Our Spiritual Battles Continue

THE REASONS FOR DEMONIC POWER Ch III
Biblical Descriptions of Demonic Activity
The same question is asked today. What are the snares of the devil? They are numerous but we will examine 13 of them. If we practice the following, it does not necessarily mean that we will be possessed or attacked by evil spirits. But these practices do open wide the gate to them. (Ephesians 4:27; 1 Timothy 3:7; 2Timothy 2:26)
TRANSFERENCE
Several believe that the transfer of demonic power from one person to another is because of heredity. They insist that one must confess the sins of their ancestors. In Exodus 20:3-5 it tells us that the parents sins will consequentially fall on their children even to the 3rd generation. However, Ezekiel 18:2, 19-20 shows us that they should no longer quote these words. There is a transfer but not by the blood line but by association: that is, contact with someone who practices the occult. That is the reason we don't want small children present when there is a battle with demonic hosts. That is why we start every session with a prayer of protection. There is also the reality of casting a curse by mediums. A Christian should never lower the shield of faith. Happily the Word tells us that "He that is in you is greater that he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4)
IDOLATRY
In Leviticus 1 7:7 the word "devils is used as the object of their sacrifices. Idol is often the synonym for demons in the Scriptures. In 1 Corinthians we read: "What shall I say then? That the idol is anything or which is sacrificed to idols is anything... that which is sacrificed is to devils." Behind every idol (religious or pagan) hides a demonic power. Any image or any fetish that was used for occult practices must not be found in the home or on the body. Any idol can hide demonic influences. Deuteronomy 32:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:19-20.
CHEMICAL STIMULI
We have already discussed this instrument of Satan before as one of the symptoms to diagnose demonic activity. It is also an open door to their attacks. Alcohol is a drug. These drugs tend to drop the shield of faith and the fiery darts of the evil one can hit its mark. These drugs affect the control of the nervous system by impairing restraint and judgment as well as performance, speech, reflexes, thinking and memory. Thus, there is a breakdown of the will so that demons can do their work. Wine and satanic temptation are the symptoms in Proverbs 20:1. Drugs play an important part in voodooism and in the Satanic Church. Satan can use these drugs in the local bar as well as at a six course dinner. Don't open the door!
SEXUAL PERVERSION
A high priest in the Satanic Church who became a Christian said: "Many like me were attracted to the Satanic Church via sexual perversion". This area has already been discussed as a way to diagnose the presence of demons, but it is well to mention that it is an open door to the evil ones. Ninety percent or at least a large percent of demonic problems are linked with acts of sexual perversion. The devil is a tempter (2 Thessalonians 3:5; Ephesians 2:1-3; Genesis 3:1-6). Balaam's doctrine was exactly this (Numbers 25; Revelation 2:14). Mary Madeleine in Luke 8:2 had seven demons. If she is the same lady of Luke 7, then she was either a prostitute because of the demons or prostitution opened the door to Satan. Apparently some of the sex demons controlled the normal orgasm responses. In a woman like Mary Madeleine prior to her salvation, demonic possession would effect the erogenous zones of her body and stimulate her.
CULTS
"But I fear, that by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted.. .for if he that cometh preaches another Jesus...another spirit.. another Gospel.. .And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 14). Many cults condemn occult practices like the Jehovah Witnesses, the Adventists and a few others, but many do not hide their use of occult rites. Even though they condemn the occult if they deny, twist and take away the truth of the Scripture, they do exactly as the demons do. Both, demons and cults, deny these three vital doctrines.
*The Word of God, Genesis 3:3-6
*The Deity of Christ, 1 John 4:3; 2 John 9-11; James 2:19
*The Blood of Jesus, Revelation 12:11; John 12:31-33
EMPTY MINDS
Any effort to empty a person's soul opens it to demonic presence. Such movements such as Sylva Mind Control, meditation, hypnosis, yoga, etc. leads one to empty his soul and thus invites the evil in to take control. Matthew 12:43-45 tells us of a demon who left a soul, came back and found it empty, and brought with it 7 demons more evil than itself.
