“Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who love in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped. Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles.” (Exodus 34:12-13).

In the biblical verse quoted above, YHVH gives a warning and strict instructions to the Israelites. So what exactly is an Asherah pole (referred to as a grove in some bible versions)? It was a tree or a pole where worshippers of Asherah (otherwise known as Asheroth, Astarte, Venus, Semiramis, Isis, and the Queen Of Heaven) gathered around to perform fertility rituals in the belief that these sexual encounters would appease their goddess and the land would produce crops that season. So it comes as no surprise to me that today exotic dancers are expected to pole dance in order to appease their audience and be rewarded money in exchange. There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

I am in no way passing judgement on the women who work in this profession. Man judges by appearance but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). They are human beings just like the rest of us. As a matter of fact, I follow the vlog of a stripper who is transitioning out of that work environment and using her hard earned money to make a better life for herself, so kudos to that young lady. [8/2/19 Edit: that vlog has since been shelved] Today, the day I published this post, is January 9, 2019. I wrote the outline for this post in October of 2018, after the Lord revealed to me in a dream that this young lady would be saved and her future ministry will be dedicated to exotic dancers looking to get out. I pray that every woman reading who is in this industry or has been in it is blessed by this post, and is ministered to by the prayer the Holy Spirit had me pen for you.

Some more biblical history on pole dancing: the Israelites are told repeatedly not only to destroy the Asherah poles already in the land but also warned not to erect any new ones themselves (Deuteronomy 7:5, 12:3, 16:21). Despite all the commands and warnings, they did indeed practice this pagan worship, at one point in the holy temple itself (Judges 3:7, 2 Kings 21:3,7). Time and time again YHVH raised up holy men of valor who fought against the debauchery, even if it meant going against their own family (Judges 6:25-27) as well as kings who fought to turn the heart of the people back to the one true God (2 Kings 23:6). Ba’al worship went hand in hand with Asherah worship, including temple prostitutes, bestiality and eating foods dedicated to these demons. I once heard a seasoned pastor and bible scholar teach that when Christ was speaking to His disciples in Matthew 16:13-20 they were in fact overlooking the ruins of an ancient grove, or Asherah pole. I believe verse 18 was spoken in a spiritual sense.

What is seen in a strip club? The lights are dimmed, patrons sit and drink alcohol as they watch the dancers perform their routines, some offering them money in exchange for a private dance. What is hidden? Drug use and prostitution. These same behaviors today mirror those of the pagans and wayward Israelites in the bible. If one were to see with spiritual eyes the atmosphere in these clubs one would find spirits of lust, alcohol, tobacco, debauchery, sexual immorality, pride, greed, amd whatever else both the patron and the dancer brings into it: spirits of rejection, self loathing, self harm (again, reminiscent of the priests of Ba’al in 1 Kings 18:26 and 28), perversion, pharmakeia (drug addiction as well as witchcraft), homosexuality and lesbianism, and only God knows what else. You can’t tell me that spiritual environment isn’t demonic and that no matter how “clean” the dancers keep themselves they are slowly sucked in. It is not a healthy place for your spirit. I understand that everyone has a reason for choosing to be there; I can only pray you make the decision to come out of there unscathed.

Warfare Prayer:
Father, I come boldly before Your throne and beg for Your forgiveness. Your Word says a beautiful woman lacking discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s nose (Proverbs 11:22). Father I desperately desire to be a vessel of honor and no longer a vessel of dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20). I accept and understand that Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ became flesh and died on the cross at Calvary, nailing all my sin to the cross. He rose again and is now seated at Your right hand, daily interceding for me (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) so that my eyes may be opened and I accept everlasting life. Lord, my eyes have been opened. Wash me clean with Your precious blood (see the post The Blood Has Purchasing Power), purge me, dress me in a clean robe and sanctify me. I am now a new creation in Christ; old things have passed away and all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Revelation 21:5). Father I thank You that You are the God of second chances. Lord Jesus, thank You for covering me, restoring me and bringing my heart back to the Father (Malichi 4:6). I am not the same woman I was when I came before you. I am now blood washed, saved and sanctified. May the pact this bloodline has made with You never be broken. Thank You, Lord, that Your mercies are fresh every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Congratulations and welcome to the family! Please, get yourself a bible and study His Word. I myself read the King James version and the NASB. Before you do anything else, please follow the steps outlined in Self Deliverance. Fasting does wonders for your faith, as well. Please see my posts on Fasting and Anointing Oil to get an idea on how to sanctify your home. When you get up in the morning make sure to put on the Full Armor of God. And lastly, let the Holy Spirit guide you, always. I pray this blesses you.