Thursday, May 15, 2025

Gary Gygax and the Pagan Roots of D&D

Gary Gygax and the Pagan Roots of D&D: What Christians Must Know

Who Was Gary Gygax and What Did He Believe?

Gary Gygax was raised in a Christian home and reportedly attended a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in his early years, though his faith commitment later in life is debated. He never promoted Christianity in his works, nor did he create D&D to glorify the God of the Bible. Instead, he constructed entire pantheons of fantasy gods, many of whom mirrored ancient pagan deities.

Gygax drew heavily from polytheistic and occult sources—drawing inspiration from Norse mythology, ancient Egypt, Sumerian gods, and fictional works by H.P. Lovecraft and others. These sources are laced with spiritual darkness, demonic imagery, and philosophies that contradict the Gospel.

Though Gygax claimed later in life to be a Christian (non-denominational), the content he authored promotes magic, sorcery, necromancy, and occult exploration, all condemned in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). His private faith did not translate into any restraint in his creative output, which became deeply rooted in mysticism and paganism.

What About Dave Arneson?

Dave Arneson, the co-creator of D&D, was also raised in a Christian environment. He later converted to born-again Christianity and became critical of how dark and occultic the D&D franchise became, especially after Gygax lost creative control in the 1980s. Arneson distanced himself from the franchise’s evolution, though by then, the core foundation had already been laid.

The Pantheon of Gods in Dungeons & Dragons

One of the most disturbing elements of D&D is the inclusion of detailed pantheons of gods, many of whom are based on real-world pagan religions. Players are often encouraged to choose a god or goddess for their character to worship or gain magical powers from—an idea that directly violates the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

These fictional deities often resemble demonic entities:

Lolth, the spider queen, a chaotic evil goddess of deceit.
Vecna, a powerful undead sorcerer and god of secrets.
Tiamat, a dragon goddess inspired by Babylonian mythology.

Even worse, some D&D materials have included real magical rituals and sigils, adapted or taken directly from occult texts, which former occultists have confirmed align with genuine witchcraft practices.

How Dungeons & Dragons Influences the Mind and Spirit

D&D may seem like just a game, but it is more than pretend. It requires players to assume a character, make moral decisions in that character's name, and sometimes engage in role-playing that includes spell casting, necromancy, or communication with spirits. When players take on roles of wizards, warlocks, or sorcerers and repeatedly simulate dark spiritual practices, they can become spiritually desensitized or even demonically influenced.

This practice of imagination mixed with spiritual darkness is a form of gateway exposure, which can:

Open the mind to demonic influence.
Normalize the occult and sorcery.
Confuse moral boundaries.
Pull hearts away from Christ toward fantasy-based spirituality.

Scripture is clear: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22) and “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)

Why This Is Dangerous for Christians

The danger isn’t just the content—it’s the gateway effect. D&D has led many into deeper exploration of the occult, spiritualism, and moral relativism. Some players admit to starting with fantasy spell books and ending up practicing real witchcraft. Others report experiencing nightmares, spiritual oppression, or anxiety linked to their gameplay.

Christian parents and youth should take this seriously. While it may seem like innocent fantasy, D&D creates a fantasy world where evil is playable, glorified, and rewarded. That world is often more appealing than the real one—and dangerously addictive.

Conclusion: Discerning the Spirit Behind the Game

The Apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:20, “The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”

Dungeons & Dragons, by its design and origin, introduces players to a realm where false gods, sorcery, and demonic symbolism are normalized. Gary Gygax’s legacy may be cultural innovation, but for Christians, it represents a spiritual counterfeit that can pull hearts and minds away from the Lord.

The Hidden Dangers of Drumming Circles for Christians

Drumming Circles: Spiritual Experience or Deceptive Practice? A Christian Perspective

In recent decades, drumming circles have become increasingly popular in the West, particularly among New Age practitioners and holistic wellness communities. Promoted as a tool for healing, connection, and spiritual awakening, these rhythmic gatherings draw participants into a communal drumming rhythm often under the moon's light. But behind the surface-level appeal of cultural exploration and inner peace lies a deeper spiritual danger that Christians must not ignore.

