Horror movies often portray the intriguing yet satanic world of vampires and shape-shifting demons—what prophet Charlie Shamp often refers to as "werewolf spirits."

But Shamp says these entities are not just fictional, they represent real spiritual forces that seek to deceive, drain and oppress us as believers. Shamp says it is essential—especially in this season where the demonic day of Halloween is celebrated not only by secular people and pagans but also by believers in Jesus Christ—to be vigilant, discerning and equipped to combat their influences.

"We need to know how to identify the characteristics of these spiritual entities and to identify their presence," Shamp says, the founder of Destiny Encounters International. "Most importantly, we need to know how to guard ourselves against their deceptive tactics and to address the occultic connections and dangers associated with the involvement of occultic practices.

"But fear not. We are not left defenseless in this spiritual battle. We must cultivate a strong spiritual foundation through prayer, through worship, through Bible study and reliance upon the Holy Spirit. We can recognize and resist the deceptive tactics of these spiritual entities and we can help others find freedom and victory in their own lives."

Shamp says the key passage of Scripture in doing this is Proverbs 30, beginning with verse 12, "There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes and yet it is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation, oh how lofty are there eyes and their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are as swords and their jaw, teeth, as knives to devour the poor from off the earth and the need from among men."