The Occult

By James M. Rochford

Occult comes from the Latin occultus, which means “hidden, secret, dark, mysterious, concealed.”[1] Many are not aware of how widespread and pervasive occult practices actually are. Here is a short list of many such practices (generously taken from Kurt Koch’s book Occult ABC).[2]

Astrology: This has existed since the Sumerians, Accadians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. This is the “interpretation of human destiny, and a man’s future, by reference to the position of the stars at the moment of his birth.” (p.18)

Blood pacts: This is where an individual cuts herself and signs herself over to the devil. “From that day on such people are no longer approachable on spiritual issues.” (p.27)

Charms: These are physical objects associated with magical, occult practices. “Families in which charming is practiced, whether actively or as a patient, are literally pursued by misfortune. Suicide, murder, serious and incurable diseases, and many other troubles abound in such families.” (p.135)

Ouija Board: This is a spiritualistic fortuning-telling game. It is known in France as planchette and Germany as Psychograph. Participants seek spiritual guidance to spell out decisions or special knowledge by use of the board.

Palmisty: This is where a psychic will read someone’s palm. “The fact that palmistry is related to astrology is evidence from the division of the palm into seven planet mountains.” (p.70)

Rod and pendulum: One of the oldest forms of fortunetelling. “Diviners normally use a forked willow twig, although some use a rod of fishbone or one of steel… Others use a pendulum, that is, a metal weight attached to a thread.” (p.185) “Rod diviners and pendulum users maintain that the reaction of the rod or pendulum is caused by what they call earth rays. Earth rays of this sort are not known to science.” (p.187)

Transcendental Meditation (TM): This is an Eastern meditation. This means to cross from “conscious to unconscious activity.” (p.247) “During the meditation exercises, the mantra has to be repeated for twenty minutes. If one’s thoughts wander, one should not force oneself to use the mantra. That would mean that the conscious mind was checking and controlling the subconscious.” (p.248)

Spiritual mediums: Mediums claim to have special knowledge of the future, past, or even the dead. This can be inherited from parents or grandparents. Koch writes, “If a person’s grandfather, for example, was a spiritist or a magician, then not only his children but sometimes both his grandchildren and great-grandchildren can be born with mediumistic tendencies.”[3] This can occur through magical experimentation and also transference. The demoniac that Jesus confronted had supernatural knowledge of who he was—even though he had never met Jesus (Mk. 5:7).

The Bible explicitly condemns practices such as these: astrology (Isa. 47:14), casting spells, consulting the dead (Deut. 18:11), sorcery (Ex. 22:18), and witchcraft (Deut. 18:10).

Some are skeptical of the occult, believing that it is simply superstition. But besides the clear testimony of Scripture, one of the best apologetics for the reality of the occult is that these practices are virtually identical throughout the globe, and they have been for several thousand years. Koch writes, “No matter what the level of civilization, the methods used by that civilization remain the same. The form may change, but the underlying principles remain unchanged… The very real similarity between their practices has puzzled ethnologists, anthropologists and psychologists a great deal.”[4]

Discerning Demonic from Medical Sickness

The Bible differentiates demonic oppression from medical sickness. In the very same verse, Matthew distinguishes between “demoniacs” and “those suffering from various diseases, pains, epileptics, and paralytics” (Mt. 4:24; cf. Mk. 6:13). Experts on counseling the demonically oppressed believe that occult bondage is a gradation; that is, there are varying levels of demonic oppression.[5] As with any disease, an individual may not have all of the symptoms, but many will present themselves. Also, some of these features are germane to mental illness, while others are not. It takes discernment to sort out these issues. But this list will help the counselor to identify signs of demonic influence.

An inability to pray. Dr. Alfred Lechler writes, “A very frequent sign of demonic subjection is an inability to repeat aloud or to write or speak the name of Jesus. One often finds that the oppressed person can only do this after an inner battle, and then only with a distorted face or a mechanical voice… Thus, when the subjected person is asked to repeat a sentence or a prayer containing the word ‘Jesus’, he usually remains dumb.”[6]

Blacking out during prayer. Lechler writes, “He may also quite frequently during a period of counseling fall into a state of unconsciousness when the counselor tries to pray with him. And the same can happen during a sermon, the outcome being that he is prevented from hearing what is being said. A ‘deaf spirit’ will try to hinder him from participating in prayer and other religious activities.”[7]

