypnotist, magician, ventriloquist, water dowser, occult and magic healer, sorcerer, conjurer, psychic, and such like, all had their ancient heathen counterpart in the necromancer, consulter of the spirits, wizard, charmer, magician, soothsayer, diviner, enchanter, sorcerer, sorceress, and so on. Man has always been intrigued with the idea of uncovering hidden knowledge which belongs only to God. This was the cause of man's fall, Genesis 3! He desires to learn his fate, know the course of the future, or obtain supernatural guidance, favors, and powers from the realm of the spirits. Satan has always accommodated such seekers with substitutes for truth, and counterfeits for genuine revelation. Thus he deceives the gullible, who believe that such information or help comes from God or the spirits of the departed (who actually are impersonated by demonic spirits). These practices are all condemned by God without reservation. Carefully examine, for example, the following passages: Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Exodus 7:11-12; II Timothy 3:8; Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:26,31; 20:6,27; I Chronicles 10:13-14; II Kings 21:5-6; Isaiah 2:6; 8:19; Jeremiah 27:9-10; Zechariah 10:2; Malachi 3:5; Acts 8:9-24; 16:16-19; 19:19; Galatians 5:16-21; Revelation 21:8; 22:15. Scripture clearly condemns all forms of occultism as sorcery and declares that " ... they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21), nor enter into God's presence (Revelation 22:14-15), but " ... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8). God not only forbade participation in all forms of occultism as spiritually defiling (Leviticus 19:31), but made such disobedience punishable by death (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 20:27), and sufficient grounds for rejection of that soul by God (Leviticus 20:6), for those who defiled themselves by consulting evil spirits were an abomination unto the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). 2. Occult involvement breaks the First Commandment and invokes God's curse. Thou shalt have no other gods before me ... for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third b and fourth generation ....-Exodus 20:3,5 The truth is, there are only two sources of hidden information, supernatural help, power, guidance, or healing: God or Satan. This fact is inescapable, whether people know it or not! One who visits a fortune teller is obviously not seeking help from God through Jesus Christ. If he were, he would pray directly to God, or seek help through a Christian friend or minister. The fortune teller certainly does not call upon God for the desired information, but divines by means of occult methods and demonic power, as is seen in the case of the girl in Acts 16 who had a "spirit of divination." The powers of darkness control all forms of fortunetelling, including astrology, card reading, divining by tea leaves, the Ouija board, palmistry, the crystal ball, psychometry, divining rod, pendulum, or planchette, as well as through the exercise of such occult powers as ESP, telepathy, and so on. This is also true of all forms of magic and magical rites (whether black or white magic). These include magic charming or conjuring, magic cures for humans or animals, casting spells, mental suggestion or remote influence (suggestions given to the subconscious mind of one person by another), blood pacts, enchantments, amulets, and magic or medical hypnosis. The powers of darkness likewise influence and control the various forms and practices of spiritism: seances, communication with the dead (which are really demons impersonating the dead), and spiritualist meetings. Also included are psychic and spiritist phenomena such as automatic or spirit writing, table-lifting, levitation, floating trumpets, disembodied voices, telekinesis, apports, materializations, apparitions of the dead, and astral projections, as well as the mediumistic trance and every other occult practice. Two sources or doors are open to the one who seeks guidance, hidden information, spiritual or supernatural aid, or miraculous healing. One may, through prayer in Jesus' Name, seek such help from God. But one may also enter from this world into the spiritual dimension through the door of occultism. Behind this door stands Satan and the powers of darkness who work through the media of fortune telling, magic, spiritism, and the false religious cults. The Scriptures forbid man to seek contact with these sources, or to receive their help, for it is tantamount to calling upon another god! Satan, as a matter of fact, is called the "god of this world" (II Corinthians 4:4). If man does not call upon God for his needs, through the Name of Jesus Christ, but resorts to the occult, then obviously there is only one other source of supernatural power which can answer him. Consider the following: . Did the fortune tellers pray in Jesus' Name for the hidden knowledge which they gave to you? . When you inquired of the Ouija board, did you ask God, through Christ, for the information? Have you ever asked the Ouija board what is the "source" of its information? Some did ask and were startled when it replied, "the god of Hell," "Hell," "Satan," or "the devil"! . When you allowed yourself to be hypnotized, to whom did you surrender your will-to God or to some unknown power operating through the person to whom you submitted? Did you know that demons have admitted that the source of power behind the hypnotist is Satan? . By what power are persons healed when it is accomplished through Christian Science, Spiritualism, Concept Therapy, magic charming or ritual, or other occult means, instead of through prayer in Jesus' Name as the Scriptures require? . What power causes tables to lift off the floor, objects to appear out of nowhere, furniture to move or float about the room, apparitions to appear, and voices to speak, alleging to be from the dead? . What strange power causes the pencil to move in automatic or spirit writing, or the twig to