A Christian Counselor

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressely, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." I Tim 4:1

There has never been a time in history when the warnings against the dangers of occultism were more necessary than in the present. Multitudes of people, Christian and non-Christian alike, find themselves suffering physical, mental, psychic and spiritual oppressions, few realizing that it is because they have allowed themselves to become ensnared in the diabolical web of occultism, which is under the influence and control of the powers of darkness.

VITAL QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

If you have ever been involved in any way in the following occult practices, whether done innocently or not, are you aware that the Scriptures condemn such practices without reservation and that you have opened the door to oppression or bondage to the powers of darkness?

Have you ever visited a fortuneteller? Has anyone ever read your palm or told your fortune by the use tarot cards, tea leaves, crystal ball, ouija board or other means?

Have you consulted the ouija board (out of curiosity or in earnest), or played with the popular occult games being sold today: ESP, Telepathy, Kabala, Horoscope, Clairvoyant, Voodo, Tarot card reading and so on?

Divining for water, oil, minerals, underground sewer and water lines, by using a forked stick or other objects, is an ancient occult practice known as "water witching" or "dowsing." Have you, or has anyone for you, engaged in this?

Have you at any time consulted a medium, or anyone with psychic or clairvoyant powers? Have you attended a seance or spiritualist meeting, or attempted to communic- ate with the dead or so-called spirit "guides."?

Have you practiced or experimented with ESP, telepathy automatic writing, table-tipping, levitation of objects, yoga, PK, remote influence of the subconscious mind of others, or self-hypnosis? Have you ever been hypnotized?

When ill, have you sought (or were you subject to as a child) treatment of healing of diseases, burns, sickness wart removal, etc., through magic charming, powwow, Spirit -ualism, Christian Science, or by anyone who practiced psychic, spirit, or metaphysical healing, or who used hypnosis, the pendulum, or trance for diagnosis or treat- ment?

Do you read the horoscope columns or follow astrology? Do you read or possess occult literature (books on ESP, reincarnation, dreams, fortunetelling, astrology, meta- physics, self-realization, magic, clairvoyance, hypnosis, yoga, handwriting analysis, religious cults, or work by such authors as Edgar Cayce, Jeane Dixon, Arthur ford, or Ruth Montgomery?

Have you ever attended meetings or assented to the teachings of the Rosicrucians, Spiritualists, Mormons, Christian Scientists, Unity, Baha'i, Theosophy, Inner Peace Movement, Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship, Associat- ion for Research and Enlightement, Religious Research Foundation of America, Unitarians, Jehovah's Witnesses, or others of an occult nature?

Do you know that all such occult practices are cond- emned by God in the Scriptures, being an abomination unto Him and are under His curse? Are you aware that anyone who has ever practiced or participated in any form of occultism (whether done innocently or not) has opened the door to oppression by the powers of darkness, even though such occult activity may have occurred many years ago or before you became a Christian?
You may even now be the victim of occult bondage and oppression because of this and unaware of the source and cause of your problems, whether physical, mental, psychic, spiritual, martial or other.

OCCULT INVOLVEMENT IS IN DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD

All forms of fortunetelling, spiritism, magic practi- ces, and involvement in the cults and their teachings are absolutely forbidden by the Scriptures:
...thou shalt not learn to do after the abomination of those nations. There shall not be found with thee any one...that useth divination (fortunetelling), or an observer of times (soothsayer), or an enchanter (magician), or a witch (sorceress), or a charmer (hypnotist), or a consulter with fimiliar spirits (medium possessed with a spirit "guide"), or a wizard (clairvoyant or psychic), or a necromancer (medium who consults the dead).
For all that do these things are an ABOMINATION unto the Lord! (Deut. 18:9-12)

OCCULT INVOLVEMENT BREAKS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
AND INVOKES GOD'S CURSE

There are but two sources of hidden information and knowledge, or supernatural help, guidance and healing--God or Satan. One may, through prayer in Jesus' Name, seek such help from God. But there is another way to obtain the desired guidance or help --occultism.
Behind this door stand Satan and the powers of darkness who work through the occult media of fortunetelling, magic, spiritism, and false religious cults.
The Scriptures forbid man to seek help from or contact with these sources, for it is tantamount to calling upon another god (Ex. 20:3-5)! Satan is call the "god of this world" (II Cor. 4:4).
Although Satan often accommodates the victim with hidden knowledge or help through these sources, this individual has opened a door of access to him and becomes prey to the forces of darkness to oppress in many ways.

