Based in New York City, Bishop Reid and Pastor Reid discusses the people and instruments of revival n this weekly podast series, Arrows of Revival

How to Overcome Divination

How to Overcome Divination

In this episode we discuss: - the meaning and types of divination - identifying churches in divination - consequences of meddling with the spirit of divination - steps to being delivered from divination

What is Divination?

What is divination? It is interacting with the spiritual world to gain information, outside of the way God commands through Jesus Christ.  It is interacting with demonic spirits to gain power, control, healing, wishes, desires, “luck”, information, and so on. Many people are bound in divination through activities that they believe are innocent such as reading horoscopes, palm reading, calling psychics, wearing lucky charms, candle burning, incense burning, using ‘healing oils’, using ‘holy water’, etc.  These activities open the door to demonic activity and bondage in the person’s life. Below is more about divination and how to be free.

Forms of Divination:

  • Witchcraft - spell casting, enchantment. Witches often use divination in their arsenal.

  • Voodu - othe form of witchcraft also known as Obeah, spiritual healing, etc.

  • Soothsaying - Speaking or walking in revelation from the demonic world.  Making predictions based on physical signs, patterns, etc (stars, pattern of birds, palm readings, horoscope, psychic, ouiji board, other bodily readings) Pretending to prophecy.

  • Necromancy - conjuring up the spirit of the dead usually with the purpose of gaining knowledge.

  • Astrology - divination by using the movement and position of the stars.

  • Sorcery - magical spell.  Practicing magic.

  • Occult - secret practices or knowledge dealing with ‘psychic powers’.

  • Old Testament Ritualism - practicing Old Testament rituals such as incense burning, using a copy of the Ark of the Covenant, wearing Old Testament priestly robes, etc.

Divination in churches - some churches have divination practices such as using oils, incenses, ‘holy water’, and other objects that was not commanded by God.  Some use candle burning, fabric wrapping to tap into the spirit world. Some consult spirit of the dead, pray to angels to connect with the spirit world.  This is all divination. Some churches fellowship with other churches or people that are involved in divination and so expose their church to that spirit. Many Christians are bound in divination.

Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought and the deceit of their heart.


Consequences of Divination

The following traits are the result of divination.  People who have a number of the following things in their life, or a recurring prevalence of any are most likely in bondage to divination or under its influence.

1)  Mental Illness - Isa 44:25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

2) Family-wide Uncleanness - adultery, divorce, fornication, homosexuality and other forms of sexual uncleanness that destroys households and families will be prevalent among those taken by divination.  Hos 4:13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.

3)  Dispossession - loss of personal property and belongings in an abnormal way; loss of security.  Deut 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

Deut 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

Deut 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

4)  Victimization - those who consult with divination in an attempt to be free from their problems will be even more victimized by all types of bad situations.  The problem they seek to escape will perpetuate. They will have a life filled with physical, mental and spiritual victimization and trouble.

Isa 47:13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.

Isa 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.

5) Darkness - inability to see their own wrongs, and inability to identify the terrible state their life is in.  Loss of recognition of moral wrong; they will wrong even those close to them without recognizing it. Isa 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

6) Death Mongering - death will characterize their life; either those around them or themselves.  Many of them have untimely death, and or always have death knocking at their door.

Lev 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.  Lev 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

How to Be Free

1) Surrender to the Lordship of Christ

  • 1Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

  • 1John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

  • Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

  • Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Example:  I surrender by body, soul, spirit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day.  Lord, forgive me of all my sins. I confess that only through Jesus Christ can I come to God. I reject every spirit that denies that Jesus Christ is Lord.  I make a decision only to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.  

2)  Renounce all connection to divination

Acts 19:18  And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

Before witnesses renounce the spirit of divination and testify of your freedom.

Example: “In the name of Jesus I renounce all divination, witchcraft, etc, and all connection to it.. I reject every spirit of divination from my life in the name of Jesus Christ.  I plea the blood of Jesus Christ against all demonic activity.  I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life, and I refuse to give divination any space”

Testify of the freedom you have from divination through Jesus Christ

3)   Disconnect from all divination mediums

Acts 19:18-19  And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Get rid of any object, oils, incense, jewelry, games, books, lucky charms, videos, etc and anything else that you have from divination, or received from diviners, witchcraft workers, voodu workers, spiritual healers, palm readers, etc.  This may include: ouiji boards, tarot cards, occult video games, “holy water”, candle burning, incense.  Any object, or mechanics that are used to connect with the spirit world outside of Christ should be destroyed if possible or completely discarded from your life.

4)  Disconnect from all diviners or associates of diviners

Separate yourself from all divination workers, or those who associate with divination workers.  Separate from churches and even Christians that tolerate and fellowship with divination workers or harbor divination objects or practices.

Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

2Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Deut 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter or a witch,

Lev 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

5)  Connect with Godly Leaders

Acts 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.  

(Simon was a sorcerer who decided to be baptized but was still bound by the spirit of divination.  Peter rebuked him, and told him to repent.  He asks Peter for prayer)

Receive prayer from them for complete deliverance.

Submit to their leadership in Christ for covering.

6)  Fill up with God

- fill up on God’s word

- be filled with the Holy Spirit

- fellowship with the people of God

Matt 12:43  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Matt 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Matt 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

7)  Test every spirit

Test every spirit by:

    • Does the activity or words match up with God’s word?

    • Does the spirit exalt Christ?

    • Does the spirit lead to godly activities?

    • Does the spirit produce good fruits?

    • Are godly Christian leaders in agreement with the words or activities of the spirit?

If the answer to any the above is no, then it is not the Spirit of God.  Only the Spirit of

God could do all the above.  The Holy Spirit will also never force you to do something

against your will.

1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2Cor 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

How to Minister to Those Bound by Divination


To effectively minister to those bound by this spirit, you must ensure that there are no divination or connection to it in your life.  Ensure that all doors to demons over your life are closed. Lift your faith with scriptures that assures you of authority over demonic spirits in general, and against divination specifically.  Practice a life of prayer and fasting. Be connected to godly leaders.

Scriptures on Authority over Divination

Num 23:23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

2Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Exod 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Exod 7:12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

To minister to those bound in divination:

1) Lead them into surrendering all to Christ

Acts 8 - (The Samaritans believed in a sorcerer but turned away from him to Christ, after

Phillips preaching.)

2) Cast out every demonic power operating in their life

Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.


Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.  (It was a spirit of divination according to Acts 16:16)


3) Lead or instruct them in renouncing all divination connection

Acts 19:18-19  And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.


4) Instruct them to disconnect from all diviners or associate of diviners.


2Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,


If the diviner is a family member instruct the person to keep and line in their activities with this person - such as having no spiritual interaction, separating from all their divining activities and objects, continually rebuking evil spirits and covering oneself under the blood of Christ.


5)  Instruct them to connect with a godly church with godly leaders.


6)  Provide them with scriptures to fight against divination attacks

Examples:

Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.


Num 23:23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!


Deut 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter or a witch,


7) Pray for them to be filled with the Holy Ghost


Answering Your Questions

Answering Your Questions

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Confronting Witchcraft