The summer has begun and many people enjoy their vacation and travel all over the world to their vacation destination. Many people have broadened their horizons and travel to countries like Africa, Asia, and South America. As soon as they arrive at their exotic vacation destination, they turn on their vacation mood and relax, go to the pool or the beach, go sightseeing, or partake in other activities. As a reminder of their vacation, they often buy souvenirs. Souvenirs not only remind them of their wonderful vacation, but souvenirs are also an addition to their interior design and give them the opportunity to boast to others about the places they have visited. But many people are not aware of the spiritual danger of souvenirs. Have you ever wondered why so many people feel depressed after a vacation and experience post-vacation syndrome aka post-vacation blues? Many people don’t know that they not only bring a nice souvenir gift into their home but also the spiritual guests that are attached to the souvenir, who are eager to cross the border and can’t wait to live with them. Souvenirs may seem nice and harmless, but a souvenir can cause a lot of harm and can have disastrous consequences in people’s lives due to demons attached to the objects. Instead of a nice addition to the interior, a souvenir can become an object of destruction in your life.
“That’s ridiculous, souvenirs can do no harm”
Since many people, including people who claim to be Christians, are carnal, the spiritual realm is hidden from them. They don’t see any harm in bringing a souvenir home and don’t see the danger of souvenirs. All they see is a beautiful traditional doll, a statue, graven image, mask, weapon, tapestry, or order object that represents the culture of the place and the country and is considered by the world as art.
They don’t see any evil in souvenirs and consider those, who warn them, as poseurs and people, who are exaggerating and laughing at them. Instead of listening to them, they are rebellious, and without knowing they bring mischief upon themselves.
What is the spiritual danger of souvenirs?
Because, that beautiful traditional doll not only represents the country and culture, but also the religion, philosophy, and spirituality and therefore the spiritual forces, powers, and rulers that reign in that country.
The same spirits that reign in that country and in the lives of the inhabitants are brought into their home and shall eventually manifest in their lives. This can result in becoming passive and lukewarm in the things of God and His Kingdom. It can cause a curiosity in the occult, disagreements and strive in marriage and in the family, which can end up in separation and divorce, sexual uncleanness, adultery, rebellion, (uncontrollable) anger, feelings of depression, tiredness, mental or physical diseases, poverty and so on.
The spiritual danger of African souvenirs
The makers of African idols, African masks, carven images of animals, shields, weapons, and jewelry dedicate their crafts to their gods and/or ancestors and often speak a spell over the object that causes the receiver to become accursed.
There are many pious Christians, who say, “I am not afraid, it doesn’t affect me, because I am in Christ. I’m above those spirits, I am protected.”
It is indeed true, that when you are in Christ you are above all powers, principalities, and rulers of darkness, and you are protected in Him and nothing can harm you, as long as you stay obedient to Him; the Word. Because when you obey the Word, you stay in Him.
If you really are a Christian, which means that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you walk in obedience to the Word after the Spirit in the will of God. This means that you walk in the light and not get involved with the darkness and the works of darkness. Therefore, you shall not buy a (carved) image, mask, weapon, or another souvenir that is created from a carnal mind and inspired by evil spirits from the kingdom of darkness.
The Bible is very clear about idols and involvement in pagan cultures. For those, who are carnal and unspiritual and therefore have no understanding of the spiritual realm, the law is their teacher.
Because through the law God made His will and the spiritual realm known to His carnal people, who belonged to the generation of the old man.
In the law, God revealed what is good and what is evil (Read also: ‘The revealing truth about the law of sin and death’).
But those, who are born again have received a new nature; God’s nature.
Their spirit has become alive and the Holy Spirit lives inside of them, whereby the law of God, which represents His will is written upon their hearts. They have insights in the spiritual realm and discern the spirits and have knowledge of good and evil. They can look at a souvenir and see the demonic power and that the object is occult.
This also applies to the culture, customs, and rituals of a country. In Africa, many tourists visit local tribes. They participate in their rituals, ancestor worship (worship of the dead), and idolatry, like ritual dances, music, singing, and meals with food, which is often sacrificed to idols (devils). They allow themselves to be clothed with their clothes and put on their handmade jewelry, through which they submit themselves to the gods of the tribes that are in reality devils (1 Corinthians 10:19-20). Without knowing, they participate in idolatry and worship devils. They submit themselves to evil spirits and invite them into their lives.
The tourists may consider it innocent and harmless and consider it an enjoyable excursion and an enrichment of their cultural knowledge, but to God, it is not innocent and harmless, but evil.
The spiritual realm is not a child’s game, but a reality. By participating in the works of pagan cultures, the tourists enter the territory of the devil and get involved with demonic spirits.
The spiritual danger of Asian souvenirs
Asia has also become a popular vacation destination. Many people visit Asia to observe the beauty of nature, culture, and spirituality. The mysterious atmosphere and culture, which are mainly controlled by Hinduism, Buddhism, and the spirit of new age attract many people. When you travel to these occult countries and get involved with the culture and spirituality, you will allow evil spirits to enter your life and bring them home.
