Spells

 Its Halloween and we Christians are all either trying to ignore it or actively praying/speaking/posting against it.  But much as we dont like it and we know that spiritual darkness is real, I dont suppose many of us actually think that the spiritual nasties have all that much to do with our everyday lives

So you will probably be as surprised as I was to know that banks in the UK now have whole departments focused on breaking the power of spells which have been cast over their customers.

Im serious.  I heard it on Radio 4 so it must be true.

Its all about fraud. Financial conmen (and women) usually online, who trick people using exceedingly complex psychological deception into parting with huge amounts of cash.  Their techniques are now so sophisticated and convoluted that the banks now refer to people who have been/are being conned as being 'under a spell'   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-67208755

I immediately thought that our notions of what witchcraft and sorcery and evil are need to move with the times. The devil is no longer sitting on a broomstick with a black cat, or even worshipping Satan in covens.  He is using coercive control to blind and deceive and rob and steal. He is lying and causing others to lie. He is the master of manipulation and he is out to wreak havoc.  In a post-spiritual, consumerist society he is operating through technology and playing on people's fears and their greed with the sole aim of destroying us.

So this Halloween when the shops are full of bats and cauldrons and spiders lets keep our eyes open for the real tactics of the enemy. Perhaps we are no longer directing our warfare in the right places.  The principalities and powers are after our finances, our mental health and our sense of self.  All of which can be stolen from us by scammers.  Without gifts of discernment, the protection of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom which passes understanding we could all be victims.  When the banks start referring to people being under 'the spell'  we need to pay attention.




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