Strange Fire: From Altars to Algorithms
1 Corinthians 12:10; Deuteronomy 18:9-14 Leviticus 18:24-30
Acts 19:19; Ephesians 5:11
General discernment is a ___________________. It’s trained in righteousness, prayer, shaped by scripture, and time spent with God.
Discerning of spirits is a ___________________. It’s Holy Spirit radar that lets you see behind the curtain into the unseen realm.
The Four R’s of Spiritual Cleansing:
● Recognize what defiles
● Remove what compromises
● Reclaim what belongs to God
● Reside in ongoing holiness
Questions to Ask:
● Was this object dedicated to a false god or sinful practice?
● Does it symbolize occultism, death, or spiritual rebellion?
● Is there any “residue” from past ownership or use (like tarot cards, idols, witchcraft, etc.)?
● Does it provoke fear, confusion, or heaviness?
Common Traps to Avoid:
Over-spiritualizing everything: Not every creaky floorboard is a demon.
Fear-based cleansing: Fear gives ground to the enemy. Act in obedience and faith in Jesus.
Mimicking occult methods: Avoid rituals that look more pagan than biblical.
Action Steps:
● Destroy objects linked to darkness (don’t donate or resell).
● Renounce any former use/connection in prayer.
● Repent of knowingly tolerating evil under your roof.
● Invite the Holy Spirit to fill the void that darkness was occupying.
Spiritual cleansing isn’t just “warding off evil.” It’s about reclaiming territory for the Kingdom of God, removing what defiles, and inviting the presence of Jesus to dwell fully in the space He paid for.
Dark Practices in the Scriptures
1 Corinthians 12:10; Deuteronomy 18:9-14 Leviticus 18:24-30
Acts 19:19; Ephesians 5:11
Divination – the practice of using supernatural means to gain secret knowledge, insight, clarity, guidance, or predict the future.
● Ezekiel 21:21; Deuteronomy 18:10
Soothsaying / Fortune-telling – often tied to astrological or intuitive prediction
● Micah 5:12; Acts 16:16
Observing Omens – (Heb. nahash) – interpreting natural events (e.g., bird patterns, weather; reading entrails) as divine signs
● Leviticus 19:26
Sorcery / Magic Arts – using spells, potions, rituals to manipulate reality
● Exodus 22:18; Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8
Enchantments / Incantations – ritualized words or chants meant to produce supernatural results
● Isaiah 47:9-13
Witchcraft – often translated interchangeably with sorcery, but sometimes focused on individuals using magical manipulation
● Galatians 5:20
Mediums / Spiritists – those who summon spirits of the dead or channel other entities
● Leviticus 20:6; Isaiah 8:19
Necromancy – the specific practice of calling up or communicating with the dead
● Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:1; 1 Samuel 28
Consulting the Dead – forbidden across the board
● 1 Samuel 28:7
Star-gazing / Astrology – using celestial movements to predict or influence outcomes
● Isaiah 47:13
Worship of Heavenly Hosts – Israel frequently fell into this trap
● 2 Kings 17:16
Household gods / Teraphim – often used for divination
● Genesis 31:19
Amulets, Charms, Crystals, Magic Bands – worn or used for protection or energy manipulation
● Ezekiel 13:18; 2 Kings 23;7
False Prophets / Counterfeit Revelations / Lying Signs & Wonders
● Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:20-22; Jeremiah 14:14; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 16:14
Male and Female Temple Prostitutes / Sex Magic – ritual sex for manipulating divine favor from the gods to bless the land with rain, crops, and babies.
● Deuteronomy 23:17-18; 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 23:7
Human and Child Sacrifice – worship involving human sacrifice to dark spiritual beings (blood is currency in Satanism)
● Judges 11:29-40; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:10; Psalm 106:37-38; Jer. 32:35
Energy Manipulation / Power Rituals – Not named directly, but these would fall under “sorcery”, “magic arts,” or “false wonders”
● Deuteronomy 18;9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9
● Enhancing your frequency.
● Elevating your vibrations.
● Manifestation.
● Laws of attraction.