LUCIFER’S COUNTERFEIT TRUTH – 2
(This is blog 7 in the series “Names of Satan.”)
On the banks of the Amazon River live a species of large, colorful spiders. When they spread themselves out, they look exactly like the blossoms of a brilliant flower. When bees and insects land on one to find pollen, they find instead a spider that poisons and kills them. Satan does the same thing with the occult and similar movements today. We’ve seen that about him as we’ve looked at some of his names.
The names of Satan tell us a lot about him. “Lucifer” means “bright, shining one” (Isaiah 14:12). Ezekiel 28:11-19 say he is exceedingly beautiful. He is the “Deceiver” (Revelation 12:9) and the Father of Lies (John 8:44). He tries to make his false truth look good and appealing. Those without God’s Spirit and who don’t know the Word of God can be easily fooled, and many are. Here are some ways he works.
One counterfeit Satan offers to deceive many is the occult. It promises to have power to improve life, to give answers and direction, but it is false light which leads only to more darkness. Many, many Bible verses clearly forbid God’s people to get involved in any this. The power behind the occult is always demonic (Acts 8:9-24; 16:16-18). While sins of the flesh give opening to Satan’s forces, involvement in the occult gives MUCH more access. It is direct involvement with demons, and voluntarily asking them to work in your life. Deuteronomy 18:9-13 gives a list of some of the main occult activities which are forbidden. “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination, or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
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 are 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 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 very involved with them. Rather than considering they may be dangerous they vigorously defend their right to practice them. That may lead to serious consequences later in life.
While often quite popular today, even in Christian circles, secret societies have definite occult connections. These are not so obvious from a distance, but are there. In Scottsdale, Arizona, hotels and motels paint their grass green to lure tourists. You can’t tell the difference until you get up close. It’s the same with these societies. Secret societies include groups like the Masons, Shriners, Elks, Moose, Odd Fellows and Klu Klux Klan. They are counterfeit religions for they talk about God and being good, have chaplains, pray, quote Scripture and often meet in “temples.” They appeal to the pride in many people who don’t thoroughly understand what they really stand for.
As the name implies, there are ‘secrets’ those without (and often the majority within, too) don’t know. An oath is taken to join, with a curse that comes if the secrecy oath is broken. These secrecy oaths are commitments which may open a person to demonizing. Jesus and the Bible are against this secrecy (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12; Exodus 20:7; John 18:20; Ephesians 5:11-12). In these societies, believers are unequally yoked to unbelievers. Their view of God is wrong (they have a secret name for Him, which some say is Lucifer, and often equate God with Allah and all other gods). Jesus is dethroned and made equal to Buddha, Mohammed, etc. Prayer is not “in Jesus’ name.” Salvation is promised through doing the good works of the group, and that is wrong (Ephesians 2:8-9). These groups usually see themselves as superior to the church and Christian fellowship. Titles for their leaders like “Worshipful Master” are pure blasphemy.
The power and appeal behind these is demonic. They receive worship and instill the pride (1 Corinthians 10:19-21; Zechariah 10:2). Joining one of these groups can give a clear opening to demonizing. Once in a family these usually pass down ancestrally, even if the next generation doesn’t join a secret society. If you have family members or ancestors who have been in ne of these groups and you are struggling against demonic influence in your life, this could be the reason.
Confess any and all involvement in these things as sin (1 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.
PRAYER FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN NEW AGE OR OCCULT ACTIVITIES
“Dear heavenly Father, I ask You to reveal to ________ all the occultic practices, false religions, secret societies and false teachers with which I have knowingly or unknowingly been involved. I confess that I have participated in (name specifically those things you have been involved in) _______. I ask Your forgiveness. 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 any of these in your life or family, prayer the above prayer now. You can use your own words; this just gives you an idea how to pray. If you know anyone involved in these things, intercede for them now.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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