In this fallen world where Satan temporarily rules, and demons do his bidding; there are doorways, that if opened, give evil spirits legal access into your life. As a born-again Christian, we have authority over demonic spirits through Jesus Christ. However, if we are not careful to guard ourselves, we can be deceived to open a door of entry.

If we unwittingly allow a demon legal access into our life, we can experience torment and harassment. As a Christian, we cannot be possessed by a demon, as those who do not have the Spirit of Jesus Christ in them. However, an evil spirit can attach itself to our life to do great harm. As a Christian, we are told we must be alert and vigilant in order to avoid these deceptive doorways.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8.

It is essential that we equip ourselves with the wisdom and knowledge provided in Scriptures, which shed light on this important subject. The Bible clearly warns us about the reality of demonic attack and the importance of guarding our hearts and minds against spiritual deception and temptation.

In Ephesians 6:12, the apostle Paul reminds us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

To better understand how we can open spiritual doors to give demons authority, let’s look at some key points that are revealed in Scripture.

1. Idolatry and False Worship: In the Old Testament, we find numerous examples of God’s people falling into idolatry, worshiping false gods, and participating in occult practices. These actions opened doors for demonic influence and oppression.

We must be vigilant and ensure that our worship is centered solely on the one true God. There are many things offered to us every day that we are tempted to prioritize over God’s Lordship in our life. Things like money, clout, reputation, appearance, material possessions, acceptance, etc. These things in themselves are not evil. But the question we must ask ourselves every day is, “Who is on the throne of my life today? Do my actions and choices glorify God or something or someone else?

2. Unforgiveness and Bitterness: In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus shares the parable of the unforgiving servant, highlighting the importance of forgiveness. When we harbor unforgiveness and bitterness in our hearts, we provide a foothold for the enemy to sow discord, resentment, and division. All which progressively lead to other poor choices.

By choosing forgiveness and embracing the healing power of reconciliation, we close the door to demonic influence. Forgiveness is something we strive to walk in daily, as a follower of Jesus. Although it is sometimes a very difficult thing to accomplish, we choose to forgive by faith and ask God to help us walk in that forgiveness. It we do not, the root of bitterness sets in and becomes a magnet for demonic influence.

3. Occult Involvement: The Bible is explicit in its condemnation of occult practices such as witchcraft, divination, sorcery, and the consultation of mediums or spiritualists (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). Engaging in these activities quickly opens up doorways for demonic presence and control in our lives.

God desires to be our source of understanding and truth. The Holy Spirit was given so that we could receive wisdom and discern truth from God. He is our source, not the enticement of mediums and fortune-telling. Even when we read our horoscope as entertainment, we become influenced—not by God, but by the deception of demons. When we play with fire, we ultimately get burned.

Occult practices, which are an abomination to God, have become part of our everyday modern culture and are gaining ground in the mainstream in various socially “whitewashed” forms. This makes them seem more acceptable and non-threatening. Yet, they have not lost their position of power and evil in God’s eyes, nor as an avenue of demons.

4. Immoral Lifestyle Choices: The Scriptures consistently call us to live lives of holiness and purity, avoiding sexual immorality, drunkenness, and other sinful behaviors (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

By embracing Godly values and aligning our actions with Godly principles, we guard ourselves against spiritual vulnerability and the influence of evil forces. The Bible alerts us that these lifestyle choices are not something to avoid because God wants to deprive us of pleasure. These are areas that Satan uses with proficiency—to attach a demon of addiction, rebellion, selfishness, and other evil spirits into our lives.

5. Ungodly Spiritual Practices: Some spiritual practices, though seemingly harmless, can expose us to demonic influences. There is no question about Satan having infiltrated the churches in these last days. He is causing compromise in many areas of Christianity. Unfortunately, many believers let their guard down in the area of religion–thinking it is safe, yet it is an area Satan is definitely using to do harm.

It is important to discern and evaluate the teachings and practices we encounter within the Christian community, testing them against the unchanging truth of God’s Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Holy Spirit’s guidance is the most important tool we have been given and those in the church need to use it. We will each be held accountable for our spiritual choices–not the preacher alone.

Some questions Christians may want to ask themselves: Are the doctrines used by this teacher in agreement with the “Spirit” of God? Would Jesus do the things that are promoted? Are these behaviors described in God’s Word? Is the attention going to a person rather than God? (Not only in words, but in spirit.)

We need to rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment to recognize and avoid any deceptive spiritual practices, which in some cases are witchcraft and demonic–even within the churches.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not left defenseless against the schemes of the enemy. God has provided us with spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). And the authority to resist the devil (James 4:7).

Through prayer, fasting, and diligent study of God’s Word, we can fortify ourselves against the strategies of the enemy and live victorious lives in Christ Jesus.

I have included some prayers below that you may desire to use to help you in closing doors and avoiding the deception of demonic attachment and torment.

If you are aware of any doorway you have opened in the past, renounce it in Jesus’ name and close it. By praying something like this: In Jesus’ name and His authority, I repent of opening this doorway __(specifically name what you did: i.e. participated in trying to talk to someone who is dead, tarot card reading, trying a spell for fun, holding onto unforgiveness against someone, watching mediums on video, participating in sexual sin, etc.)__. I now close that doorway and repent of opening it in Jesus’ name. I curse any fruit of it from growing in my life and cast any effects of it out of my life in Jesus’ name. Thank you Lord for filling that space with your Holy Spirit and cleansing me of any unrighteousness.  

A daily prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I ask in the name of Jesus’ Christ, my Savior and Lord, that you help me walk vigilantly to avoid the traps of the enemy. Please alert me to danger, and convict my heart of sin. (Take time to repent of anything the Holy Spirit convicts you about.)   
     I ask you to be on the throne of my life today and every day. I choose to serve You, Lord, with my entire life. And I cast down anything and everything, that would exalt itself against the knowledge of You and Your ways (2 Corinthians 10:5). Please continue to teach me to walk in your ways daily—through your Word and by Your Holy Spirit. I ask that You protect me from the deceptions of Satan and his demonic agents. Thank you, Father. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I pray that you will benefit from this message and raise your defenses higher against deception. Be alert and vigilant daily, avoiding the traps of your enemy and keeping your spiritual doorways secure.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” Ephesians 6:10-18.

With God, nothing is impossible!

Dale and Paula Black