Christian's and Occultism
As a believer, whenever I would hear the words occultism, or witchcraft…I would roll my eyes and chuckle. Many people, like myself at one point, laughed and or chuck it up to the mental images we have been fed of witches on brooms, and warlocks with large hats.
And even if Occultism, witchcraft, etc. was real…I surely had no part in it. I was a Christian.
I loved Jesus, so how could I?
But what society has sold as “occultism” most of the time isn’t the reality in a persons life, believer or not.
Not only is it (in most cases) not the classic cartoon ish images or million dollar, high selling shows we see displayed now adays, where the only good dividing factor and main entertainment selling point is the battle between is a “good witch” and a “bad witch” (there is no such thing as a good witch), or someone who operates in “light magic” or “black magic” (magic is magic, again, there is no good in it) but it shows up in a believers life in our daily interactions. Patterns. Habits. Addictions. Families lines, etc.
I didn’t think I had participated in witchcraft, or occultism, or divination…until I learned of what it was and got free from it.
And what a glorious freedom it has been.
Where the enemy has devised to kill, steal, and destroy in a believers life through the deception of Occultism, Jesus Christ died so that we could be free from sin. Walk in wholeness and health through deliverance and ministry, and to live a life where we grow to look more and more like Jesus.
Many a believer’s life has been wrapped up in Occultism (mine included), and many has the Lord set free and redeemed them from such.
So, before you say, “This doesn’t apply to me”, we ask that you read this through, pray and ask the Lord to soften your heart, and that you would be receptive to the leading and guiding of the holy spirit.
And even if Occultism, witchcraft, etc. was real…I surely had no part in it. I was a Christian.
I loved Jesus, so how could I?
But what society has sold as “occultism” most of the time isn’t the reality in a persons life, believer or not.
Not only is it (in most cases) not the classic cartoon ish images or million dollar, high selling shows we see displayed now adays, where the only good dividing factor and main entertainment selling point is the battle between is a “good witch” and a “bad witch” (there is no such thing as a good witch), or someone who operates in “light magic” or “black magic” (magic is magic, again, there is no good in it) but it shows up in a believers life in our daily interactions. Patterns. Habits. Addictions. Families lines, etc.
I didn’t think I had participated in witchcraft, or occultism, or divination…until I learned of what it was and got free from it.
And what a glorious freedom it has been.
Where the enemy has devised to kill, steal, and destroy in a believers life through the deception of Occultism, Jesus Christ died so that we could be free from sin. Walk in wholeness and health through deliverance and ministry, and to live a life where we grow to look more and more like Jesus.
Many a believer’s life has been wrapped up in Occultism (mine included), and many has the Lord set free and redeemed them from such.
So, before you say, “This doesn’t apply to me”, we ask that you read this through, pray and ask the Lord to soften your heart, and that you would be receptive to the leading and guiding of the holy spirit.
What Is Occultism?
Below is a short overview of Occultism. While this isn’t an exhaustive and in-depth teaching, we pray this would open the door for you to pursue such.
If you are endeavoring to learn more about Occultism and need biblical, sound resources, visit www.mysonrisechurch.com and begin by watching “The Principality Series” to learn more about the spiritual reality of our current world, sin, how to walk in spiritual authority in your identity in Christ, and pursue healing by the working of the Holy Spirit.
Occultism, it shows itself in many ways in both a believer and non-believers’ life. Examples including addictions, health issues, emotional issues, harmful patterns, etc.
Many people try to address, wrangle, and force themselves out of addictions, unhealthy patterns, familial patterns, etc…without ever knowing and biblically addressing the deeper, underlying cause and manifestations in a person’s life.
“Understanding and being delivered from occultism was necessary for me to get free from addictions and diseases I had and could not get free from.”
-Pastor John Aldridge
The bible is clear, the truth sets us free, and when we don’t know the truth, are willfully or unknowingly ignorant, are being deceived into works, striving, and pursuing other methods of “healing” outside of God, we will find that there might be relief for a period of time.
