Angels 7 Demons & the occult

The Occult

The word Occult means “knowledge of the hidden”, or “knowledge of the paranormal”.

Involvement in the occult is growing at an alarming rate, especially among teens. Its spread has virtually become viral in our time.

Many people from all walks of life are knowingly and deliberately becoming involved in some form of occult practice.

Some of these people are using these occult powers with malicious intent to hurt others.

And, then there are those who, through lack of knowledge and understanding of its dangerous nature, unknowingly venture into the world of the occult.

The devil can tempt us, but he cannot gain dominion over us unless we open a door to him.

Anyone who ventures into occult practice opens a door to demonic influence and the risk of demonic attacks.

These attacks can start off with haunting or poltergeist activity, and could possibly lead to demonic oppression or even possession!

Demonic attacks can affect our mental and physical health.

They can directly impact our family, marriage, business, social relationships, and ultimately our spiritual well-being.

Demons use this activity as a way to gain a foothold, and the Bible strongly warns against it.

Warnings against occult practices

Leviticus 20:6

Leviticus 20:6 NKJV

‘And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

Isaiah 8:19

Isaiah 8:19 NKJV

And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

Zechariah 10:2

Zechariah 10:2 NKJV

For the idols speak delusion; The diviners envision lies, And tell false dreams; They comfort in vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; They are in trouble because there is no shepherd.

We are inundated with the occult through TV, internet, and all forms of popular culture. It has become a favorite form of entertainment.

Witchcraft and the supernatural make for very popular books, TV and movies.

We may find it entertaining, but it is no joke! One cannot just "dabble" in the occult.

Such dangerous practices include:

seances

mediums

ouija boards

witchcraft / spellcasting

ghost hunting

transcendental meditation

fortune telling

astral projection (out of body experience)

astrology

channeling

clairvoyance

enchantment

necromancy

hypnosis

reincarnation

yoga

labyrinths

. . . and many many more

MANY of these are simply different ways of contacting spirits (evil), and/or communicating with the dead (neither Biblical nor possible).

Luke 16:24-29

Luke 16:24–29 NKJV

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’

1 Samuel Chapter 28 (Saul and the medium)

Many of these beliefs find their home in organized religions and beliefs.

wicca

new age religion

hindu

islam

voodoo

mysticism

spirituality

Scientology

some of these practices have been incorporated into mainstream Christianity, yet we should not associate with them.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

2 Corinthians 6:14–18 NKJV

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Labyrinths

Hypnosis

meditation

A technique of meditation derived from Hindu traditions that promote deep relaxation through the use of a mantra.

yoga to name a few.

Comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. It is a Hindu system that incorporates a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation for the purpose of integrating the mind, body, and soul of the individual to achieve harmony, balance, spiritual enlightenment and unity with the supreme.

both of these involve "clearing the mind". You are not meditating on anything good.

The clearing of the mind opens the door to satanic influence, by removing God and His word from our thoughts. instead, we are to set our minds on things above.

We are to meditate on God and His Word

Colossians 3:2

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Psalm 119:23

Psalm 119:23 NKJV

Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

In fact, the Bible mentions meditation 21 times. 15 of those reference meditation on God, His Works, or His Word.

We are to keep Him central in our thoughts.

Often times, people get very real results when engaging in such activities. The results are demonic activity!

When engaging in any of these activities, you are literally opening the door and inviting satan in.

You give him free reign to work in whatever way he chooses.

The result is that you are lead farther and farther into darkness, and away from the truth.

You truly become a prisoner.

These all lead to:

Darkness

Disbelief in God

Hatred of God

Demonic influence and control

Alcohol / drug abuse

sexual immorality

violence

self abuse

depression

death

There is no need to venture outside of the realm of God for enlightenment or guidance.

John 14:26

John 14:26 NKJV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

2 Timothy 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Psalm 19:8

Psalm 19:8 NKJV

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Joy is not found in the realm of darkness, but in the light of the Lord

Hab 3:18

Habakkuk 3:18 NKJV

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Isaiah 60:1

Isaiah 60:1 NKJV

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

God's grace is sufficient for all our needs. We don't need to turn anywhere else.

2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Christ is your only salvation. It can't come from anywhere else.

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

He is our freedom and victory, thank God for that.

Colossians 1:13-14

Colossians 1:13–14 NKJV

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

1 Corinthians 15:57

1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.