Despite the warnings of the Bible to not get involved with paganism and idolatry, people buy souvenirs from these eastern countries and take them home. They come home with idols (Buddha’s, Ganesh), Madhubani paintings, wooden carvings, traditional dolls (o.a. Wajang dolls, Indian dolls, Daruma dolls, Geisha’s), fortune cats (Maneki Neko), warriors, (wooden) masks (a.o.. barong, Raksha, dragon mask, kabuki), weapons (o.a. Kris, Moro Barong, Talwar, Katana), temples, Koinobori (Japanese fish flag), jewelry with religious symbols, Omamori (Japanese charms), tapestries with images of gods, religious patterns, symbols or writings (tantra’s), lucky stickers or paper (Senjufada), moonstones, wind gongs (Furin) or…
The spiritual danger of South American souvenirs
Another part of the world that attracts many tourists because of its beautiful nature, different cultures, antiquities, and spirituality, is South America. And where tourists are, souvenirs are sold. What better way to remember a wonderful vacation than to bring an original handmade souvenir back home, like a handmade piece of jewelry, an image or doll (a.o. Mates Burilados, Pucará bull, Ekeko, Andean doll, Paracas pop, Alebrije, Catrine’s, Aztec statue, Mayan statue, Precolumbiaans statue, colored skulls, Pinata burro), (wooden) mask (a.o. Luchadores, Texcoco, Tiacopan, Tiachinolli, Mayan wooden mask), tapestry, clothes, woven bag (Wayuu Mochila), traditional doll, a retablos altarpiece, pottery or a painting?
But are the people familiar with the culture, religion, and idolatry in the land? Although the majority of the population of South America is catholic and considered Christian, this doesn’t say much. Because their catholic religion is full of idolatry.
The population, including many Catholics, is involved in the occult and practices witchcraft, sorcery, and shamanism, which is visible in the occult souvenirs.
Their handmade clothes, tapestry, and woven bags are full of occult symbols and signs. The dolls and images represent their ancestors, gods, and goddesses, which are in reality evil spirits.
The spiritual danger of Hawaiian souvenirs and rituals
Who doesn’t dream of a tropical vacation to Hawaii? Many people travel to this beautiful paradise. As soon as they arrive they are welcomed by a greeter with ‘Aloha’, who put a traditional flower necklace, also called lei, on their neck. The people allow this welcome ritual and immediately get into vacation mode.
But without knowing, the moment they allowed the greeter to put a Lei on them, they participated in the worship of the gods and goddesses of the islands. Because the Lei is a symbol of the aloha spirit and the purpose is to propitiate and satisfy the gods and goddesses of the islands, since the tourists are strangers to them.
The Hawaiian word ‘Aloha’ means a.o. love, compassion, affection, and peace and is used as part of the welcome ritual.
The tourists may consider all these things nice and harmless, but to the residents of Hawaii this sacred welcome ritual has a significant spiritual meaning and to them, it is a very serious matter. Because they fear and respect their gods and goddesses.
People, who allow the greeters to put a flower necklace or lei upon them, submit themselves to the gods of the islands, have communion with them, and become partakers of idolatry. These gods are demons (devils) and shall enter their lives. They shall manifest themselves in the soul and body a.o. through tiredness, insomnia, unhappy feelings, depression, sickness, etc.
The majority of people think that it is some kind of discharge of stress and their busy lives, but in reality, demonic powers have infiltrated their lives and manifested in their flesh.
This also applies to feasts and rituals, that are part of the Hawaiian culture. Take for example the Hawaiian dance Hula which derives from the Polynesian culture. This sacred (prayer) dance is associated with monotonous music and chants, whereby the Hawaiian gods and ancestors are worshiped through words, that are expressed in dance and hand motions.
Hula means goddess of the grandmother. The teaching of the sacred dance Hula was surrounded by ritual and prayer. Those, who taught the Hula and those, who learned and participated in the dance of Hula were and still are dedicated to the goddess Laka, who is the goddess of the Hula.
Although there are various versions of the Hula and the Hula is modernized, the spiritual origin and intention are still the same. The Hawaiian gods and ancestors (devils) are still worshiped through dance, music, and chant.
The Hawaiian Islands have a lot of famous souvenirs, like Lei, Poi balls, Tiki images, Tiki masks, Tiki totem poles, that are bought by tourists and taken home.
Instead of feeling refreshed after their vacation, many feel like they need another vacation. When they return home they feel tired, exhausted, depressed, and maybe even sick. The world considers it a post-travel syndrome; post-travel fatigue, post-travel depression, post-travel sickness, etc. But in the spiritual realm, it is considered a manifestation of devils, as a result of idolatry.
