‘Eating At Both Tables’ — Part 1

Human Desire For Knowledge & Power — Early Influences

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” — (1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV)

• “Kids are exposed to everything at some point, so what’s the issue? They need to learn ‘real life’ for themselves.”
• “My kids have discernment and know Jesus — they’re protected.”

Occult influence and demonic exposure almost always initiates in childhood and, more often than even realized, in the womb — Satan knows kids are vulnerable, impressionable and easy to manipulate.

I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and as with most children, was very much drawn to magical things, enchanting things and superpower-type hero characters in movies and books.

Favourite show picks of my early years were, ‘The NeverEnding Story’, ‘Indiana Jones’, Disney’s ‘Sword In The Stone’, ‘Gremlins’, David Bowie’s ‘Labyrinth’, ‘Hocus Pocus’, ‘The Witches’ staring Anjelica Huston based on the novel from Roald Dahl and the ‘Goosebumps’ books series — to name a few.

Then the rise of Stephen King took place and I was ALL IN with those types of programs. At sleepovers parties at my friend’s houses, we would watch titles such as ‘Pet Sematary’, ‘Tommyknockers’, ‘Firestarter’, and the ‘Hellraiser’ movies.

My absolute most favourite show and character of all, however, was ‘She-Ra: Princess Of Power’, which was about an orphan girl who uses a magical sword that transforms her into mighty warrior who then unites a rebellion to fight against evil (hmm…that one I find interesting).

At the library, I would sign out books related to topics of making magic potions, becoming one with a spirit animal and the history of Voodoo dolls.

In my elementary years, I participated in ‘harmless’ games such as pin prick ‘blood pacts’ with best friends, making paper origami whos-going-to-be-my-crush fortune-telling creations, casting my ‘worries’ and fears into worry dolls and dreamcatchers, ‘summoning Bloody Mary’ in the gym bathroom mirror, and one day a friend even brought over a homemade Ouija board for us to ‘play’.

Oh dear, right?

It’s blatant, and not at all surprising, to realize how and why I had so many issues (face palm🤦🏻‍♀️ ) growing up that consequently continued into early adulthood…it’s important to mention also that those were only scratches on the surface of just some of the few movies, books and games I was exposed to at home, at school, in the community and with friends.

And, the list is not even comprehensive to include sex-related themes or porn!…AND that all was only up to about age 9 or 10 — in the 80’s. Uh, yikes.

The good news about it all?

When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 6, three spiritual gifts I had been given were Distinguishing Spirits/Discernment, Faith and Exhortation. Although I possessed those gifts, I didn’t actually learn about what they were or realize I had them until way later in life.

The church (building) I grew up in never, or rarely, spoke of the supernatural. I hadn’t seen or learned the truth about God’s supernatural healing power, nor had I been taught how or why it was rreeeaaalllyyyy important to identify demonic activity in my life or that I did, in fact, have the authority to address it.

The Devil was a red character with horns that sorta existed in stories…I guess. And God was a bit of a grumpy, strict old man with a white beard who was hard to get a hold of or talk to. Jesus was a baby in a manger with lots of perfume or whatever, then he carried sheep, had a bunch of guys follow him around and was eventually nailed to a cross because he didn’t conform or comply to the world around him. The Holy Spirit was a totally weird creepy concept, let alone being a person whom I would eventually realize to be my Comforter and provider of Truth.

How did Jesus perform miracles? Was I going to Hell because I wore pants? Why did bad things happen to good people? Were demons only in story books? Did God really exist?

I had so many questions and so many confusions.

Although I didn’t understand a lot of things at the time, I was absolutely certain there was ‘more’ to it all.

In my ‘gut’ (now knowing it was the Holy Spirit all along), 6 year-old little me was determined to unveil the Truth— and, through grace alone, I did.

And my mission is to share it with others.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” — John 14:26 (ESV)

To Be Continued…