Those that practice such things bring a curse on themselves, their families, and those they practice such things for. In a practical sense, I have rarely seen the scripture “The sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons to the third and fourth generations” played out so completely as in occultic indulgences. Occultism infects everything it touches, opening doors to disease, mental illness, chaos, broken relationships and homes, even death – not to mention demon control and even hostile demonic takeover. You can tell me that’s ridiculous, or that doesn’t happen, but you have not had the painful experience of 25 plus years of having to extract people out of these circumstances and consequences. None of them any longer believed the lie that such things were harmless – certainly not beneficial or healing.

I think of a police officer who sought me out after a law enforcement conference several years ago. He was terrified. He had busted a drug dealer whose brother, I believe, was a curandero who also practiced Santeria and who knows what else.

On the way to lockup, the man told the officer he was going to pay for this, and he cursed him and his family.

Not particularly superstitious or suggestible, the officer was stunned when his health took a dramatic and life-threatening turn. Within just a few months, he had gained over 100 pounds and was on oxygen for acute respiratory breakdown. Doctors found no cause whatsoever.

I explained to him that unless he completely surrendered his life to Jesus, he had no power to break this curse. Instead, unfortunately, he chose to consult with another curandero to counter the curse.