Category: deliverance

Horoscopes, Astrology And Zodiac Signs

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A 2022 poll by YouGov found that 27% of Americans and 37% of adults under 30 believe in astrology. In fact, 31% of those are Catholics and 22% are Protestants. However, this belief has only increased as social media and celebrities have increased its popularity. Many newspapers include daily horoscopes that advise on how to act or what to expect each day. To understand why this growing belief is concerning, we need to see how astrology is different from science.

Astrology vs Astronomy

Astrology often gets confused with astronomy, but the two are very different. Astronomy is a science focused on studying stars, planets, and space; it helps us understand God’s creation. Astrology, however, is not scientific. It’s a belief system that attempts to predict personal events or personality traits by interpreting celestial movements. 

Astrology revolves around the “zodiac,” a term from the Greek word “zodiakos,” meaning “circle of animals,” derived from “zoon,” which means animal. This term refers to constellations associated with animals along the zodiac’s path. This “zodiac belt” represented the course through which the sun, moon, and planets appear to move over the year, which would then have an influence on a person’s personality or destiny.

While this belief is growing in cultural popularity and may seem innocent on the surface, we as believers should be on the lookout. To understand why, it’s essential to see the origins of this belief system.

What Does the Bible Say About Astrology?

The Bible clearly warns against astrology. In Isaiah 47:13-14, God rebukes Babylon and its astrologers, telling them that their reliance on the stars will not protect them from judgment. We also see in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 that divination is seen as a detestable act to God. And similarly, we see in 2 Chronicles 33:1-6 that the worship of heavenly bodies is associated with evil.

Unlike astrology, which tries to use the stars for control or prediction of a person’s future or destiny, astronomy, as a science, simply studies the stars and appreciates them as the creation that God made.

Reasons Why People Use Astrology: 

  • Curiosity: Curiosity is a natural human trait; however, turning to the stars instead of to God for these answers places our trust in creation, not the Creator.
  • Fun: Astrology is often seen as an innocent act, but if the “prediction” is not from God, it becomes a deceptive tool that can draw people into occult practices.
  • Fascination with the occult: It offers a form of spirituality that doesn’t challenge us with concepts like sin, repentance, or God’s judgment. However, any belief that lacks this is hollow and false.
  • Avoidance of personal responsibility: As Dr. Bob Larson points out, astrology promotes a belief that fate is controlled by the stars rather than by God’s will and our choices. Christianity, in contrast, teaches that our lives are influenced by God’s sovereignty and our actions. Astrology can become a way to avoid accountability, leading many people to not take responsibility for their choices.
  • Power and control: Many turn to astrology to feel a sense of control over their lives. However, while having self-control is positive, true guidance and empowerment come from God, not the stars. Any power that claims to offer control while originating outside of God, will only lead us away from God’s purpose.

3 Reasons Why Horoscopes are Wrong

1. They divert trust from God.

Relying on astrology places trust in creation rather than in the Creator. This act goes against the first commandment which tells us to worship and trust in Him alone. By doing this we are diverting our trust from God.

2. They allow for loss of personal responsibility.

Horoscopes make people believe that their destiny is set out for them in the stars and therefore, they don’t have much say. However, this is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible states that there is a sovereign God, but we also have a role to play in the way our life turns out.

3. Fascination with the occult

Taking part in this can open individuals up to demonic influence because it is an act that is in contradiction to the Bible and can be a distraction from believing and placing your trust in God.

Final Thoughts

If you have dabbled with astrology and horoscopes, I would encourage you to close those doors to the enemy through repentance. Choose to refocus on the Lord through prayer, Scripture, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in regards to questions about your future and your destiny.

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*** By Vladimir Savchuk / Photo by Mikhail Nilov at Pexels

11 Doors That Lead to Demons

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When I was young and curious, I decided it would be a good idea to go into the neighbor’s dog house. I didn’t see a dog around so I went inside. It turns out the dog was around the corner and when he sees me, he launches towards my leg and I end up getting bit. I learned a very powerful lesson that day–if you don’t want to get bitten, don’t go near the dog’s territory. 

The same thing can be said fin regards to demons. People like to believe that they can dabble in the occult or watch porn, or even smoke weed without any spiritual repercussions, but the truth is, if you step on the devil’s territory, he has every right to harass you, hurt you, and torment you. These are the most common doors that can lead to demons infiltrating your life. 

Common Open Doors

1. Generational Curses

Another way of saying it is demons that were inherited through the bloodline. For instance, if someone in the family did witchcraft and never repented and broke that off of their family, then those demons have been passed on generationally. 

The same is true when it comes to abuse or different forms of addictions.

2. An Unwanted Pregnancy 

If the child in the womb is hated, not desired, or rejected since birth by the parents or the family, then that gets transmitted to the child. This opens the door for a spirit of rejection to affect the child throughout their life. It also manifests through rebellion as the child grows up.

3. Growing Up in a Broken Home

When a child grows up in a broken home, it does not only create emotional and cognitive issues, but also spiritual ones. As the child is faced with uncertainty and pressures that they are not equipped to handle at such a young age, demons can use this instability to harass and torment the child/person. This environment is a facilitator for the spirit of anger and hatred to come in at a very young age. 

4. Involvement in the Occult

When you dabble into the occult, you are choosing to blatantly engage with the demonic. The occult ranges from astrology, witchcraft, tarot cards, black/white magic, ouija boards, horoscopes, talking to the dead etc. 

