Dear friends, I would like to ‘put it out there’ and plainly state ‘yes, I do believe in magic’. There I’ve said it, now let me explain.
There are a lot of ‘things’ in this world that have been introduced by Satan. Most of them people (christians especially), easily identify. Obviously we have stealing and murder at the top of the list and all the other things that are a direct flagrant violation not only to the law of God but also to the law of man. These violations bring a outcry from mankind but what about the ‘other’ introductions from Satan, the ones that ‘go under the radar’ almost ‘unnoticed’ and often deemed ‘cute’ and ‘funny’. These are the ones my friend, deemed fatal, they enter the house unnoticed. They start small, imperceptibly gaining until Satan has full control of the household and they are held captive in his ‘spell’. The most dangerous of Satan’s deceptions are the ones that creep in unnoticed, we would never kill or steal, our minds are repulsed at the thought but what is the ‘lesser of the two evils’? Do we think twice about watching that movie or associating with ‘that’ person. Eventually the small does grow on us and before we know it we are under Satan’s controlling ‘spell’.
There’s that word again ‘spell’, now where have I heard it before? Let me see, movies, books, TV programs, even day to day chit-chat. Let’s look for a definition. There seems to be a couple of definitions but the specific one I’m referring to is;
According to the dictionary:-
Spell:-
* A form of words used as a magical charm or incantation.
* A state of enchantment caused by a magic spell.
* An ability to control or influence people as though one had magical power over them.
* So devoted to someone that they seem to have magic power over one.
What common anonymity can we find hidden in here? Let’s search for it closely as the devil is very crafty and he has hidden it well. With anything hidden it can often be disguised and with the devil this concept is well known. We all know how he disguised himself as a angel of light before tempting our blessed redeemer in the desert, how he appeared to Eve in Eden, Satan is the master of disguise, he can even impersonate our dearly departed so well many believe they are talking with their loved ones. So back to the definition of ‘spell’. I believe, cleverly hidden, what we can find is deceit, and who is the master of deceit? Yes, it’s Satan.
So how does this intertwine with my first statement that ‘I believe in magic’. It’s like this:-
- Satan is the master of disguise and deception. He creates a atmosphere and then puts you in it.
- Satan has invented ‘magic’ in the fictional world of movies, books etc even in life itself (some parents really lie to their children making them believe santa and the ‘magic’ of santa is real). Adults know and (most) teach their children it is a fictional world but is it really?
- Satan’s ‘magic’ knows no bounds. He draws you in firstly with the ‘cutsie’, children’s movies, books with the ‘harmless’ little bit of magic then leads deeper and deeper into the darkness finally ending in full blown evil. I believe the Harry Potter series is a perfect example of this. While I have never seen even the remotest part of any series it was widely advertised and very ‘in your face’. I saw the smallest children wildly excited waiting outside the book store for the final instalment of the series. What chance does that kid have? The advertising shorts I saw were enough to make me change the channel and this wickedness Satan is using to fill our minds.
- Where does it all end up? I can tell you friends, it often ends in Satanic possession. If people don’t see it for what it is, or their curiosity for a ‘vision’ of the future or the afterlife leads them into the sorcerer’s den, they have fallen victim to the devil and heaven help them or they are lost.
- If Satan can create this in a ‘fictional’ world, why can’t he create it in ‘real time’?
Let’s tie all this together starting with point a). I call it ‘a magic bubble’. Picture if you will a bubble large enough for you to stand inside with a decent amount of space, then have a peek inside this bubble friend, and you will see your life all laid out for you, look around, your wife, children, family & friends, it’s all there. It looks and feels very real. You live quite comfortably in this ‘bubble’ and see no reason for concern. But then things start to go wrong, problems arise as they do in normal life but this friends, is where the ‘bubble’ starts to show its true character. The ‘magic’ of the ‘bubble’, bubbles to the surface, but friend do you see it? Problems weigh down upon you, the weight is so heavy you feel you are going to sink, storm waves crash over you, and you are tossed in the tempest, you reach out for help but you can’t find anyone. Where are your friends, where is Jesus? Your imagination tells you Jesus has left, your friends aren’t really friends as soon as the road got bumpy they left. In your discouragement and despair darkness closes in and you feel all is lost.
This friend is the ‘magic’ I believe in. Step outside the ‘bubble’ for a moment and take a glance at the situation, you will see your ‘magic bubble’ is all a fabrication of Satan. Satan has created this atmosphere, Satan & his agents are busily pushing all manner of discouragement and despair upon you. It is Satan telling you your friends and family have abandoned you, it is Satan telling you Jesus has left and worse still enveloped in Satan’s ‘magic bubble’ you believed him.
