Demons are real, and their influence is more present in daily life than many realize. In a recent teaching on the DLM Christian Lifestyle channel, Daniel Maritz warns believers that many people are unknowingly living under demonic oppression because of certain sins they’ve allowed to remain in their lives. These actions, he says, give demons “the legal right, access, a foothold” into people’s lives. Maritz doesn’t mince words: “Ongoing sin is a big problem and some choose to live in the darkness.”
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Here are the five sins he identifies as the most common open doors to demonic activity, and what you can do to close them.
1. Unforgiveness and Bitterness
“Unforgiveness, which also brings bitterness and resentment.” According to Maritz, many Christians go to church and think they are spiritually healthy, yet still harbor resentment toward someone in their past or present. He cites Ephesians 4:26–27: “Do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil.” “Demons thrive on bitterness. And if you’re bitter, it means that they might be still having their claws on your heart.”
2. Sexual Sin
“Sexual sin: pornography, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, all sexual sin.”
Maritz warns that sexual sin not only damages lives but also invites “unclean spirits” and forms soul ties with others.
“Sexual sin has spiritual ties… if you are not a child of God, you are open. Demons can come into you because the Holy Spirit is not there not protecting you, right?”
3. Occult Practices
“These are things like witchcraft, new age astrology, and so forth.” Maritz emphasizes that involvement in occultic or pagan practices—even horoscopes and crystals—are spiritual entry points. “They are all demonic doorways.” He also says other religions often involve demons masquerading as gods: “Those are not gods. Those are demons behind those idols.”
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4. Addictions
“These can be drugs, alcohol, gambling, games and so forth.” Addictions enslave people, and Maritz says they can give access to “spirits of bondage.” “If you cannot say no, you already have a problem. You’re not controlling it. It is controlling you. You are a slave to it.”
5. Willful and Repeated Sin
“You continuing to live in disobedience and not asking God for forgiveness while you know it is wrong.”
According to Hebrews 10:26, willful sin after knowing the truth invites judgment. Maritz says, “Demons have the legal right to influence and come into people who reject God’s commands.”
How to Close Demonic Doors
Maritz offers a five-step process for shutting these doors once and for all:
- Repent Immediately: “Repent immediately. Turn away from any sin that has given the devil access.”
- Renounce All Connections to Evil: “Whatever it is… reject it. Renounce it 100%, completely, in the name of Jesus Christ.”
- Pray for Deliverance and Protection: “You just say in the name of Jesus Christ, remove any demonic influence over my life… You have no legal right. Go out.”
- Fill Your Life with God’s Word: “The more of the Bible you have in you, the stronger you become.”
- Stay Accountable and Surround Yourself with Strong Believers: “If you don’t have good brothers and sisters in Christ that you can trust, pray for it… They will keep you accountable, but they will also keep your eyes on Jesus Christ.”
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No matter your past, no matter how dark things may seem, freedom is possible. Maritz reminds us, “God loves you. He gives you the choice to choose to live in the light or to live in the darkness.” But through Jesus Christ, the victory is already won. “It is enough. The final sacrifice for sins… we are also victorious through Jesus Christ.”
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