What Are Drumming Circles?

Drumming circles are ceremonial gatherings in which individuals—often sitting in a circle—play hand drums or percussion instruments together. These gatherings frequently occur outdoors and are particularly popular during new moon or full moon phases, when participants believe they are harnessing cosmic energy for healing or manifestation.

Practices vary, but often include:

Rhythmic drumming to induce altered states of consciousness.
Chanting or vocalizing prayers to the earth, the moon, or spirit guides.
Meditation or trance-like states, where participants feel they have spiritual encounters.
Ceremonial elements borrowed from Native American, African, or other indigenous traditions.

Though modern advocates see it as harmless community building or self-exploration, the roots and intent of these practices tell a very different story.

Where Did Drumming Circles Come From?

While drums have been used for centuries in nearly every culture, the ceremonial drumming circle in its modern form is largely a New Age invention. It borrows from a blend of tribal rituals without genuine understanding or respect for their sacred origins.

This blending often includes:

Native American powwow rhythms (intended for cultural rituals).
West African healing drum traditions (involving ancestral worship).
Shamanic drumming used to communicate with spirit worlds.

In other words, modern drumming circles often imitate pagan and animistic rituals, rebranded as wellness tools without confronting their spiritual implications.

How Does It Work?

The mechanism behind drumming circles is based on rhythm and repetition. Steady beats—especially those around 4 to 7 beats per second—can affect brainwave patterns, leading to theta brainwave activity, the same state experienced during deep meditation or hypnosis.

This creates:

A trance-like state.
A lowered mental guard.
Heightened suggestibility and emotional openness.

Proponents argue that this opens a door to higher consciousness. But from a biblical standpoint, this opens spiritual doors that should remain closed.

Why Christians Should Stay Away

Scripture consistently warns against practices that mimic pagan rituals or worship created things instead of the Creator. Drumming circles often:

Call on the moon, spirits, ancestors, or earth—blatant violations of God’s commandment.
Induce altered states of consciousness, leaving individuals vulnerable to demonic suggestion.
Promote a worldview based in pantheism and self-deification, rather than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." That alone is enough to caution Christians from participating in these events. Romans 1:25 also rebukes those who “worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.”

Spiritual Consequences of Participation

Engaging in spiritual activities outside of God’s design is not neutral—it is dangerous. Just as Saul experienced torment after seeking a medium (1 Samuel 28), Christians who step outside of God’s boundaries risk spiritual consequences:

Mental torment: Confusion, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
Emotional instability: Heightened emotional sensitivity or depression.
Spiritual oppression: Increased spiritual warfare, including tormenting dreams, fear, and a sense of distance from God.

What seems like a “healing experience” can instead open the door to demonic intrusion. Participating in spiritual practices rooted in paganism—even unknowingly—can lead to bondage and oppression.

The Illusion of Healing

New Age practices, like drumming circles, mimic the form of healing but not the power. They offer temporary emotional release or a false sense of peace but fail to bring true freedom.

John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

No ritual, moon phase, or rhythmic beat can replace the redemptive, life-transforming work of Jesus Christ. True healing—spiritual, emotional, and mental—comes only through repentance, faith, and communion with the Holy Spirit.

How to Respond as a Christian

If you’ve participated in drumming circles, either knowingly or unknowingly, there is hope and freedom in Christ.

Steps to take:

Repent: Acknowledge the sin of participating in forbidden spiritual practices.
Renounce: Verbally renounce any ties to the rituals or spirits involved.
Break agreement: Pray for God to sever any spiritual influence that entered through that doorway.
Seek deliverance: Ask the Lord to heal and deliver you from any spiritual oppression.
Replace lies with truth: Fill your mind with the Word of God and align your practices with Scripture.

Conclusion: Worship the Creator, Not the Creation

Drumming circles may seem like harmless fun or a spiritual journey, but beneath the surface lies a deceptive trap that can pull Christians away from Christ and into spiritual bondage.

