In my dealings with the occult world and trying to help people be free of it, a seldom-addressed issue is the cursed practices of Curanderos. It is a practice almost solely found in Mexican and Hispanic cultures.

A "curandero" or "curandera" is sometimes called a "folk medicine healer" who practices an odd mix of herbology, Catholic saint prayer, psychic "powers', and often, card reading, spell breaking and even spell casting. It is a dangerous, volatile mix that has brought horrendous bondage and demonic oppression to millions who call on its services.

Just as a small example, I received a call from a man who was desperately worried about his father. His father was not senile nor suffering from Alzheimer's, but was acting erratic, hearing voices, losing time. He disappeared and was found hundreds of miles away. He had no idea what had happened or why he was there.

I asked and discovered that this man had been consulting with Curanderos for years. This was the result. And, until his father agreed to renounce those practices, he would only get worse.

Just recently we prayed with a young man who had been "healed" by a curandero when he was six, and had been plagued by supernatural voices and visitations ever since. We led him to Jesus and prayed for these manifestations to stop.

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.

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.

Years ago, we met with a family. They attended church regularly father had paid for the services of a Curandera trying to heal his sick son. The son recovered. The Curandera convinced him he needed to continue to pay for her services in order for the boy to remain well. So he kept paying her for more limpias (cures.) (Good business in this witchcraft isn't there?) He finally was convicted by God and decided to stop all contact with her. She was furious, she made threatening phone calls. Shortly after, mutilated animals began being left on their doorstep. That's when they called us to go pray for them.

Within weeks of the father cutting off the Curandera, the vibrant 32 year old mother became gravely ill. By the time we were called, she was in a wheelchair, looked 90 years old and was almost fetally withered, her hands clenched and unable to open. Doctors found nothing wrong with HER, either.

It was a messy, yucky deliverance. We led the dad in a prayer of repentance for his whole family. We prayed for the mom, and before our eyes she returned to near normal in a very short period of time - as another family member, sitting on the couch, began stiffening, contorting, and in a few moments took on the exact appearance and affliction as the mom had! I'd seen "jumping" before, but this was really nasty. I think after a whole evening we got the entire family free, but I promise, if they ever slip and call that Curandera again, it will be very bad for them.

I think it is important to tell these two stories. They destroy a couple of common notions. One, that these things work only if you believe in them. My officer friend didn't believe a word of "all that nonsense" until he gained 100 pounds and started sucking oxygen. Truth: If you're not a believer and follower of Jesus, you're a sitting duck for these things. Curses can indeed work on you. Or, for you. At a dear price. Because all curses or workings (blessings, the curandero will tell you) do is activate demons to complete and carry out the directives. I suppose they do so willingly in anticipation of the sheer pleasure of destroying lives, and the possibility they may even get a chance to occupy a new "house" (human body).

The second common lie is that there is a difference between good magick and evil magick (or limpias, or workings, or whatever). But God said ALL occult workings are rooted in evil, and the Evil One. Do you not think one of the favorite demonic tricks is to come disguised as "good", through someone kind and "good"? "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) The fact is, only a few poor fools follow evil for evil, knowing it is evil. But there are multitudes of others who are trapped by evil poison wrapped in a "good" appealing package!

The third common lie is that because you are a Christian, these things can't touch you. Well, the family we prayed with was nearly destroyed, and they were believers!

Hear me clearly: You are only protected if you do not touch the occult: Curanderos, psychics, ANY of it. And the minute you do, all bets are off. Anything could happen, because you have removed yourself from God's protection from the forces behind the occult. You will pay a price. It's not punishment, don't blame God for the results of disobedience to a serious spiritual directive. It's simple spiritual cause and effect, reaping and sowing.

You can argue theology with me on this issue, but we'll both lose because we can both prove our points. But as Pat Robertson once said, a man with an experience has greater weight than a man with an opinion. And my experiences over many years have shown conclusively that Christians who revert to the occult will pay a dear price for it. Thank God, there is repentance, and there is deliverance and a way out.

