When a person enters the kingdom by being born again, the prince of darkness incurs an immediate loss, and he makes it his goal to trouble the Christian at every opportunity. This engagement of Satan, his powers, his works, or his demons is called spiritual warfare.
Doctrine of Demons
The doctrine of demons is any doctrine that opposes God’s truth. Satan and his demons have centuries of experience in tempting billions of people, so we are simply no match for them without the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Bible provides many examples of the strategy of Satan and his demons and examples that should raise our awareness level and help us understand the kind of devices he uses.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit says clearly that in the last times some people will abandon the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons
Two different works are spoken of in the this verse, which are seducing and deceiving spirits and the initiation of false doctrines among people. Both of these are directly linked to the occult. The most deceptive occult products come in some of the most innocent-looking packages. For example games like the Ouija board and dungeons & dragons and others that invoke enchantments or spells. The spirit behind these items have been working on the human race from its conception and the New testament warns to steer clear of its influences.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the power of Satan. He will use every kind of power, including miraculous signs, lying wonders, 10 and every type of evil to deceive those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them.
Satan is able to produce signs and wonders, Moses boldly stood against this in his encounter with the magicians of pharaoh’s court, who counterfeited God’s miracles through Moses. Exodus 7:10-13, So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and did what the LORD had commanded them. Aaron threw his staff in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. 11Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and sorcerers, and they—along with the Egyptian magicians—did the same thing with their secret arts. 12So each one threw down his staff and it became a serpent, but Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13Yet Pharaoh’s heart was stubborn and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had said would happen.
Deuteronomy 18:10-11
There must never be found among you anyone who sacrifices his son or daughter in fire, practices divination, interprets omens, practices sorcery, 11 casts spells, or who is a medium, an occultist, or a necromancer.
Fire, and passing through fire
Fire rituals are practiced by occultists on many levels, for example new age writer Tony Robbins was one of the many who had fire-walking initiation ritual for his personal awareness seminars. The belief is that engaging in fire rituals releases personal power. Several fire rituals exist within occult groups such as naked dancers before bonfires to Burning man festival.
Practicing witchcraft (divination)
Divination is the practice of divining knowledge or information concerning the past, present or future. Most commonly by the means of tarot cards, palmistry, crystal balls, mirror gazing, ESP, clairvoyance, pendulum swinging, dream interpretation, dowsing rods, psychometry.
Soothsayer
In the modern world it is known as astrology, horoscopes, and conjuring rituals in accordance with certain times and seasons.
Interpreting omens
The practice of gaining power or knowledge through various omens and signs. These signs are read in the sky, as a passing comet or may be read in nature.
Sorcerer
This is someone who practices the induction of formulas, potions or incantations to assist in gaining power over a person or an event.
Conjuring spells
Witches and Satanists who believe they can change events through casting spells. Also includes charms and good luck pieces.
Medium and/or spiritist
Someone who claims to make contact with spirit-beings, whether deceased, UFO, spirit guides. Often external manifestations such as table tipping, table rapping, ectoplasm, psychometric, or moving objects.
Necromancer
Someone who makes contact with departed human beings and allows them to speak through their body.
Scriptural response
Second Corinthians 10:3-5 explains, Of course, we are living in the world, but we do not wage war in a world-like way. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the world. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments 5and every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive in order to obey the Messiah. The fact is our true enemy is not the human being who opposes Christ but the rulers of the darkness of this age that manipulate people.
One of the key response is to not be distracted as it says in 2 Timothy 2:4 states, No one serving in the military gets mixed up in civilian matters, for his aim is to please his commanding office. It seems what one of the most prevalent distractions is that when teaching a biblical principal, the hearer is distracted by modern political figures. Completely blocking the ability to grow in their personal relation with Christ. The real cure for political issues 2 Chr. 7-14, when my people humble themselves—the ones who are called by my name—and pray, seek me, and turn away from their evil practices, I myself will listen from heaven, I will pardon their sins, and I will restore their land.
One of Satan’s most useful deceptions is to neutralize a Christian by making them think there is no spiritual war. Most Christians have been erroneously taught to believe in the positive things of life to the exclusion of anything negative, but wishful thinking or simple denial does not change biblical facts.
The Lord disciplines the ones He loves, and the Lord will discipline Christians until they get to the place where they will fight. Christians often don’t know their lives are neutralized in their witness and activities and they must be restored by God. James 4:4 states, Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God. A good question to ask is how much do you love the world and how much does it love you? James goes on to say, Or do you think the Scripture means nothing when it says that the Spirit that God caused to live in us jealously yearns for us? 6But he gives all the more grace. And so he says,“ God opposes the arrogant but gives grace to the humble.”7Therefore, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. 8Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Be miserable, mourn, and cry. Let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. 10Humble yourselves in the Lord’s presence, and he will exalt you.
Christians must be trained biblically to withstand the enemy. We must put on the whole armor of God, but there are Christians running around today unfit and unclothed. Hebrews talks about being sure of what you hope for and absolutely certain of what you cannot see(Hebrews 11). Christians cannot not win conflicts in the strength of the flesh, they must have a relationship with the Lord.