bend in the hands of a water dowser? Is it of God? If so, then why is it not done in the Name of Christ? What then is its source? . From what source do some persons have powers of extrasensory perception, telepathy, clairvoyance, and other psychic abilities? . Why do some persons, after a visit to a fortune teller or involvement in some form of occultism, suddenly discover that they are psychic? . How do some people know about an event before it occurs, hear strange spirit voices, see apparitions, read the thoughts of others, and so on? Do you know that such people invariably have had occult contacts, or that some form of occultism can be found in their family history? The source of their psychic powers and experiences is demonic, and results from opening the door to the powers of darkness through such occult involvement. When a person calls upon these forbidden sources, Satan often accommodates him with hidden knowledge or help. But as a result of this open door, the enemy will move in and oppress him physically, mentally, psychically, or spiritually. The powers of darkness always exact a heavy price for their services. For example, psychic disturbances often result after one receives information concerning his future. The healing of a burn by magic charming often results in more serious physical oppression later. One couple's participation in a séance opened the door to divisive spirits that ruined their marriage. A man who attended Spiritualist meetings suffered severe melancholia and depression for many years. The same result followed the practice of table-tipping in another case. Commitment to a mental institution was Satan's reward for another who sought help from a fortune teller, unaware that the real source was Satan. And, involvement in astrology, along with healing through a Christian Science practitioner, resulted in chronic illness in another victim of Satan's deception. This individual also suffered spiritual and mental anguish. Many other examples could be cited, some of which we will note later, clearly proving the insidious nature of occultism in all its forms. The "cloven hoof" will invariably be manifested sooner or later in the life of any individual who opens himself to the powers of darkness. All forms of fortunetelling, magical practice, spiritism, and unscriptural cultism are an abomination to God. The seriousness of this offense can be seen in the case of King Saul who fell under God's curse, was rejected as ruler of Israel, and put to death by Divine decree because he attended a séance and sought help from a spiritualist medium! So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit [a medium], to inquire of it; and inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. - 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. This séance, held in disobedience to God's will, is recorded in I Samuel 28. Spiritualists often attempt to justify their practice of alleged communication with the dead by appealing to this passage in I Samuel as proof from Scripture that a king sought information from the realm of departed spirits through a medium. However, either they are unaware of, or they conveniently ignore, the passage just cited in I Chronicles 10:13-14, which condemned Saul's sin of seeking help by occult means from the discarnate spirit realm instead of enquiring from the Lord. Moreover, 1 Samuel 28:15-16 indicates that Samuel also disapproved of Saul's sin of disobedience in his seeking to communicate with the dead through a medium. God's prohibitions against occultism are still in effect today. We have found in our experience dealing with many people concerning occult oppression that those who disobey God's commandments against this sin invariably fall under His curse. Eventually they will suffer some form of psychic, mental, physical, or spiritual oppression or enslavement, from which liberation will be needed. Moreover, it is an established fact that those who have participated or had contacts in the occult have not only suffered oppression themselves, but often their children and descendants have fallen under the curse, for God declares, " ... I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation" (Exodus 20:5). Many times clairvoyance and other psychic powers appear as a result of occult involvement which took place two or three generations earlier. For example, Edgar Cayce, whose grandfather was a water dowser, wrote of the psychic and clairvoyant experiences which he had as a youth, giving evidence of his early occult subjection. Strong mediums often develop as a result of what might be termed "psychic heredity." Personality and character defects, as a consequence of occult sins by the parents or grandparents, often appear two or three generations later in the form of morbid depression, violent temper, irresponsibility, immorality, chronic fear, hysteria, agnosticism and atheism, hate, persistent illness, unpredictable behavior, and many other abnormalities. Thus, occult oppression or subjection is the result of disobedience to God's Word, particularly the violation of the First Commandment. The seriousness of this sin cannot be overemphasized. Anyone guilty of occult involvement in any form, personally or through their ancestry, regardless of when it occurred, should not delay to deal with this sin in the manner shown in our further studies to get deliverance from it. Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

