Witchcraft in Disguise | Part 5 - Seven Steps to Revival | Derek Prince

Seven Steps to Revival: Witchcraft in Disguise

Introduction and Proclamation

• The speaker begins with a proclamation from Deuteronomy 33:25-27, emphasizing God's strength and protection.

• The message is framed around the theme of revival, highlighting God's intention to drive out enemies and empower His people.

Building a Highway for Revival

• Reference to Isaiah 62:10 encourages preparation for revival by removing obstacles ("stones") that hinder progress.

• The speaker identifies pride and legalism as significant barriers to revival that have been addressed in previous messages.

Identifying the Third Boulder: Witchcraft

• The focus shifts to "Witchcraft in Disguise," which may be shocking but stems from love and experience.

• Emphasizes man's original authority given by God (Genesis 1:27-28) and how sin has led to a loss of this authority, replaced by witchcraft's control.

Understanding Witchcraft

• Witchcraft is defined as an alien spiritual power that seeks to dominate rather than empower individuals through free will.

• Control is identified as the key element of witchcraft, contrasting it with God's respect for human free will.

Biblical Foundations of Witchcraft

• Samuel's declaration in 1 Samuel 15:23 links rebellion directly with witchcraft, indicating their intertwined nature.

• Three aspects of witchcraft are outlined: witchcraft (power), divination (revelation), and sorcery (control). Each operates under rebellion against God’s order.

Societal Impact of Witchcraft

• Rebellion leads to widespread witchcraft within society; it's described as the religion of fallen man found globally across cultures.

• Examples include attempts to control nature, fertility, and human relationships through supernatural means like potions or rituals.

Supernatural Nature of Witchcraft

• Acknowledges that while evil powers exist outside God’s realm, they can exert real influence over people's lives through various practices including curses and spells.

Modern Manifestations

• Discusses contemporary examples such as drug use being linked with sorcery; music also plays a role in influencing behavior akin to witchcraft practices historically seen in Africa.

Personal Testimony on Curses

• Shares an anecdote about a Jewish woman healed from rheumatoid arthritis after reading a prayer meant for releasing curses—demonstrating the supernatural battle at play between good and evil forces.

Infiltration into Christianity

• Highlights how Satan can disguise himself within Christian contexts, using Acts 16:16–18 as an example where fortune-telling was mistaken for divine endorsement.

• Warned against naivety regarding supernatural truths presented within church settings; not all revelations come from God.

Conclusion on Church Dynamics

• Concludes with insights on how manipulation can manifest even among believers; emphasizes vigilance against internal threats likened to historical fifth columns during warfare.

The Manipulative Nature of Advertising

Motivations Behind Advertising

• Advertising aims to create desires for unnecessary products and encourage purchases beyond one's financial means. This manipulation can lead to addictions, such as nicotine and alcohol.

• Visual imagery in advertisements, like the Marlboro man or a happy beer drinker, evokes cravings without explicit messaging, demonstrating the power of suggestion in advertising.

Addictions Beyond Substances

• Shopping is identified as a prevalent addiction that often goes unrecognized. A humorous anecdote highlights this through a church member's bumper sticker proclaiming "I was born to shop!" suggesting societal acceptance of shopping addiction.

Manipulation in Relationships

Dynamics Between Partners

• In relationships, manipulation can manifest through intimidation from men and emotional manipulation from women, with both seeking control over their partner's actions. Men may resort to anger while women might use tears or emotional distress as tools for influence.

• Jealousy is highlighted as a controlling mechanism used by men to dominate their partners emotionally, creating an environment of fear and compliance.

Emotional Manipulation Techniques

• Sulking is presented as another form of manipulation where one partner withdraws affection or communication until their demands are met, showcasing how emotional responses can be weaponized in relationships.

• Women may manipulate through guilt by reminding husbands of past grievances when they seek something they want, which creates an unhealthy dynamic based on emotional leverage rather than open communication.

Gender Differences in Manipulation

Witchcraft and Its Impact

• The speaker suggests that witchcraft-like manipulation affects women more frequently than men but warns that when it does affect men, it results in severe consequences and destructive behavior patterns. Many women inherit manipulative tendencies across generations.

Cultural Observations

• The speaker notes cultural differences regarding manipulation styles; particularly mentioning Southern American women who are perceived to have inherited manipulative traits within their social context. This observation emphasizes the role culture plays in shaping behaviors around control and influence within relationships.

