“The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.” Proverbs 4:19.

I was not raised in the church (as I have mentioned in previous blogs). Nor, were my family members what you might call “church-goers”. We didn’t even talk about God. So, when I tell you that I even received a Ouija Board for Christmas one year, it should not surprise you.

As a child, I watched shows like Scooby-Doo, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Bewitched, The Munsters, and The Adam’s Family. These shows were fun to watch, and sometimes, they had silly or sweet messages. Unfortunately for me, this was the beginning of an interest in things of the occult.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not advocating for or against any of these shows. In fact, I believe that, had my parent’s been there to intercede — and, if I had a knowledge of God to counter those shows with — they would have had little effect on me. But because I didn’t have either, these shows began to lay the ground work for an interest in things of spiritual darkness.

It all began innocently enough, watching cartoons like Scooby-Doo and Casper. But quickly, I moved on to shows like the Dark Shadows, a quasi-soap opera about vampires. I rarely missed a show called, The Night Stalker. It had a main character who was a reporter that investigated unusual crimes. Episodes contained everything from witches and vampires to Satan himself. Late Friday night television was my favorite, though. I got to watch a show called, Chiller Theater. It was the worst. It scared the socks off of me, yet I could not get enough of it.

Over time, the shows I watched got darker and darker. Before long, I desired to watch these types of show exclusively. I found them exhilarating. These shows also evoked a feeling of rebellion when I watched them… even though I didn’t know why. “They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.” Job 24:13.

Eventually, those shows drew me into exploring instruments of the occult. It started with a “Magic Eight Ball”. Then, I developed a desire to use the Ouija board. Finally, I began reading dark material, using tarot cards, and dabbling in other instruments of spiritual darkness. My parents purchased some of these things for me and never attempted to deter me from my investigations into the occult.

In terms of television today, the shows that I have mentioned were NOTHING. They pale in comparison to today’s “entertainment”. We have never been exposed to the level of spiritual darkness that we find in modern day “entertainment”.

And it starts by luring in our children (like it did with me) because the enemy is cunning. If we are not careful, he will lure us away from the Lord and things of the Lord. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

Satan invented things like “teenage witches”, making them cute girls who have the same struggles as our teenagers. He wants them to relate to her so that, eventually, she will seek the “special powers” that the friendly teenage witch possesses.

Oh, and let’s not forget how cute those little wizards are that we see in “entertainment” today. Every kid longs for that magic wand or flying broom stick. And we think, “What’s the harm?”

Satan also invented “white witches”; good witches who only cast good spells. This is because, if he can pretend that something is good, we will be more apt to buy into it. There is no such thing as a good witch or a good spell. There aren’t even good people. “All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:12.

Satan has even gone as far as distorting the love that these white witches have for God’s creation. The enemy deceives them and they begin to worship creation, not the creator. White witches turn the elements that God created into gods; the earth, they call “mother”. God’s creation becomes a god to them.

The very thing that God created to point people to Himself, the enemy uses to pull them away. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20.

And the enemy uses these things (just like he did with me) to lure children, teens, and even unsuspecting adults into accepting the occult. Eventually, they will begin to explore the spiritual darkness more and more, seeking less and less of God.

None of this is going to get better. The Bible tells us that, in fact, it will get worse. Mankind will become more debauched and evil. “…while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” 2 Timothy 3:13.

We all have spiritual yearnings. God created us that way so that we would seek after Him. “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:27.

Our spiritual yearnings are either for God or for instruments of the enemy. We cannot serve two masters. “Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! “For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him alone shall you serve.'”

We yearn for things other than God when we lack knowledge and an understanding of Him or when we don’t want to give up on things we know He says we shouldn’t do (sin). When left unchecked, those yearnings become a desire for spiritual darkness.

God is very clear on the way that He feels about the pursuit of spiritual darkness and things of the occult. “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:31 (NIV).

It even cost Saul his life. “So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.” 1 Chronicles 10:13.

We do not need to cast spells. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”” Romans 12:19.

Nor do we need to know the future. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34. We should seek God, not a psychic, when we are anxious. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.

And our children’s minds/hearts need to be guarded and filled with things of the Lord. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7. And, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” Deuteronomy 4:9.

Father, forgive us when the enemy lulls us into becoming earthly zombies. Forgive us for straying toward — and even into — spiritual darkness. Lord, for those of us who have strayed, we praise you for your hand of protection. We ask that you would guard us from slipping in that direction ever again. Holy Spirit, work in us to glorify the Father, to both our children and our grandchildren. Help us to watch over them with a supernatural sensitivity to the enemy’s beguiling ways. Please Lord, create in us an urgency to protect those little hearts and minds, raising them to be lovers of the You, the lover of their souls. And Father, send us out as holy lights to shine against spiritual darkness. We pray this in your the name of your precious Son, Jesus.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and have found yourself enveloped by spiritual darkness, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please, pray the prayer that is outlined there. God wants to pull you out of the darkness and into His glorious light. “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 1:9. Please pray that prayer and once you have, or if you have questions or are in need of prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you.

Luv Ya!