Exorcisms, Witchcraft, & Free Speech by Pastor Locke

Digital Social Hour – Episode #1562

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Pastor Greg Locke
Release Date: October 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode brings controversial pastor and deliverance minister Greg Locke onto Digital Social Hour. Host Sean Kelly engages Locke in an in-depth, no-holds-barred conversation about exorcism, witchcraft, generational curses, free speech, and the realities of modern-day ministry. Pastor Locke, known for his boldness, discusses his global travels, viral controversies (like the Harry Potter book burnings), spiritual warfare, and what it means to confront both social and supernatural issues in today's cultural climate. The podcast touches on a range of hot-button topics, blending personal vulnerability with provocative theological arguments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Calling: Early Life & Ministry

Locke describes his challenging upbringing: Arrested five times by age 16, probation, time in a children’s home ("I was arrested five times, on probation, like, you know, six times. I lived in a children's home for four years..." [04:42]).
Early call to preach: Started at 16, preaching spontaneously wherever he could, from jails to the street with a “broke karaoke machine” ([00:00], [04:42]).
Gift of communication: Finds fulfillment in preaching to any audience size.

2. From Nashville to the Nations: The Global Ministry Shift

International Expansion: After years in Nashville building “Global Vision Bible Church,” Locke now travels extensively for crusades and pastor training (Middle East, Europe, Israel, Africa) ([01:04], [02:07]).
Observing hunger for spirituality abroad: Contrasts spiritual apathy in America with the fervor of crowds overseas, especially in places like Tanzania ([01:35]).
- "There's tens of thousands of people that come to the crusades every night...they're walking miles, sometimes an entire day just to get to a crusade. They're just hungry." – Locke, [01:35]

3. Israel: Misconceptions & Free Speech

Reality vs. media narrative: Locke notes that cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are much more peaceful than Western media suggests ([02:30]).
- "It's just very peaceful...they're night people. Restaurants open till midnight. Little kids are running around the streets. There's no crime." – Locke, [02:30]
Welcoming to Christians and free speech: Locke works with both Jews and evangelical Christians and finds discourse open and honest.

4. Church Philosophy—No Judgment, Real Acceptance

Inclusive but not "approving" of every lifestyle: Locke stresses distinction between accepting people and approving behavior ([06:41]).
- "I'll accept you no matter who you are, no matter what your lifestyle is...that doesn't mean I have to approve. But the problem...is we believe disagreement is automatic division when it doesn't have to be." – Locke, [06:45])

5. Controversy Spotlight: Book Burnings, Witchcraft & Media Backlash

Harry Potter and witchcraft controversy: Locke’s events invited people to burn objects they associated with the occult—including Harry Potter books, Ouija boards, and even a wedding dress from an occult ceremony ([08:43], [09:55]).
- "It was the Harry Potter debacle...we just encouraged people to voluntarily bring what you feel would be witchcraft...the news was there, and they had a colossal meltdown." – Locke, [08:43])
Biblical justification: Compares modern practices to Acts 19’s public burning of magic books.

6. Exorcism & Deliverance: Theology & Practice

Prevalence and types of witchcraft: Locke claims demonology in America is "domesticated," but he sees explicit witchcraft and voodoo in places like Africa ([10:50]).
Media, horror, and spiritual impact: Critiques normalization and trivialization of demons through media ([11:14]).
Deliverance as central to Jesus' ministry: Claims the Gospels record Jesus dealing with evil spirits 276 times ([13:41]).
- "Jesus dealt with the supernatural more than anything in his ministry...He cast out more demons than he healed people." – Locke, [14:08])
Critique of prosperity preachers/fake manifestations: Denounces those who stage exorcisms or exploit them for profit ([15:13]).
Virtual deliverance: Exorcisms can happen remotely—by phone or online.

7. Nuance: Mental Health, Generational Curses & Unforgiveness

Spiritual and psychological overlap: While not all struggles are demonic, Locke argues some mental health, addiction, and trauma issues are linked to “generational curses” ([29:08]).
- "Generational curses...can be broken by the power of Jesus." – Locke, [30:07])
Unforgiveness as a spiritual stronghold: Locke claims freedom is most often blocked by unforgiveness towards others or oneself ([38:59]).
- "A lack of freedom is almost always tied to one thing, and that's unforgiveness." – Locke, [38:59])

8. Witchcraft, ‘Evil Eye’, Objects & New Age Practices

On objects holding spiritual power: Locke warns of amulets like the evil eye, dreamcatchers, and crystal use for energy as demonic portals ([42:58], [43:36]).
- "That evil eye is the very thing that’s holding the evil within you." – Locke, [43:21])
On psychics and channeling: Locke believes psychics operate via “familiar spirits”—supernatural but dangerous, not from God ([46:28]).
Witches and the church: Claims witches have tried to curse his ministry; says pastors are more skeptical than occultists.