But the undercurrent of that issue remains…and ultimately, the pressure and weight of trying to heal yourself will be the cause of burnout, and continued patterns and behaviors without any real, sustainable results.
This was the case for me for a long time.
I struggled and wrestled with addiction that caused a lot of pain, built self defense mechanisms like lying, secrecy, living a double life out of fear...etc.
The harder I tried to “make myself better” outside of the Lords help and biblical provisions, the more discouraged and hopeless I became.
One of the problems that kept me bound in sin was that I didn’t really know what I was trying to get free from.
I knew I didn’t want to be addicted, but I didn’t know how to address it or what to address beyond my own unfruitful efforts to stop.
I knew there was a deep sense of wrongness, shame, and fear that came out of what I was doing. That I was sinning, but I had no clue why I was operating and doing the things I was doing.
This ultimately was one of my major hinderances to being free.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
We need to ask the Lord to reveal the truth and origin of our struggles, so that we can receive healing and walk in grace by faith.
He will do so by His word, biblical resources, prayer, etc.
So, what exactly is the truth about Occultism? What does The Word have to say about it?
And how does it show up in our lives?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
We first must understand that our battle as believers isn’t one of flesh and blood.
But it is one in the spirit. It is a battle of God’s kingdom, and Satan’s kingdom. It is first and foremost, a battle for your soul.
Occultism is Satan’s way of getting us to open the door to destruction in our lives.
Leading us into sickness, death, and ultimately, if we forsake God, separation from Him.
But where did the word "Occultism” even come from?
In Astronomy, the word Occultism was created and used to describe when the moon would partially or fully block the sun.
When this happens, for a period of time the moon seems brighter and strong than the sun itself. It creates an illusion. A deception. We know the sun is brighter than the moon, but for a time, it seems as though it is the opposite.
This is what Occultism is.
It is deception and Lies in the form of witchcraft, sorcery and divination, which the enemy has created and uses with the intent to deceive you.
So, we know now that Occultism is the overhead or umbrella which houses Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Divination…but what exactly are these things?
Witchcraft: the ungodly and sinful acquisition and use of power.
1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
Witchcraft is rebellion against God in search of one’s own power. It is an act in order to get something for oneself outside of God and His loving order and design for things.
For example, when a believer or non-believer participates in:
etc., they are not only operating by the influence of spiritual and demonic powers, (because these are all spirits designed to influence and deceive you) but are also operating in witchcraft.
For example, if I decide that I want to be shown respect, but have taken the liberty to use manipulation, intimidation, etc. as my method in order to forcefully gain this result, I am operating in witchcraft, and thus, in Occultism.
Divination: the ungodly acquisition and use of knowledge.
When a believer or non-believer participates in any of these practices, and spirits, the goal is to receive knowledge about themselves, someone else, the future etc.
Deuteronomy 18:9-12
"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee."
If someone who is in need of wisdom and knowledge, decides to ignore the wisdom of the Lord and instead seeks and participates in certain practices to gain control and knowledge through said counterfeits of Satan, they are participating in divination.
Below is a list of supporting spirits and practices (though this is not an exhaustive list) to reveal what the participation of Divination can look like in someone’s life:
Practices (to name a few):
These practices, though the world will try and normalize and convince you otherwise, are completely off the table in God’s eyes because He knows that it brings only destruction, death, and pain.
Witchcraft, Sorcery (the use of both witchcraft and divination) and divination might seem like it brings about good, fixes your problems, or gives you “peace”, but understand that it is a mirage. Lies. Deception.
Like the moon covering the sun, it appears stronger and brighter…until it moves away, revealing its own lack of merit and power.
It will leave you hollow, lost, and more broken than before.
