Intro
In order to be effective in spiritual warfare, we must be
aware of Satan’s tactics. Satan is crafty. He sets traps and
patiently waits for us to become ensnared. He desires to destroy
us and he will devise schemes specifically to put us in no-win
situations. The Bible makes it known to us that he transforms
himself into an angel of light. Satan will present things to us
that appear harmless or good in order to draw us in for the kill. Satan
understands that there are Spiritual rules to govern everything; however, we
must become familiar with these rules in order to avoid destruction at his
hands. There are several different ways that we can unknowingly
invite demonic influence into our lives. When we violate the rules of the
spirit realm, we subject ourselves to the consequences that come as
a result of that violation. Horoscopes are written by
witches who pray to Lucifer. Yet, many Christians read them daily. Although these witches cannot cast a spell on true believers of
Christ, the horror is that believers can speak curses into their own lives. Horoscopes are never written with the best interest of the readers at
heart. We must guard ourselves from the influence of things that will
negatively affect our relationship with Christ.
Some professing Christians also get entangled with Ouija
boards and other forms of sorcery which subjects them to demonic infestation.
Many of these people believe that if they possess the Spirit of God (the
Holy Spirit); they have the liberality to participate in these types of
demonic activities without any consequences. However, the Bible
instructs us to avoid all forms of evil. We are even instructed to
avoid people who profess Christ, yet live a sinful lifestyle. Ephesians
5:11 says, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather expose them. The Holy Spirit
has the power to protect us from demonic spirits, but we can counteract that protection by unknowingly or intentionally indulging in activities that gives the
devil legal access to us. Jesus said that He has come that we may have
life and have it more abundantly. That life includes freedom from demonic
control and possession.
The Devil’s Traps
Many people unknowingly pledge their allegiance to satanic
organizations which puts them in direct conflict with their commitment to God.
Some of these organizations include but are not limited to: Freemasonry,
Eastern Star, Fraternities, Sororities, and Wicca (witchcraft).
Creating spiritual ties with anything that has been established
around false gods limits our ability to have a close relationship with
the one, true God. Even the Israelites frequently tried to either
replace God with the false gods of other societies or they tried to serve Him
while they served these false gods. God commanded the Israelites, through
Moses, to avoid ALL false gods. Exodus 20:4 says You shall
have no other gods before Me. God has not changed His
policies regarding false god worship or idolatry simply because we are living
in a new day and time.