*🔥 DAILY PRAYER DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 3RD. JULY 2026🔥* *THEME: OCCULTISM AND SECRET SOCIETIES—THE HIDDEN BONDAGE OF DARKNESS * *TEXT: Deuteronomy 18:10–12* *"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD..."* *DAILY READING* Acts 19:17–20; Acts 8:9–24; Isaiah 47:9–15 *🔥 SEEKING SPIRITUAL POWER OUTSIDE GOD'S WILL IS DANGEROUS*. Many people are introduced to the occult through curiosity. Others are driven by fear, poverty, the desire for protection, influence, wealth, healing, or supernatural power. What often begins as an experiment or a search for answers can become a spiritual prison. The occult includes practices such as divination, spiritism, magic, sorcery, fortune-telling, consulting mediums, ritual sacrifices, occult covenants, and seeking supernatural knowledge or power apart from God. The Bible consistently warns against these practices because they lead people away from trusting the living God. In many parts of Africa and around the world, people may join secret societies or submit to rituals believing they will gain success, protection, or promotion. While experiences differ from person to person, Scripture warns that seeking spiritual power outside God's will is dangerous. It opens the heart to deception and replaces dependence on God with dependence on counterfeit spiritual sources. The consequences can be severe. People may become controlled by fear, guilt, secrecy, and spiritual confusion. Relationships are damaged, prayer loses its passion, the conscience becomes hardened, and many live under a burden they cannot explain. Some discover that the peace, freedom, and prosperity they sought never truly arrived. Yet no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. In Acts 19, many who had practiced occult arts publicly turned to Christ and destroyed the objects connected with their former lives. They found forgiveness instead of condemnation and freedom instead of bondage. If you have ever been involved in any occult practice, whether willingly or through family tradition, do not lose hope. Jesus Christ has authority over every power of darkness. He welcomes every repentant sinner and offers complete forgiveness, deliverance, and a new beginning. There is no chain that His grace cannot break. *ADDITIONAL BIBLE REFERENCES* *Acts 19:19* "Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men... So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." *Isaiah 8:19* "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits... should not a people seek unto their God?" *John 8:36* "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." *Colossians 1:13* "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." *2 Corinthians 5:17* "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." *KEY LESSONS* 1. God forbids every form of occult practice. 2. Spiritual power sought outside Christ leads to deception. 3. True freedom comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. 4. No one is beyond God's power to save and restore. 5. Christ delivers people from the kingdom of darkness into His Kingdom. *PRAYER POINTS* 1. Heavenly Father, thank You for the saving power of Jesus Christ. 2. Abba Father, forgive every sin that has connected me or my family to ungodly spiritual practices. 3. Precious Holy Spirit, reveal every hidden area of my life that needs Your cleansing. 4. Every covenant with the kingdom of darkness, knowingly or unknowingly established, break now, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 5. Every spirit of occult bondage, loose your hold upon my life, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 6. Every satanic object, ritual, or influence speaking against my destiny, be rendered powerless by the blood of Jesus Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 7. Every spirit of fear, deception, and manipulation, come out of my life, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 8. Blessed Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit and establish me in Your truth. 9. Heavenly Father, let Your light shine upon everyone trapped in occult practices and draw them to Jesus Christ. 10. Every chain of darkness holding my family captive, be broken, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 11. Precious Holy Spirit, strengthen me to stand firm in the faith and reject every counterfeit source of spiritual power. 12. I declare that I belong to Jesus Christ alone. Every work of darkness over my life is destroyed, and I shall walk in the liberty of God's Kingdom, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. *PROPHETIC DECLARATION* I declare that Jesus Christ is my Deliverer and my Lord. Every chain of spiritual bondage is broken. Every power of darkness that has sought to enslave my life is defeated through the cross of Christ. I walk in the light, truth, peace, and freedom of God's Kingdom, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. *DAILY CONFESSION* *Jesus Christ is my Saviour and my King. I reject every counterfeit source of power and place my trust completely in God. I have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son. I am free indeed.* *ACTION STEP* If you have any books, charms, objects, symbols, or materials connected with occult practices or false spiritual beliefs, renounce their influence before God. Commit yourself to seeking guidance through Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit alone. *MARANATHA: JESUS IS COMING SOON* FOR COUNSELLING AND PRAYERS WhatsApp: +2348038577470 Email: josiahsharpsword[gmail] I will surely respond back to you. REV. DR. JOSIAH ERERE SHARPSWORD The Catalyst Of Prayer TAKE SOME TIME TO PRAY TODAY. YOU CAN USE THE NIGHT TIME TO PRAY SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE ENOUGH TIME WITH GOD PLEASE SHARE, COMMENT AND GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBifE8LtOj8vGHIa400

