AVOIDING FOREIGN

SPIRITS

by Jonas Clark

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken

from the King James Version.

AVOIDING FOREIGN SPIRITS

ISBN-10:1-886885-40-0

ISBN-13:978-1-886885-40-0

Copyright © 2010 by Jonas Clark

Published by Jonas Clark Ministries

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AVOIDING FOREIGN SPIRITS

1

here are many people interested in

Tprophetic ministry and there’s much

confusion about it. Throughout your ministry

you will be faced with many odd, even strange

things that will require much spiritual

discernment. Spiritual discernment will come

from the Holy Spirit and be verified by many

Scriptures throughout the written Word of

God. History has introduced many divagating

prophets with strange manifestations. Your

advantage is four thousand years of written

biblical history to use as your guide for

accuracy from Adam to Christ. One corner

stone for staying biblical is using that written

history as your foundation for measuring

truth. When strange things happen, look to

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the Word for biblical examples. If you can’t

find any, then something is terribly wrong.

Experiences, even vivid, powerful, and

supernatural ones are not measurements for

truth. In my generation some have gold dust,

feathers, gems, and people barking and roaring

like lions in their meetings. A search through

the Scriptures gives no evidence that the Holy

Spirit used any of these things to confirm

Christ’s Word. Others say female angels are

healing people. There is no evidence of the

existence of female angels in the Word. These

are only a few examples of strange fire.

Someone may tell you that the things of the

Spirit can’t be understood by the natural man.

That’s not true at all because the Holy Spirit

can be understood. He never violates the

written Word. The things of the Spirit are

understood by the logos, the Bible (Hebrews

4:12). The Holy Spirit is not strange, weird or

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Avoiding Foreign Spirits

mystical. He is the third part of the Trinity.

He is a gentleman, statesman and a loving God

that lifts up Christ the only begotten son of

God. He is not a female presence, an it, a

thing, a midst, a feeling or some orphic force.

PROPHETS OF DECEPTION

In my generation, Jezebel and Baalim

prophets are the prevailing enemies of true

prophetic ministry. In the last twenty years

these spirits have become sophisticated, built

their own network of churches, followers,

training schools, written many books and

produced many training videos. These spirits

intend to hijack the prophetic ministry and

hold themselves out to be the experts in the

field. They condemn any criticism by

outsiders as irrelevant, unloving, ignorant and

judgmental. Hopefully by the time you read

this material, their folly will be known to all

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and your generation will escape their

deceptions. More than likely things are much

worse. If so, you will find them as your

strongest opponents.

One particular trait among them is

the love of money that finances

extravagant lifestyles. Those that

embrace these spirits are

merchandisers.

Both these prophetic groups and others

you will encounter have all types of strange

signs and wonders in their meetings. Just

remember not all wonders, no matter how

mystical and exciting are from the Holy Ghost

(1 John 4:1). Even legitimate miracles in

meetings do not confirm these ministers are

flowing right. Scripture says,

Many will say to me in that day, Lord,

Lord, have we not prophesied in thy

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name? And in thy name have cast out

devils? And in thy name done many

wonderful works? And then will I profess

to them, I never knew you: depart from

me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-

23).

One particular trait among them is the

love of money that finances extravagant

lifestyles. Those that embrace these spirits are

merchandisers. A merchandiser sells

prophecies, healings, religious oils, potions

and various products that reinforce their

beliefs. Typically they work within their own

networks focusing on getting as much money

from people as possible. They have all kinds of

gimmick offerings that manipulate people.

They are always recruiting followers to join

their groups. I have seen them work every

kind of evil when it comes to stealing from

God’s people.

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One young man met with me that hooked

up with one of these merchandising networks.

He gave me his ordination papers from the

various ministers within the network and

renounced his involvement. He said the

purpose of their many conferences is to raise

money, not to advance the ministry of Christ.

After services they divide the offerings among

themselves. He shocked me when he said the

amount of money one raises confirms the level

of their prophetic anointing.

A spirit of rejection may attack you

if these leaders shun you. If you feel

that way, just think of it like this,

rejection is protection.

For several hours he spoke of many

individuals, some well known and others

obscure, gave their names and explained

numerous evil strategies for meetings across

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our nation. They even merchandise one

another. They look for young naive upstarts to

turn into devils like themselves. There is every

sort of evil working behind the scenes among

these people. These are “professional prophets”

that watch videos and listen to audios to learn

the sayings and particular mannerisms of true

ministers of the Gospel and of their own who

they think are effective deceivers (Jeremiah

23:30). Avoid them and don’t do any meetings

with them or for them and don’t attend them.

