Be Aware of Spiritual Wickedness

In this life "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). God’s power and authority exist independent of human policy, government, and culture, and those who are “in Christ” belong to his eternal realm. We believe in the “visible and invisible” and sometimes find ourselves in situations where we must confront the demonic.

Participation in occult activities is equivalent to walking into enemy territory. What may seem benign at first, is spiritually and physically dangerous. The Devil never misses an opportunity to corrupt and destroy through manipulation, lies, and distortions. Those who scoff at supernatural realities are easy targets. Those beguiled by the supernatural become easy prey.

Christians are especially vulnerable. We should refrain from use of Tarot cards and Ouija boards, never participate in séances or shamanic rituals, never purchase occult objects, or visit places that the local populations perceive as inhabited by spirits. The Ouija board uses an iron-shaped “planche” which is a shamanic device. In rural India it is hung from the branch of a “sacred” tree and used for divination.

John 4:1 advises: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Unfortunately, the trance states that Pentecostals praise as a “gift of tongues” or being “slain in the spirit” mimic the trances of occultists. We should beware of spiritual counterfeits.

We should avoid forums and groups that explore “spirituality” since this term never refers to orthodox Christianity. Preoccupation with witches, ghosts, and movies or games about the supernatural suggests demonic influence. Anything that incites fear is not of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Related reading: God's Provision For Victory; Stand Firm in Heavenly Adoption; Demons and the Porosity of Consciousness; Anglican Soul-Searching About the Occult

God's Provisions for Victory

The Christian is acutely aware that the world is not safe for followers of Jesus Christ. In some places Christians are constantly under attack and slaughtered. Other threats include loss of religious liberty, loss of the freedom to assemble for worship, and loss of personal ownership of Bibles. It seems as if a war were being waged against those who love the Lord Jesus.

The war is real. This is spiritual warfare.

It is described as an encounter with a ravenous lion on the prowl for food (1 Peter 5). The Apostle Paul speaks of it as beguilement of the mind: "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3)

The days are past when righteous rulers defended the Faith and the Faithful. Today political expediency directs the actions of world leaders. Their attitude is described in Psalm 2:1-3:

Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
"Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!"

The anti-Christ posture of the world requires that Christians defend themselves and the Gospel. We are to take advantage of every God-given provision.

We are to rely on the Holy Spirit, one of God's provisions for victory. The Holy Spirit leads into all Truth, convicts of sin, anoints for service, and equips for battle. The Holy Spirit gives discernment in times of trouble.

The Christian is not to do battle alone. Each belongs to the whole Church, the fellowship of saints who support and defend each other through prayer, and material provisions and interventions.

In his letter to the Ephesian Christians, Paul tells them to "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints..." (Ephesians 6:11-18)

Faith, fortitude, courage, hopefulness, discernment, and obedience make one able to stand against the "fiery darts" of the enemy. We cannot conjure these attributes or talk ourselves into them. These are divine provisions. Seek them now so that you will be well equipped for the "evil day."

Related reading: Some Thoughts on Spiritual Warfare; Terrorists Target Christians