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Old 11-10-2008, 11:07 PM
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stephanos stephanos is offline
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Wenatchee WA
Posts: 885
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Originally Posted by Vendetta Ride View Post
Brother, I would strongly advise that you skip this thing entirely. I was involved in the occult before I was saved, and I know these people. If you go to one of their events, you're dealing with them on their own turf, and, even worse, you're dealing with them as a group. I'm not downplaying the wonderful power of Christ, but this is not the way to do it.

The way to deal with occult people is individually. You need to get such a person away from his friends, where it's one on one (or two on one; taking a brother with you is even better), and his friends aren't backing him up. In such situations, the deck is stacked against you - - - no pun intended.

When you deal with them as a group, the unclean spirits are more powerful than at any other time. It's like dealing with drunks: when they're all together and having a good time, reveling in their sin, they're much less likely to listen. You need to get them alone, where the Spirit can work on them individually and intimately, and they won't have their "support group."

I'm not trying to discourage you in your witness, but I'm warning you: this is a dangerous situation, and only the most mature believers could handle it. I've been saved for 39 years, and even I wouldn't go to this sort of thing.

There's a reason your friend was "cast down" by the end of the night. He was probably just overwhelmed by the unclean spirits. Do you think it's God's will to put yourself in such a position?

Please, brother, skip it. Deal with them one on one. This isn't like passing out tracts at a beach or a rock concert; this is invading the Enemy's home territory in a way that is, I think, unscriptural. Paul dealt with the "intellectuals" as a group, in Acts 17; but when he or Peter dealt with occult or possessed people, it was always individually.

If you go, you will be opening yourself up for horrible Satanic oppression, if not outright possession. Please pray about this.

As I say, I speak from experience.
I personally wouldn't necessarily skip out on it, but that's because I have experience with these folks and know exactly what to expect and how to get the best results. VR's advice is sound and you would be well advised to get them to talk with you one on one instead of a big sign and shouting at them. If I were you I would have had situation specific tracts ready in advance (which you don't) and I would prepare some things I might say to these folks. I would then go around talking with folks about the gospel one on one. I'd be passing out tracts and avoiding debates. This sort of event is a seed sowing type event. You want to cast out as many seeds as possible then get out and let the Holy Ghost take it from there.

I've seen a lot of youtube videos of people with big signs shouting at folks, and I'm just not convinced this does anything except make us look rediculous. I'm all for street preaching, but there is a difference between a sign and message that is aimed at spreading the gospel, and a sign/message meant to cast judgement on folks for their sins against a God they don't believe in.

So I guess you could go either way on this one. VR's advice is good, and if you don't go to this event don't beat yourself up about it. If you do go, do be prepared and keep your message simple. A lot of pagans will respond to humility, and they will know if you aren't sincere. Showing them that the only reason you're there is because you are indeed concerned about where they're going to spend eternity is going to help you.

Peace and Love,
Stephen