Even though our culture seems to have accepted, and even embraced these practices, Scripture has not changed, and continues to condemn it and the practice of it.

5. Taking Part in a False Religion

There are some believers that desire to learn about other religions saying that they want to win those people to the Lord. Now, this is a good thing to a certain point. There is a certain line that must be kept in order to refrain from opening the doors to demons, because what can end up happening is that a believer will begin to study the other religion so much that they become so open minded and accept all truths, that they start to deny what the Bible claims. That is where it gets dangerous and could lead to deception. 

6. Bringing Demonic Objects Into Your Life

The spiritual world is real, and spiritual power can flow through people, places, animals and objects. In fact, the Bible shows us that God used Moses’s rod, the waters of Jordan to heal, the saliva of Jesus to open the eyes of the blind and even the handkerchief of Paul. God can use any avenue to bring about healing. In the same way, the enemy can use objects to bring about his plans of destruction to your life. 

This includes occult books, things that have been ritually “cleansed”, charms, dreamcatchers, etc. By bringing these items into your home, you are opening your life and your home to the demonic.

7. Abuse

This is probably the most common open door in the West. Abuse causes deep inner wounds that give way for demons to cause further torment for that individual.

As unfair as this is, we must understand that the spiritual world works in accordance to spiritual laws. WHen an abuse happens, it automatically opens a door for a demon. 

8. Illicit Sexual Encounters

Sex is not just a physical act, it has spiritual repercussions. Because it is spiritual in nature, it affects the soul, the mind, and the emotions. 

An individual become one flesh, according to Scripture, with the partner they come together with (1 Cor. 6:16). Demons can be transferred from one person to another by partaking in sexual acts outside of marriage.

9. Abortion

When we commit an injustice towards others it brings a curse upon our life. The Bible is very clear in saying that murder is sin, and therefore brings about a curse on our lives (Matthew 5:21-22). 

10. Ungodly Entertainment

When we begin to fill up our time and out life with ungodly sources of entertainment, they could lead the way to an open door. Movies, T.V. shows, and music are all portals that satan can use to influence the minds of people. If you are not careful about what you watch and listen to, its influence will become stronger in your life. 

11. A Moment of Weakness

The devil looks for moments of weakness to try and enter into our lives. We’re not perfect people, and sometimes we can snap, act in a way that is not right, or watch something we shouldn’t have. When we don’t repent to God and to the person we hurt, and then change our behavior, then that’s where it could become an open door. This happens when the person chooses the sin instead of turning from it.

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*** By Vladimir Savchuk / Photo by Merve at Pexels

A Mass Prayer for Nations, Leaders, and Peace

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 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

As believers, we are called to intercede for our leaders, nations, and for peace, especially in Jerusalem. In times of uncertainty and need, communal prayer is a powerful way to ask God to bring change, guidance, and healing. Below is a structured prayer for anyone who wishes to lift up these petitions over a community, a nation, or even the entire world.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humble hearts, united as Your people. You are the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and we honor You, acknowledging Your sovereign power over all nations. We gather in Your holy presence, seeking Your guidance, love, and protection over all people and lands.

Lord, we worship You

For You are good, and Your mercy endures forever. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, worthy of all honor and glory. We lift Your name high above all the earth, praising You for Your greatness, Your compassion, and Your mighty works.

Thank You, Lord,

For the blessings You have poured out upon us and our nations. You have sustained us through every season, and Your provision and protection have been unwavering. We are grateful for Your faithfulness, for hearing our prayers, and for Your unending love that guides us.

Forgive us, Lord,

For any ways we have strayed from Your will. We confess any sins of our nations, communities, and ourselves. We ask for Your cleansing, renewing us and bringing us back into alignment with Your ways. As we turn to You, we seek Your mercy and forgiveness, knowing that You are a gracious and compassionate God.

Father, we intercede for the leaders of every nation,

Grant them wisdom, courage, and integrity as they make decisions that impact millions. May they lead with righteousness, justice, and compassion, promoting peace and unity. Let Your justice prevail in all nations, and let truth and fairness guide every action and law.

We pray for peace among all people, especially in Jerusalem.

You have asked us to pray for its peace, and we humbly lift this city and its people to You. Bring harmony and understanding to regions marked by conflict, and heal the divisions that have separated us. Surround every nation with Your protection, Lord, shielding the innocent and vulnerable from harm.

Lord, we ask for a spiritual awakening across the world.

Pour out Your Spirit on every land and community, that hearts may turn toward You. Bring about a revival in faith, hope, and love, so that we may see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

As Your Word declares,

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). We stand on this promise, believing that as we humble ourselves, You will hear and bring healing and restoration.

Lord, we also pray for specific needs among the nations:

For those suffering from poverty and hunger, may You provide. For those impacted by natural disasters, may You bring comfort and relief. For the sick, may You bring healing, and for those who mourn, may You bring peace.

We trust in You, Lord,

Believing that You can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we ask or imagine. We thank You for hearing our prayers and for the answers that are already on the way. May Your will be done, Lord, and may Your name be glorified in all nations.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen 🙏

May this prayer bring unity and strength, inviting God’s presence, protection, and guidance over all people and nations.

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** Photo by Hugo Magalhaes at Pexels