If you are endeavoring to learn more about Occultism and need biblical, sound resources, visit www.mysonrisechurch.com and begin by watching “The Principality Series” to learn more about the spiritual reality of our current world, sin, how to walk in spiritual authority in your identity in Christ, and pursue healing by the working of the Holy Spirit.
Occultism, it shows itself in many ways in both a believer and non-believers’ life. Examples including addictions, health issues, emotional issues, harmful patterns, etc.
Many people try to address, wrangle, and force themselves out of addictions, unhealthy patterns, familial patterns, etc…without ever knowing and biblically addressing the deeper, underlying cause and manifestations in a person’s life.
“Understanding and being delivered from occultism was necessary for me to get free from addictions and diseases I had and could not get free from.”
-Pastor John Aldridge
The bible is clear, the truth sets us free, and when we don’t know the truth, are willfully or unknowingly ignorant, are being deceived into works, striving, and pursuing other methods of “healing” outside of God, we will find that there might be relief for a period of time.
But the undercurrent of that issue remains…and ultimately, the pressure and weight of trying to heal yourself will be the cause of burnout, and continued patterns and behaviors without any real, sustainable results.
This was the case for me for a long time.
I struggled and wrestled with addiction that caused a lot of pain, built self defense mechanisms like lying, secrecy, living a double life out of fear...etc.
The harder I tried to “make myself better” outside of the Lords help and biblical provisions, the more discouraged and hopeless I became.
One of the problems that kept me bound in sin was that I didn’t really know what I was trying to get free from.
I knew I didn’t want to be addicted, but I didn’t know how to address it or what to address beyond my own unfruitful efforts to stop.
I knew there was a deep sense of wrongness, shame, and fear that came out of what I was doing. That I was sinning, but I had no clue why I was operating and doing the things I was doing.
This ultimately was one of my major hinderances to being free.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
We need to ask the Lord to reveal the truth and origin of our struggles, so that we can receive healing and walk in grace by faith.
He will do so by His word, biblical resources, prayer, etc.
So, what exactly is the truth about Occultism? What does The Word have to say about it?
And how does it show up in our lives?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
We first must understand that our battle as believers isn’t one of flesh and blood.
But it is one in the spirit. It is a battle of God’s kingdom, and Satan’s kingdom. It is first and foremost, a battle for your soul.
Occultism is Satan’s way of getting us to open the door to destruction in our lives.
Leading us into sickness, death, and ultimately, if we forsake God, separation from Him.
But where did the word "Occultism” even come from?
In Astronomy, the word Occultism was created and used to describe when the moon would partially or fully block the sun.
When this happens, for a period of time the moon seems brighter and strong than the sun itself. It creates an illusion. A deception. We know the sun is brighter than the moon, but for a time, it seems as though it is the opposite.
This is what Occultism is.
It is deception and Lies in the form of witchcraft, sorcery and divination, which the enemy has created and uses with the intent to deceive you.
So, we know now that Occultism is the overhead or umbrella which houses Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Divination…but what exactly are these things?
Witchcraft: the ungodly and sinful acquisition and use of power.
1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
Witchcraft is rebellion against God in search of one’s own power. It is an act in order to get something for oneself outside of God and His loving order and design for things.
For example, when a believer or non-believer participates in:
- Rebellion
- Intimidation
- Manipulation
- Gaslighting
- Blackmail
- Hordom’s and Idolatry
- Control
etc., they are not only operating by the influence of spiritual and demonic powers, (because these are all spirits designed to influence and deceive you) but are also operating in witchcraft.
For example, if I decide that I want to be shown respect, but have taken the liberty to use manipulation, intimidation, etc. as my method in order to forcefully gain this result, I am operating in witchcraft, and thus, in Occultism.
Divination: the ungodly acquisition and use of knowledge.
When a believer or non-believer participates in any of these practices, and spirits, the goal is to receive knowledge about themselves, someone else, the future etc.
Deuteronomy 18:9-12
"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee."
