Winning the War: For Your Children's Souls

good soldier would never enter into battle without first studying his opponent. He wouldn't carry a bow and arrow onto the battlefield if his enemy had guns. He certainly wouldn't ignore a declaration of war, choosing to believe his enemy didn't exist, thereby leaving himself defenseless against a powerful, destructive force. We are living in the time that the Apostle Paul spoke of when "...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and, being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13) Evil abounds all around us. We are the soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3), and we are involved in a tremendous battle. As blood-washed, Spirit-filled believers, we must be alert, aware of our authority over Satan, and be wise as the serpent in our dealings with the world.

The devil has declared war, and you and your family, are his targets. Satan wants your children! He wants to destroy them. If he can get them when they are young they will grow up to become witches, sorcerers, high priests for him. There are certain things we know and specific things we need to do to keep our families safe from the maneuverings of the devil.

Watch Your Children:

Here are some things to look for in your children's behavior that will show you if they have been exposed to Satanism.

1. If a child has an imaginary playmate, listen to how he interacts with this "friend." If a child is influenced by someone in the occult, this "friend" might not be so imaginary; it could be a spirit guide (a demon spirit). You will be able to tell if this is a demon if it wants to hurt people or lies to you.

Many children have friends who are simply creations of their own imaginations. As they mature, real friends will replace their pretend ones. In any case, be sensitive to your child: watch and pray.

2. Be aware of comic books, library books, and television programs. Many of them have a great deal of witchcraft, Satanism, and overt sexual content.

3. Of special concern today is the Internet. As a parent, you must monitor the Web Sites that your children visit. Because of the interactive capability of the Web, this medium can be even more dangerous than television at its worst!

4. If a child is hesitant to talk to you about a friend, check further into the situation. A child who is withholding things from you may be afraid to tell the truth because he is in a potentially dangerous situation; he may even have been threatened.

5. If a young child is acting out a sexual situation or talking a lot about body parts (in a way that sounds like more than curiosity), it might indicate that something of a satanic nature, or even sexual abuse, has occurred against the child.

6. Sometimes a child who has been exposed to Satanism will write backwards or say unfamiliar words and phrases, which he seems to understand perfectly. The gibberish may be satanic phrases.

7. A child who has been exposed to Satanism will have radical, unexplainable mood changes. You know your child, and you know what he will do when you say "No" or "It's time to go to bed." When you see a sudden change in his behavior, check it out.

Defeating the Enemy:

If you discover that your child is involved in Satanism or the occult, don't despair! Our God is a BIG GOD. He is a loving, wondrous God. He can take even the worst experience and turn it into a miracle of His love and mercy. He can turn a satanist into an evangelist. He can turn an abused child into a Christian counselor who reaches the world with the message of hope. God has done this for thousands of people-He can do it for your child!

So, if you see your child's attention going toward satan, plead the blood of Jesus over him. Speak the Word to him and for him. Pray that people will come to your child with a ministry of love and caring. Pray that your child will find the attention and sense of belonging that he yearns for in your home and in your church.

Seek the prayer agreement, support, and counsel of your pastor and other church leaders. Communicate with your child. Keep the communication lines between you as open as possible, always remembering that it is the love and goodness of God that leads to repentance. Above all, remember that God wants your child, free and whole even more than you do, and He will do all that is needed to accomplish that goal.

By: Marilyn Hickey