The seriousness of occult participation is seen in the judgment of God which fell upon King Saul who died for seeking help from a medium!
Read I Samuel 28 and I Chronicles 10:13-14.

CHARACTERISTICS OF OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION

The following are a few of the evidences of occult oppression or bondage, although some of these symptoms may stem from other causes. Usually when one or more of these manifestations are present, it is an indication of the presence and activity of demonic spirits, as well as the need of deliverance.

Prolonged depression or gloominess; indifference; irresponsibility; unpredictable behavior; delusions; uncontrollable passions and appetites; sexual perversions; enslavement to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco; compulsive eating; uncontrollable temper; hate, or other psychopathic tendencies.

Chronic fear or anxieties; nervousness or neurotic behavior; feelings of inadequacy or self-pity; abnormal desire for attention; extremely negative personality; compulsion (lying, stealing, gambling) or obsessions (fear of dying; acute jealousy); thoughts of self-destruction.

Psychic experiences; possession of psychic or extra- sensory powers (none of which are to be confused with genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit); psychic oppression (seeing apparitions; hearing voices; poltergeist phenomena etc.). Indifference to spiritual things, the Scriptures or prayer; chronic doubts and difficulty in exercising faith; unscriptural religious beliefs or practices; inability to receive Christ or the Holy Spirit; hatred of the Blood Atonement; blasphemous thoughts against God.

Abnormal talkativeness or loudness; muttering to one- self; shunning others; unkept appearance; abnormally bright or glazed eyes; sullen, perverse or defiant facial expression. Chronic aliments that do not respond to prayer or treatment; serious martial or parental problems; strife and discord in the church.

METHOD OF LIBERATION FROM OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION

If the oppressed are to be set free, some Christians must rid themselves of the naive and unscriptural notion that believers cannot by oppressed by Satan. On the cont- rary, many have been oppressed, vexed, depressed, deceived bound and afflicted, especially when there has been any occult involvement, whether before or after conversion (See Job 1-2; Lk. 13:11; 22-31-32; II Cor. 12:7; I Thess. 2:18; I Tim. 4:1; I Pet. 5:8-9; Eph. 6:11-12).

1. Confession of faith in Christ.

Without such a confession, there can be no permanent liberation, for where no sincere commitment to Christ is made there is no secure basis for such individuals to make continued resistance to the powers of darkness.

2. Confession of occult sins.

All occult involvement must be recognized as disobed- ience to God, repudiated, and confessed as sin. The oppre- ssed should name each form of occult participation which can be recalled (such as visiting fortunetellers, playing with ouija board, following astrology, etc.), confessing it as sin, and asking forgiveness in Jesus' Name. It is well to ask pardon also for any occult involvement you may have forgotten.

3. Renunciation of Satan and command to depart.

This is not to be a prayer or request, but a direct command to Satan himself by the person seeking deliverance. At this point Satan will only heed a command to depart (at least permanently) from the individual who granted him access in the first place through occult involvement.
In faith, renounce him and all his work in your life and command him to depart in Jesus' Name!

In exceptional cases where oppression is severe and faith is weak, it may be advisable to have another exercise these powers of darkness after the first 3 steps have been taken on the part of the oppressed.

Accept the fact of your liberation by faith. Do not rely on "feelings" or "appearances" at this point. stand on the Word of God--the evidence and assurance will follow. Satan knows that he must release his victim when commanded to do so in Jesus' Name, but this does not mean that the evidence is always seen immediately. Boldly confess your deliverance by faith and "resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Jam. 4:7).

JESUS (click here) is standing with outstretched hands, ready to rescue you.

God's Word provides direction and  encouragement, the Holy Spirit provides power to overcome. Have faith in God!.

Please, read also ** DELIVERANCE ** A writing by Dr. Trudy Veerman