Beware their accolades, flatteries and smiles

toward you. At first they will flatter you. If

that works then they will merchandise you. If

that doesn’t work they will blackball you. Just

remember, if you can be flattered, you can be

bought. Christ’s servants are not prostitutes.

A spirit of rejection may attack you if

these leaders shun you. If you feel that way

just think of it like this, rejection is protection.

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You don’t need anybody's approval—save

Christ’s. God’s servants can’t be bought at any

price! Don't try to learn anything from them.

You are not a psychic, mystic, spiritist or

soothsayer. You are a minister of Christ. You

have a responsibility to use your gift as a

faithful steward to serve the body of Christ.

The purpose of the anointing is to establish

and advance the Kingdom of God, give

witness to the love of God and confirm to the

world the resurrection of Christ our Savior.

You will also be called to turn the heart of

people toward God, walk in holiness, confront

sin and build the Church of Christ. Avoid

fame, accolades from men and vain glory, and

mind your motives in all things (Proverbs

4:23).

As a New Testament prophet your

prophetic flow is primarily used for

edification, exhortation and comfort (1

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Corinthians 14:3). Your gift also helps turn

logos, the written Word to rhema, life giving

Word as the Holy Spirit wills. Again, you are

not a physic. A physic uses demon powers to

prophesy. As already said, you are not a

mystic. A mystic is one that uses spirit

counterfeits to appear like they have some sort

of special access or favor with God.

False prophets can release fear and curses.

I have heard them tell people if they don’t

obey they endanger themselves. That type of

stuff is nothing but witchcraft. Bind it up and

carry on for Jesus. No prophet is anointed by

the Holy Spirit to curse people. Paul said

“bless and curse not” (Romans 12:14). Cursing

is a sure sign of a false prophet. Baalim, a true

prophet gone bad, did the same and lost his

life for it. God doesn't send storms, hurricanes

and earthquakes to judge people, cities and

nations for their sins. Jesus said these things

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would increase before His return. Yes, one day

their will be a judgment of the living and the

dead—but fear does not lead people to Christ.

God’s loving kindness, the good news does,

and the offer of forgiveness of sin to the

repentant (John 3:16).

SEARCHING HIDDEN SECRETS

As a prophet of Christ you will depend

only on the Holy Spirit and the written Word

of God. You don’t need objects from peoples

clothing, locks of hair or photos to assist you

to prophesy. Nor will you need to astral

project into the spirit world. You will not

blend the New Age teachings of the god-self

into your teachings or try to unlock hidden

meanings or secrets within Scripture. You will

not sell prophecies, potions or elixirs. You are

not an occultist, soothsayer, medium or

shaman. Occultists search for hidden secrets

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and "knowledge of the hidden.” They use

various methods to find obscured truths’ like

numerology and the reading of Hebrew

symbols and letters. Numerology is the study

of relationships between numbers and objects

needed by spiritualists for divination. Kabala

practitioners, for example, look for knowledge

of the hidden in numbers and symbols. This is

not biblical! I have seen people use the

Hebrew calendar and its annual symbols to

prophesy events of the coming year. This is

not the working of the Holy Spirit but the sign

of ancient Babylonian soothsayers. Jannes and

Jambres are biblical examples. Scripture says

the secret things belong to our Lord and what

He has chosen to reveal are found in His

Word, only occultists search for the forbidden.

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Avoid the gold, the glory and the

girls. This is an old proverb that will

help you make it. Yes, God will

prosper you because obedience to

His Word always brings a measure

of prosperity.

The secret things belong unto the

Lord our God: but those things which are

revealed belong unto us and to our

children for ever, that we may do all the

words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29).

Some things will not be easily discerned.

In some cases you will have to wait for the

appearance of fruit (Matthew 7:17). As you

wait for the fruit to appear, remember that the

Holy Ghost doesn’t produce unstable, bizarre

or flaky people. They will be strong in the

Lord and the power of His might. They will be

full of love, power and a sound mind (2

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Timothy 1:7).

Beware unholy mixtures. Don’t knowingly

preach with amoral teachers, preachers,

musicians or singers and don’t sit in their

meetings, either. You will find that many in

error are very talented but talent does not

usher in the presence of the Holy Ghost.

Talent is seen in skillful performances and

useful for entertaining. Entertainment,

however, will not change hearts. As a prophet

you are called to turn hearts to Christ, not put

on a show for people.

Avoid the gold, the glory and the girls.