We were made to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), not through rituals that mimic paganism or entertain the enemy’s counterfeits. Stay alert. Stay sober. The enemy prowls like a lion (1 Peter 5:8), looking for any door left open.

Let us close the doors to deception and walk only in the light and freedom of Jesus Christ.

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Dungeons & Dragons: A Fantasy Game or a Spiritual Trap?

Dungeons & Dragons: Harmless Fantasy or a Gateway to Spiritual Danger?

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game that has captivated millions since its release in the 1970s. Often seen as a harmless form of entertainment, D&D allows players to build imaginary characters—wizards, warriors, sorcerers, rogues—and immerse themselves in fictional quests filled with mythical creatures, spells, and ancient deities.

But for Christians, especially those with a strong biblical foundation, this fantasy world raises serious spiritual concerns. The Bible calls believers to "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22), a command that directly challenges the acceptance of games and media that flirt with themes of sorcery, magic, and alternative spiritual realms.

What Is Dungeons & Dragons?

Dungeons & Dragons is a cooperative storytelling game in which players assume the roles of fantasy characters, guided by a Dungeon Master (DM) who narrates the story and controls the non-player elements of the game world. The game involves character sheets, dice rolls, maps, and scripted (or improvised) adventures, often including magical spells, occult symbols, and mystical realms.

While the game is fictional, it simulates spiritual realities—invoking deities, casting spells, necromancy, and possession—that are not just make-believe in the biblical worldview. Players often consult official manuals like the Player’s Handbook or Dungeon Master’s Guide, some of which contain detailed rituals and magical practices drawn from real-world occult traditions.

Origins and Spiritual Influences

D&D was created in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Though Gygax identified as a Christian later in life, the game’s structure is influenced heavily by mythology, pagan religions, and esoteric traditions. Spellcasting, summoning spirits, astral projection, and dark rituals are often core components of gameplay.

Some manuals used in the game have even been verified to contain real magical rites by former occult practitioners. High priestesses from Wiccan and pagan backgrounds have confirmed the authenticity of certain spells and symbols used in gamebooks, raising alarming questions about spiritual contamination.

How It Works

In the game, a player may choose to be a cleric channeling power from a fantasy deity, or a sorcerer drawing on arcane energies. They might fight undead creatures, enter spirit realms, or negotiate with demons and dragons. Players often research spell mechanics, simulate rituals, or role-play interactions with dark forces. Over time, immersion can shift from imagination to psychological and spiritual entanglement.

Why Should Christians Be Concerned?

Desensitization to the Occult
The more a person role-plays in occult environments—casting spells, performing rituals, invoking false gods—the more normalized these practices become. This directly contradicts biblical teaching. God condemns all forms of witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, and divination (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
Spiritual Compromise
Even if done “just for fun,” D&D opens a door to spiritual compromise. The Bible warns about mixing the holy with the profane (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). Simulating evil—even in imagination—can make the soul more accepting of real-world spiritual darkness.
Torment and Oppression
Some former players have testified to mental torment, nightmares, emotional instability, and spiritual oppression after prolonged exposure to role-playing games steeped in occult themes. These symptoms often lifted only after renouncing the game and seeking deliverance prayer.
A Distraction from God’s Kingdom
D&D consumes time, imagination, and emotional energy—often at the expense of Bible study, prayer, and Christian fellowship. It becomes not only a distraction but a counterfeit spiritual experience. Players are drawn into alternate identities, false power, and imaginary realms that imitate absolute spiritual truths but distort them.
Appearance of Evil
Even if a Christian claims they’re not engaging in real witchcraft, the game’s content and context violate 1 Thessalonians 5:22: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” The fantasy world of D&D thrives on sorcery, dark alliances, and pagan mythology—precisely the kinds of practices Scripture warns us to avoid.

What Are the Consequences?