No regret or conviction for blaspheming God. Lechler writes, “A demonically affected person will care little about his blasphemous thoughts, but the mental depressive will lament the fact that he is capable of thinking such things.”[8]

Unaware of demonic oppression. Dr. Alfred Lechler writes, “It is almost invariably true to say that if a person is forever talking about being possessed, he is really suffering from some form of mental illness rather than from a demonic influence.”[9] Likewise, Koch concurs, “If one meets a person who claims to be demon possessed, then he is not demon possessed. Anyone who is really possessed will neither realize nor broadcast the fact of his possession.”[10]

Resistance from Christian practices. Koch writes, “If one prays with a person who is merely suffering from a mental illness, he will quieten down when one prays. On the other hand, if one prays in the presence of a possessed person, he will begin to build up a resistance and become angry and violent, and start to curse and blaspheme and threaten to hit out at the counselor if he does not stop praying. He may even start to spit, or tear a Bible up and throw it across the room. Yet when the counselor finishes his prayer, the person will often apologize and exclaim, ‘I didn’t want to do that. Something just made me do it.’ …In Zurich a minister brought a woman along to me to be counseled. As we prayed together the woman started sticking her tongue out at us and blaspheming. We noticed that when she was doing this, she was not completely conscious and as we finished praying she suddenly came to herself and asked, ‘Where am I? What’s wrong with me?’ She could remember nothing of what had just taken place.”[11]

Speaking in novel languages. Koch writes, “Possessed people sometimes speak in a language or languages in a state of trance which they had no previous knowledge of. This is, I think, the strongest argument against the theory that these people are only mentally ill. The mentally ill, no matter what they are suffering from, can never speak in a language they have previously not learnt.”[12]

Inflicting self-harm. Mark 9:22 states that the demon “has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy [the possessed boy]” (cf. Mk. 5:5).

Normally very stable and sane. Possessed people are otherwise sane—except when they are having attacks. Dr. Alfred Lechler writes, “[A possessed person] may be restless and even driven into a rage at times, will nevertheless remain sane in his thoughts.”[13] During demonic episodes, the individual will often experience paroxysms or fits of intense rage (Mk. 5:7).

Hesitant to share thoughts and feelings. Lechler writes, “It is noticeable that the mentally ill will usually give expression to their thoughts quite fervently, whereas a possessed person will often do so only after much hesitation, and then only if he is urged to speak.”[14]

Murderous thoughts toward loved ones. King Saul had unrest, anger, and murderous thoughts toward David (1 Sam. 16:14, 15; 18:10-12).

Inability to cure through medical means. This might seem obvious, but it’s a good place to begin. Epilepsy that can be “localized to a particular part of the brain by means of probes is demonstrably pathological in nature.”[15] If medical care does nothing to help the individual, it could be a spiritual issue. For instance, patients have been given the maximum dosage of sedatives without any effect. Mark 5:4 records that the possessed individual had supernatural strength—being able to break chains. Thus if an individual doesn’t respond to medicine, this could be a good sign of spiritual bondage. Cover your bases with the medical solutions. But if nothing works, this should increase the counselor’s inclination to investigate the spiritual cures.

Cured by Christ. Koch writes that former occult priests admitted they had no power over Christians. He writes, “Throughout the testimonies of former magicians the same comforting message continually recurs. Jesus Christ has defeated all the powers of darkness. The true believer is therefore forever guarded by Him from all the devices of the devil.”[16]

Individuals who have occult bondage in their history or family history are especially susceptible to demonic influence. Koch writes, “Charmers, spiritists, and sorcerers bring oppression on their descendants to the third and fourth generations.”[17] Thus if an individual has such a history, it would be wise of the counselor to investigate this further.

Can a true Christian believer be possessed?

There are two perspectives on how to answer this question from evangelical thinkers:

No, a true believer cannot be possessed!

Advocates of this view would be Lewis Sperry Chafer and John Walvoord.[18] They appeal to Scriptures such as these:

(Col. 1:13) For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.

(Eph. 2:1-3) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

(1 Jn. 3:8) The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

(1 Cor. 6:19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

(1 Jn. 4:4) You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

(Eph. 1:13-14) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (cf. Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22).

When a person is possessed, advocates of this view contend that the individual was not really a true believer. Or it is might not be full demonic possession—but rather a lesser form of “ensnaring” (2 Tim. 2:26).

Yes, a true believer can be possessed!