If someone who is in need of wisdom and knowledge, decides to ignore the wisdom of the Lord and instead seeks and participates in certain practices to gain control and knowledge through said counterfeits of Satan, they are participating in divination.
Below is a list of supporting spirits and practices (though this is not an exhaustive list) to reveal what the participation of Divination can look like in someone’s life:
Practices (to name a few):
- Ouija Boards
- Tarot Cards
- Fortune Tellers
- Tea Leaves
- Astrology
- Colorology
- Numerology
- Spirits (to name a few):
- Spirits of Deception, Lying Spirits, False Prophecies…etc.
These practices, though the world will try and normalize and convince you otherwise, are completely off the table in God’s eyes because He knows that it brings only destruction, death, and pain.
Witchcraft, Sorcery (the use of both witchcraft and divination) and divination might seem like it brings about good, fixes your problems, or gives you “peace”, but understand that it is a mirage. Lies. Deception.
Like the moon covering the sun, it appears stronger and brighter…until it moves away, revealing its own lack of merit and power.
It will leave you hollow, lost, and more broken than before.
How To Get Free From Occultism
Occultism can feel like a heavy topic…but you’re not alone.
Jesus sees you, and the Lord made a way for you to get free.
In fact, Jesus led people into freedom from these very things.
Whether you’re struggling with addiction, manipulation, lying, participating in new age practices, eastern practices, religions, etc…the provision has already been made for you to be free.
You do not need to figure it out on your own, or clean yourself up before God. Instead, to be free, we must trust that the guidelines the Lord has placed for us are holy and true.
We must submit to the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, repent, turn away from our sin, and war the way Jesus did. In prayer and deliverance.
Jesus’s life, His ministry, and His death on the cross taught us and made the freedom from spiritual bondage available to us through repentance, deliverance, and ministry. (And accepting Jesus as your Lord and savior if you aren’t a believer)
You have the ability to come out of agreement with any counterfeit the enemy has brought into your life, and walk in healing, love, and freedom today through the working of the Holy Spirit in your heart through deliverance and ministry.
At SonRise Church and Ministries, we are equipped and ready to help you to step into the spiritual authority given to you by Christ Jesus, understand the love of The Father, provide Holy Spirit led teachings, and more.
If you want to pursue healing through deliverance, but aren’t sure where to start, head to our website or free app and start with watching our series “The Principality Series” by Pastor John Aldridge.
For a more detailed walk through of our website, prayer, and more, please message us on Instagram or send a prayer request through our “prayer request” tab on our app or website!
Blessings!
Jesus sees you, and the Lord made a way for you to get free.
In fact, Jesus led people into freedom from these very things.
Whether you’re struggling with addiction, manipulation, lying, participating in new age practices, eastern practices, religions, etc…the provision has already been made for you to be free.
You do not need to figure it out on your own, or clean yourself up before God. Instead, to be free, we must trust that the guidelines the Lord has placed for us are holy and true.
We must submit to the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, repent, turn away from our sin, and war the way Jesus did. In prayer and deliverance.
Jesus’s life, His ministry, and His death on the cross taught us and made the freedom from spiritual bondage available to us through repentance, deliverance, and ministry. (And accepting Jesus as your Lord and savior if you aren’t a believer)
You have the ability to come out of agreement with any counterfeit the enemy has brought into your life, and walk in healing, love, and freedom today through the working of the Holy Spirit in your heart through deliverance and ministry.
At SonRise Church and Ministries, we are equipped and ready to help you to step into the spiritual authority given to you by Christ Jesus, understand the love of The Father, provide Holy Spirit led teachings, and more.
If you want to pursue healing through deliverance, but aren’t sure where to start, head to our website or free app and start with watching our series “The Principality Series” by Pastor John Aldridge.
For a more detailed walk through of our website, prayer, and more, please message us on Instagram or send a prayer request through our “prayer request” tab on our app or website!
Blessings!
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