In this crazy world, we’re bombarded with all sorts of paths to happiness and freedom. But as Christians, we have to be sharp and choose what is good and godly, ditching all that demonic and new-age junk that can lead us astray. So, let’s talk about it! We live in crucial times where our desire for real freedom and deliverance must be found in Jesus, as we adamantly say refuse the dark side!
I remember teaching a class on the topic of New Age/Occult Practices. At the end, a woman approached me with her hands full of crystals. She looked down at them with a long face, she asked, “You didn’t mention them, but I felt God prompt me to bring them to you and ask. Do I need to get rid of these? I think they are pretty, but also believe that they help me with my mood and some health conditions.”
I told her that I did teach about them, thoroughly in fact, and she was shocked. She said, “It must have been when my boyfriend was texting me. I am so sorry.” I told her there was no need to apologize to me, clearly the enemy was using the text to distract, but the Holy Spirit is so faithful that He wanted to see to it that she got the lesson.
I went on to tell her that if we put anyone or anything above God Himself and the healing power of the blood of Jesus we create idols of these things. I went on to tell her that these crystals are counterfeits. While I do not doubt she sees or feels different effects, I asked her why she would settle for a counterfeit when she has access to the Way, Truth, and Life. Jesus is the Truth that will set her free. She received what I was telling her and I led her in prayer to renounce agreements she had made with any false healing. She immediately felt pressed to go to the parking lot and stomp the crystals into dusk. Praise the Lord, we prayed for true healing and she was delivered from pain and depression that day!
Say No to Worldly Temptations
The Bible isn’t messing around when it tells us not to be hooked on worldly stuff. John said, “Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity, 1 John 2:15-17.
Most of us can say we have been tempted by friends to try some new-age things. Maybe horoscopes, “What’s your birthday?” they always ask. “Oh, you’re a cancer”. they would say. Let me tell you friend, your identity is found in him. Not in what the stars say. Do we take the time to check the Scriptures and decide to follow Jesus’ lead? I don’t really care how accurate those things are – I have fell into those temptations and traps – to the extent of actually tattooing the symbol on my body. But, when I discovered it wasn’t in line with what the world of God says about me – I decided to break my agreement and let that old me die so I can be born again, in Him. It was then that I began to find real peace and freedom that those fleeting trends could never give.
If it Looks Dark, Feels Dark, and is Dark – It’s probably a Demon
The Bible’s pretty clear about staying away from the freaky demonic stuff. Like, it’s a big “NO” to witchcraft, divination, and talking to spirits. Deuteronomy’s like, “Uh-uh, that’s an abomination, y’all!” More specifically, Chapter 19:9-14 states, When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering (abortion), anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens (psychics, mediums or future predictors), or a sorcerer (witch or wizard doing magic) or a charmer (practicing manipulation) or a necromancer or one who speaks to the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD (Is hated or disgusted by Him). And because of these abominations, the LORD your God is driving them out (separating them) before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.” Now, Jesus’ blood covers this, like any other sin – but just like the others, you must repent and turn away. You cannot continue living a life that turns to these things, and not Him.
When I was a teenager, I watched one movie, The Craft. Do you remember, it was about 3 high school girls that attended a Catholic School, but were witches? They used spells to come against their enemies and lure in the boys they liked. They used magic to ultimately get what they wanted. Now, as a rebellious girl myself entering my teen years, that sounds like a dream. Do a little spell and get whatever I want. YES! Sign me up! From there I dabbled in witchcraft through channeling psychic abilities, playing with Ouija boards, and seeking my future through Tarot cards and mediums. I messed with a lot of occult stuff. I wasn’t a Christian at the time and didn’t know Jesus, and I have found that many can relate to this. Even those who were raised in the church find divination exciting. But the thing was – this was the time in my life when depression, anxiety, and suicide also crept in. The ways of the world and the darkness of demonology have some severe consequences. Thank God I turned to Jesus for deliverance and can confidently say I am not only forgiven but free indeed.
We have to be careful what we watch and allow our children to watch, these things plant seeds in our spirit and can get out of hand quickly. These topics are not to be taken lightly.
Jesus Brings Real Freedom
Me and my team do deliverance, but He is the ultimate freedom dealer! Galatians 5:1 shouts, ” Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” We don’t have to live with the chains any longer! It doesn’t matter what we have done, or what we may even currently be participating in. Today, we can be set free should we choose the way of Jesus.
I used to chase after all kinds of new-age philosophies, but it left me feeling empty, double-minded, and confused. When I finally connected with Jesus, started a genuine relationship and chose to partner with his ways, even when went against what I called good, natural, normal, real, etc. He honored me, by listening and gently and lovingly correcting me. It was like a light switch flipped on. Darkness was removed and true freedom was found!
Wise Up and Stay Sharp
As Christians, we have to be street-smart in the ways of this world. We can’t hide in church forever and pretend the world doesn’t exist. We live in it. Therefore we should be able to understand the ways of the world are against God. We cannot have both. We are either hot or cold. We must seek His wisdom and discernment. The entire book of Proverbs tells us over and over, that God has all the Wisdom. And wisdom desires to be found. In wisdom, we find wealth, joy, and strength. Perseverance and so much more.
I was into all these spiritual teachings, so in the beginning – it was hard to know what was real. So, I hit the Bible, prayed, and asked more mature and experienced believers for guidance. Eventually, the student became the teacher and I now offer up my experiences through various services in order that others can be set free from the lies of the enemy as well.
Alright, friends let’s keep it real! You and I are going to have to crave that authentic freedom and deliverance that only Jesus can give. It can’t be a casual feeling that flees the moment we are faced with a new movie we want to watch, a new season on Netflix, the places our friends want to hang out, or just agreeing because everyone else is doing it. We must stand firm in authentic faith in order to get and stay free. We must forget the demonic and new-age junk; and that road comes to a dead end, every time! By sticking to God’s Word, getting wise, and staying close to Jesus, we’ll be enjoying that real freedom and walking in His truth. So, let’s give those sketchy ways a hard pass and keep our eyes on Jesus.
Renunciation Prayer
Lord Jesus, I confess that I have intentionally and unintentionally sought after things that were not of you. Forgive me for seeking help, healing, or wisdom in any place other than you. I confess that I have sinned by way of (name all the occult sins you identified on the Demonic Entry Points list) and any of those things I do not remember. Lord, I repent, renounce these sins, and ask You to forgive me. I break the agreements I have made and ask that You remove from me any false gifts, healing, or knowledge that came from anything outside of Your divine power and will for my life. In the name of Jesus, I now close the door to all occult practices and break the power of any demonic spirit that has come upon me because of them. In Jesus’ name. Amen