Spiritual Confusion: Blending fantasy and reality can make it harder to discern truth from deception.
Open Doors: Immersion in occult-themed games can invite demonic harassment, especially if players speak or role-play rituals aloud.
Mental and Emotional Instability: Some players experience increased anxiety, depression, or compulsive escapism due to deep psychological investment in alternate identities.
Withdrawal from Christian Community: The culture surrounding D&D can become addictive, often drawing players away from Christian fellowship, worship, and obedience to Christ.

What Should Christians Do?

Avoid Games That Glorify the Occult
Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. If a game glorifies magic, pagan gods, or dark power—even fictionally—it’s not harmless. Christians are called to “be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
Educate Youth and Families
Parents and church leaders must be vigilant. D&D and similar games are marketed as harmless fun, but they can profoundly influence impressionable minds and open spiritual doors.
Repent and Renounce
If you or someone you know has participated in D&D or similar games, repent and renounce all associations. If necessary, seek prayer and deliverance. God is merciful to forgive and heal (1 John 1:9).
Pursue Holy Imagination
God gave us imagination to worship, create, and glorify Him. Let’s invest our creativity in writing, games, and stories that point people to light—not darkness.

Conclusion

Dungeons & Dragons may seem like a harmless game, but it immerses players in a spiritual environment where the lines between fantasy and real occult practices are dangerously blurred. Christians are not called to flirt with evil but to flee from it. Scripture is clear—what we entertain in our minds and imaginations matters deeply to God. Let us choose purity, truth, and light over shadowy spiritual entertainment.

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?
• What was his/her spirituality?
• What culture did it come out of?
• What were their beliefs?
• Who is their God or gods?
Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned. Another method of discernment is the Word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”
By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance
If you've been involved in a new age, occult, or cult, it can invite demonic spirits to torment you. If you feel tormented, you may need deliverance.
Free Group Deliverance Online, two times a month. Learn more about the webinar and sign up quickly.

Upcoming May 26, 2025, register before seats fill up.

Dream Catchers and Deception

Dream Catchers and Deception - What Every Christian Should Know

Dream Catchers — A Spiritual Snare in Disguise

What is a Dream Catcher?

Dream catchers are decorative handmade objects often composed of a circular frame with a woven web in the center, decorated with feathers and beads. Traditionally hung above a bed or crib, dream catchers are believed to function as protective charms, filtering out nightmares and allowing only good dreams to pass through.

Dream catchers have become widely popular in modern culture, used as jewelry, tattoos, home décor, and even commercial fashion accessories. While they may appear harmless, their origin, symbolism, and spiritual nature tell a different story, especially from a Christian perspective.

Where Did Dream Catchers Come From?

Dream catchers originate from the Ojibwe (Chippewa) people, a Native American tribe in North America. Over time, the practice spread to other tribes and was adopted more broadly across the New Age movement.

The traditional belief was that dream catchers acted as spiritual filters during sleep. Hung above a sleeping person, usually a child, the web in the center was said to trap bad dreams and evil spirits at night, while allowing positive dreams to gently slide down the feathers and reach the sleeper below.

The original intent was deeply spiritual and animistic, not just decorative. It was rooted in Native American cosmology and the belief that the spiritual world constantly interacts with the physical one, especially during sleep.

Who Was the Founder? What Were Their Beliefs?

The dream catcher has no " founder," but its roots are closely tied to Asibikaashi, the “Spider Woman” of Ojibwe legend. She was said to care for the people and children of the land, creating webs to protect them from harm.

The Ojibwe people believed that the dream catcher's spider web design carried Asibikaashi’s power to trap harmful energies and nightmares. The practice was deeply tied to Native American spirituality, which includes beliefs in spirit guides, nature spirits, and cosmic energies.

This belief system is polytheistic and animistic, recognizing spiritual presence in nature and calling upon various non-biblical spirits for guidance, protection, and healing. These ideas are fundamentally opposed to the Christian worldview.

