C S. Lewis, Christian apologist, theologian, novelist, and literary scholar, "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight"
Today, I will be examining the rise of occult worship and practices — a growing phenomenon as many turn away from the truth to embrace the doctrines of devils, just as prophecy foretold.
1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV):
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"
From personal experience, I can attest that we live in a world governed by our five senses, yet beyond them lie other realms. There is the dimension of heaven and another realm of darkness under Satan's dominion. How do I know this? Perhaps it stems from an accident I experienced as a 5 year old child when I was pushed from a high wall, landing headfirst. The impact left me blind for weeks with a severe concussion. Since that moment, I’ve had the ability to perceive beyond the physical realm. When I am in a relaxed state, usually in bed before sleep, and with both eyes closed, I can see into this unseen dimension, witnessing the presence of devils that exist beyond our physical reality.
This realm is described as a place of separation from God, where deception and sin flourish. Colossians 1:13 refers to it as the "outer of darkness" from which believers are delivered and brought into the kingdom of Christ. This suggests that, before salvation, people are under the influence of this dark spiritual domain. Ephesians 2:2 identifies Satan as the "prince of the power of the air," a title that emphasizes his dominion over the unseen realm that surrounds and influences human activity. Furthermore, Ephesians 6:12 highlights the reality of this dimension, stating, "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." This passage confirms that there is an ongoing spiritual battle taking place beyond human sight, involving demonic forces that seek to dominate and deceive humanity. This dimension of darkness is very real, but through Christ, believers are given power over it. This dimension is described as a prison in 1 Peter 3:19, where spirits are confined, cut off from the light of God.
Through occult practices, individuals seek to unlock hidden realms for wealth, power, and control, unknowingly inviting destructive forces into their lives. However, what truly comes through that door is pure evil. I have personally experienced the effects of black magic on two separate occasions, which I have written about before. During these times, I encountered the presence of evil spirits in my home—objects levitated from wash bags, plates rattled, I suffered suicidal thoughts, anger, depression, and I was even touched while asleep. While I cannot prove who sent them, it’s clear that those who practice the occult gain greater power by manipulating emotions, mental health, and souls, ultimately leading them to Satan himself.
It was when I was on the brink of death that I heard a voice say, "The truth will set you free." Instantly, I knew it was the voice of God, drawing me back to Him. In that moment, I began to repent, fast, and pray, determined to rid myself and my home of the evil that had plagued me. During this time, I experienced seven intense bouts of energy shooting out of me, as though something was being released. This is the very realm of darkness that Christians fight against, striving to lead others to the truth of Christ. Satan and his legion of fallen angels, who rebelled against God, are real and actively seek to destroy humanity. Their most powerful weapon, however, is convincing people that they do not exist.
The truth is that those who practice tarot, ouija boards, astrology, wicca, paganism, neopaganism, and similar practices are, whether knowingly or unknowingly, aligned with Satan and are granted certain supernatural powers. They are false prophets who can manipulate those in positions of power for their own agendas, obstructing the message of God's Word and hindering those who seek Him. Satan, the father of lies, has no truth in him, and he employs countless deceptive tactics to lead us away from the truth of God and Christ.
Satan and his legion of demons have the ability to predict future events, and since these beings operate through psychic means, they freely offer this information to those who seek it, drawing them into the trap of these false "gifts." All such powers stem from demonic forces whose intent is to steal, kill, and destroy. Yet, many young people are captivated by Harry Potter, which normalizes witchcraft. Additionally, there are those who consider themselves "white witches," believing that because they do not use their "powers" for evil, they are not aligned with the forces of darkness. This is a great deception. God calls all who practice the occult in any form an abomination, as stated in Deuteronomy 18:10-12: "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... For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord."
While it is difficult to provide precise numbers due to the often hidden or secretive nature of these practices, it is estimated that there are millions of practitioners worldwide. Here's a closer look at some of the key groups involved:
Wicca and Witchcraft:Wicca, as a modern pagan religion, has been estimated to have hundreds of thousands to several million practitioners globally, with larger communities in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Beyond organized Wicca, many more people engage in eclectic witchcraft, folk magic, and other spiritual practices related to witchcraft, pushing the numbers higher.
Satanism:The number of people involved in Satanism, particularly the more organized forms such as LaVeyan Satanism (which includes groups like The Church of Satan), may be in the hundreds of thousands to millions worldwide. Theistic Satanism, which is more focused on the worship of Satan, likely has fewer adherents, but still counts tens of thousands globally.
Occultism:Occult practices such as astrology, divination, spiritism, and esoteric rituals have become increasingly popular in recent years, with millions exploring these areas of spirituality. The New Age movement, which often intersects with occultism, has attracted a global following, with estimates suggesting that millions of people practice various forms of occultism, ranging from astrology and tarot reading to rituals and occult-based philosophies.
The Rise of Online Communities:In recent years, the internet has facilitated the growth of these communities, with countless online forums, social media platforms, and websites devoted to discussing and practicing occultism. This has made it even more difficult to track the number of people involved, but it's clear that the reach is vast. It is not uncommon for occult practices to be discussed in mainstream social media and entertainment, further contributing to the popularity and visibility of these traditions.
Cultural Influence:While it's impossible to provide an exact count, it's clear that occultism, Satanism, and witchcraft have an influence on millions of people worldwide, whether through organized groups, individual practices, or as part of larger spiritual movements. The number of people exploring these traditions is massive, and with the increasing visibility of these practices in modern culture, that number is only expected to grow.