Satan often mixes truth with error, under Satan’s ‘spell’ in his ‘magic bubble’ you cannot discern that Satan hasn’t given you all the information or the whole picture, he is only feeding you what he can use to discourage you, yes you have problems, yes the path is rocky but what Satan doesn’t tell you is help is available, Satan never tells you anything that will encourage you, Satan only presses you under with anything he can use to burden you with discouragement and despair. But the most important fact we must remember is Jesus will never leave.
I think you get the picture friend, this magic I believe in is Satan’s ability to fabricate atmospheres, create surroundings to his desire and then place us in it. As he does in his ‘cutsie magic’ fictional world he also does in real life. Friend it is important to break free of these ‘bubbles’, face the world as it really is, with Jesus by our side. Break free from Satan’s ‘created life’ and walk hand in hand with Jesus, and you will feel a different person. You don’t need to be weighed down with discouragement and despair, that is Satan friend, step out of his bubble and walk hand in hand with Jesus, life no matter how hard will be, friend, a whole lot brighter.
So we have established the fact that Satan does use this ‘magic’ concept in the real world, but as we have noted Satan is the master of disguise, do you think he is going to tap you on the shoulder and invite us to step into his bubble? No of course not, he is going to use deceit. The question that remains is how do we know if we have fallen victim to his trap and if so how do we get out because believe me once in Satan will do everything in his power to keep us there.
To be able to break free from Satan’s spell we are going to need to enable all our fighting capabilities. Satan won’t let us out of the bubble without a fight, he wants to keep us locked in this atmosphere of deceit – there he has power over you (where have I heard that before, oh I know, earlier in the document under the definition of ‘spell’. Here we have Satan working his ‘magic’ again). If Satan has full control/power over you he can lead you wherever he wants and it is always to damnation. Friend, if you‘re in one of his ‘magic bubbles’ or heading into one it’s going to take all your fighting power to get out and stay out. Even if Satan is trying to lure you into his realm, be on guard and fight for once under his control there’s hell to pay to get out. But get out we can because we can call upon the power of Jesus. Jesus, what a blessed name. Jesus doesn’t use ‘magic’, everything is as you see it. Yes the problems are still there but we can also see Jesus is by our side and it is this knowledge that is going to help us break free.
Once in the bubble our judgment is clouded, like a fog envelopes the mind disabling our ability to see clearly. Imagine driving on a day so cloudy we couldn’t see five feet ahead, yes – we are going to crash. It’s the same in the bubble, it’s so cloudy it’s inevitable that sooner or later we will crash.
I think it’s highly possible we have all either been in this bubble at some stage or we are in it now, so let’s start putting on our fighting armour and start fighting back. Our only hope is Jesus, but in this delusional atmosphere Satan has told us that Jesus has left – in this mind state we MUST pull on all our power to believe God’s promises.
Here are a few of my favourites to keep in mind:-
Hebrews 13:5 “…I will never leave thee nor forsake thee”
Joshua 1:9 “…Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Matthew 28:20 “…I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
Jesus never leaves. If we keep these beautiful promises from the Bible ‘under our hats’, close to our heart we will always be in possession of a escape route out of Satan’s ‘magic bubble’. God’s promises are powerful and they are the key to unlocking the bubble.
Let’s have a look at a few that will help.
Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield;…”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Psalm 59:9 “Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.”
We also need to remember it is by Jesus’ life on earth we also can obtain victory over the devil’s temptations – when Satan is tempting you to join him remember it is possible to reject his temptings – we don’t have to follow his promptings and it is through Jesus’ victory over temptation that we can gain the victory. Jesus never relented once to Satan’s temptings and this victory has paved the way for us to be able to follow in His footsteps. Our victory over temptation comes through Jesus’ victory, Jesus’ victory has given power to our victory and Satan has no choice but to depart.
Friend, the battle in this world isn’t easy. As I’ve said before we are living in Satan’s playground and until that blessed day comes and Jesus takes us home – yes my friend we have to fight. Remember Satan is the master of disguise, he never tells the whole truth, and he always twists and turns things in his attempt to deceive. Friends be on the lookout, please, Satan is ever at our door. If you are in one of his ‘bubbles’ you have the power of Jesus with you to break free. Friends I call for everybody to put on the whole armour of God and ever stand ready. Gird yourself with God’s armour, hold your shield and spear ever ready and don’t let Satan catch you napping – Awake christian Awake – Satan is on the prowl.
The Armour Of God
Ephesians 6:10-18
10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18: Praying always….