How Dream Catchers Are Supposed to Work

According to Native tradition and New Age interpretations, dream catchers work by:

Catching Negative Dreams or Spirits: The central web is said to trap negative dreams or energies.
Allowing Positive Dreams to Pass Through: Good dreams are believed to slip through the center or down the feathers to the sleeper.
Acting as a Spiritual Filter: The object is believed to hold spiritual power to protect or guide the person under it.

While these explanations vary, the core idea is consistent: the dream catcher functions as a spiritual tool, tapping into unseen forces to influence the dream state.

Why Christians Should Not Use Dream Catchers

Dream catchers are cultural artifacts and spiritual objects rooted in religious practices outside the Word of God. Here are several reasons why Christians should not incorporate dream catchers into their homes or lives:

1. It Invites Spiritual Deception

Dream catchers are marketed as beautiful or peaceful objects, but their true purpose is to serve as a spiritual filter based on non-Christian beliefs. This opens the door to deception, encouraging reliance on spiritual power that is not from God.

2. They Contradict God’s Authority

The Bible tells us to seek God for protection, not talismans, charms, or objects of folk religion:

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” — Psalm 4:8

Using dream catchers implies that we trust an object—not the living God—to guard our minds and spirits while we sleep.

3. They May Open Doors to Demonic Influence

Though marketed as harmless, many people report strange spiritual activity in homes where dream catchers hang, disturbing dreams, anxiety, fear, or even waking visions. These are not mere coincidences. Any object meant to manipulate or interact with the spirit realm without God’s authority can become a gateway for demonic oppression.

4. They Can Create Emotional and Mental Torment

Because dream catchers are tied to spiritual manipulation, they can lead to increased confusion, unrest, and emotional instability. Many former users have testified to feelings of anxiety, insomnia, and even depression while using these objects, and peace returning only after removing them and praying for deliverance.

The Subtle Slide into the New Age

Dream catchers are often the "gateway drug" into deeper New Age involvement. A person may start with a dream catcher, then move into meditation, chakra healing, spirit guide communication, or even witchcraft. This slide can be subtle but spiritually devastating.

The enemy often disguises spiritual bondage in appealing forms. What looks like an innocent decoration is, in truth, a symbol of spiritual compromise.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible repeatedly warns against any object or practice that attempts to control or interact with the spirit world outside of God’s will:

“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” — Leviticus 19:31

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” — Ephesians 5:11

We are called to cast off anything that hinders our walk with Christ, even if it seems beautiful, sentimental, or harmless.

What Should Christians Do?

If you currently have a dream catcher in your home or on your person (e.g., jewelry or tattoos), consider removing and destroying it. Repent and renounce any agreement made with false protection or spiritual influence through it.

Then, reclaim the spiritual atmosphere of your home in Jesus' name. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring cleansing, healing, and peace, and trust in God alone for protection.

Conclusion

Dream catchers are more than cultural décor—they are spiritual objects with roots in animism and folk religion. While they may appear beautiful or sentimental, their true nature contradicts God’s Word.

Christians are called to walk in truth and not mix with practices that God has forbidden. True peace, rest, and protection come not from feathers and webs, but from the covering of Jesus Christ.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing… Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” — Psalm 23:1,4

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?
• What was his/her spirituality?
• What culture did it come out of?
• What were their beliefs?
• Who is their God or gods?
Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned. Another method of discernment is the Word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”
By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance
If you've been involved in a new age, occult, or cult, it can invite demonic spirits to torment you. If you feel tormented, you may need deliverance.
Free Group Deliverance Online, two times a month. Learn more about the webinar and sign up quickly.

Upcoming May 26, 2025, register before seats fill up.

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Avoid Dowsing and Divining

Dowsing and Divining: An Ancient Practice Christians Should Avoid

What is Dowsing?

Dowsing, also known as divining or "witching," is a practice that uses objects like rods, twigs, pendulums, or even planchettes to locate water, minerals, lost objects, or underground cables or to answer personal questions—including predicting the gender of an unborn child. These tools, often Y-shaped twigs or metal rods, are believed to move in response to unseen energies or vibrations.