Advocates of this view argue that counselors in the field of occult bondage have thousands of claims of believers being oppressed. Koch writes, “Those who advocate the inflexible doctrine that Christians cannot under any circumstances be possessed, have usually had no experience of possession themselves.”[19] However, we should be quick to point out that experience should not trump Scripture—even on this subject.

Advocates of this view contend that a demon cannot take away a believer’s salvation or security in Christ, but they can render the individual inactive. They usually hold that the believer can hand themselves over through deep unbelief or “by serious and protracted sin.”[20] Merrill Unger describes this as a “squatter,” who “settles on land without right or title or payment of rent.” Unger writes, “The claim that the Holy Spirit could not dwell in the same body with an evil spirit overlooks an important theological observation. It might with equal cogency be asked how the Holy Spirit can dwell in our bodies, which are still possessed of the old nature and therefore subject to sin. Yet He does because of our redemption and the presence of the new nature.”[21]

Biblical Passages for Renouncing Satanic Attack or Oppression

In order to be cleansed of this, we need to renounce this in prayer, and announce our new position and standing in Christ. Here is a collection of the best passages to pray through during these times:

Christ has overcome Satan

(Col. 2:15 NLT) In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

(1 Jn. 4:4) You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

(1 Cor. 15:57-58) thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

(Rom. 8:31) If God is for us, who is against us?

(Rom. 8:33) Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.

(Rom. 8:35, 38-39) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Mk. 2:10; Mt. 28:18) Christ has all the authority in the universe.

(Job. 2:5-6) God sets the limits on Satan.

When we pray in Christ’s authority, this defeats Satan

(Acts 16:18) But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.

(Jude 9) Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

(Mt. 18:19-20) If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

Koch writes,

Occult oppressed people are still very vulnerable even after their actual deliverance. For this reason a small group of Christians should take it upon themselves to continue to care and to pray for them even after their conversion. If necessary the group need only consist of two Christians. They should meet together at least twice or three times a week for perhaps a quarter of an hour at a time in order to pray for the oppressed person. The best thing is for the subjected person to be present as well, yet this is not absolutely necessary.[22]

Occult materials should be burned and renounced

(Acts 19:19) Many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Koch writes,

Magical books and occult objects carry with them a hidden ban. Anyone not prepared to rid himself of this ban will be unable to free himself from the influence of the powers of darkness.[23]

Every sin connected with sorcery is basically a contract with the powers of darkness. By means of sorcery the archenemy of mankind gains the right of ownership over a person’s life. The same is true even if it is only the sins of a person’s parents or grandparents that are involved. The devil is well acquainted with the second commandment which ends, “for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.” The powers of darkness continue to claim their right of ownership although quite often the descendants remain completely unaware of the fact, perhaps since they have had no contact with sorcery themselves. Nevertheless immediately a person in this situation is converted, Satan very soon makes his claim felt. In praying a prayer of renunciation a person cancels Satan’s right both officially and judicially. The counselor and any other Christian brothers present act as witnesses to this annulment of ownership.[24]

Prayer against occult bondage might need to be repeated until Satan flees

Satan cannot hurt us, unless we fall prey to his attacks. This is a battle of faith for those confronting demonic oppression. Jesus had to go back and forth with Satan at least three times in spiritual battle (Mt. 4; Lk. 4). Eventually, when Satan was defeated, Luke records, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time” (Lk. 4:13). If Satan can return after being defeated by Jesus Christ himself, we should expect the same treatment. Thus we shouldn’t be surprised if we encounter multiple attacks from the evil one.

(Mk. 9:28-29) When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?” ²⁹ And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”

(Mk. 9:25) When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”

(Lk. 1124-26) When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵ And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.

(Jas. 4:7) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

(Mk. 5:13) Jesus transferred the demons to a herd of pigs. We should pray that the demon would not transfer to another believer. Koch states that we should command, “Go to the place that Jesus tells you.”

Conclusion

If we believe in the veracity of Scripture, we are forced to conclude that occult bondage is very real. And yet, we need to remember that Satan cannot hurt believers. He can only scare us and place ideas on our minds. However, if we refute these attempts, he will flee from us (Jas. 4:7; Eph. 6:10-18). As believers in Christ, we rightfully belong to Him. We have been bought, sold, and paid for on the Cross. Therefore, when we stand in our position in Christ, Satan will be forced to flee.

Evidence Unseen