essentialsaltes

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Time to take your dark glasses off ?????

Maybe it's time to put childish things away. Like the belief that astrology or witchcraft are 'real'.
 
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Francis Drake

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I stumbled on a link for Cosmopolitan Magazine and was met with the following...

Yes, You Need Spell Candles
Like scented candles, but better.

That was the headline. I did a double take to make sure I was on the right website. I glanced at the browser and saw a different description in the header.

Where to Find Magic Spell Candles, Ritual Candles Online

As I skimmed the article I encountered an unexpected surprise. This wasn't fun and games or a Halloween prank. They provided directions for the spell in the piece.

In the field of candle magic, different colors signify different areas of life—like red for love, sex, and passion, or green for prosperity and money. To work candle magic, choose a candle based on what you want to happen. Then, visualize your goal; “dress” the candle by rubbing it with oil and/or scratching in symbols while focusing on your goal; and finally, light the candle.

This is the second article they've written on candle magick. The first was published earlier this year. They've elected to use the occult spelling for the word to differentiate it from a magic show. The demographic for the magazine is fairly young. Most readers are in their teens or early twenties. Many would assume its harmless.

Question

How would you address this with a child, loved one, or a stranger? Does it bother you? Please share your thoughts.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
This is undoubtedly the first steps in witchcraft and the occult. It is highly likely it will lead to demonic possession, which will hinder anyone wanting to walk with the Lord later on.

From an early age, my children grew up with a clear understanding of demons and deliverance, so explaining what this is about would have been very easy.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Maybe it's time to put childish things away. Like the belief that astrology or witchcraft are 'real'.

Mmmm... Jesus acknowledged the spiritual realm and He was not childish...
 
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Hans Blaster

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This is undoubtedly the first steps in witchcraft and the occult. It is highly likely it will lead to demonic possession, which will hinder anyone wanting to walk with the Lord later on.

From an early age, my children grew up with a clear understanding of demons and deliverance, so explaining what this is about would have been very easy.

It's good to be reminded that this is some silly article in a magazine best known to non-readers for its "quizes" and tips for better sex lives. I'm not sure you can take anything in this article seriously.
 
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Occams Barber

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Mmmm... Jesus acknowledged the spiritual realm and He was not childish...

There's a difference between acknowledging a spiritual realm and assuming everything with a vaguely 'magickal' association is a part of that realm. Sometimes the occult connection is simply the product of an overworked imagination or the hucksterism of a modern day snake oil salesman.

By all means accept the spiritual, but it might be prudent to be a little more sceptical before you attribute things like this candle rubbish to demonic influence.

OB
 
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Carl Emerson

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There's a difference between acknowledging a spiritual realm and assuming everything with a vaguely 'magickal' association is a part of that realm. Sometimes the occult connection is simply the product of an overworked imagination or the hucksterism of a modern day snake oil salesman.

By all means accept the spiritual, but it might be prudent to be a little more sceptical before you attribute things like this candle rubbish to demonic influence.

OB

Of course it could just be market speak - I guess it depends on if the product is effectively ritually dedicated. This is probably unlikely but I could be wrong.
 
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Occams Barber

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Of course it could just be market speak - I guess it depends on if the product is effectively ritually dedicated. This is probably unlikely but I could be wrong.

What does 'effectively ritually dedicated' mean?

OB
 
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Carl Emerson

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OK - I moved into a flat in central Christchurch.

I was living alone and was very particular about my living environment.

I liked to surround myself with good things and not have anything that would be dishonouring to God.

I would dedicate the space to God and welcome His presence. I would anoint the entrances and exits with oil and pray for blessing.

After this I somehow felt uneasy - I had no clue why. As I prayed about it a gift from God was switched on inside me and I could sense the direction of spiritual intrusion...

Following this sense I walked across to a cupboard that was empty from the previous tenants. I opened the door and looked inside and saw nothing. But the sense was very strong and specific - I knew there must be something in there. I felt with my hand around a ledge where I couldnt see and my hand touched something...

Sure enough what I found that had been hidden out of sight was an unusual hand's raised Buddha. Such a piece must have been blessed by a monk as I had picked up on the familial spirit that was associated with it.
So I was relieved to know that He cared about my little living space and honoured my intent to have it spiritually clean.

It was a relief also to immediately burn this piece with much praise to Jesus the Name above all names.
 
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Occams Barber

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OK - I moved into a flat in central Christchurch.

I was living alone and was very particular about my living environment.

I liked to surround myself with good things and not have anything that would be dishonouring to God.

I would dedicate the space to God and welcome His presence. I would anoint the entrances and exits with oil and pray for blessing.

After this I somehow felt uneasy - I had no clue why. As I prayed about it a gift from God was switched on inside me and I could sense the direction of spiritual intrusion...

Following this sense I walked across to a cupboard that was empty from the previous tenants. I opened the door and looked inside and saw nothing. But the sense was very strong and specific - I knew there must be something in there. I felt with my hand around a ledge where I couldnt see and my hand touched something...

Sure enough what I found that had been hidden out of sight was an unusual hand's raised Buddha. Such a piece must have been blessed by a monk as I had picked up on the familial spirit that was associated with it.
So I was relieved to know that He cared about my little living space and honoured my intent to have it spiritually clean.