Practitioners claim that these tools react to specific energies emitted by underground water, minerals, or even the energy field of a human body. Dowsing is often categorized under the "New Age" or esoteric practices and has been used historically across different cultures for centuries.

Historical Origins and Founders

Dowsing has a murky historical origin, with accounts dating back thousands of years. Some suggest the earliest forms were practiced in ancient Egypt or China, where pendulums and rods were believed to detect subtle energies. The modern concept of dowsing became widely known in 15th-century Europe.

One of the most influential historical figures associated with popularizing dowsing was Georgius Agricola, a German scholar in the 1500s. He documented its use in mining for minerals in his book De Re Metallica. While not the "founder" per se, Agricola helped give the practice legitimacy in early scientific literature.

The deeper spiritual roots, however, come from paganism, animism, and occult practices. These belief systems taught that spiritual forces or “earth energies” could be tapped into or manipulated using tools like rods and pendulums.

The Beliefs and Religious Origins

Dowsing and divining often stem from pagan or animistic beliefs—systems attributing spiritual power or consciousness to nature, objects, or forces. These practices do not recognize the authority of God as described in the Bible but instead appeal to "universal energies" or spirit guides.

Many New Age practitioners link dowsing to chakras, ley lines, or spiritual energy fields, blending it with Eastern mysticism or modern occultism. These philosophies are often pantheistic or monistic, promoting the idea that “all is one,” which directly contradicts the biblical worldview that God is distinct from His creation.

How Does Dowsing Work?

From a scientific standpoint, there is no proven mechanism for dowsing. Some theories suggest that the ideomotor effect—small, unconscious muscle movements—may cause rods or pendulums to move in line with the dowser’s expectations.

However, many users believe spiritual or metaphysical forces guide the movement of their tools. They may invoke energies, ask for guidance from a “higher self,” or call on spiritual entities—knowingly or unknowingly.

This is where the practice moves from harmless curiosity to spiritual danger.

Why Christians Should Avoid Dowsing

While dowsing may appear innocent—especially when used to find water or lost items—it crosses into spiritual territory that Scripture warns against. The Bible explicitly forbids divination and seeking knowledge from spiritual sources other than God:

“Let no one be found among you who... practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft…” — Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Here’s why Christians should steer clear:

It Replaces Trust in God – When we use a pendulum or divining rod to make decisions or seek hidden knowledge, we place our trust in an object or unseen force instead of God.
It Opens the Door to Deception – Many people using dowsing tools report feeling spiritual guidance or “answers.” But these can be deceptive spirits masquerading as benign or helpful.
It Violates Biblical Boundaries – The Bible is clear: spiritual practices outside God’s instruction invite danger. This includes seeking hidden knowledge or attempting to manipulate spiritual forces.

Spiritual Consequences: Emotional and Mental Torment

Many former practitioners of dowsing and other New Age practices testify to experiencing:

Spiritual confusion
Mental torment
Paranormal activity in their homes
Obsessive thinking or depression
A coldness or distance in their relationship with God

Why? Because these practices often invite spiritual oppression. By opening spiritual doors through divination—even unknowingly—people may expose themselves to demonic influence. These forces are not benign. They counterfeit the Holy Spirit and attempt to pull individuals away from the truth of the Gospel.

What begins as a “fun experiment” or a way to help others often spirals into deeper involvement, emotional instability, and spiritual bondage.

The Deception of New Age Modalities

The New Age movement promotes spiritual practices as tools for empowerment, enlightenment, or healing. But these tools often disguise ancient occult practices wrapped in modern language.

Dowsing is one of many gateways. Once someone accepts one form of divination, it becomes easier to accept others: tarot, astrology, energy healing, or communication with spirit guides. The result? A steady erosion of biblical truth and a growing openness to spiritual deception.

