The Truth regarding Spiritual Cleansing Techniques and Why They Don’t Work,
By Dana Emanuel
Spiritual Cleansing Techniques and Why They Don’t Work
Before I became a true born again Christian, I was an avid “paranormal investigator/Ghost hunter”, and I was the founder of a paranormal research team. I had an excessive amount of paranormal research equipment, including things such as CCVT Stationary cameras and monitor set, infrared digital cameras, audio recorders, EMF pump, EMF meters, IR temp meters, and ghost boxes, Ouija boards, etc.
Along with the “investigative equipment”, I carried a small case that contained my “Spiritual Protection” and House clearing supplies. In this case, I had items such as Sage, candles, rosary beads, holy water, salt, cards that had the “Micheal the archangel” protection prayers printed on them for my team members, and to give to “clients”.
These items are common items used by different religions, such as Wiccans, Pagans, Shamans, or even by some religions that guise under the umbrella of “Christianity”, for example, Catholic exorcists.
By using items that were commonly used by several different types of “religions” techniques, I was practicing religious “Syncretism”.
Syncretism, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, is “the reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief.” This is most evident in the areas of philosophy and religion, and usually results in a new teaching or belief system. Obviously, this cannot be reconciled with biblical Christianity. **(Which I would later find out the reason why, as it is because Jesus is truly the only way, and HE is the true deliverer, and the ONLY mediator between us and God the Father)
As an ex-ghost hunter, one of my main objectives while I was in the field of paranormal research, was to “ help others” that were being tormented by evil spirits, and often times, we were asked to “rid a home or place of negative energies/spirits”. Although I identified myself as a Christian (as I went to church often my whole life, but it did not reflect on the way I was living, hence my involvement in the occult). I was a Jesus “believer”, but not a Jesus “follower”. As part of my research, I was not looking in the Bible for answers on how to do these spirit banishments/house clearings. I was seeking for the answers from other people in the paranormal community, and at the local bookstores.
At these bookstores, I found many books on the subject of “ghosts” or paranormal activity. And almost always, I would find at least one chapter in those books dedicated to instructions on “how to cleanse a home of ghosts/demonic spirits/negative energies, etc.”. While no two books are exactly the same, they usually always pretty much gave very similar instructions of certain “techniques” accepted and used by the paranormal community. They included techniques such as: burning sage, black candle banishments, placing salt in a house and/or outside at each corner around property lines, burning tourmaline, while some use items that are often “associated” with the Christian faith, such as rosary beads, holy water, prayers to Micheal the archangel, or placing bibles or crosses in rooms that are believed to have paranormal activity.
Although these specific techniques were often “associated” with Christianity, they were not actually biblical. Looking back now, I also find it interesting that in these books, under the topic of house clearing, it would never include any biblical scriptures or instruction on what the Bible says about the subject.
I found that in all the cases we followed up on, where we used these items, the “spirits” (demons) would “seem” to leave, but we would often find out that the clients would report that the paranormal activity eventually returned.
But why was this? This is something I would not find out the answer to, until the day of my true salvation and deliverance, in Feb. 2011.
After I was in the occult ( spiritualism ) for many years, it came a time where my home became a spiritual war zone. I had experienced paranormal activity in several homes we lived in through the years, but it finally came a time when these “spirits” that were, for the majority of the time, usually never threatening or negative, suddenly were very negative, threatening, and ultimately became even physical! It was interesting though, that these spirits “became” negative around the same time that I started to figure out that the “ghostly spirits” we interacted with, were truly demonic spirits that were actually mimicking the dead.
*As this is actually what the Bible teaches.
The Bible teaches that when a person dies, they immediately go to either heaven or hell, depending on if they are a believer or nonbeliever, and that once a person is in heaven or hell, that it is not possible for them to come back to visit or to warn the living. (See Luke 1619-31 KJV)
When these spirits become so negative and aggressive, I became desperate. They were not only tormenting me, but they were also tormenting a few of my family members! I tried all of the techniques I learned to use. But none worked! With my personal Christian background, I usually used items such as crosses, rosary beads, and I even had opened bibles in every room of our house. I hung rosary beads over every door and window, and every time one of us would get attacked, We would command the spirit to leave in the “name of Jesus”! The activity would immediately stop, but these attacks would always return yet another night. I just could not get rid of it, no matter what I tried. I began to pray to God more, and seek him about it, as I was at a point of desperation.