This is an old proverb that will help you make

it. Yes, God will prosper you because

obedience to His Word always brings a

measure of prosperity. Scripture says,

however, that “The love of money is the root

of all evil.” As you minister don't forget that

all the glory belongs to God. Scripture reminds

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us,

He will not give his glory to another.

(Isaiah 42:8)

Finally, beware of sexual sins. When you

get married, stay faithful to the spouse of your

youth. Sexual sin has destroyed the ministries

of thousands of people before you arrived on

this earth. It can take you out, too.

POLISHED SHOWMANSHIP

As already said, avoid strange fire. Strange

fire is the introduction of something foreign

into the ministry, message, church, prophecy,

prayer, offering or “anointing". The sons of

Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offered strange fire

and lost their lives (Leviticus 10:1-10). The

ministry is a holy ministry with holy servants

serving a holy God.

Your gift is not to put on a show. You are

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not an entertainer. Keep your flow right.

Deceitful prophets are showmen and know

how to work a crowd. Polished showmanship,

no matter how mystical, spiritually appearing

or entertaining is not the anointing. You may

live in a time where the difference is not clear

and God may use you to bring clarity. Some

revivals attract strange fire. You can read the

history of the Welch revival in Whales and

the Azusa Street revival in North America for

examples of strange fire that got into the

meetings.

When you’re not sure of things, beware

the ministry of novices and seek counsel from

the trusted old-timers, those gray haired saints

that have been walking with God for a long

time. The safest are those that have been in

the ministry a minimum of 25 years and have

lasting fruit. Don't look to beginners even if

they appear to be highly anointed (1 Timothy

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3:6). I have seen these young “super-stars”

come and go. The race for God’s ministers is a

long one. It's a marathon race that’s completed

at heaven’s finish line.

The very things that are the most strange,

the Jezebel and Baalim prophets will present

themselves as the experts. You should also

know that moves of the Holy Spirit are not

confirmed by the number of people attending

the meetings or by the endorsement from

Hollywood Christian personalities. Only by

the Word, witness and fruit can you know for

sure. Even some fruit is misleading. As already

said look for “lasting fruit,” changed lives,

salvations and glory for Christ alone. Some of

what I have written will probably grieve you.

That's good. If it doesn’t, something might be

wrong. If you are going to walk closely with

God, you will be required to die much inside

along this journey. Many things you see will

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sadden you. Lamentations, morning and woe

will be your traveling companions. They will

prompt you to intercede for Christ’s will to be

done in the lives of your brothers and sisters

in the Lord. The good news is that you can

make it and bring honor to Christ along the

way. The Apostle Paul said it best,

Walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness

and meekness, with longsuffering,

forbearing one another in love.

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Prophets carry a great blessing for

the body of Christ. They also have a

significant responsibility to guard

their ministries from demonic

encroachment while avoiding

familiar spirits.

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Avoid strange fire and watch for the

return of the King of Glory, the Author and

Finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ our Lord.

AVOIDING FOREIGN SPIRITS

Prophets carry a great blessing for the

body of Christ. They also have a significant

responsibility to guard their ministries from

demonic encroachment while avoiding

familiar spirits. As prophets mature in their

ministries they quickly learn to "wait for the

unction” of the Holy Spirit before moving out

in their gifting. This is how they keep

defilement and spiritual corruption out of

their lives and ministries. The Apostle Peter

made it clear that men of God wait on the

Holy Ghost,

Knowing this first that no prophecy of

the scripture is of any private

interpretation. For the prophecy came not

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in old time by the will of man but holy

men of God spake as they were moved by

the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20-21).

True prophetic utterance is always

with Holy Ghost unction. Unction

is God's permission to speak on His

behalf.

Prophecy from the Holy Spirit was never

spoken by "the will of man," that is to say, by

man’s will. This is significant and fundamental

in prophetic ministry. This teaches if one

prophesies by faith only, without any Holy

Ghost unction, then they wrongly prophesy

according to their own will and not God's.

This is the indicator of a presumptuous and

self-willed prophet who can easily tap into

deceiving spirits of divination. To avoid

familiar spirits, the mature prophet will wait

on the unction from the Lord. Prophecy is

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serious ministry and should not be taken

lightly. To meddle in prophetic ministry

outside the unction is dangerous and

damaging to the lives of precious people.

Prophesying is not something done solely

by faith. Prophecy is not by the prophet’s faith

and will exclusively. Faith alone does not

force the Holy Spirit to speak. You have a

measure of faith involved but the prophet is

not making prophetic utterance come by faith.

The seasoned prophet understands this and is

able to protect himself and others from

prophetic error. Again, prophecy is not about

faith, will or emotion, it's about waiting for

the Holy Ghost to move.