Sexual Manipulation Within Marriage

Scriptural Guidance on Marital Relations

• The importance of mutual consent regarding sexual relations between spouses is emphasized using scripture (1 Corinthians 7), highlighting that withholding intimacy is forbidden and detrimental to marital health. Both partners should fulfill each other's needs without coercion or refusal based on personal grievances or discomfort with sexual practices.

Child Manipulation Tactics

Children’s Behavioral Strategies

• Children often manipulate parents through temper tantrums or strategic requests during social situations when parents are less likely to refuse them due to embarrassment or peer pressure from guests present at home gatherings. Parents must recognize these tactics early on to prevent future behavioral issues as children grow up into adulthood with these learned behaviors intact.

Parental Influence on Child Behavior

• Parents may also manipulate children by fostering dependency through possessiveness or conditional love based on good behavior—teaching children that affection must be earned rather than freely given leads to insecurity about parental love throughout childhood development stages.

Church-Based Manipulations

Financial Exploitation

• Various forms of financial manipulation occur within churches where pastors appeal for donations using guilt tactics or exaggerated narratives about suffering communities needing help—this undermines genuine charitable giving motivated by compassion rather than obligation.

Cult-like Behaviors

• Certain church practices demand unquestioning loyalty from members under threat of being labeled 'covenant breakers' if they choose to leave—a tactic commonly associated with cult dynamics aimed at maintaining control over congregants’ lives.

Spiritual Manipulations

Misuse of Spiritual Gifts

• There’s concern over spiritual gifts being manipulated for personal gain; instances include leaders using prayer coercively or misinterpreting prophetic messages for self-serving purposes instead of glorifying God.

Flattery in Prophecy

• Flattering prophecies serve as traps appealing primarily to pride; true prophecy should always point back towards Jesus rather than elevate individuals claiming divine insight.

Remedies Against Manipulation

Emphasizing Sincerity

• To combat manipulation effectively requires embracing simplicity and godly sincerity devoid of hidden agendas—encouraging open confrontation over passive-aggressive behaviors fosters healthier interactions among individuals.

Biblical Examples

• Paul’s direct confrontation with Peter serves as an example illustrating the necessity for honesty even among leaders; addressing wrongdoing openly prevents hypocrisy from taking root within communities.

Witchcraft in Relationships: Understanding Manipulation

The Nature of Manipulation

• The speaker addresses the issue of manipulation within relationships, highlighting behaviors such as domineering by men and manipulative tactics by women.

• The term "witchcraft" is introduced to describe these manipulative behaviors, emphasizing its severity and alignment with evil actions contrary to God's will.

• Acknowledgment of personal issues related to witchcraft is encouraged, with a call for repentance and renouncement of such behaviors.

Seeking Deliverance

• Individuals may find themselves both using manipulation and being victims of it; seeking deliverance is presented as a necessary step.

• The speaker suggests that husbands should be the first point of contact for wives seeking help, reinforcing the idea that they serve as spiritual leaders or "priests."

Personal Testimony and Guidance

• An anecdote illustrates how a woman realized her need for her husband's support after initially resisting his involvement in her spiritual struggles.

• The importance of mutual support between spouses is emphasized, suggesting couples may need further counseling together.

Call to Action

• A direct invitation is made for individuals recognizing their issues with witchcraft to stand up for prayer, indicating urgency in addressing these problems.

• The speaker outlines a simple prayer process aimed at calling on Jesus' name for deliverance from witchcraft.

Expelling Evil Spirits

• Emphasis is placed on the act of expelling demons rather than merely praying; this involves taking decisive action against spiritual oppression.

• Participants are encouraged to prioritize their deliverance over dignity, acknowledging that spirits associated with witchcraft can manifest disruptively during expulsion.

Intercession and Collective Prayer

• Attendees are urged not to be passive but instead engage in intercessory prayer for those standing up for help during the session.

Deliverance Process

• A structured prayer led by the speaker invites participants to confess sins related to witchcraft and seek forgiveness actively.

• Participants are guided through specific declarations against witchcraft, reinforcing their commitment to renounce any controlling behavior.

Final Exhortation

• A powerful declaration calls upon Jesus' authority over evil spirits present in the auditorium, asserting their defeat through faith.

• The speaker emphasizes that spirits must obey Jesus’ name, encouraging participants who have been manipulated by parents or others to break free from those influences.