UNMASKING THE ENEMY — SAY IT WITH JOY

The level of evil increases with each passing day, and people ask, “What is happening?” The answer can be found within Scripture that unmasks the enemy: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).

According to Barna, most American Christians don’t believe Satan exists and is only a symbol of evil. However, scripture warns, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8 NKJV). Therefore, know that your adversary has several monikers:

Ruler of this world (John 12:31); god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Devil (John 8:44; Rev. 20:10, James 4:7, Jude 1:6)
Adversary (1 Peter 5:8)
Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)
Roaring Lion (1 Peter 5:8)
The Evil One (Ephesians 6:14-17)
Father of Lies (John 8:44)
Satan (Luke 10:18-20; 2 Corinthians 11:14, Rev. 13:4)
Dragon (Revelation 12:4,7-9; 13:24)
Tempter (Matthew 4:3)
Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:24)
Day Star (Isaiah 12:12-15)
The Accuser (Revelation 12:10)

The October 7, 2023, massacre of God’s covenant people in Israel happened because Hamas (Meaning: violence, evil, destruction, fanatasism) is controlled by demonic forces to carry out unthinkable atrocities against Jewish and Christian men, women, children, and infants. It can no longer be ignored that Satan and his kingdom are initiating attacks of unprecedented evil and destruction at warp speed.

God says, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6 NKJV). Therefore, be aware that Satan not only overtly attacks, he also uses every form of deception to capture and dull minds through seemingly harmless entertainment, movies, books, and activities that open doors to the supernatural and demonic, thereby, putting people in his crosshairs. Halloween is one such deception.

Most people do not know the sinister history behind Halloween, dating back to the Celtic priests and Druids in 4th century BC. Some might argue that what Druids did then, does not apply now. However, Revelation 20:10 tells us that the spirit realm exists in perpetuity, until the end days, when Satan and his demons will be thrown into the lake of fire upon Christ’s return as Conqueror and LORD of Lords and KING of kings.

Druids believed that on October 31, the holiday of Samhain (the Celtic lord of death), evil spirits would attack people, and on that night, the souls of the dead would return to their earthly homes. To escape, people wore costumes to ward off evil spirits, and food was set out, hoping to appease the spirits with a “treat” thus preventing an evil “trick.” Thus, today’s children go door-to-door saying, “Trick or treat.”

Druids hollowed out turnips and pumpkins and placed candles inside to mark their homes as sympathetic to the Satanists, while honoring Sabbat, a ceremony that worshipped their god, goddesses, and the seasons. This activity evolved into modern-day Druidry.

Part of Druid ritual was to build huge “sacred” bonfires of oak branches. Why specifically oak? Because oak was considered the “tree of life” that had roots penetrating deep into the Underworld, which is the place for the spiritually dead in hell. The true Tree of Life that was in the Garden of Eden is now in heaven (Revelation 22:1-2).

Animals, crops, and humans were sacrificed to their god and goddesses, and is still done today. Divination was practiced as they looked for omens while the victims struggled in the flames. However, the Word tells us that no person shall make their child pass through the fire, practice witchcraft, be a fortune teller, a wizard, or a spiritualist or a medium (such as the Long Island Medium), who calls up the dead which are demons. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:10).

Druids continued to practice their pagan ritual even after their “Christian” conversion. Then called “All Saints Day,” “All Hallows Day,” and “All Hallows Eve,” it is now referred to as Halloween.

The founder of the Church of Satan, Anton LaVey, said with great delight, “I am glad that Christian parents let their children worship the devil at least one night out of the year. Welcome to Halloween.”

Consider this fact: Satanists worship Satan on October 31 and Christians worship Jesus Christ on December 25th. Satanists do not celebrate Christmas and Jesus Christ. So, why do Christians participate in Halloween—the day satanists celebrate Satan, who is their god and is responsible for the 50% increase in violent crimes on Halloween (as reported by CBS news, Northeastern Global News, and other news agencies).

Another contradiction is found with Christians who display this scripture in their homes: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, yet they have Halloween decorations on their yards and in their homes that represent a pagan ritual. The Israelites had combined idols with the worship of God, resulting in their separation from God. Halloween not only opposes all things of God, but it also opens a door to the demonic.

Evangelist and author, John Ramirez, had been involved with devil worship for 25 years until his Christian conversion. He exposes the inner working of Satan’s demonic realm in his book, Armed and Dangerous: The Ultimate Battle Plan for Targeting and Defeating the Devil.

Ramirez warns parents of the danger in painting their children’s faces and allowing them to wear costumes and masks. In doing so, they are innocently making a pact with the enemy and unknowingly sacrificing their children to his demonic kingdom. Even decorating yards and entryways with ghosts, skeletons, witches, carved pumpkins, and anything associated with Halloween are actions that surrender to Satan their blood-purchased rights given by Jesus. Note: Halloween decorations, which God abhors, are different from beautiful decorations that celebrate the fall season and Thanksgiving.

Today’s Satanists practice pagan, evil rituals. That’s why pets and people mysteriously vanish prior to or on Halloween. In fact, in 2019, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) posted a Facebook warning regarding cats, “Don’t forget to bring me inside on Halloween. Most folks are nice, but some are mean!”

The enemy and his demons are very territorial and have a high regard for authority. If we fail to establish God’s authority within our homes and on our properties, then the enemy will establish his authority and claim those homes as his jurisdiction.

Jesus had numerous encounters with demons and with Satan, and many times He drove out demonic spirits with His Word (Matthew 8:16). Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, have that same authority to speak His Word into any situation.

If you or your children have participated in Halloween, I encourage you to say the following prayer:

PRAYER: Father, you have made it very clear that Halloween is a pagan holiday for the worship of Satan and demonic activity. I ask your forgiveness for taking part in Halloween and allowing my children to participate in what I thought was innocent fun. Give me an even greater understanding and knowledge of the enemy’s methods of destruction, so I can protect myself and my family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FOOTNOTE: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and anti-Nazi dissident, was executed by the Nazi’s. He left these words for future generations: Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.