The prophet is only a spokesman. If the

Holy Spirit decides to speak, He will. But, the

prophet must wait for the unction offered

according to the direct will of the Holy Spirit

(1 Corinthians 12:11). Let's look at the pattern

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for a safe prophetic release, “Holy men spake

as they were moved (compelled and

prompted) by the Holy Ghost.” True prophetic

utterance is always with Holy Ghost unction.

Unction is God’s permission to speak on His

behalf. If there is no unction, then the prophet

is acting by assumptive faith decoupled from

the Holy Spirit's prompting. This is unsafe.

Unction, Greek

charisma,

means

anointing. Those that prophesy by

presumptuous faith are in danger of tapping

into a demonic spirit of divination. This is the

realm where high-level occult spirits gain

access into the lives of Christians, churches

and ministries. Again this reveals the

seriousness of the prophet's ministry and

responsibility of every believer to judge

prophecy according to the written word of

God.

Divination is foretelling (prophesying) the

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future by occult means. As already said,

prophecy should come only after you receive

Holy Ghost unction to speak. This is the

biblical pattern taught us in the Word and

demonstrated by the prophets of old that were

first “moved by the Holy Ghost.” Remember,

unction for the prophet is the permission of

the Holy Spirit to speak. After you receive

permission, then use your faith and surrender

to the will of the Spirit and prophesy.

The five steps for receiving prophetic

permission to speak and avoiding familiar

spirits are:

1. Knowing when the Holy Spirit wants to

speak.

2. Receiving the Holy Spirit’s permission,

rightfully called the unction.

3. Using faith to surrender to the Holy

Spirit’s unction.

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4. Speaking what the Holy Spirit has to

say.

5. Judging the prophetic word according

to Scripture.

SET PROPHETS, MANTELS AND

ACTIVATION

Fivefold ascension gift prophets carry a

prophetic mantle. In the New Testament we

refer to the office of the prophet as one of the

fivefold ascension gifts given by Christ to

“perfect the saints for the work of ministry”

(Ephesians 4:11). When Elijah was ushered

into heaven he dropped his prophetic mantle

to Elisha. Elisha was already called into the

prophetic ministry before this event. The

mantle terminology is an Old Testament term

referring to the prophet's ministry. New

Testament prophets are better described as

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gifted but we can still use the illustration of

mantle to explore prophetic operations.

I have seen the effects of this prophetic

mantle on the prayer lives of people that come

into contact with it. One day some people

were praying together. As I listened many in

the group were prophesying. What was

striking to me was these people had never

prophesied before. So what was it that was

different in this particular group? There was a

man with a prophetic mantle on his life

among them. He was a fivefold ascension gift

prophet. The reason these others were able to

prophesy was they were picking up on his

prophetic gift. This expresses the need for

fivefold ascension gift prophets in local

churches because their gift activates the

prophetic among the general assembly. This is

healthy within the biblical context because

true prophetic utterance exalts and magnifies

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Christ and is “the testimony of Jesus”

(Revelation 19:10).

This also points out the necessity of

prophetic maturity among the ministry’s

leadership. Avoiding familiar spirits is the

responsibility of all; but especially those in

senior leadership within the local church.

Scripture gives examples of prophetic

activation when King Saul sent messengers to

capture David. Watch the prophetic anointing

come on these people after they came into

contact with Samuel and the company of

prophets.

Saul sent messengers to take David:

and when they saw the company of the

prophets prophesying and Samuel standing

as appointed over them, the spirit of God

was on the messengers of Saul and they

also prophesied. And when it was told

Saul, he sent other messengers and they

prophesied likewise. And Saul sent

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messengers again the third time and they

prophesied also. Then went he also to

Ramah and came to a great well that is in

Sechu: and he asked and said, ‘Where are

Samuel and David? 'And one said, 'Behold,

they be at Naioth in Ramah.' And he went

thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the spirit

of God was upon him also, and he went on

and prophesied until he came to Naioth in

Ramah. And he stripped off his clothes

also and prophesied before Samuel in like

manner and lay down naked all that day

and all that night. Wherefore they say, ‘Is

Saul also among the prophets?’ (1 Samuel

19:20-24.)

Did you notice who was in those

meetings? It was Samuel. He was “standing as

appointed over them.” The word “appointed”

natsab means set. Samuel was the “set

prophet” among this group. There is

something to be said about prophetic

activation when fivefold ascension gift

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prophets are present. When the messengers of

Saul came into contact with Samuel “they also

prophesied." It is doubtful they were trying to

muster much faith to do it. I believe a strong

unction from the Holy Ghost came on them

followed by a measure of faith.