The Biblical Alternative: Seek God, Not Hidden Knowledge

Jesus never used tools, rods, or devices to discern truth or access hidden knowledge. He prayed. He listened to the Holy Spirit. Christians are called to do the same.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... and it will be given to him.” — James 1:5

God invites us into a relationship of trust. We do not need to rely on dowsing rods or pendulums. We can trust His timing, His voice, and His provision.

Conclusion

Dowsing may seem like a harmless curiosity or a practical tool, but its spiritual roots and consequences are anything but benign. Christians are called to be discerning, wise, and grounded in Scripture.

Behind the surface of dowsing lies a deeper spiritual agenda that can pull believers away from Christ, invite torment, and sow confusion. Rather than opening doors to unseen forces, let us walk in the light of Christ—who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?
• What was his/her spirituality?
• What culture did it come out of?
• What were their beliefs?
• Who is their God or gods?
Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned. Another method of discernment is the Word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”
By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance
If you've been involved in a new age, occult, or cult, it can invite demonic spirits to torment you. If you feel tormented, you may need deliverance.
Free Group Deliverance Online, two times a month. Learn more about the webinar and sign up quickly.

Upcoming May 26, 2025, register before seats fill up.

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Monday, May 12, 2025

The Power of Forgiveness - Webinar Replay - May 12, 2025

The Power of Forgiveness: A Key to Healing and Deliverance – Mercy, Grace, and Love - Article and Video of the May 12, 2025, online FREE Deliverance Webinar

Watch Recorded Deliverance Webinar - May 12, 2025.

Forgiveness is not merely a kind gesture or a suggestion from Scripture—it is a divine command, foundational to the Christian life. It is the heartbeat of God’s redemptive plan, intricately woven into the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, many believers live in bondage, unaware that unforgiveness is a spiritual stronghold blocking their healing, peace, and deliverance.

Forgiveness isn't always easy, especially when the pain cuts deep. But Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), and that healing often begins with choosing to forgive. Whether the wound came from betrayal, abuse, neglect, or rejection, the key to moving forward lies in mercy, grace, and love—the very character of God.

The Biblical Mandate to Forgive

Scripture does not leave forgiveness as an option for followers of Christ. In fact, forgiveness is a requirement. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV):

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

This passage should stop us in our tracks. It reveals a powerful spiritual law: God ties His forgiveness of us to our forgiveness of others. Harboring unforgiveness becomes a wall between us and the Father. It hinders our prayers, obstructs our spiritual growth, and invites spiritual torment.

The Hidden Cost of Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness is not just a private emotion; it is a spiritual toxin. Hebrews 12:15 warns:

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

Bitterness doesn’t stay contained. It spreads. It poisons not just the one who holds it, but those around them—defiling relationships, distorting perception, and even affecting physical health. Emotional turmoil can manifest in anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Studies, as well as Christian health ministries, have shown that long-term bitterness can suppress immune function and increase susceptibility to disease. Spiritually, bitterness gives legal access to the enemy.

When we do not forgive, we enter into a kind of communion with bitterness. Just as communion with Christ brings life, communion with bitterness brings death—spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically. It becomes a spiritual agreement with darkness. Instead of fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, we become entangled with a demonic stronghold that feeds on unresolved offense.

Ephesians 4:26–27 puts it plainly:

“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

That foothold becomes a stronghold when anger and offense are nurtured instead of released. We may feel justified, but the enemy doesn’t play fair. Bitterness, when nurtured, becomes a partner with spirits of anger, division, and torment.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:21–35 is one of the clearest illustrations of the consequences of unforgiveness. A servant is forgiven a great debt by his master but refuses to forgive a smaller debt owed to him by a fellow servant. The master, enraged by the servant’s lack of mercy, hands him over to the tormentors.

Jesus concludes:

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (v. 35)

The term tormentors is sobering. In the spiritual realm, unforgiveness opens doors to torment—mental anguish, depression, and demonic oppression. Deliverance ministers often encounter individuals who cannot receive freedom until they release the person who hurt them.