It is frightening to me that presently, Curanderos and Curanderas are being allowed to train hospital staff, social workers, law enforcement and even educators in "their ways". Last year in my city, a Curandera was the keynote speaker for a regional education conference - and treated like a Queen Bee! They asked if I wanted to meet her - I declined.

Do you think I would be invited to preach about Jesus and the Christian cultural ways to any of those circles, talking about Jesus as the cure for illness, disease, social problems? But the blind lead the blind and are promoting a practice that, unknowingly, brings slavery, fear and poverty to multitudes of unsuspecting people.

The power of the world of the Curanderos has injured millions over the years, specifically in the Hispanic and Mexican cultures. It is painful to me because I count my very dearest friends and brethren to be from the Mexican and Hispanic cultures. I see the fear and devastation the world of magick and Curandismo brings, and the truth of Jesus is the only thing that will bring REAL healing, or freedom, or peace.

What do you do if you have been touched by the world of Curandismo? First, know that unless your life is given over to Jesus, you are without hope. And buying a candle, or praying to Santa Barbara or St Lazarus or anyone but Jesus will NOT SAVE YOU! Only complete surrender of your will and your life to Jesus will. Religious prayers to saints and candles are ALL a part of the work of Curanderos. God is not touched or moved by these religious lies. They offend Him. Drop all the ceremony, the trappings, paintings, candles and icons and face Jesus and cry to Him for salvation. Only then can you be free.

1. Renounce every occult thing you have ever practiced: Ouija board, Tarot cards, psychics, astrology, Curanderos - all of it. Ask for forgiveness and cleansing from these unclean, defiling practices. Receive God's forgiveness and thank Him for it.

2. Get rid of ANYTHING related to these practices. Get rid of statues, icons, "prayer cards" of saints given you for healing or protection. Get rid of any similar or related jewelry. Get rid of any and all herbs or potions given you by a Curandero. Get rid of everything related to astrology, fortune telling, Ouija boards, magic games and all occult music and movies and books. Burn it if you can. Ask God for cleansing from all these things you have touched.

3. This step involved dealing with your heritage and what may have been done to you without your consent. I've talked to a great number of people who were subjected to limpias, forecasting, curses and the like when they were children.

Why would that affect you if you did not participate, did not consent? I refer back to the scripture, "The sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons to the third and fourth generations." The consequences of parents and adult family members or friends who break God's law and practice or contract occult workings infect the next generation, like passing on a genetic illness.

Parents are God's stewards over their children. They are legal guardians. When they break God's contract and participate in that which is forbidden, they effectively relinquish their spiritual guardianship and protection over their children. They sign over their rights and legal/spiritual authority over that child's spiritual well-being.

Thus, even though you were not a willing participant, YOU must take back ownership and guardianship of your soul and break any contracts with evil and forbidden practices.

"Father, I renounce my family involvement with Curanderos, witchcraft, magick or any form of the occult. Please break any contract over my life made by anyone, especially anyone in my family. Break the curses of curandismo and witchcraft and the occult. Break all generational and ancestral ties to these things. Cleanse my bloodline with the Blood of Jesus. Satan, I rebuke you and break all contracts with you or your demons and servants. I command you to leave me. I belong to Jesus. You no longer have any legal right to harass and afflict me, and you are commanded to cease and desist all activity in my life.

It has been shown that occult involvement and influences do a great deal of mental and emotional damage on many levels. Be patient as God heals you. And don't be surprised if you experience some backlash because of your decision. A number of new believers I have talked with, when they make these decisions and pray this renunciation, sometimes found themselves attacked in unexpected ways - doubts, fears, discouragement. A number of others were visited in the night by something that felt like was choking them or making them unable to speak. Don't be afraid or surprised. Stand up against them in the powerful Name of Jesus, and they will run. It is THEY who fear Jesus in YOU now.

Fill your thoughts with the Word of God and prayer. Surround yourself with loving believers who will help you stay strong and grow. Your victory is sure. Never again need you fear or be under the bondage of the occult powers of this age. Jesus has conquered fear and death. Rejoice in your freedom!