SATANISM is one of the fastest growing religions today. The dark nature of it has a strong appeal to those already demonized, and of course any involvement in it opens a person to deep demonizing. Children and teens are more and more drawn into this through drugs, sex, rock music, movies and other avenues. Satanists believe Satan represents indulgence (instead of abstinence), vengeance (instead of turning the other cheek), and meeting your sensual desires (instead of spiritual pipe dreams). Man is just another animal free to indulge any desire he wants. Satan represents power and immediate gratification instead of Jesus’ seeming weakness and living for the future. Satan seems near and concerned, willing to quickly do whatever a person wants. Involvement in Satanism is usually the end result of a path that starts very subtly by allowing other openings to demonizing. Of course God is greater and it can be broken, but even dabbling with it in curiosity is very serious business.
There are many good Christian books in Christian bookstores that can give much more detailed information about this subject than we can here. If necessary, please avail yourself of them.
NEW AGE The New Age Movement is a loosely knit group of individuals and organizations that fundamentally believe that persons will all evolve into God and achieve a global unity that will transcend religious, racial, cultural and political ideologies.
Recognize that just because they use nice-sounding words, deep conviction, and even displays of power, that doesn’t mean a thing is from God. “False Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance.” Matthew 24:24-25
Confess any and all involvement as sin (I John 1:9) and put any access you may have given Satan’s forces through your involvement under the blood of Jesus. Take back any openings you may have given demons to work in your life. If anyone in your family has been involved in any of these occult activities (occult, Satanism, secret societies or New Age) put that under the blood of Jesus, too, and take back any access any demons may have tried to claim against you through it.
MARTIAL ARTS While many Christians participate in marital arts, I personally feel they are to be avoided by believers, especially by those who are open to demonic attacks. It is very hard to separate the physical aspect from the meditation techniques. These can be not just physical gym exercises but actually are seemingly innocuous doorways into non-Christian religions.
Some Christians practice the martial arts for exercise, or even as a way of evangelizing, but don’t really know what they are getting into. If it works they don’t ask questions about what it means. Eastern religious techniques often are portrayed as neutral so anyone from any religion can use them, but I think this is very deceptive. We can try to ignore the spiritual dimensions, but spirituality is their ultimate purpose historically. The Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs considers the martial arts as “forms of spiritual education that function as means toward self-realization or self-enlightenment.” It can be difficult emotionally for a person to give up the martial arts, because they may be so involved with them. Rather than considering they may be dangerous they vigorously defend their right to practice them.
PRAYER FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN NEW AGE OR OCCULT ACTIVITIES “Dear heavenly Father, I ask You to reveal to me all the occult practices, false religions, and false teachers with which I have knowingly or unknowingly been involved. I confess that I have participated in _______. I ask Your forgiveness, and I renounce _______ as a counterfeit to true Christianity. I take back any access I may have given to Satan’s demons through this. Please forgive me, cleanse me, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen”
If you have been involved in Satanic or New Age activities or thought you must confess that and take back any access you have given to demonic forces through it. If you have been involved in yoga that includes meditation, saying words or chants, etc., that must be confessed as well. If you have done yoga-type activities for exercise, ask God to show you what, if anything, need to be confessed. His Spirit will bring guidance and conviction when your heart is open to His truth, whatever it may be.
(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/. My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)