MUSIC OF OCCULT ORIGIN
Did you realize that there is a "rock concert" in the Bible? In Exodus 32:17-18 Joshua thought he heard war cries among the people. Moses replied that it was the people dancing and singing. It was before an idol, the golden calf, that they were acting like teenagers in a rock concert. It was a sexual orgy as we read in 32:6 that they "rose up to play". Many times the words (if you can hear them) cry out sexual perversion, drugs, violence and occult sciences exactly as the demons do. The subliminal messages are included in many of the songs. If you back-mask certain ones as "Stairway to Heaven'; you can hear the praises to the devil. A group "AC/DC" proclaimed "The Devil in Me" 18 times in one of their CDs. Such music is not an organization of neutral sounds. The rhythm is of demonic origin. It is the same which the witch doctors use in the jungles of Congo. But today there are newer styles so that "rock and roll" is passe’. There is "punk-rock, rap metal, electronia, ganstra rap, British rap and many more. They fall in the same category. One must study the CDs to see if they are demonic or just artistic. One must examine their...
Words: Do you find violence, sex drugs and the occult in them?
Rhythm: Is it animist or sensual?
Origin: Determine from where it comes!
And what about "Christian Rock"?
Does the music ridicule the BLOOD OF JESUS as the demons do?
Does the music deny the DEITY OF CHRIST as the demons do?
Does the music proclaim EASY BELIEVISM as the demons do?
Does the music have a QUESTIONABLE ORIGIN?
Does the music GLORIFY GOD or the artists?
OCCULT GAMES
Games that practice divination are an abomination to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) Any game that has to do with it is an invitation to evil spirits. There are many: Ouija; table lifting; voodoo kits; Dungeons and Dragons, numerous video games; etc.
OCCULT LITERATURE
The Believers in Ephesus burnt their magic books (Acts 19:17-19). Our libraries contain large shelves of such books. The books are numerous and dangerous. In Europe the "Sixth and Seventh Book of Moses is occult. The Satanic bible can be bought anywhere. Books for children as the Harry Potter series lead our children down the occult path! The printed page has a great influence and the devil is using it to get a foothold in the lives of many.
OCCULT FILMS
Either in the local movie theater, on TV or on the internet, they penetrate the soul! Such films as "The Devils Advocate (1990), "The Blair Witch Project" (1999), "Book of Shadows" "Blair Witch II" (2000), "Exorcist" (1977 and 2000), "Bedassel" (2000), "The Little Vampire" (2000), "Harry Potter" (2000, etc.) and many more can open the mind gate to evil. Television presents such films as "Haunted'; "Charmed", "X-Files" "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" etc. He can attack and invade your home by a click of the mouse. Just don't do it!
PSYCHIC HEALING
The Bible teaches healing in James 5:10-18. But Satan has his imitations. They are numerous such as the use of pendulums, magnetism, cosmic vibrations, laying on of hands, baths, talisman, etc. Don't practice them or go to those who do. You may be healed physically but you will pay the price by falling into the snare of the devil.
OCCULT PRACTICES
Dr. Peterson was able to study over 300 different occult sciences and there are new ones every day. "Occult" means "hidden'. The danger of such practices can be seen in Isaiah 47:13-14. If you associate with them you are opening wide the door to the enemy of your soul. The list is long but a few are listed above.
ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS
Many things we do and think can lend a hand to demons. If you study Ephesians 4 you will find that the key verse is 27 which says: "Neither give place to the devil!" Surrounding this verse there are several actions and attitudes that do give ground to the devil. They are...
vs 25... lying vs 30.. grieving the Holy Spirit vs 26.. anger vs 31.. bitterness vs28...stealing vs31... backbiting vs 29,30.. corrupt communication vs 32... unforgiving spirit
Remember Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5? Satan caused them to lie to the Holy Spirit. Disobedience is the same as divination (1 Samuel 15:22-14)! Don't open the door! The world calls out to your flesh. As you yield to this call, the devil does the rest.