Several years ago, driving back from Florida to our home in Texas after vacation, my wife and I decided to stop briefly in New Orleans to check out the French Quarter. We had heard about the darkness and the witchcraft in that area, and I felt the need to stop and pray before continuing our journey. What we came across was actually quite shocking. The streets were lined with bars, strip clubs, and Voodoo shops, and the atmosphere smelled like vomit. On every street corner, tarot card readers were interacting with tourists and visitors, both drunk and sober.
My wife and I entered one of the biggest shops and quietly prayed in tongues as we walked through the building. Several demonic altars were in plain view and easily accessible to anyone who wished to leave an offering to the false gods for protection, healing, or financial provision.
I remember thinking about how open and unashamed the darkness was to flaunt voodoo and tarot card reading so openly. In South Texas, we don't ever hear about voodoo. However, there are different types of witchcraft in our region. Not all witchcraft is the same in belief, and the practices have different names and manifestations, but the source is always Hell. The enemy doesn't sleep and is always at work. Do you know what kind of witchcraft is taking place in your region?
I've done quite a few deliverances through my time in ministry, and I can honestly say that witchcraft is one of the most difficult spirits to break off of someone. In a recent sermon series at church, I discussed the importance of knowing yourself, your enemy, and your God. You must know who God created you to be in a spiritual battle. You also have to know the authority that God carries over the situation. Still, at the same time, you also have to know your enemy so you can see what you are up against and understand how they work so you can effectively counteract their strategies.
Witchcraft styles, beliefs, and practices can vary by geographical location and also by culture. At its core, whether you call it voodoo, psychic readings, cleansings, white magic, or black magic, it is manipulation, and manipulation is rebellion against God and people's free will. Sometimes, we find small bits of witchcraft masked as traditions within our different cultures. They may seem innocent on the surface, but they have no biblical backing and carry ties to new age, wiccan, or other pagan occultic practices.
These practices are seemingly harmless to those who are unaware of their origins. Burning sage to remove bad energy, putting salt on your doorways so spirits can't enter, lighting candles for good luck, and praying over a photo of your crush to make them notice you are all forms of witchcraft. But what if you're not the one doing it and have someone else doing it?
Leviticus 19:31 NLT says, “Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God."
Even if you are not a practicing witch, warlock, or sorcerer, just taking part in it is enough to make you guilty and leave you open for demonic attack. Maybe you're not participating in it at all, but you are living with someone who does. It's your responsibility to pray against any demonic attachments and break any curses that may have been placed on you. It's best to get yourself out of a home that welcomes darkness, but in cases where it's impossible to leave, keep yourself and your living space covered in prayer.
Know your surroundings, know your culture, and be aware of the witchcraft in your area. In my region, we don't really deal with voodoo, but we have shops set up called "hierberias" with spiritualist practitioners called "curanderos." We have herb shops with people known as "healers" who create herbal potions, light custom candles, and read tarot cards. Some of our local coffee shops even host "Brujeria" (witchcraft) night, which is basically a night for tarot card readers and palm readers to offer their services in the establishment to the public. This type of witchcraft is very common in the Hispanic community as it is heavily practiced in Mexico and multiple areas of South America.
The main cultural demon behind these practices is known as Santa Muerte or Santisima Muerte, which means "Sacred Death." In some cases, those who seek and worship this demon operate in heavy levels of manipulation, astral projection, and demonic powers. Some even make altars dedicated to this demon in their homes and tattoo symbols and images of it on their bodies, believing it will protect them.
Know your enemy! Manifesting as a ruling female spirit, this demon absolutely hates powerful men. On multiple occasions, when breaking off this kind of demonic power, the manifestation increases, and anger erupts when a male performs the deliverance. I recently took part in the deliverance of an ex-witch who was dealing with this Santa Muerte spirit. It kept angrily telling me it refused to be beaten by a man, but ultimately, it lost power because Jesus is greater. Being a part of the Hispanic culture, I am aware of how most people (mainly women) are affected by this particular spirit, so I can effectively pray for the areas I know are commonly affected. When you know how your enemy operates, you can effectively strategize counterattacks.
Not too long ago, another girl believed she had been cursed by someone operating in this spirit, but nobody believed her. After some short counsel and sharing what the Word of God says about witchcraft, the girl began to manifest and was set completely free after about 20 minutes. We must become familiar with the witchcraft of our culture and region so we can actively come against it using our knowledge of it.
Do you know how the enemy is operating in your region? Are there ungodly superstitions, practices, and traditions that run in your ethnicity or family history? Maybe you have unknowingly been participating in some of these practices and traditions without realizing that you were rebelling against God and opening yourself up to demons. Just because some things are common or seem normal in your area doesn't make it right. God still values holiness, and anything we turn to for help above him becomes our Idol.
Candles, potions, crystals, herbs, cards, dark objects, chants and spells, ouija boards, and spirit guides all have a demonic source. They cannot stand a chance against the blood of Jesus and the authority he has given us through his sacrifice on the cross. Even in the midst of all the darkness, a light shines through, and that light lives in us.
As my wife and I were leaving the French Quarter in Louisiana, we came across an elderly man in a wheelchair who was all by himself passing out Jesus tracks about salvation and the love of God. We approached him and told him we were pastors. We wept together as he shared with us how he comes out every night to share the gospel and pray with anyone who will listen. We prayed with him and let him know that he was not alone. God is looking for willing vessels to stand up against this present darkness we are facing and break the power of witchcraft.
Acts 19:17-19 NLT says, "The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars."
It doesn't matter what lies the demon tries to tell you; Jesus is King, and he is in control. It doesn't matter how much money you may have spent on witchcraft; your soul is more valuable than any of that. If you find yourself realizing that you have been involved in witchcraft, it's time to let go, repent, and let God transform your life! If you have family members who are involved in witchcraft, lift them up in prayer, pray over your home, and rebuke lingering demons and curses. If you believe you have been cursed by someone who is trying to harm you through witchcraft, stay encouraged because God is more powerful and can break every form of witchcraft!
Can you recognize and identify the types of spirits your region is dealing with? As the body of Christ, we have to stand up against the works of the devil and break the powers of hell that have tried to control and manipulate God's people. No demon in hell can stop what God has in store for you, your family, or your city! Pray, fast, and rebuke accordingly!