❤️DEMONISM IN THE LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE. Part 2 of 2. Continued. Others propose the psychosomatic theory. So-called cases of demon "possession" were in actuality physical or mental disorders. With our present knowledge of medicine and psychiatry, many alleged instances of demon activity can now be explained as forms of psychosis or psychoneurosis, habits, addictions, psychological states of the mind, or other physical or mental disorders. Contrary to such rationalistic explanations, the Scriptures, without reservation, look upon evil spirits, not as mere hallucinations, influences, habits, functional disorders, states of the mind, or psychological problems, but as intelligent personalities. Frequently, behind what may appear to the skeptic to have some logical or natural explanation, Jesus discerned an evil, supernatural entity causing the problem which plagued its human victim. Thus, He "rebuked" the fever in Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4:39), loosed a woman who had been bowed together by Satan for eighteen years by casting out a "spirit of infirmity" (Luke 13:11-16), and set the "insane" Gadarene free from a legion of demonic spirits (Mark 5). Possession by numerous malevolent spirits is not uncommon even in this day, as those who have dealt with such oppressed victims can attest. Their numbers may range from a dozen or more to hundreds, and in one instance Satan actually admitted to a pastor through the lips of the victim he possessed that there were 1,067 demons in this individual. At other times, the Scriptures indicate the reality of demonic spirits by clearly distinguishing between mere functional disorders and those conditions which result from demonic oppression. We are told in Mark 1:32-34 that the people brought unto Jesus" ... all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with demons ... and he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many demons. "In Matthew 8:16 disease and demon possession are also distinguished, as they are in Mark 16:17-18, and in Matthew 10:1, where Jesus gave the twelve disciples "power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." The Scriptures show many instances where physical and mental oppression are caused by the presence and activity of evil spirits. In the case of the lunatic child. We read that "Jesus rebuked the demon; and he departed out of him: and the child was healed from that very hour" (Matthew 17:14-18). In Acts 10:38 we are told that Jesus healed all who were oppressed of the devil. Again in Matthew 12:22 the frequent relationship between demon possession and physical affliction is clearly seen: "Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw." Demon oppression or possession is never treated merely as an organic disease or functional disorder by Jesus. If the cause was an evil spirit, He cured the oppressed individual by casting out the demon. Further evidence that Jesus was often dealing, not with mere organic disorders or superstition in the minds of the people, but with distinct intelligences, is seen in: The Lord's direct commands to the evil spirits (Mark 5:8); Their recognition of Him ("And unclean spirits, when they saw him ... cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God," Mark 3:11); Their display of certain attributes of personality, such as: Feeling (Mark 5:7), Fear (Luke 8:31), Intelligent speech (Mark 5:7-12), Knowledge (Acts 16:16), and Their personal names ("My name is Legion," Mark 5:9). Demons today often identify themselves by name or character as spirits of fear, pride, doubt, lust, resentment, and so on. In one ministry, they have personally heard demons identify themselves either by name or by character. In one instance, a demon identified himself, saying, "I am antichrist" (i.e., the spirit of antichrist); another confessed, "I am the demon of death." The various kinds of evil spirits and the nature of their work and activity in human life and affairs will be covered in detail in our further studies. There is an almost infinite variety of demonic spirits. There are, for example, spirits of lust, infirmity, insanity, suicide, fear, hate, and pride, as well as deaf, dumb, and blind spirits, who vary in personality, power, appetites, and intelligence. As disembodied spirits, their purpose is to oppress or possess their victims, with the ultimate intention of either the mental, spiritual, or physical destruction of the individual. C. How Demons Gain Access. How do demonic spirits gain access to their victims to vex, oppress, or possess their minds or bodies? As Matthew 12:43-45 and Mark 5:6-13 clearly indicate, demons as disembodied spirits have no "rest" unless they can find habitation in a physical body, preferably human, through which they can satisfy their own appetites, lusts, and desires. Counseling with oppressed and afflicted individuals has confirmed that there are basically four avenues which can be opened whereby demons gain access to the mind or body: (1) emotional crises, (2) sin, (3) doubt, skepticism, and ridicule of divine things, and (4) occult involvement. 1. Emotional crises. It is generally assumed that cases of oppression by evil spirits can be traced to some form of sin or weakness of character on the part of the afflicted individual. But this is not always true. Unusual emotional experiences such as extreme fright, or prolonged, abnormal grief over personal loss can open doors to demonic oppression. Traumatic or shocking experiences can weaken an individual's resistance. The child who witnesses the murder of his parents, or the young lady who finds out she will lose both her legs because of an automobile accident, are typical of those who would be extremely vulnerable to oppression or invasion by such spirits. In one instance, counseling revealed that the emotional and spiritual problems of a person needing deliverance began with a terrible fright at a very early age. Another was set free from a spirit of mental illness, for which he had been institutionalized, after the cause was traced to a severe emotional crisis which he had experienced. Most people do not realize the effect that their attitudes of mind, their fears and doubts, and their negative confessions can have upon them in times of emotional crisis. The wrong confession, especially when one's body is weakened by accident or illness, or when one is in a state of shock, can open the door to invasion by oppressing spirits. Spirits of infirmity may enter under such conditions, when resistance is low, resulting in deformities, chronic conditions, or even death. In the case of one individual, serious depression and mental illness resulted from harboring guilt feelings since childhood over the accidental death of a younger member of the family