In natural and spiritual history, a society degenerates according to a pattern. It goes from a diminishing God-centered spiritual life, to legalism, to materialism, to liberism, to seeking life's answers outside the Bible, and then to spiritism, couched in the occult. Occultism often involves drugs, idolatry and sexual perversion.
Even as we are besieged with the many forms and avenues of satanic influence, we have the absolute authority, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to bind the powers of darkness and dispel them. They must do our bidding as we speak "in the name of Jesus" (Matthew 16:19; 18:18, Mark 16:17; Luke 10:18-19; Ephesians 1:17-23).
What Scripture Says
"You shall not permit a sorceress to live" (Exodus 22:18). This was the Old Testament means of eliminating a practice and manifestation of the enemy, Satan."There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 18:10-13).
"And I will come near you for judgement; and I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and the fatherless, and against those who turn away an alien- because they do not fear Me,' says the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 3:5).
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21).
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year to the Lord" (Luke 4:18,19).
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" Revelation 21:8).
How To Be Free
If you have been involved in occultism in any form, even if you have only read about it, renounce any specific occult activity and occultism in general. Repent of your belief in and practice of the occult. It is sin and an abomination to God. Ask forgiveness of God. He will deliver you, save you and lead you into truth (Romans 10:13; 1 John 1:9,9; John 1:12; Romans 6:23; John 16:13).You need the baptism of the Holy Spirit to have an overcoming victorious life. The Holy Spirit warns you concerning what is of sin and what is of God (John 16:7-11). By faith repent and put your faith in Christ for salvation (Romans 10:9,10.13). By faith, ask the Lord to baptize you (fill you) with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). It is the Holy Spirit who gives the ability to stay free from the deception and spiritual bondage of occultism.
Replace occult books, magazines, etc., with the Bible and Christian reading material. Seek Christian fellowship and practice Christian living. A complete break from occultism is necessary.
If you have attempted to pray to God, change your life, or cease occult or associated activities, but have discovered an inability to do so, you may need further help. God has equipped Christians to minister to you. You do not have to remain in spiritual bondage. Contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre nearest you or your local pastor to help you locate a Christian counsellor whose ministry includes deliverance from spiritual bondage.
As You Pray
As you ask God for forgiveness and help, thank and praise Him for His assurance of deliverance from the occult. As you commit you life to God, ask Him to lead you to those Christians who are capable of helping you in your need.Suggested Reading
'Saturate' yourself with Scriptures. Begin with the Gospel according to John. Then read the rest of the New Testament. Acquire a Bible study guide. Get into a Holy Spirit-led fellowship. Learn about Jesus and get serious with God. You will recognize the counterfeit when you know the real God.Read Defeated Enemies by Corrie Ten Boom, Demons In the World Today by Merrill Unger, Victory Over The Darkness and The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson.
Deuteronomy 18:9-22 Occult abominations
Acts 13:6-12 Example of God's Power over occultism
Jeremiah 27:9,10 Occultism exposed Crossroads is happy to help. In fact, that's the whole reason we exist as a ministry. The daily 100 Huntley Street telecast and the 24-hour-a-day Telephone Ministry line are here for the same reason. You may want to call us as you are reading this: 1-866-273-4444
God loves you and we love you! Please give us the privilege of doing our best to help more. For further ministry, you may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre by writing to:
Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Attn: National Ministry Centre
PO Box 5100
Burlington, Ontario L7R 4M2