Let’s look at Ezekiel’s release to prophesy

for a better understanding of avoiding familiar

spirits and receiving prophetic permission.

Ezekiel was a seasoned man that knew the

Holy Spirit well. He models another safety

feature in avoiding familiar spirits. He would

not prophesy until told. Scripture says,

So I prophesied as I was commanded.

(Ezekiel 37:7)

In this verse Ezekiel, a mature prophet of

God, understood that he was not to prophesy

until the Lord released him to do so. We, too,

can learn from his example. It is all right to

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sense the prophetic anointing but don’t speak

“thus saith the Lord” unless God releases you

through prompting by the Holy Spirit. If you

prophesy by faith without unction, outside

God’s permission, you are in danger of tapping

into a spirit of divination. This is a sobering

truth—but if you tap into a spirit of divination

you release witchcraft over the people. This

wrong prophetic operation is taking place

today and needs to be stopped. God has not

called His prophetic people to be fortune-

tellers but those that offer edification,

exhortation and comfort. Wrong prophetic

operations open the door for all kinds of high-

level occult spirits of divination. Avoid them

at all cost.

During a powerfully anointed service, I

asked God if he wanted me to prophesy to the

people. I don’t do this anymore because I have

learned to look for the unction. I could tell

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they were pulling on me for a prophetic word.

Most seasoned prophets can relate to that

feeling. The Spirit of God said, “No.” Could I

have prophesied anyway? The answer is “yes"

but I would have been in error. As said

repeatedly, if you prophesy without God’s

permission you can tap into a familiar spirit.

A man told me he received a prophetic

revelation from the Lord. I asked him to share

it with me and he said, “It is way too deep and

nobody was ready for it.” I said, “Brother, you

need to be careful with that. If you have a

revelation from God you need to let the

prophet’s judge” (1 Corinthians 14:29). All

prophecies need to be judged, examined and

weighed against the logos of God. Scripture

says,

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but

try the spirits whether they are of God

because many false prophets are gone out

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into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Don’t get distracted by the term false

prophets. False prophets don’t start their

ministries as false prophets. They start them

just like you did with sincerity of heart and a

love for Christ. It’s what happens along the

way that decides their destiny. If they learn

how to avoid familiar spirits they can make it.

If they don’t, they fail. It’s that simple.

Prophets make mistakes and some

prophesies are wrong. Scripture says that we

“see through a glass darkly” (1 Corinthians

13:12). If prophets and prophecies were

always accurate then people would be tempted

to follow prophets instead of Jesus. All

prophecy needs to be tested for accuracy.

Period.

34

MORE EASY READ POCKET-SIZE

BOOKS BY JONAS CLARK

Pocket-Size Books

Entering Prophetic Ministry

Prophecy Without Permission

How Witchcraft Spirits Attack

Seeing What Others Can’t

Unlocking Prophetic Imaginations

What To Do When You Feel Like Giving Up

The Weapons Of Your Warfare

Overcoming Dark Imaginations

Healing Rejection and Emotional Abuse

Breaking Christian Witchcraft

Prophetic Confrontations

Unlocking Spiritual Authority

Avoiding Foreign Spirits

How Jezebel Hijacks Prophetic Ministry

How Prophets Fail

Identifying Prophetic Spiritists

Order Online at www.JonasClark.Com

or call 800.943.6490.

Equipping Resources by Jonas Clark

Books

Extreme Prophetic Studies

Advanced Apostolic Studies

Kingdom Living: How to Activate Your Spiritual Authority

Imaginations: Dare to Win the Battle Against Your Mind

Jezebel, Seducing Goddess of War (Also Available in Spanish)

Exposing Spiritual Witchcraft

30 Pieces of Silver (Overcoming Religious Spirits)

The Apostolic Equipping Dimension

Effective Ministries & Believers

Life After Rejection: God’s Path to Emotional Healing

Come Out! A Handbook for the Serious Deliverance Minister

Saboteurs in The Republic: Battling Spiritual Wickedness in

High Places

Order Online at www.JonasClark.com

or call 800.943.6490.

Document Outline

- Avoiding Foreign Spirits

- 1 Avoiding Foreign Spirits

- Prophets of Deception

- Searching Hidden Secrets

- Polished Showmanship

- Avoiding Foreign Spirits

- Set Prophets, Mantels and Activation

Table of Contents

Avoiding Foreign Spirits

1 Avoiding Foreign Spirits

Prophets of Deception

Searching Hidden Secrets

Polished Showmanship

Set Prophets, Mantels and Activation