for which she blamed herself. She was later liberated from these oppressing spirits. In another instance, an individual became oppressed when a deceiving spirit convinced her that she had grievously sinned by submitting to surgery instead of trusting God to heal her. Convinced by Satan that God would not forgive her, she suffered chronic depression and psychic oppression, and was bound with a spirit of fear to the point of mental collapse, before she was liberated. Such disturbances and afflictions cannot be dismissed merely as psychosomatic disorders, or results of mental suggestion, but accord well with the teachings of Scripture. We are told, "as [a man] thinketh in his heart so is he" (Proverbs 23:7), that "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21), and that we can be "snared" by the words of our mouth (Proverbs 6:2). But the same verses also reveal that a positive confession of the Word of God can bring salvation, healing, blessing and deliverance (Mark 11:23-24; Romans 10:10; Psalm 91; Revelation 12:11, etc.). 2. Sin. Such sins as lust, alcohol and drug addiction, theft, sexual excesses, and other sinful habits or forms of intemperance and immorality are frequently the cause of invasion by unclean spirits (cf. John 5:14; Mark 5:8) One psychically afflicted individual acknowledged during counseling with a certain pastor that he actually saw a demon of lust take possession of him as he entered the apartment of his mistress. In another instance, drug addiction resulted in possession by evil spirits from which deliverance was needed. Preoccupation with unclean sexual thoughts and self-abuse led one young man into total possession by a spirit of insanity and a spirit of suicide. Moreover, sins such as prolonged attitudes of hate toward another, resentment, extreme envy, jealousy, intolerance, pride, uncontrolled anger, lying, desire for revenge, and so on, subject individuals to the influence of or invasion by the powers of darkness. As a result, they will show less and less control over these attitudes and feelings, while emotional outbursts, compulsive lying, thoughts of violence and aggression, mental breakdown, depression, unpredictable impulses or behavior, psychic oppression, and other forms of antisocial or psychotic behavior will increase. A certain pastor has dealt with more than one situation in which resentments, smoldering beneath the surface for years, have had serious consequences. In two instances, women were invaded by spirits which caused physical and mental breakdown because they opposed and resented the careers chosen by their husbands. In other cases, hate and resentment led to severe oppression from Satan. Compulsive lying, which indicates the influence of lying spirits in an individual, has been the consequence in some cases where willful lying was not brought under control. In one instance, a child who had become a chronic liar said that "voices'' told her to call her school with a "bomb scare." The assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King were obvious examples where demonic spirits of hate and intolerance influenced and controlled the perpetrators of these crimes. 3. Doubt, skepticism, and ridicule of divine things. Those who persist in negative or skeptical attitudes of mind concerning divine truth, or who resist the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit, stand in grave danger of becoming bound by spirits of doubt, deception, and unbelief. King Saul became possessed by an evil spirit as a result of his persistent rebellion against God's revealed will, and his persecution of David, God's anointed servant. The apostle Paul states plainly that Satan, "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not" (II Corinthians 4:4), and that in the last days, upon those who do not receive the truth, "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thessalonians 2:11-12; cf. Matthew 13:10-15; I Timothy 4:1-3). Some adverse effects of demonic influence which result from skepticism and/or ridicule of divine truth are progressive spiritual deterioration, increased resistance to the supernatural and miraculous, religious delusions and doctrinal errors, inner turmoil and anxieties concerning religious matters, and the inability to concentrate on the Bible and prayer. In some instances, blasphemous thoughts against Christ, opposition to the Holy Spirit, belligerency against ministers of the gospel, and open scorn and ridicule of Christianity in general are the consequences. A certain pastor saw cases where demons which had just been exercised from the victim immediately entered into skeptics who had come to ridicule and criticize. 4. Occult involvement. The larger part of this book will be devoted to occult participation or involvement, its adverse consequences, and the means of liberation from occult oppression and bondage. Perhaps more than any other, this is the avenue through which the powers of darkness gain access to oppress and afflict their victims. The majority of persons a certain pastor counseled have either been involved in some form of occult activity or know of its presence in their family history. The present-day neurosis epidemic; the increase in psychic afflictions and other mental and physical disorders; and the flood of crime, wickedness, and chaos world-wide, indicate just how successfully the demonic powers have gained control over men and women everywhere through occult involvement. The Work and Activity of Demonic Spirits. Earlier, we indicated the broad scope of the kingdom of darkness and its vast hierarchy of wicked spirits, consisting of thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spirit-forces in the heavenlies. Scripture designates Satan as head of the present world-system, ruling in world affairs. The satanic confederacy influences men and nations everywhere, affecting secular and religious institutions alike. Our purpose now is to show Scriptural evidence of how these demonic spirits influence and oppress the lives of individuals in three areas: the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. 