The revelation of the truth is considered as sowing fear
Since many Christians have deviated from the Word, many are not familiar with the will of God. They don’t know the will of God and don’t discern good from evil. They are sidetracked in life. The spirit of this world; the antichrist has taken possession of them, causing them to ignore the warnings of God and His Word. They consider the preaching and revelation of the truth by the sons and daughters of God, as sowing fear.
They don’t have any problems with watching and reading horrors, and crime stories and playing horrible games. They are not scared of terrifying images, statues, and masks that are made in the image of devils and represent and carry the death, but the truth of God and His Word scare them.
This shows us how far many have deviated from the truth and to whom they belong.
But we should not be surprised, because the devil and his demons don’t want his children to hear the truth. Because hearing the truth and obeying the truth could cost the devil his children. It means defeat and a loss for his kingdom.
That’s why the devil and his demons shall do anything they can to keep the people in the bondage of his lies, and keep them away from the truth and silence the sons and daughters of God and make them of no effect so that they won’t be a threat to his children and his kingdom. The way they do that is to mislead them by taking a little bit of truth and mixing it with his lies.
What does the Bible say about idolatry?
Take for example 1 Corinthians 8, where Paul discusses, among others, food that is sacrificed to idols. Many believers quote this part to approve their behavior to live like the world, bring idols into their homes, visit pagan temples of other religions or philosophies are preached and practiced and participate in their rituals, partake in the rituals of tribes, practice yoga, alternative healing (Reiki, Acupuncture, etc.), eat things that are sacrificed to idols, etc.
In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul discusses that someone, who has knowledge knows that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but One. But those who have this knowledge, should not use this liberty to become a stumbling block to them that don’t have this knowledge and are weak and still acknowledge their idols as gods.
Therefore they say, that those, who confront them with their behavior and warn them not to bring idols into their homes and don’t become a partaker in idolatry and the works of darkness, are weak and babes in the faith.
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than He? (1 Corinthians 10:19-22)
But Paul continued in chapter 10 and wrote, that indeed idols are no gods, but devils.
If believers were wise, they would flee from idolatry and don’t be idolaters and have fellowship with devils and partake of the table of devils and eat things that are sacrificed to devils and therefore get involved with the works of darkness (1 Corinthians 10, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
The Holy Spirit and the church in Jerusalem commanded the Gentiles, who believed and repented, to abstain from idolatry and meats offered to idols (Acts 15:20-29; 21:25)
But above all, Jesus; the living Word called the church of Pergamos and Thyatira, after His death and resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, to repent and commanded them to remove the doctrine of Balaam, the doctrine of Nicolaitanes, and the doctrine of Jezebel, that seduced His servants and caused His servants to commit idolatry and eat things sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:12-16; 2:18-23).
If Jesus wouldn’t mind idolatry and wouldn’t mind that His people would eat things that were sacrificed to idols, Jesus wouldn’t have said this to the churches in Asia minor.
If Jesus had approved idolatry, then Jesus wouldn’t have called the churches to repentance and remove these doctrines and works.
What is the will of God?
The will of God, which has been made known through the law and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit shall never change. God’s will shall always remain the same and shall always be the standard in heaven and earth, until the end of the world.
Since Jesus represents the will of the Father and God has commanded His people to abstain from idolatry, and separate themselves from the works of the Gentiles (a.o. Exodus 20:3-6; 23:24; 23:32-33; 32:31; 34:12-17, Leviticus 19:4; 26:1, Deuteronomy 29:12-29, 1 Kings 21:26, 2 Kings 17:12; 23:24-25, 1 Chronicles 16:26, Ps 97:7; 115:3-8, Ezekiel 20:18-26; 23:30-49), Jesus still commands His church to abstain from idolatry, including eating things that are sacrificed to idols.
Not only Jesus but also the Holy Spirit, Who testifies of Jesus and makes the will of God known, speaks the same words and also calls the people to repentance from a.o. idolatry (Acts 15:28-29)
Preaching the truth of God
Jesus has not commanded us to preach half-truths, which are not truths but lies, and therefore become partakers of the works of darkness. Our mission is to preach the truth of Jesus Christ; the Word in all the world and expose the works of darkness, so that souls be won for Jesus Christ and be saved from eternal death.
God is real, Jesus is real, the Holy Spirit is real, the devil is real, demons are real, sin is real, judgment is real and hell is real and it’s about time that Christians wake up and arise and become aware of the fact that the battle isn’t finished.
Yes, Jesus has defeated the devil and has taken the keys of death and hell. But the devil and his demons are still alive and active and still go around like roaring lions, seeking whom they can devour (1 Peter 5:8). They use everything they can, including souvenirs to enter the lives of people. Is this scary, no it is the truth!
Don’t be the one, who will be taken and devoured by the devil and his army. But obey Jesus Christ; the Word and stay loyal to Him, by obeying His words.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11)
Leave the souvenirs where they were made and where they belong. Don’t get involved in idolatry and occultism. Don’t become a partaker of the works of darkness and don’t try to Christianize the works of darkness, but rather uncover them, because that’s what the Word says.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
Source: Wikipedia
