The reality we face is that in the world exists both the physical and spiritual realm, and as believers we battle not only things of this world but even forces in the spiritual realm. But God has promised us that we now have victory over the kingdom of darkness through Jesus Christ.
Today, the occult can manifest itself in many ways, sometimes in ways that are not as congruent to common stereotypes. Many Christians think of occultic practices and limit it to simply mean Satan worship or demon possession, but the occult can take on other more subtle forms too.
From fortune telling, to even video games and literature, the occult can infiltrate the homes of even Christians and believers and affect our lives and the lives of our family members. Sometimes occult practices can seem harmless such as palm reading, certain meditations, horoscopes, video games with demonic influences, or horror films.
However, God has promised us that we have power against the kingdom of darkness now that we belong to Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus promises, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Here are three areas where Jesus Christ sets people free from darkness.
Lordship of Jesus in our life
The starting point has been and always will be the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives. When Jesus takes full control of our hearts, we are put under His authority and thus are set free from the authority of demons and evil spirits. Acts 2:36 declares, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Repentance and renunciation of the powers of darkness
Repentance means turning away from darkness into the wonderful light that is in Jesus Christ. As believers, we can and should turn away from everything that the Bible calls sin. Let us learn from the members of the Ephesian church which Acts 19:18 speaks of in this way: "Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices."
But repentance is just one step. Believers must also renounce through the power of Jesus Christ and His finished work all forms of filth that have entered our hearts. They must be removed so we can be set free from the influences of the occult in our lives.
Closure of entry points
Demonic powers only have access into our lives through certain access points - which are always a form of sin. Whether it's sexual sin, bitterness, idolatry or any other form of perversion, we must be rid of the presence of it in our lives to experience freedom in our souls and bodies from the consequences of demonisation.
Galatians 5:1 declares, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