1. Physical infirmities. The Gospels contain many references to evil spirits whose primary objective was to afflict their victims with some physical infirmity. These same peculiarities are still in evidence everywhere today. (1) Dumb spirits. A spirit can take possession of, or afflict, some organ of the body, or bind the nervous center controlling some function. Thus, an evil spirit causing dumbness (the inability to speak) paralyzes the speech faculties. In Matthew 9:32-33, we are told that the dumb man was possessed by a demon, and when the demon was cast out by Jesus the dumb man began to speak. (2) Deaf spirits. When the malevolent spirit binds or afflicts the auditory nerves, the result is deafness. When both speech and hearing are affected, the afflicted individual is termed a deaf-mute. Medically, a deaf-mute's inability to speak is due to congenital (early) deafness. But Jesus treated such a condition as being caused by an evil spirit, which He cast out (Mark 9:25). (3) Blind spirits. When the optic nerve is paralyzed by a spirit, the condition will not respond to surgery (Matthew 12:22). Satan also afflicts people with diseases of the eyes or ears which do not result in blindness or deafness. (4) Infirm spirits. This classification includes an infinite variety of oppressing spirits ranging from those which act upon the spinal cord, the muscles, or the brain, causing such afflictions as deformity, atrophy of the muscles, lameness, and so on (Luke 13:11-17), to spirits causing asthma, cancer, tumors, heart disease, paralysis, migraine headaches, insomnia, tuberculosis, and such like. Epilepsy, a disease affecting the central nervous system, results in severe physical convulsions and loss of consciousness, and may be either an organic affliction or an epileptic spirit. If it is a spirit, then exorcism is the only way to set the oppressed individual free. 2. Mental oppression. There are spirits whose primary function is to assault the mind with evil or unclean thoughts, feelings of depression, apathy, fear, and anxiety, or with temptations ranging from pride to a resignation to failure. Spirits of insanity may take possession of the mental faculties, disrupting normal, rational thought processes. The affected individual exhibits various mental, emotional, and behavioral abnormalities. Suicide spirits also invade the mind, attempting to drive the oppressed individuals to self-destruction or self-injury (Mark 9:17-22), while others relentlessly press their victims into some form of shameful or antisocial behavior (Mark 5:2-5). Other spirits plague their victims with fears, depression, anxiety, feelings of apprehension, panic, or hysteria. Often these individuals are hypersensitive and irritable, or exhibit destructive emotions of hate, rage, rebellion against authority, resentment, unpredictable moods and impulses, or other psychopathic abnormalities. We will discuss these in greater detail under the heading "Mental and Emotional Disturbances and Abnormalities," in our further studies. 3. Spiritual oppression and delusion. Without a doubt, the forces of darkness are the most aggressive, cunning, and deceptive in the realm of the spirit. Satan's Basic strategy is to gain control of the lives of men in order to fulfill his evil purposes through them in his warfare against the kingdom of God. Satan reserves his most intelligent, cunning, and powerful spirits for work in this dimension. One such evil spirit, a "prince" in the satanic hierarchy, was powerful enough to withstand for three weeks a heavenly messenger sent to Daniel, until Michael, the archangel, was dispatched to help him (Daniel 10). These spirits are of a higher rank, being the "world-rulers of the darkness of this age" (Ephesians 6:12). They possess and control humans, either in the realm of world affairs or by speaking through Spiritist mediums, by functioning as spirits of divination in fortune tellers and clairvoyants, or by influencing false prophets and deluded religious teachers and leaders. We cannot overemphasize the importance of insight into Satan's strategy and methods of operation in the area of the spirit. But we are not without help, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (II Corinthians 10:4). Every believer is admonished to: Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. -Ephesians 6:11. The activities of these spirits are often cloaked with respectability. Religious seducing spirits may appear in clerical or religious garb. As an "angel of light" or as "ministers of righteousness" (II Corinthians 11:14-15) they take up residence in churches, seminaries, and other religious organizations and institutions. They lure the gullible into modernistic churches or schools, or into false cults, where they deceive them into embracing religious errors including heresies, legalism, false revelations, and many other forms of religious delusion and practice, as well as denial of the inerrancy of Scripture. Seducing spirits are taking advantage of the revival of witchcraft and the worldwide interest in occult and psychic phenomena. They are using every opportunity to deceive and ensnare the unwary in all forms of occultism, often clothing it with a respectable aura of religiosity. This is seen in Spiritualism, and in the increasing use of ESP, spirit healing, and the seance in religious services. Lying spirits are active in this sphere, seducing and deceiving their victims, as well as inducing them to lie or deceive others (I Kings 22:19-23; Acts 5:1-11). I John 4:1 warns us not to believe every spirit in the sphere of religion, but to test them. The Bible predicts the increased activity of lying and deceiving spirits at the close of the present age, and they are already going forth to seduce and deceive (II Thessalonians 2:10-12; I Timothy 4:1-3; Matthew 24:11,24). These spirits often appear in intellectual and cultural garb. In the educational, social, cultural, and political realms of world affairs, spirits of