I started researching online more about true biblical deliverance, and listened to some ministers on internet radio talk about deliverance and casting demons out. I also watched testimonial videos of others that went through very similar experiences. (Such as Laura Maxwell, and other ex-occultists) So, I decided that perhaps I should take my husband (as he was the one that suffered a majority of the attacks) to a church to try to see if they could help us. We went to a local church. After the service was over, we walked down and talked to the assistant pastor, and I told him about the attacks. I explained to him that I was a “paranormal Investigator/ghost hunter”, and that it was possible that I may have brought home an “attachment of a negative spirit”, from a previous investigation I did. He told me immediately that I needed to stop my involvement in the occult. When he said this, I was not clear on what he meant as I did not think that my paranormal research was in anyway related to the occult.
But i later learned that it was because it involved divination, necromancy, witchcraft, and the fact that when people die, their spirit is no longer here, earthbound. He explained that I was actually engaging with demonic spirits. And he told me that by my involvement with the occult, that this was an open door and invitation for the demonic spirits to attack me and my household. He then looked over at my husband and noticed that my husband had on a rosary bead necklace. And he asked him why he was wearing it. My husband and I both started to explain to him that it was for protection and I told him how we had rosary beads hanging up in my house, over all of the doors and windows, and I also told him about all the Bibles I had in my house, in every room. He asked my husband to take off the necklace and my husband complied. I asked him why he wanted him to take it off. He then explained to us that when you put your faith “In an object”, you are taking your faith “off Jesus”. He said that we need to have faith in Jesus, and in Jesus alone!!! Suddenly it all made sense to me that this was why all of the other things I was using was not working and the reason why that when I did use the name of Jesus, the spirits would leave, but then they would always return. And they were in our home because of my involvement in the occult.
But who would have known that? These paranormal investigation shows are on TV all the time, using these techniques, and at times, even laying claim that all the activity stopped. (Demons will play possum, simply to deceive.) You would be surprised at how many people use these techniques, not because they are “biblical”, but simply because they seen or heard it on tv /through the media. The truth is, just because something is popular belief, doesn’t make it right.
I made the decision that day, at that moment, to follow and believe in Christ, and to leave the occult. And after the pastor prayed for us, I went home, got rid of all my ghost hunting/paranormal equipment, and anything else I felt convicted of having in my home. We NEVER had anymore paranormal activity!
All of those items I used never worked, and the Bibles that I had open in my house, had no power, as the only way it gives us power, is when we “apply it to our lives”!
There is only true safety in Christ and when we are obedient to him and his word. When we are disobedient to Him, we are leaving his umbrella of protection. He loves us and tries to warn us in his holy word, about the ramifications of sin, and what sin does to us. He tries to protect us with his loving guidance and warnings In his word.
I praise God for truly saving and delivering me that day!
As a result of my experiences and my Bible study, I learned a few valuable things.
I learned that you cannot use physical objects to fight a spiritual battle. And that the only true authority in or under heaven that can crush spiritual darkness, is Jesus Christ! And we must be a believer in Him, and we must follow Him. as HE is the TRUE LIGHT. The Bible also tells us clearly, that our weapons of warfare are not “carnal”… but spiritual. There are no wooden crosses, salt, or even holy water, that will save or deliver us. Only Jesus has full authority over these unclean spirits, and the amazing thing is.. He gave US full authority over them too, in HIS NAME!
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 KJV
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Mark 1:27 KJV
[27] And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Luke 9:1 KJV
[1] Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Mark 16:15-19 KJV
[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. [19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
I also learned that the Holy Bible is truly Gods written and inspired Word, and our only true source of information regarding spiritual warfare and all other things that pertain to this life.
Seeking first the kingdom of God,
~Dana Emanuel
Dana’s Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/ExposingtheEnemy
Dana’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExposingtheEnemy
Dana’s Website: Https://SpiritualRealities.net
Dana on “Answers For The Paranormal, with Joe Miraddi and Bill Posey”
Dana’s website: http://www.spiritualrealities.org