When we hold onto bitterness, we become spiritually entangled with the one who wounded us. It’s like carrying them on your back—reliving the moment repeatedly, replaying the offense, rehearsing the pain. Peace vanishes. Sleep becomes restless. Relationships suffer. And all the while, the enemy whispers lies that justify our bitterness and keep us bound.

The Science Behind the Spirit

Even science confirms what Scripture has long taught. Studies on unforgiveness and bitterness reveal biological effects—stress hormones increase, immune systems weaken, and diseases like cancer and heart problems may be more likely to develop. Unforgiveness can activate epigenetic switches that negatively influence our DNA.

When we refuse to forgive, we literally put out the wrong chemicals in our bodies—stress, cortisol, and adrenaline—all of which can contribute to disease when chronically elevated. As Dr. Henry Wright of Be in Health ministries teaches, spiritual sin can impact physical health. And bitterness is a primary root behind many diseases.

Forgiveness: The Gateway to Healing and Deliverance

Forgiveness is often the number one block to healing and deliverance. When a person chooses to forgive from the heart, it’s like unlocking a prison door—releasing not only the offender, but also the offended. Physical healings, emotional restoration, and spiritual breakthroughs often follow genuine forgiveness.

Mark 11:25 (NIV) says:

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

God’s mercy flows freely when we align our hearts with His. Forgiveness is not about forgetting or excusing evil. It is about choosing freedom over bondage. It’s about giving God the gavel and allowing Him to be the righteous Judge.

Romans 12:19 reminds us:

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Forgiveness Is a Choice, Not a Feeling

One of the biggest lies the enemy tells is that we have to feel like forgiving. But feelings often lag behind obedience. Biblical forgiveness is a decision of the will. It’s a choice to say, “God, I trust You more than I trust my pain.”

Colossians 3:13 (NIV) instructs:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Jesus didn't wait for us to ask before He offered forgiveness on the cross. He forgave while they mocked Him, while they nailed Him down.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Can we do any less?

A Personal Story of Freedom

I once carried deep unforgiveness toward someone who betrayed me. I prayed for healing, but my prayers seemed to hit a ceiling. Peace eluded me. One night, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, "You are in communion with bitterness. Let it go."

I broke down. Through tears, I forgave—truly forgave. And almost instantly, a weight lifted. That night, I slept peacefully for the first time in months. Healing began. My relationship with God was restored, and the torment left.

Practical Steps to Forgive

Acknowledge the Pain: Be honest with God about what happened. He already knows. Denial delays healing.
Make the Decision to Forgive: Speak it out loud or in prayer: “Father, I choose to forgive [name] for [offense]. I release them into Your hands.”
Repent for Holding Bitterness: Ask God to cleanse your heart of all resentment. He is faithful to forgive.
Invite the Holy Spirit to Heal You: Emotional wounds can take time to heal. Ask for comfort and restoration.
Bless Your Offender: Jesus commanded, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). This disarms the enemy and shifts your heart toward compassion.
Repeat if Necessary: Forgiveness is often layered. As deeper hurts surface, choose to forgive again.

Communion with Christ, Not Bitterness

Every day, we choose who we will commune with: Jesus, the Prince of Peace—or bitterness, the root of torment. Bitterness is a counterfeit communion. It consumes the mind, distorts the heart, and partners with darkness.

Jesus said in John 14:30:

“The prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me.”

Why did Satan have no foothold? Because there was no sin or unforgiveness in Jesus. We too must live clean, free from the snares of bitterness, so that the enemy has nothing in us.

Freedom Is on the Other Side

Forgiveness is the bridge between bondage and breakthrough. It is not weakness—it is supernatural strength. It does not mean reconciliation is always possible. It doesn’t mean trusting someone who has repeatedly harmed you. But it means releasing them from judgment and letting God be God.

If you struggle with unforgiveness, remember: You are not alone. Philippians 2:13 encourages:

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

He will give you the grace to forgive. As you let go of the offense, you will find that the prison you unlocked was your own.

Choose today to end communion with bitterness—and enter into true communion with Christ. The healing you long for is just on the other side of forgiveness.

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