Close the Doors and Windows

This week we want to continue talking to you about closing access to the illegal intrusions of the enemy.

Ephesians 6: 12-13 reads: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

When we talk about putting on the armor, we are actually talking about putting on the very nature of Christ to protect us from the ways the enemy tries to take advantage of circumstances and situations when things in life go wrong.

James 4:7-8a tells us: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…

We’ve spoken about this before, but some of the ways the enemy gained access to intrude into your life was through horoscopes, psychic readings, mystical objects like statutes and jewelry, demon infested music and movies, or violent video games. He literally breaks into your home, coming through the windows of your eyes and ears; getting directly to your thoughts.

We realize this may sound like we’re being overly dramatic, and maybe a bit too spooky or religious, but we want you just to consider this. If the enemy of your soul hates you, to what lengths do you think he will go to deceive God’s creation and drag them to hell with him?

Let me share a personal experience. Way back when I was in my 20’s, I absolutely loved the music of Earth, Wind and Fire. I may not have been their number one fan, but I was pretty close. If you’re familiar with that band, you know that they incorporated all kinds of mystical symbols and phrases in their songs.

I loved listening to their music in my headphones and that’s how I often fell asleep, listening to music. One night I fell asleep listening to their music and something strange happened. I saw the music in my sleep and it was like waves and streams of water circling around me. The music was like a fluid, but at the same time it was like air.

However, flying around in the music was demons. I could barely see them because they were moving too fast, but I knew they were spirits and I knew they were not friendly. They were encircling me as the music encircled me, because they were in the music. I began to panic as realized I was still sleeping. I began to try to wake myself up, but my body was paralyzed. I couldn't move in the dream and I couldn't move in real life. All I could do to break the spell was to say, ‘Jesus’. When I spoke His name, I woke up.

That was my first encounter and realization that there was more to music than just a good sound. So today, we call upon the heads of households, standing in the gap of the walls of your heart and home, to consider what you will allow to pass through that wall and into your heart and home. If something is from the demonic realm, you can be sure that the enemy will take advantage of the opening to attack you and your family.

You may find yourself getting depressed for no reason, anxious for no reason, angry for no reason, or fearful for no reason. You can find yourself with lustful thoughts for no reason, lonely thoughts for no reason, and suicidal thoughts for no reason. And yes, you can trace it back to those times where the enemy invaded your life, perhaps even years ago. He rushed through the door, or broke through the windows of your eyes and ears.

You may have bought a little souvenir during a vacation, but you didn't know that the person who sold you that little wooden god had prayed that its influence would follow the buyer for the rest of their life. We’re not trying to scare you, but we want to make you aware of the schemes and wiles of your enemy. He doesn't fight fair. He hates you. He hates your kids. And no one is exempt.

Like me, you may have been playing the music of your favorite entertainers, but you didn't realize that their influence is filling your heart with anxiety, fear, rage, lust, and even thoughts of suicide. A couple of months ago we read a news article that said a former pastor’s teenage son, shot and killed his whole family. There had been no previous record of violence or any behavioral problems in that young man’s life.

The world will call it mental illness. We’re telling you that at some time prior to that killing, there was a demonic, illegal intrusion; a HOME INVASION, by the enemy, taking advantage of open windows and doors through video games, movies, books, or music. He might have invaded that young man through bullying, harassment, accusations, insinuations, or religious condemnation, to plant those heinous thoughts in his heart and mind.

First let us say, don’t panic. Don’t get into fear. Just put on your spiritual armor. Let’s put on Christ. Then you’re going to close the open doors and windows of your life.

Most of you reading this email were like me. You just simply bought and listened to a CD of your favorite artist. For others, you like watching the horror and fantasy movies and you find yourself reciting the spells. You had no idea that this stuff is REAL and not just entertainment. Some of you just bought a board game, a video game, or a lucky charm. Some of you recited a mystical pledge, you were in a séance, you did a psychic reading, or some psychic healer told you to place a particular object under your pillow or beside your bed. You didn't know that these things were opening you up to the spiritual world, but it was NOT the Godly spiritual world.

Many years ago, God gave me a dream. I saw thick poisonous pollution in the sky over an entire city. As I looked closer, I saw the pollution coming out of the windows of homes and apartments. Then I looked closer and I could see into people’s homes and the pollution was pouring out of televisions and radios. I didn't know back then, that today, there would be cable TV, satellite TV and even satellite radio. The poisonous pollution of the enemy is pouring out of everything that we think of as being entertainment. There has been a national home invasion.

We’re not telling you what to watch and what to listen to everyday. We’re just encouraging you to guard your heart and home. One of today’s popular rap artist told a national media outlet that he doesn't allow his own children to listen to his music. Yet, he has no problem with poisoning the minds of your and my children and grandchildren.

As parents, we took an active part in guarding our home. Our sons can tell you. Because of our roles in ministry, we just could not allow our home to be invaded. We even set rules for people who stayed with us from time to time. When they broke the rules, we KNEW instantly because our sleep would be disturbed by those invading influences.

We bought our children their first CD players. We bought their first Christian rap music. We went with them to purchase video games. When we found something hidden in our home that was outside of the boundaries of our rules, we threw it out. Now our sons have reached adulthood and they can make their own choices, but at least they know how serious this is. And just like our adult children, now it is your opportunity to close the doors and windows to the home invasion of the enemy.