9. Testing & Spiritual Authority

Power levels among demons: Describes strongmen, groupings, and demon hierarchy ([31:00]).
Authority in exorcism: Only the name of Jesus has effect, not that of any religious or political figure ([20:34]).
- "You can call out 10,000 names and nothing will happen, but you want to see sparks fly...start calling out the name of Jesus." – Locke, [21:11])
Personal spiritual warfare: Shares story of battling depression as a pastor, frames it as spiritual oppression ([27:23]).

10. Prison Ministry & Forgiveness

Upcoming prison deliverance session: Locke has been invited to Louisiana State Prison to conduct mass deliverances for 1,000 inmates ([41:45]).
Forgiveness as the key to healing and breaking cycles of crime and addiction ([42:15], [40:43]).

11. Pro-Israel Stance, Anti-Semitism, & Media Wars

Historical persecution of Jews: Connects anti-semitism to demonic influence, referencing figures from Pharaoh to Hitler ([49:39]).
Clarifies support for Israel: Frames it biblically but not as support for all government actions ([51:47]).
- "God's not coming back to the White House, He's coming back to Jerusalem." – Locke, [52:38])
Modern information wars: Notes the struggle Israel faces in social media PR and misinformation ([54:00]).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

On ministry gifts:
"I just found out, man, I'm gifted to communicate to people, and I just enjoy it, and it's just. I love it. It's what I live, literally, to communicate and preach.” [00:00]
On international crowds:
"They're walking miles, sometimes an entire day just to get to a crusade. They're just hungry.” [01:35]
On media narratives:
"People just aren't that hungry, you know, for the things of God...So to see that, it's exhilarating.” [01:35]
On acceptance vs. approval:
"There's a huge biblical difference between acceptance and approval. I'll accept you no matter who you are...that doesn't mean I have to approve."[06:45]
On book burning backlash:
"We just encouraged people to voluntarily bring in what you feel would be witchcraft...the news was there, and they had a colossal meltdown over the Harry Potter stuff."[08:43]
On deliverance in Jesus’ ministry:
"Jesus dealt with the supernatural more than anything else in his ministry. Who am I to call myself a follower of Christ and then just despise the very message that he preached?"[14:08]
On unforgiveness:
"A lack of freedom is almost always tied to one thing, and that's unforgiveness.” [38:59]
On evil eye and objects:
"That evil eye is the very thing that's holding the evil within you.” [43:21]
On support for Israel:
"God's not coming back to the White House. He's coming back to Jerusalem and that. So he's not returning for a bunch of fake Rothschild.” [52:38]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Locke’s early ministry, background, and calling | | 01:04 | Going global with ministry, international crusades | | 02:30 | Differences between US and Israel, media misconceptions | | 06:41 | Church philosophy: acceptance, division, judgment | | 08:43 | Harry Potter, book burning, witchcraft in the news | | 10:50 | Witchcraft and demonology: cultural contrasts | | 13:41 | Deliverance in the Gospels: 276 instances | | 14:08 | Exorcism as core of Jesus’s ministry | | 20:34 | Authority in casting out demons | | 29:08 | Generational curses and mental health | | 38:59 | Unforgiveness blocking spiritual freedom | | 42:58 | Objects (evil eye, crystals) and spiritual influence | | 46:28 | Psychics and familiar spirits | | 49:39 | History of anti-Semitism as “demonic” | | 52:38 | Biblical rationale for supporting Israel | | 54:00 | Social media & the “information war” |

Memorable/Surprising Moments

Harry Potter book burnings: Locke clarifies he didn’t force anyone; people brought all kinds of occult objects, with media spinning it as “Hitler-esque” ([08:43]).
Deliverance session stories: Claims of levitation, spontaneous confession, and other supernatural/exorcism events ([32:00], [33:29]).
Depression as “spirit of heaviness”: Locke opens up about personal struggle with mental health and frames it as spiritual warfare ([27:23]).
Mass deliverance in prison: Anticipation of upcoming session for 1,000 inmates ([41:45]).
Witches and psychics at church: Asserts witches sometimes visit and attempt to curse him; says he respects the spiritual reality, but sees psychics as working with dangerous spirits ([46:28]).

Tone and Style

The dialogue is bold, blunt, and unfiltered—Locke is unapologetic, direct, and often confrontational, but balances with moments of vulnerability and warmth. The conversation is peppered with scriptural references, colloquial storytelling, and honest, sometimes controversial, viewpoints. Host Sean Kelly is open-minded, asking probing questions without shying away from debate or personal anecdotes.

Closing

This episode gives listeners deep insight into a controversial spiritual leader navigating modern faith, supernatural claims, free speech, and viral scandals with candor. Whether you agree or not, it’s a rare window into the world of exorcisms, modern-day witchcraft, and spiritual worldview that shapes Pastor Greg Locke’s mission.

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Digital Social Hour – Episode #1562