Welcome to this incredible season of autumn! Another year has passed already!  As we celebrate this beautiful season once again, may we be aware that the occult and witchcraft are known to escalate in their demonic celebrations also. We are created to know and experience God in a profound way, and every human being has this innate desire for the supernatural and to know and be known by God. This longing is within each of us, and the enemy works and succeeds in enticing people with many counterfeits to fill this void.

I will first of all say from my own convictions that no matter what we believe politically, whether it be termed as political violence, hate crimes, killing people on our streets in cold blood with guns or running into them with vehicles, mass shootings in our schools and theaters etc. are satanic and demonically motivated.

  Recently, we heard a teaching that suggested that an atheist would not only be one who does not believe in God but also one who would not believe in satan and that there is any evidence of evil in our world that could be caused by spiritual forces. What the recognition of evil has done in my own life is convince me that God is very real and that I need a Savior, Jesus Christ, who has all power and authority over the enemy. I have seen the power of Jesus Christ and His authority at work in a great many experiences, both personally and in prayer ministry for healing and freedom from troubling spirits for  others. I have also come to recognize that there are things I may never understand this side of heaven, and I have learned to trust and submit all to God, as He sees and knows the beginning and the end. Two things stand out to me in how to “end well’ in this life. 1.To follow His commandments, especially to activate the first two! To love God and to love my neighbor. 2.To choose to forgive quickly and give God the case.

We will share this as it is important to understand these areas of the occult.

Two main branches of the occult are divination and sorcery. Satan uses divination (knowledge through supernatural means about people, events, and situations and frequently predicts future events) widely as a tool to declare his destiny for a person. Fortune telling, summoning mediums, seances, tarot cards, and psychics are all included in this area. Summoning mediums is strictly forbidden throughout scripture.

Satan uses sorcery, its tools being drugs, potions, charms, amulets, magic, spells, incantations, and various forms of music to make an impact on our physical senses. It creates a platform for deceiving and being deceived as a norm. I will add that most often, those involved in the occult are aware of the spiritual implications ungodly sex (sex outside of the marriage covenant between a man and a woman) brings to defile the victim. Again, many times, even in some of the latest arrests being made, it is evident that a form of the occult (sorcery) drugs is given to victims of sexual abuse and used in pornographic films.

  Last year, I was made aware that throughout the United Kingdom, most Christians consider Halloween to be demonic and do not celebrate it. I will say that I have celebrated with Harvest parties since being a Christian and hate the paranormal stuff that escalates at this time. I remember where we lived previously, being astounded to  see a woman dressed up as a witch in all black, including the dress, pointed shoes and hat, riding a bicycle on our country road by the small cemetery as we came home at midnight. We do provide Hershey’s chocolate candy bars with kindness to children at our door and display decorations that are representative of the harvest season.

  We are given the great commission as His disciples to spread the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. Mark 16:14-18. The scripture is full of the evidence of the spiritual world!  Ephesians 6 is a major scripture that enables us to keep on the full armor of God to withstand the evil day! In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” And in, James 4:6-8a. NKJV, “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

One of the ways we are giving demons access is not to teach our children the difference between evil spirits and the Holy Spirit that is alive within born-again believers of Jesus and the authority they are given through the name of Jesus Christ as they appropriate His name audibly to command evil spirits to leave when they have nightmares and encounters with demonic dreams. There is unfathomable power and authority in Jesus name as we are known by Him!

  I will share this in reference to my personal observations and discernment concerning the popular Harry Potter books.  Again, there is quite a controversy among Christians concerning the Harry Potter books. I have found that J K Rowling purports to have some conservative views that appear to be from a Christian attitude and worldview. In saying that, this is what I have concerning the controversy.- CS Lewis’s books were written from a Biblical perspective. Harry Potter is written from the dark side of death as prefaced and written by J K Rowling herself. Booksamillion is selling books and instructions on spells and paranormal activity for children. Terrestrial creatures are used in wizardry, with many of them exhibiting magical evil powers that fit into the occult known as sorcery. The Bible is a book that highlights the supernatural world between the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness ( angels and demons are real) and what we teach our children about death should be prioritized!

I recently learned from someone who has read all the Harry Potter books that they are written to begin with what appears to have a Christian worldview and then progress into more darkness with each book. I personally will say that I do not support Harry Potter books or movies as multitudes of children are not taught by their parents that there are evil spirits (demonic beings) and the understanding of whom the Holy Spirit is that is given to us as we receive salvation through Jesus Christ and belong to the Kingdom of God. In my view, it is not good that a multitude of innocent children are instructed on how to cast spells and find paranormal demonic activity intriguing. Each family must make their decisions as they ask the Holy Spirit how to approach this subject and most of all be teaching the word of God and instructing their children from it. Bible memorization is not outdated, nor is it legalism to teach from the Bible about holiness, character, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

We will end with this powerful scripture Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”  We pray even in this beautiful month ahead that you will be filled afresh with His anointing and power and that you will be used as His vessel of love to bring salvation, healing, and freedom. More Lord!

Much love in Him Always,