intellectualism, pride, aggrandizement, and avarice or greed have far greater influence than most people are aware. Many outstanding personalities have been influenced or directed by these spirits, or have participated in some form of occultism, subjecting themselves to possible influence of seducing spirits. Many of the world's leading poets, novelists, philosophers, musicians, scientists, politicians, and religious leaders are or have been interested or involved in some form of occultism or other psychic phenomena, often admitting it without apology. The noted philosopher, Socrates, openly acknowledged that he was guided and inspired by his "Daemon" (demon). Dr. Carl Jung, world renowned psychiatrist, was possessed with psychic powers, and had many psychic experiences. Dr. Nandor Fodor, a well-known psychoanalyst, reported that Jung conversed with a spirit-guide named Philemon, often had horoscopes cast for his patients, and wrote his doctoral thesis on the subject of occult phenomena. Thomas Edison's parents were Spiritualists who conducted seances in their home. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, is said to have worked as a professional medium in New York. Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, received his "revelations” from a discarnate spirit named Moroni. Emanuel Swedenborg, the scientist-theologian whose followers founded the Churches of the New Jerusalem based on his teachings, reportedly communicated with the "dead" on frequent occasions. It is common knowledge that seances were held in the White House during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Spirits speaking through mediums are said to have influenced Lincoln's decision concerning the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln's apparition has reportedly been seen in the White House by others (a common phenomenon in houses where seances have been held), most notably by Queen Wilhelmina of Holland, during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Psychic Jeane Dixon claims to have been invited to the White House more than once for consultation by the late President Roosevelt, whose death she predicted. Woodrow Wilson is said to have consulted mediums for guidance during the First World War. Mackenzie King, a former Prime Minister of Canada was said to have been active in Spiritualism and to have sought spirit guidance in affairs of state, according to Fred Archer, writer on spiritualism and psychic research. Archer also reported that Sir Winston Churchill acknowledged he used the planchette at times, and had done automatic or spirit writing. The psychic interests of Britain's Queen Victoria, as well as that of W.E. Gladstone, nineteenth century Prime Minister of England, included attendance at seances and seeking communication with the dead. In fact, Archer cited records showing that the British royal family has had contact with spiritualism for over a century, and that King George of Greece was an active Spiritualist. Arthur Ford, a Disciples of Christ minister and psychic medium, stated in his book, Nothing So Strange, that he conducted seances for many notable personalities, including many important persons in government: generals, admirals, ambassadors, congressmen, senators, and members of the State Department. Through his Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship, many church leaders have become involved in psychic matters, and occultism has thereby made inroads into churches of various denominations, as well as other religious organizations. Like Jeane Dixon, Ford's psychic powers brought him invitations for consultations and demonstrations far and wide. He conducted seances in Hyde Park Methodist Church of Chicago, and many others. He held seances for Upton Sinclair, the American novelist; Dr. Sherwood Eddy, founder of the YMCA in the Orient; Ruth Montgomery, author of A Gift of Prophecy (about Jeane Dixon); Glenn Clark, founder of CFO; and Dr. Ozora Davis, former president of Chicago Theological Seminary. He demonstrated his psychic abilities before a committee appointed several years ago by the Archbishop of Canterbury to inquire into the claims of spiritualism. The phenomenal revival of interest in astrology has been featured in Time magazine. In the United States alone there are thousands of astrologers, full or part time, who chart the heavens for millions of interested followers. A Time magazine listing of Americans interested in this form of divination included J.P. Morgan, Mary Pickford, Robert Cummings, Marlene Dietrich, Peter Lawford, and Ronald Reagan. Astrologers were engaged by several governments during World War II to produce astrological calculations for propaganda purposes; in addition they made predictions as to the enemy's tactics and the outcome of the war. Horoscopes were cast for all the Allied and Axis leaders and exhaustively analyzed. In Nazi Germany, Himmler employed a corps of clairvoyants and astrologers, while the astrologer Louis de Wohl claims to have functioned in this capacity for the British government. And the Russians evidently had an astrologer who served under Stalin and Krushchev. In the literary field, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes detective mysteries, was active in spiritualism and also its avid defender. Charles Dickens, who had psychic experiences, once confided that every word uttered by the characters in his novels was distinctly heard by him as spirit voices before being written down. Writers on the occult report that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the American poet, was interested in psychic phenomena and attended seances, and that Lord Tennyson and John Ruskin shared interest in the psychic field. Harriet Beecher Stowe, said to be psychic from childhood, stated that she did not really originate Uncle Tom's Cabin but that it came to her in vision. