“And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.” (Deuteronomy 7:24-26 NKJV)
If I’d read this yesterday morning I might have wondered what this Old Testament passage has to do with modern life. Not today.
Last night Christian friends told us of a young believer who moved into a new place. Strange things were happening. She was frightened so they went over and found out that the previous tenants had been “calling out curses” on the house. Our friends prayed with her and against anything evil in her new home. Then they asked her if she had any images or religious figures. She showed them a wind chime made up of images of a god of an eastern religion. They told her this had to go. She was reluctant and didn’t see how something she didn’t worship could affect her.
I’m not a superstitious person. I don’t have any problem walking under ladders (unless a paint can tips off on me) or with black cats, or Friday the 13th. However, I do have a solid respect for the unseen world that is described in the Bible. God created angels that we cannot see. The Bible tells how one of them decided he was better than God and rebelled, taking others with him. Those beings are described as Satan and his demons. They are powerful and can rule anything and anyone who will give them an invitation.
Most people would never think to invite evil or demons into their lives, but these creatures are subtle and rarely advertise themselves as evil. In fact, the Bible says they “masquerade as servants of righteousness.” Jesus said Satan is a liar and the father of lies, so anyone who gives in to any kind of a lie is unwittingly stepping into his arena.
The dark side of evil becomes more obvious in the lives of anyone who goes deeply into it. The previous tenants of that house had much more going on in their lives than muttering curses. These destructive beings were quite happy to promote whatever they were doing, plus answer their curses by sticking around after they moved out.
The new tenant does not worship idols or want anything to do with evil spirits, but even having the image in her house is to them an invitation. Until she gets rid of it, she will experience their presence and activity.
The good news? Christ lives in her heart. No matter how hard they try, evil beings of any kind cannot remain in His presence without a battle. He defeated the power of evil when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. Even though He said to His followers, “In this world you will have trouble,” He added, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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