Occultism presents itself as a path to forbidden knowledge and power, promising to grant the practitioner control over their destiny, but in reality, it leads only to destruction. Whether it's through spells, conjuring spirits, predicting the future, seeking wealth, or attempting to gain power over others, occult practices are rooted in self-centered desires. The practitioner seeks something—be it money, influence, or control—through methods that oppose God's will. They believe they can manipulate the forces of the universe for their own benefit, yet in doing so, they are walking down a path that ultimately leads to their downfall.
Rather than trusting in God, who promises to care for those who believe in Him and provide for their needs, those who embrace occultism believe they must take control of their own lives. But what they don't realize is that they are engaging in a self-destructive mission. The illusion of power is only temporary, and the consequences are eternal. In their pursuit of control, they open themselves up to forces far darker than they can comprehend.
Satan and his fallen angels must be pleased with the souls they manipulate and deceive, leading them away from the light and into eternal darkness. Those who turn to occult practices, unknowingly or willingly, are defying the Creator and His divine truth. In doing so, they are signing their own death sentence, one that leads to eternal separation from God.
When people speak out about the dangers of occultism, they are often dismissed as crazy or simply making things up. But this dismissal is precisely part of the deception—a clever ploy of the darkness to keep itself hidden, to avoid detection and expose the destructive nature of its influence. The more society normalizes occult practices, the less likely people are to recognize the spiritual dangers they face. What seems like power is in fact a trap, and the cost is eternal.
True believers in Christ are not just followers, but temples of the Holy Spirit, as described in 1 Corinthians 6:19. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" This profound truth reveals that God's divine presence dwells within us, offering us protection and strength that cannot be found anywhere else. We are not vulnerable to the forces of darkness as the world may be, for the Spirit of the living God lives within us, safeguarding us from the powers of evil, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."(1 John 4:4). The power of the Holy Spirit grants us the ability to stand firm against all the lies and deceptions of the enemy, who seeks to lead people astray through the doctrine of devils.
In a world where many have been lured into false teachings, it is our responsibility as believers to resist these harmful doctrines and uphold the truth of God’s Word. We must keep the Holy truth alive, not just for our own growth and salvation, but for the glory of God and for the sake of those around us. Our mission is to be lights in a dark world, to oppose the lies of Satan and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness and clarity. We are to reflect the glory of God in all that we do, ensuring that His truth is known and His name is glorified.
The task before us is immense, but we are not alone. With the Holy Spirit residing within us, we are empowered to fulfill this calling. We must stand firm in the faith, guarding the truth of God’s Word with unwavering conviction, and sharing it with others to bring them into the light. Through our obedience to God and the power of His Spirit, we play a crucial role in defeating the darkness that seeks to deceive and destroy. By living out our faith with courage, we honor God and fulfill our purpose in His divine plan.
In a world where darkness seeks to obscure the truth, it is crucial for Catholics and all believers to return to the Word of God, the "sword of the Spirit," which is our most powerful weapon against the forces of evil. The Word of God is not just a collection of ancient texts; it is alive, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). It pierces through the lies of the enemy, cutting through deception and revealing truth. It is a weapon that we are called to wield in our spiritual battles, for it holds the power to bring light to the darkest places.
In Ephesians 6:17, we are reminded to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is not just a suggestion, but a command for every believer to equip themselves with the truth of Scripture. Satan and his legion of fallen angels tremble at the name of Christ, and they fear the power of God's Word. When Jesus Himself was tempted in the wilderness, He responded with Scripture, showing us that the Word of God is a powerful tool in resisting the forces of darkness.
Unfortunately, many have become distracted or deceived by traditions, rituals, and teachings that divert them from the Bible's life-changing power. But in these times, it is more important than ever to return to the source—God's Word. For Catholics, this means returning to the Scriptures as the foundation of faith, not relying on human traditions or institutions. When we immerse ourselves in the Word of God, we are not merely reading a book; we are engaging in direct communication with our Creator, who speaks life, healing, and protection into our hearts.
The forces of darkness may try to surround us, but they cannot stand against the power of God's Word. The enemy cannot defeat us when we stand firm on the promises in Scripture. Jesus defeated Satan with the Word of God, and He equips us to do the same. As we embrace the sword of the Spirit, we not only protect ourselves but also stand as lights in a dark world, leading others back to the truth of Christ. Let us, then, take up this weapon daily, allowing God's Word to guide us, strengthen us, and deliver us from the powers of darkness.
The path of occultism may seem alluring, offering promises of power, knowledge, and control over the forces of the universe. For a time, those who walk this path may experience fleeting pleasures, a false sense of mastery, or the illusion of supernatural abilities. But these pleasures are only temporary, like shadows that vanish with the light of truth. In the end, there is no protection from God's wrath for those who seek refuge in darkness. The forces they ally with, though seemingly powerful, are rooted in deception and destruction. The Bible is clear that those who practice such things are separated from God's grace, and the consequences of defying His truth are eternal. True peace, true power, and true protection can only be found in Christ, the Light that shines in the darkness. As the end draws near, the fleeting allure of occultism will give way to the eternal reality of God's judgment. It is not too late to turn from the darkness, to seek His forgiveness, and to embrace the true light that offers salvation and eternal life.
Repent and believe.
Comments