Warning! Vampires are real! (just not the way you think)

I had a dream the other night. I was being attacked by vampires and the only thing that could keep me safe was a cross. You could converse and interact with them. But, you always had to be conscious of your own safety by keeping a hold of a cross to place before them when they tried to attack. (Yes, I- in my youth- watched a lot of vampire movies and TV shows.)

When I awoke, after praying and rebuking spirits, I began to think on and pray about it. The Lord broke into my ponderings to inform me that vampires do exist!

When I asked what he meant, he began to explain to me that they just don't exist in the form they are presented to us. Let me explain.

When Israel was about to be released, they had to place blood on the door posts of their homes. The purpose was to keep death at bay. As long as they stayed under the blood, they were safe. If they had left the safety of the blood, they would die.

We who are born again are washed in the blood of Jesus. What do vampires feed on? Blood! Is it possible for us to leave the protection of the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary and fall victim to spiritual vampires? Absolutely!

So, in this post, we will attempt to warn believers of some common vampires that, if they hang out with them, can attack (and possibly kill) us.

One more thing. Vampires always attack when we walk into dark places we shouldn't be in. So, be careful where you walk and who you hang around with.

Vampire 1: Lust.

1 John 2:16 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

One thing is certain: this world is filled with lust. Movies and TV exploit it to make money. Corporations use it to sell their products. Companies us worldly lusts (what an employee can gain for themselves if they work hard) to motivate their employees to work hard. 

Don't get me wrong. We are supposed to love our spouses (emotionally and physically). We are supposed to love our families and want to provide well for them. We have to have vehicles to get around in today's world just as they used to need horses and buggies years ago. We do need clothing to wear so we can present ourselves holy to the world and to our Lord.

But, when we allow these natural desires to become perverted and start longing after things we shouldn't (i.e. too expensive homes and cars, expensive and ungodly clothes, other people's spouses, our bosses job, etc), then we are walking out from under the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary and are being bitten by a spiritual vampire.

Vampire 2: Ungodly entertainment.

Psalm 101:3

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me

Entertainment, in and of itself, is not evil. A TV, or a computer, are just tools. They are not, innately, evil. However, when we use them to watch ungodly movies and shows, play ungodly games, interact with people in ungodly ways, we are being attacked by a spiritual vampire. 

Vampire 3: Unforgiveness.

Matthew 6:14-15Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:6-8Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Ever been going along and having a great day when suddenly: Bam! Out of nowhere somebody with an attitude does something that really hurts you? You never even saw it coming. But, there goes you good day and now you have to struggle with anger. 

It may be something small or great that was done to you, but it becomes very difficult to keep your Christian attitude. Yet, the spirit of God inside you is saying: "Forgive them." 

"What's that, Lord? Are you serious? Really? Do you know what they did to me?" 

Only to hear the Lord say, "Look at what they did to me, child. I forgave. Follow me."

If we stop there, knowing that Jesus will deal with the offender, and repent and forgive, we'll be fine.

If we don't, though, we begin to move from anger to bitterness. This begins to effect every area of our lives. We become somber, hateful, and biting. In truth, we risk becoming a vampire ourselves. 

We were bitten and offended and rather than forgive, we allowed it to begin to change us. The more bitter we become, the less of God's spirit (and his blood covering) we have. If we stay on that path, we will lose our covering and risk hell. 

Don't believe me? Read Matthew 18:21-35. Because of his servants unforgiveness, the king reinstated the servants debts that had once been accounted to him as paid. In other words, his unforgiveness caused his sins to be taken out from under the blood and he was now guilty once again. 

There are many more vampires in the world. The answer to them all is Calvary! Remove yourself from the temptation and pray. Give the Lord control and allow him to cleanse you anew (1 John 1:9). 

If you do, you will defeat the vampires and stay right with God. 

If you don't, you risk spiritual death and becoming a vampire yourself. 

Which do you choose? 

What about you? Can you add to this list? What other types of spiritual vampires can you name? I'd love to hear from you.