Have you ever noticed how individuals who come out of an occult background seem to be more instantly sensitive to the Holy Spirit than many church-goers? Typically, they seem also to grasp better how the spirit realm operates, though scripture lays out for us its nature and structure.

James Kawalya was a powerful warlock in Uganda who was so well known for the satanic influence he wielded, his university professors and fellow students called him “Master.” Famous musicians, politicians, and other influential persons came to him to garner power that would advance their positions. The price for this often involved them perpetrating a sexual assault (usually on a child) or bloodshed, be it animal or human.

In the testimony of his conversion to Christ, James points out some important takeaways understood by the group of witches working with him and by his warlock “overseer” that we Christians can test against the scriptures, learn from, and internalize.

Among them, James noted that before he was delivered from the domain of darkness, he and those in Satan’s kingdom understood:

• the power of covenant – between the believer and Christ, between the believer and his spouse, and between the believer and his brothers in Christ
• the power of prayer, especially corporate – a group of 20 ladies getting together daily to pray so heavily disrupted witchcraft in the region, that James’ “mentor” assigned him the task of dividing the women through a spirit of offense. He warned James, however, that should he go into such a region of prayer, two possible ends awaited the warlock: “You’ll either be yourself converted, or die.”
• seeking to compromise men of God, particularly pastors and evangelists, was a fundamental and ongoing assignment – the chief means through which this was accomplished was isolating them from their flock, tempting them with money and material goods, and having them break marital covenant through sexual sin.
• the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than the one who is greatest in the kingdom of satan. This truth was personified when God chose a timid teenage girl to be the instrument of James’ salvation. She was scared to do what the Lord asked, arguing that a bishop would be better suited. James later discovered that the Lord assured her on this point, and testified that His presence in her caused all the powers of darkness to scream and scatter when face to face with one of the most powerful warlocks on the continent of Africa.
• the reality of principalities ruling regions, and the ability Christians have to overthrow the devil’s influence over their cities and counties through consistent prayer and fasting
• repentance disarms the devil

I would invite anyone, particularly weary intercessors, to listen to James’ full testimony. Please be aware that his story before encountering Christ is graphic and contains many deeply disturbing details.

It is also worth noting that James’ conversion came in connection with Dr. John Mulinde and the team of 20 intercessors whose obedience to God and commitment to 40 days of prayer, six hours a day, is thought to be responsible for the awakening of a potential 7,000 churches around the world and for putting the nation of Uganda on an ongoing trajectory of righteousness.