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), American author and humorist, was a member of the (occult) Society for Psychical Research, and reported his own psychic experiences. Horror fiction, with its monsters, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, murders, and gruesome and revolting subject matter, is plainly of occult origin. Novels such as Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the horror fiction of Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Goethe, and Charles Dickens all point to occult sources. Of course, the works of Shakespeare are replete with witches, ghosts, magic, blood and murder. Current interest in the occult is reflected in the immense increase in the sale of occult literature, the abundance of horror movies, plays and television programs which reflect occult influence, and the popularity of monster and horror comics for children. The bizarre, strange, macabre, and demonic seem to have captivated the minds of young and old alike. Is it possible that this increase in fascination with the occult, and the increase in physical, emotional, and psychic disturbances today, are merely coincidental? I hope you join us next time for our further studies on these topics. Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😃🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY TUESDAY JUNE 30, 2026. "WHAT WILL YOU LEAVE BEHIND?" 'A good man leaves an inheritance…’  Proverbs 13:22 NIV PAUL PROBABLY didn’t leave any money or property when he died, but he did leave a legacy—a superior one! His legacy was his writings, those he won to Christ, those he mentored and his enduring influence. Every day your life touches other lives in unseen ways. You don’t have to know someone personally in order to experience the blessing of their legacy. Like walking into an empty room and catching a whiff of someone’s perfume, your impact can continue to be felt long after you’re gone. Usually we associate legacies with dying and we don’t particularly like the topic. Or we assume that since our legacy won’t be revealed for years, we don’t need to start investing in it now. In some cases, we feel like we’ve little or no control over what we leave behind anyway. Not so: ‘A good man leaves an inheritance.’ What will yours be? More importantly, what’s it going to cost you? Since the best gifts aren’t always handed down in your will, why not try for something more meaningful—something that points to who you were. It’s one thing to measure success by the money in your bank account, the size of your property holdings and the value of your stocks portfolio. It’s entirely another to measure it by intangibles like being a faithful marriage partner, raising great kids, building God’s kingdom and leaving your light burning brightly when you go. All great legacies come with a price tag. To move beyond mediocrity, you must invest every day in the accounts of those who follow you! Bible In A Year:  Ps 23; John 10:7-18. Courtesy : Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🎀💝🌹🌷. MD.ii. YOUR TIME IS IN GOD’S HAND "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?" - Corinthians 3:16 This temple, this house, my body and face are how other people recognize me. When I see your 'house,' I know it is you. The 'house' is what they see. The true 'me' lives in this house. A free choice God has a designated time for each person's life. Some people live long, others die young. The Bible teaches us that life on earth is like a breath in comparison with eternity (see Psalm 39:6). You do not know how long God allows you to live in your 'house'. Man decides for what purpose he uses his 'house'. Man has a free choice to do what he wants with his 'house'. People who say 'I have no choice' are kidding themselves. God did not make robots. You decide what happens to your 'house'. Maybe you wonder why there is so much sex, violence, occultism, etc. on the TV, in movies and magazines. This happens because people make their home available to the evil one. He uses these 'houses' to do his evil work. A lot of money is spent here, and it has always been available to be spent on such matters. Why is it then so difficult and why is there a lot of criticism to raise 1 million or 100 million Euros among the 'houses' in which God lives when it concerns spreading the gospel? Why do so few people want to give their time for the Kingdom of God? There are not many people who want to give their 'houses' for God's cause, allowing Him to use them as He pleases. The Lord is looking for dedicated men and women, boys and girls who want to use the house in which they live to serve Him. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⏤ Philippians 4:6 Prayer is the voice of faith to the ear of our loving Father. ⏤ A.W. Tozer Lord, teach us how to pray. We’re grateful for the privilege of coming to You with our needs and desires, knowing that You will listen with patience and love. You never turn away any of Your children. Even the smallest request from the weakest among us is heard by You. We are so thankful to have such a loving Father in Heaven. Help us learn to pray with the confidence of children, coming boldly to Your throne of grace to find mercy and help in our times of need. We trust that You will always do what’s best for us, so we bring our requests to You, saying, "Your will be done." Give us the faith to trust You with our desires, leaving the outcome in Your hands. If what we ask isn’t given, help us believe that Your refusal is a greater kindness than granting our request would have been. We come to You with our needs for daily provision, for health, and for success in our work. If it’s Your will, grant us these mercies. But if You withhold them, we trust that it is out of love, and we will say, "Your will, not ours, be done." We also ask for spiritual blessings—more grace, more love, and more of Your Spirit in our lives. Hear our prayers and grant us peace. May we stay close to You, and may Your love fill our hearts. Give us what we need most, even if it’s not what we ask for. We pray in Jesus' precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/86/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.