It was a relief also to immediately burn this piece with much praise to Jesus the Name above all names.

I like your story Carl, but it didn't answer my question about what 'effectively ritually dedicated' means.

OB
 
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OK - I moved into a flat in central Christchurch.

I was living alone and was very particular about my living environment.

I liked to surround myself with good things and not have anything that would be dishonouring to God.

I would dedicate the space to God and welcome His presence. I would anoint the entrances and exits with oil and pray for blessing.

After this I somehow felt uneasy - I had no clue why. As I prayed about it a gift from God was switched on inside me and I could sense the direction of spiritual intrusion...

Following this sense I walked across to a cupboard that was empty from the previous tenants. I opened the door and looked inside and saw nothing. But the sense was very strong and specific - I knew there must be something in there. I felt with my hand around a ledge where I couldnt see and my hand touched something...

Sure enough what I found that had been hidden out of sight was an unusual hand's raised Buddha. Such a piece must have been blessed by a monk as I had picked up on the familial spirit that was associated with it.
So I was relieved to know that He cared about my little living space and honoured my intent to have it spiritually clean.

It was a relief also to immediately burn this piece with much praise to Jesus the Name above all names.
Such a pity you didn’t use this gift to get a million dollars from JREF. Imagine all the good you could have done with it.
 
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Carl Emerson

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I like your story Carl, but it didn't answer my question about what 'effectively ritually dedicated' means.

OB

Sorry OB, I thought you may connect the dots - my bad...

If an object - idol or whatever is ritually set aside and dedicated to a spiritual entity, then there can be a permanent presence of that entity associated with the object from that time on. On the positive side we have record of the apostles praying over handkerchiefs then carried to the sick for healing. Same principle - different spirit.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Such a pity you didn’t use this gift to get a million dollars from JREF. Imagine all the good you could have done with it.

Such a gift is not under my control, but his - just as well I guess.
 
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Hans Blaster

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Sure enough what I found that had been hidden out of sight was an unusual hand's raised Buddha. Such a piece must have been blessed by a monk as I had picked up on the familial spirit that was associated with it.
So I was relieved to know that He cared about my little living space and honoured my intent to have it spiritually clean.

It was a relief also to immediately burn this piece with much praise to Jesus the Name above all names.

So wait...

Do you think that the Buddhist monk's blessing and the "familial spirit" has actual power?

If so, how does this fit within the bounds of Christianity?

Perhaps my experience in and understanding of Christianity isn't as broad as I thought, but this doesn't fit within my understanding of the central dogma that there is only one god and that god has three parts.
 
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Carl Emerson

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So wait...

Do you think that the Buddhist monk's blessing and the "familial spirit" has actual power?

If so, how does this fit within the bounds of Christianity?

Perhaps my experience in and understanding of Christianity isn't as broad as I thought, but this doesn't fit within my understanding of the central dogma that there is only one god and that god has three parts.

Of course - but the two matters are not in contradiction.

On the one hand God is three in One and from Him alone proceeds all power and authority.

On the other hand angelic creatures He has made are in rebellion and are misusing the powers they have been given.

They even go as far as to set themselves up as gods in His place...

I thought this was pretty basic.
 
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Occams Barber

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If an object - idol or whatever is ritually set aside and dedicated to a spiritual entity, then there can be a permanent presence of that entity associated with the object from that time on. On the positive side we have record of the apostles praying over handkerchiefs then carried to the sick for healing. Same principle - different spirit.

Do all Christians have this special powerof detection or is it limited to a special few?
Of course - but the two matters are not in contradiction.

On the one hand God is three in One and from Him alone proceeds all power and authority.

On the other hand angelic creatures He has made are in rebellion and are misusing the powers they have been given.

The even go as far as to set themselves up as gods in His place...

I thought this was pretty basic.

Like @Hans Blaster I also thought the 'familial spirit' you were referring to was something outside of the boundaries of Christianity.

You said something similar when referring to Egyptian gods in an earlier post (post #121). Be careful with your terminology - you can create the impression that you believe in the existence of gods/powers outside of Christianity. I think there's a Commandment about that.

OB
 
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Carl Emerson

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Do all Christians have this special powerof detection or is it limited to a special few?


Like @Hans Blaster I also thought the 'familial spirit' you were referring to was something outside of the boundaries of Christianity.

You said something similar when referring to Egyptian gods in an earlier post (post #121). Be careful with your terminology - you can create the impression that you believe in the existence of gods/powers outside of Christianity. I think there's a Commandment about that.

OB

I addressed this issue in my reply to Hans...
 
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Carl Emerson

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Do all Christians have this special powerof detection or is it limited to a special few?

No one is special because they have a gift - the gifts are given as He wills. The gifts are to serve the Body of Christ.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Do all Christians have this special powerof detection or is it limited to a special few?


Like @Hans Blaster I also thought the 'familial spirit' you were referring to was something outside of the boundaries of Christianity.

You said something similar when referring to Egyptian gods in an earlier post (post #121). Be careful with your terminology - you can create the impression that you believe in the existence of gods/powers outside of Christianity. I think there's a Commandment about that.

OB
So God is using an atheist to keep me on the right track !! :)
 
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